Inter-district variations in agricultural growth, productivity in pre-and post-reform period in Odisha

Abstract

This analysis attempts to explain the changes and variation taken place in Odishan agriculture in terms of its growth, productivity and disparity during the pre- and post-reform period are as follows. Prior to 1980, the growth of agricultural production was low and the situation has not been changed in the later twenty-five years. There was a significant negative break point in 1992-93, during the beginning of the liberalisation era. Moreover, in many districts growth phase has been associated with the greater instability. Ranking of the districts as per the productivity level reveals high performing productive districts are Balasore, Cuttack and Sambalpur and lower productivity level districts are Sundergarh and Kalahandi. The outcomes of the study suggest promoting agricultural productivity through improvement in cropping pattern and diversification to reduce disparity and inequality.