Growth and Performance of Agriculture in Maharashtra

This paper has analysed the growth and performance of agriculture in Maharashtra by collecting secondary data for the period 1960–61 to 2009–10. The gross state domestic product (GSDP) at current prices for 2009–10 has been estimated to be ‘ 9,01,330 crore and it contributed about 14.7 per cent to the GDP. The GSDP has been growing at a rapid pace over the past few years. A number of irrigation projects are being implemented to improve irrigation in the state. A watershed mission has been launched and soil and water conservation measures are being implemented speedily in the un-irrigated areas. The state has made considerable progress in the production of cash crops like sugarcane, soybean, cotton, oilseeds and onion. The past some years have seen diversification towards horticultural crops.