trends in changing pattern of productivity of agricultural land in the district of burdwan of west...

7/28/2019 Trends in Changing Pattern of Productivity of Agricultural Land in the District of Burdwan of West Bengal - A Case

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Trends in Changing Pattern of Productivity of

Agricultural Land in the District of Burdwan of West

Ben al - A Case Stud

Abstract:In the world of competition, only those who are progressive, innovative, receptive and efficient

could march ahead while the conservative and less progressive are left behind. The adage, the survival of

the fittest, seems to be very much relevant in the days of globalization. Therefore, the biggest challenge

before Indian farmers is to increase production and productivity of agricultural land so that our country

can cope with the rising demand of food crops emanating from high rate of population growth. We are

ideally placed to ride the crest of this wave into the future with the help of various methods of intensive

agriculture, adoption of high yielding varieties (HYVs), application of timely and adequate quantities of

fertilizers and providing irrigation facilities, making hired and family labour efficient, giving emphasis on

the use of modern implements etc. Based on this hypothesis regarding the trends in changing pattern of

productivity of agricultural land in the district of Burdwan of West Bengal, the present study intends to

highlight a comprehensive analysis of recent trends in area under cultivation, production and

productivity of agricultural land in respect of some important crops at the state level (West Bengal) as

well as for our sample district, namely Burdwan for the assessment of agricultural potentiality.

Keywords:Agricultural Land, Productivity, HIV Seeds, Certain-irrigated area, Institutional, Chemical

Fertilizer, Progressive, Sustainable, Rising Population, Intensive Method, Semi-log Regression Equation.

Nirmalendu SarkarDepartment of Commerce, Dinabandhu Mahavidyalaya, Bongaon,

24 Pgs (N), West Bengal, India

Santosh Kumar DuttaDepartment of Economics, Hooghly Mohsin College, Hooghly,

West Bengal, India

Arup Majumder

Ph.D Student, Dept. of Anthropology, Vidyasagar University,West Bengal, India

Swapan Kumar Biswas

Department of Commerce , Burdwan University,West Bengal, India

ISSN 2319-9725


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March, 2013 www.ijirs.com Vol 2 Issue 3

International Journal of Innovative Research and Studies Page 149

1. Introduction:Land is the prime resource for the development of mankind. It is basic and necessary factor

for all types of production. But due to the constraint emanating from the relatively fixed

supply of land; it can perform on the expected lines only by gaining on productivity fronts.

Again, Schultz (1964)1 considers the traditional economic structure as the main hindrance to

its growth. However, he argues that even this type of economy can raise agricultural

productivity by adopting quality inputs and applying the advances in knowledge and

technology to a broad range of productive activities. No significant economic breakthrough is

possible in a labour-surplus economy like India without transformation of its agricultural

sector. The transformation should take place in two very important factors which are quite

interdependent e.g. technological and institutional. These two being interdependent, a

deliberate change in either of them independently will not bring forth any lasting effect on

agricultural productivity. Accordingly, simultaneous change has to be introduced both in the

prevailing technology and reforms in different institutional factors operating in the economy

for the purpose of rapid agricultural growth. On the other hand, rapid population growth has

also necessitated the growth and increase in efficiency of agriculture. Under these

circumstances, this study deals with the behavior of area, production and productivity pattern

change in the district Burdwan along with the state of West Bengal.

The specific objectives of the study are:

a) To study the present condition of agriculture in general we have to examinethe agriculture output per unit of land in India and Abroad and

b) To examine the trends in area, production and productivity of agricultural landin the district of Burdwan and the state of West Bengal as well for the period

from 1985-86 to 2004-05.

2. MethodologyNo primary data have been generated in this study. The whole study is based on the

secondary data. For this, we have collected pertinent information necessary for trend

analysis of area, production and productivity of the district of Burdwan and the state of

West Bengal for the study periods covering from 1985-86 to 2004-05 from various issues

of the District Statistical Hand books published by Principal Agricultural Officer of

Burdwan and Statistical Abstracts and Economic Review of West Bengal Published by

Bureau of Economics & Statistics, Government of West Bengal.

N.B.: Schultz, T. (1964): Transforming Traditional Agriculture, Yale University Press,


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Crop CountryProductivity

(100 kgs. Per hectare)

Wheat

France 73.3

China 37.3

U.S.A. 28.2India 27.8

Rice (Paddy)

U.S.A. 70.4

Japan 67.0

China 62.3

India 30.1

Cotton (Lint)

China 8.4

U.S.A. 6.9

Pakistan 5.3

India 3.0

Ground nut (in shell)

China 33.3

U.S.A. 28.0

Argentina 27.5

India 8.6

Table -1: Land Productivity of Some Selected Countries In Respect Of Certain Crops (Year 2000)

Source: Tata service ltd. Statistical outline of India, 2002- 03 p.260.

