The growth analysis gets often utilized in agricultural studies to explore the trend of a particular variable over a period of time. This would aid in making suitable policy interventions to sustain the growth momentum. In the present study the growth rates in area, production, productivity and domestic consumption of Maize crop at national level has been estimated using both linear growth rate and compound growth rate functions. The necessary data were collected from 1970–71 to 2012–13 and was categorized into Post-Green Revolution (1970–1991) and Post-Liberalization (1992–2013) periods. Trend equations were also fitted to examine the pattern of such growth dimensions. Findings revealed that the percentage of growth was higher during Post-Liberalization period with production (130.18%) in the lead followed by consumption (89.66%); area (57.64%); and productivity (45.83%). The computed growth trend for all the growth dimensions were alsopositive and significant (p<0.01) in both the study periods except the area in Post Green Revolution which was negative as well as insignificant. But the computed compound growth rates revealed that the increase in production was more due to the increase in area during the Post-Liberalization period and not due to the increase in productivity levels. Thus to ensure food security and also to expand the avenue for maize in non-food categories, it is suggested that the process of growth in productivity should be enhanced through increased use of advisory services and provision of institutional supports to the farmers.
Compound Growth Rate, Area, Production, Productivity, Consumption, India
