1National Centre for Agricultural Economics and Policy Research, New Delhi.
The paper is drawn from the senior author's Ph.D. dissertation submitted to Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra under the guidance of Dr. R.C. Lal (Surabhi Kuchhal (Mittal), 2000).
This paper assesses total factor productivity for wheat grown in major states of India and examines the sources of producitivity growth. Marginal rates of return to public investment in wheat research are also examined. The wheat production increased with an annual growth rate of 4.6 per cent and it stands at 76 million tonnes in the year 1999–2000. More than 90 per cent of wheat acreage is already under HYVs and 86 per cent of wheat area is under irrigation. TFP index has risen at the rate of 0.9 per cent per annum and contributed one forth of production growth. Technologies have increased the use of modern inputs but the increase in wheat output has been higher than the increase in real input costs. Hence, the cost per unit of wheat has declined steadily at an annual rate of 2.2 per cent. Technological change in wheat production has benefited both consumers and producers. Research investment, tube well irrigation and rural electrification are the determinants of TFP growth. Wheat research in India has been highly rewarding.