CropsRanking attributes

Area Production Yield

Rice (paddy) 1 2 52Wheat 1 2 38

Coarse grains 3 4 125

Pulses 1 1 138

Oil Crops (primary) 2 5 147

Cotton sheets 1 4 77

Jute & Jute like fibres 1 1 7

Tea 2 1 13

Coffee (green) 7 7 14

Sugarcane 2 2 31Table 2: Indias Global Rank in Major Crops (Rank in 2000)

Source: Reserve Bank of India, report on Currency and Finance 2000-

2001(Mumbai, 2002).

From table- 2 it is clear that India has the largest area under rice (paddy) and wheat in the

world and is the second largest producer of these crops. However, in terms of productivity its

rank is only 52nd

in the world in case of rice and 38 th in respect of wheat. It has the largest

area under cultivation of pulses, but in terms of productivity its rank is only 138th in the

world. Not only productivity of land in India is lower than many developed and developing

countries but also it is much lower than the estimated potential.


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Crop Potential Actual (2001-02)

Rice 4000/5810 2086

Wheat 6000/6800 2770

Jowar 3000/4200 785Maize 6000/8000 2018

Groudnut 2000/3000 1065

Cotton 700/850 189

Jute 2500/3000 2174

Sugarcane 96000/1,12,000 67,000

Table 3: Potential and Actual Productivity

Source: S. Gangadharam, Agricultue: New Thrust on Dry -land Farming Needed,

The Economic Times, January 2, 1992, P. -13 & Government of India, EconomicSurvey 2002-03.

From table - 3, it is clear that in case of wheat the actual productivity in 2001-2002 was only

770 kgs per hectare as against the potential of6000/6800 kgs per hectare. It appears that only

50 per cent of potential has been used. In case of rice, the actual productivity in 2001-2002

was only 2086 kgs per hectare but the potential is estimated as 4000/5810 kgs per hectare.

This is true in all other crops. Although India is one among the major producers of

agricultural commodities in the world, productivity for a number of commodities like paddy,wheat, jute, groundnut etc are far lower than the yield levels in major producing countries of

those crops and in case of some other crops it is even lower than the world average. It reveals

from the above discussion that India has huge unused agricultural potential and it is

imperative therefore to utilize the potential for meeting the increasing demand of rising

population. In order to overcome the problem of low productivity of land, a number of steps

like the use of HYV seeds, crop rotation, increase irrigation facilities, intensive method of

cultivation etc has to be taken up.

3.2 Agricultural Performance of West Bengal as well as the district Burdwan in

terms of Some Important Crops of the Region:

Our basic hypothesis relates to the changing pattern of productivity of agricultural land in the

district Burdwan along with the state of West Bengal. For this, we have applied the semi-log

regression equation technique to trace the nature and extent of cropping pattern both in

Burdwan district as well as the state of West Bengal during the periods from 1985-86 to

1994-95 and 1995-96 to 2004-05.


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Crops

Area (Percent per annum)

Burdwan West Bengal

1985-86to

1994-95

1995-96to

2004-05

1985-86to

1994-95

1995-96to

2004-05

Aus 0.590038 (-) 1.7826 (-) 0.27995 (-) 0.927748

Aman 0.08296 (-) 0.01203 0.13231 (-) 0.12737

Boro 0.77249 0.356409 1.402912 0.550842

Rice 0.2646 0.028 0.2707 (-) 0.0373

Wheat (-) 3.5387 0.8664 (-) 0.4720 0.529

All cereals (Total) 0.2268 0.0319 0.2121 (-) 0.00022

All Food grains (Total) 0.180547 0.01906 0.1398 0.0106

Mustard 0.54034 1.582078 0.87678 1.001615

All oilseeds (Total) 0.745638 1.16607 0.621408 0.810879

Jute (-) 1.22703 0.277138 (-) 0.26094 0.136229

Sugarcane (-) 1.03061 (-) 0.52654 (-) 0.2034 (-) 0.725

Potato 0.126302 0.465493 1.082145 1.157757

Table- 4: Trend of Growth Rate of Cultivated Area of Important Crops* for the

District Burdwan and West Bengal (in general)(* Estimates based on semi-log regression equation.)

