Maximization of farm net income: A way of economic optimum crop planning in Karnataka


Book Description

This study aimed at designing economic crop planning consistent with natural and economic endowments, achieving resource use efficiency for Central Dry Zone (CDZ) of Karnataka. Field data were collected from 45 sample farmers each under Rainfed and Borewell irrigated conditions of CDZ of Karnataka. The extent of efficiency in resource use and allocation is reflected in the costs incurred and net returns realized by valuing inputs at market prices, economic prices and natural resource valuation. The cost of cultivation of crops indicated that, the net returns for borewell irrigated paddy were ₹ 34091/ha, ₹ 17278/ha, ₹ -26120/ha at market prices, economic prices and natural resource values, respectively. Thus, due to subsidies offered, the distortion of prices is to the tune of ₹ 16813/ha, while the distortion due to inclusion of GHGs (₹ 1899/ha) and inclusion of groundwater cost (₹ 41500/ha) is 43399/ha. The resource use efficiency of crops was estimated using Cobb- Douglas production function and results indicated that the ratio of MVP to MFC was differed from unity, in most of the crops, indicating scope for reallocation of expenditure among various resources from over used to under used resources. Economic Optimal Crop Plan for Sustainability in the region developed using linear programming technique indicated that, 40900 ha is to be allocated under borewell irrigated and 103673 ha for rainfed situation according to Economic pricing criteria. Total optimum area allocated would be 144574 ha which maximizes net returns at ₹ 73 crores for Tumakuru District in the CDZ of Karnataka.




Methodological review of economic impact assessment


Book Description

Evaluation or Assessment plays a crucial role in a policy or programme implementation process. A planned and organized approach to reviewing, analyzing and investigating both the validity and intended or unintended effects of a particular policy or program helps to understand the direction of the programme or policy to achieve the established objectives. Development programs and policies are typically designed to change outcomes such as raising incomes, improving learning, or reducing illness. Impact evaluations seek to answer such cause-and-effect questions precisely. Assessing the impact of a program on a set of outcomes is the equivalent of assessing the causal effect of the program on those outcomes. In this study report some of the important methodologies was discussed in detail.Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD) is not a method in itself but a design. The application of RDD requires presence of a forcing variable on which treatment allocation is made. In this premise, RDD provides a quasi-experimental set up around the cut-off, such that observations near to cut-off on either sides are similar except for the treatment and thus enabling researcher to measure impact with least bias. Graphical representation, an integral component of RDD, is often intuitive and expressive. But, the applicability of the design may be limited by the fact that in most of welfare programs and schemes, use of rating variables for selection of beneficiaries are rare. Differnce-in-Differnce (DiD): It may be difficult to include unobserved differences in characteristics in the analysis. But Difference-in-Difference method helps to resolve this problem to the extent that many characteristics of units or individuals can reasonably be assumed to be constant over time. By using this method we also cancel out the effect of all the characteristics that are unique to that individual and that do not change over time.Economic Surplus (ES) Model: Among the multiple measure, Economic surplus model is popularly used to estimate returns to research investment in Agriculture. Because, this model requires little data and it also easy to use by the person who had a basic knowledge about economics. It also provides useful and effective outputs in showing the benefits generated by agricultural research. The study has demonstrated that the economic surplus method captures the impact of Bhoochetana programme activities in a holistic manner and assesses the distributional effects of producers and consumers and therefore it would be a fairly good methodology to assess the impact of the programme.




Agricultural Research and Development in the Developing World: Too little, Too late?


