AN ANALYSIS OF PRE AND POST REFORM DIVERSIFICATION OF INDIAN AGRICULTURE

ANIL MISHRA¹*
¹College of Agriculture, Tikamgarh, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Krishinagar, Adhartal, Jabalpur, 482004, India
* Corresponding Author : doctoranil97@rediffmail.com

Received : 18-07-2018     Accepted : 27-07-2018     Published : 30-07-2018
Volume : 10     Issue : 14       Pages : 6751 - 6754
Int J Agr Sci 10.14 (2018):6751-6754

Keywords : Diversification, Herfindahl- Hirschman Index, Kinked model, Linear restriction, Discontinuity
Conflict of Interest : None declared
Acknowledgements/Funding : Author thankful to Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Krishinagar, Adhartal, Jabalpur, 482004, India
Author Contribution : Sole Author

Diversification is an integral part of structural transformation of an economy. In brief it is the shift of work force either from one sector to another sector (Macro level diversification) or from one branch to other branch of a particular sector (Micro level diversification). So far as diversification within the agricultural sector is concerned it may be in terms of less profitable crop to high profitable crop i.e. crop to crop diversification or may be in terms of crop production to animal husbandry, fishing etc. i.e., crop to non-crop diversification. The present study mainly concentrates on crop-to-crop diversification in India for the period of 1980-81 to 2000-2001. Both food and nonfood crops have been considered here. The total period of discussion is subdivided into two sub-periods viz. pre reform period (1980-81 to 1989-90) and post reform period (1990-91 to 2000-2001).To measure the extent of diversification Herfindahl- Hirschman Index (HHI) has been used. HHI is a simple yet sophisticated way of measuring the nature of diversification not only in the agriculture sector but also in any other sector of an economy. The value of HHI varies from zero to one. It takes a value of one when there is complete specialization and approaches to zero with the increase in the extent of diversification. Zero value of HHI indicates perfect diversification. Besides studying the nature and extent of diversification, attempt has also been made to study the sub period growth rates of the different crops and crop groups using best fitted kinked model. As a concluding remark it can be said that crop diversification is no doubt a healthy picture of an agro-based country like India towards its modernization. However, as compared to the other developing countries the process of crop diversification in this country is lagging far behind. To make the crop diversification more beneficial proper government attention, research support, proper water management, enhancement of credit and input supply etc. are very much necessary in the present competitive environment of globalization and liberalization.

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