Estimating growth rates and decomposition analysis of cotton production in Maharashtra: pre-and post-Bt cotton analysis

Maharashtra is one of the important cotton-producing states of India. This is an analysis of the growth performance, instability and decomposition of cotton in Maharashtra from 1960–61 to 2017–18. The decomposition analysis suggests that yield was one of the important factors in the overall growth of cotton production, followed by area effect. The increase in cotton area, yield and production has been facilitated by suitable climatic conditions, better farming practices and the accelerated transfer of technology. The paper suggests that policies should be made to reduce the risk in cotton production through the proper transfer of technology and extension services, and that cotton production should be made profitable to sustain the high growth rate experienced during the past few years.