Book Description

The world’s agricultural economy was transformed remarkably during the 20th century. The agricultural productivity growth that fueled this change was generated primarily by agricultural Research and development (R&D) financed and conducted by a small group of rich countries - especially the United States, but also Japan, Germany and France. In an increasingly interdependent world, both rich and poor countries have depended on agricultural research conducted in the private and public laboratories of these few countries, even if they have not contributed to financing the activity. But now the rich-country research agendas are shifting. In particular, they are no longer as interested in simple productivity enhancement. Dietary patterns and other priorities change as incomes increase. Food-security concerns are still pervasive among poor people, predominantly in poor countries. Food and nutrition security being the major concerns, agricultural R&D in less-developed countries is at the crossroads. Intensity of ARD in the developing nations is too little. But, it’s never too late. Technology gap between developed and developing countries is increasing both, qualitatively and quantitatively. Persistence of such a dichotomy may lead the developing nations into a technological orphanage. The technology-buying disadvantages of the developing countries are to be emphasized. Developing countries will have to become more self-reliant in the development of applicable agricultural technologies. Technological innovations must be combined with institutional innovations to ensure agricultural productivity.India has substantially increased its public funding of agricultural research since the late 1990s and this trend will likely continue in coming years. Nonetheless, India’s research intensity ratio, measured as public agricultural R&D spending as a share of agricultural output, continues to be relatively low. In the twelfth five‐year plan, the Indian Government addressed this deficiency by committing a significant percentage of AgGDP to agricultural R&D. No uniquely best system for all situations; goal is to find the most appropriate system. Investment in innovation is needed to support all components. Role of “institutions” is vital; partnerships and network are the cornerstones.




The State of the World's Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture


Book Description

The State of the World's Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture is FAO's first flagship publication on the global status of land and water resources. It is an 'advocacy' report, to be published every three to five years, and targeted at senior level decision makers in agriculture as well as in other sectors. SOLAW is aimed at sensitizing its target audience on the status of land resources at global and regional levels and FAO's viewpoint on appropriate recommendations for policy formulation. SOLAW focuses on these key dimensions of analysis: (i) quantity, quality of land and water resources, (ii) the rate of use and sustainable management of these resources in the context of relevant socio-economic driving factors and concerns, including food security and poverty, and climate change. This is the first time that a global, baseline status report on land and water resources has been made. It is based on several global spatial databases (e.g. land suitability for agriculture, land use and management, land and water degradation and depletion) for which FAO is the world-recognized data source. Topical and emerging issues on land and water are dealt with in an integrated rather than sectoral manner. The implications of the status and trends are used to advocate remedial interventions which are tailored to major farming systems within different geographic regions.




Save and Grow in practice: maize, rice, wheat


Book Description

FAO’s best-selling 2011 publication, Save and Grow, proposed a new paradigm of agriculture, one that is both highly productive and environmentally sustainable. This new book looks at the application of “Save and Grow” practices and technologies to production of the world’s key food security crops – maize, rice and wheat. With examples drawn from developing countries worldwide, it shows how eco-friendly farming systems are helping smallholder producers to boost cereal yields, improve their incomes and livelihoods, conserve natural resources, reduce negative impacts on the environment, and build resilience to climate change. The book will be a valuable reference for policymakers and development practitioners guiding the transition to sustainable food and agriculture.




The Farmer's Handbook


Book Description




More Crop Per Drop


Book Description

This volume is an analytical summary and a critical synthesis of research at the International Water Management Institute over the past decade under its evolving research paradigm known popularly as 'more crop per drop'. The research synthesized here covers the full range of issues falling in the larger canvas of water-food-health-environment interface. Besides its immediate role in sharing knowledge with the research, donor, and policy communities, this volume also has a larger purpose of promoting a new way of looking at the water issues within the broader development context of food, livelihood, health and environmental challenges. More crop per drop: Revisiting a research paradigm contrasts the acquired wisdom and fresh thinking on some of the most challenging water issues of our times. It describes new tools, approaches, and methodologies and also illustrates them with practical application both from a global perspective and within the local and regional contexts of Asia and Africa. Since this volume brings together all major research works of IWMI, including an almost exhaustive list of citations, in one single set of pages, it is very valuable not only as a reference material for researchers and students but also as a policy tool for decision-makers and development agencies.




Save and Grow


Book Description

The book offers a rich toolkit of relevant, adoptable ecosystem-based practices that can help the world's 500 million smallholder farm families achieve higher productivity, profitability and resource-use efficiency while enhancing natural capital.




Integrated Watershed Management in Rainfed Agriculture


Book Description

This book provides a comprehensive presentation of the realization of improved rainfed agriculture yield in semi-arid and dry land areas. The incentive of watershed programs is to increase the return on investment with over 20% for 65% of the projects that are currently underperforming. Besides techniques to improve the livelihood of the many small