Analysis of Inter-State Differentials in Performance of Agriculture in India

The present study has been conducted to bring forth inter-state differentials in the performance of Indian agriculture over the years and to explore the signs of convergence among the states. The study is based on the secondary data for 15 major agricultural states, for the time frame, 1980–81 to the latest available. Agricultural performance assessed on the basis of production profile of crops crucial for food security and Net State Domestic Product from agriculture and allied sector highlighted widespread inter-state differentials. The convergence analysis was carried out for the four time periods: 1980–81 to 1989–90, 1990–91 to 1999–00, 2000-01to 2012–13 and the overall study period with agricultural performance proxied by Net State Domestic Product from agriculture and allied activities. The analysis pertaining to the period 2000–01 to 2012–13 provided strong evidence of-convergence implying that the states have started giving the signs of convergence post-2000. The analysis has very well established that poor performing states have started catching up with the states, well known for their agricultural advancement, which would prove beneficial for the sustained food security and overall agricultural growth of India.