Role of Agricultural Technology in Nutritional Security — A Case Study of Banana in South Gujarat

This study has assessed the total factor productivity growth in south Gujarat and has examined the sources of productivity growth, including public investment. The rates of return to public investment have also been estimated. The paper has presented the case of banana which has enjoyed the benefit of technological innovations during the past twenty-four years (1986–87 to 2009–10) with its TFP growth of 1.49 per cent. The study has revealed that investment of rupee one in research stock has generated, on an average, an additional income of 3.16 in banana, indicating high rates of returns to public investments. In banana crop, about one-fifth of output growth was achieved due to public investment on research. The marginal internal rates of return to horticultural research are estimated to be 35 per cent showing that investment in research during the past 24 years has resulted in attractive returns. The study has indicated that investment on research has contributed significantly to food and nutritional security.