Changing Inter-Sectoral Linkages: Role of Technology Adoption in Agricultural Growth

Abstract

The paper has examined the changes in inter-sectoral relations as driven by the sectoral shares and sectoral growth patterns, and has traced the nature of linkages between agriculture and the rest of the economy in the changing context. The relation between use of technological inputs in agriculture and employment encompasses the socioeconomic and technical links between inputs and outputs. In this context, the paper has examined, by means of a case study, the role of biochemical technology in raising crop productivity and net incomes of farmers. Increasing output and profitability in the agriculture sector are the necessary precursors for strengthening the linkages between agriculture and the rest of the economy. The adoption of herbicide-tolerant (HT) technology has been found to reduce the cost of production through lower expenditure on herbicides, labour, machinery and fuel, despite charging of technology fees on the seeds. In this context, the paper has assessed the potential impact on agricultural productivity and net profits through the introduction of technology, viz. herbicide-tolerant (HT) cotton in sample farms across Gujarat. The findings based on secondary analysis and evidence based on a case study have categorically indicated the need for greater farm mechanization coupled with introduction of technologies that are labour saving if agricultural productivity has to be maintained and stepped up. Such an outcome would no doubt enhance agriculture-industry linkages in the production process and would also have favourable income effects giving a further boost to agriculture and industry.

Statistical Modeling of Crop-Weather Relationship in India: A Survey on Evolutionary Trend of Methodologies

“…The notation R and T are rainfall and temperature in period t, respectively. This method of constructing the weather variability index differs from that of Basu and Majumdar (2004) and Mehta (2013) on two points. 7 First, it has taken one composite weather index comprising rainfall and temperature and it is expressed as squared of the ratio of deviation of actual from normal weather index to the normal weather index.…”

Analysis of Technical Efficiency of Rice Farmers under Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh

“…However, TE is quite low for rice farmers in Andhra Pradesh due to inadequate supply of inputs, lack of financial support from government and high transaction cost. The government intervention was required to create a policy environment that would ensure a mutually beneficial relationship between the farmers and organized sector" [5]. Therefore, Government of Andhra Pradesh has introduced FPOs that helps in efficient farming, information sharing, delivery of inputs, marketing and profit making by mobilizing farmers for group action, that are useful to enhance the income of rice farmers at local level.…”