Source: Various Issues of District Statistical Hand Books and Economic Reviews(Government of West Bengal).

The estimated trend growth rate of the cultivated effective value productivity of land of some

important crops for the district Burdwan and West Bengal is presented in the table - 4. The

estimates based on semi-log regression equation during the two decades covering 10-year

period each, the first one from 1985-86 to 1994-95 and the second one from 1995-96 to 2004-

05. From table- 4 it is found that in Burdwan, the growth rate of cultivated area for rice for

the periods 1985-86 to 1994-95 and 1995-96 to 2004-05 had been 0.2646 per cent and 0.0280

per cent respectively. Rate of growth of cultivated area for rice during 1985-86 to 1994-95and 1995-96 to 2004-05 noted significantly positive, but the growth came down during the

year 1995-96 to 2004-05 as against the period 1985-86 to 1994-95. On the other hand, growth

rate of cultivated area for rice in W.B. came down to (-)0.0373 during the period 1995-96 to

2004-05 from 0.2707, which was achieved during the period 1985-86 to 1994-95. Table - 4

revealed that in the district Burdwan as well as the state of West Bengal, the trend of growth

rate in cultivated area for wheat, mustard, total (all) oilseeds, jute, sugarcane and potato have

increased during the period from 1995-96 to 2004-05 when compared against of those crops

for the period 1985-86 to 1994-95. Again, the growth rate in cultivated area for boro and all


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(total) foodgrains for the district as well as the state of W.B. have noted significantly positive,

but the growth rate of cultivated area came down during the year 1995-96 to 2004-05

compared to 1985-86 to 1994-95. Growth rate in cultivated area for aus and aman in

Burdwan was negative during those periods. However, this is true for aus, aman paddy and

total (all) cereals in West Bengal also. mustard, total (all) oilseeds, jute, sugarcane and potato

have increased during the period from 1995-96 to 2004-05 when compared against of those

crops for the period 1985-86 to 1994-95. Again, the growth rate in cultivated area for boro

and all (total) foodgrains for the district as well as the state of W.B. have noted significantly

positive, but the growth rate of cultivated area came down during the year 1995-96 to 2004-

05 compared to 1985-86 to 1994-95. Growth rate in cultivated area for aus and aman in

Burdwan was negative during those periods. However, this is true for aus, aman paddy and

total (all) cereals in West Bengal also.

Crops

Production (Percent per annum)

Burdwan West Bengal

1985-86to

1994-95

1995-96to

2004-05

1985-86to

1994-95

1995-96to

2004-05

Aus 1.282562 (-) 1.49882 0.889867 (-) 0.32507

Aman 0.93373 0.31594 0.89006 0.548575

Boro 1.23692 0.216116 1.488214 0.569247

Rice 1.024 0.2177 1.0163 0.4985

Wheat (-) 3.5998 0.9567 (-) 0.2084 0.4964

All Cereals (Total) 0.9848 0.2209 0.9231 0.4991


Mustard (-) 0.83093 1.612259 1.067533 1.17843

All Oilseeds (Total) (-) 0.03414 1.372497 1.015946 1.154044

Jute (-) 0.58222 0.712179 0.249243 0.632529

Sugarcane (-) 0.15798 (-) 3.31997 (-) 0.50311 (-) 0.88285

Potato 0.658362 0.510193 1.381133 1.133509

Table 5: Trend of Growth Rate of Production of Important Crops* for the

District Burdwan and West Bengal (in general)

(* Estimates based on semi-log regression equation.)

Source: Various Issues of District Statistical Hand Books and Economic Reviews

(Government of West Bengal).


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Table- 5 is related with the trends in growth rate of production of some important crops for

the district Burdwan and West Bengal covering two decades during the periods 1985-86 to

1994-95 and 1995-96 to 2004-05 and it is based on semi-log regression methodology. Table

- 5 reveals that during 1995-96 to 2004-05, the growth rate of production for the total

foodgrains production has decelerated to 0.219236 per cent from 1.0217 per cent growth rate

of the period 1985-86 to 1994-95. But the growth rate of total foodgrains in W.B. came down

to 0.50057 during the period 1995-96 to 2004-05 from 0.887359, which achieved during the

period 1985-86 to 1994-95. It is noted further that during the period 1995-96 to 2004-05,

there has been deceleration of all the major foodcrops e.g. aus, boro, rice, total foodgrains and

total cereals except wheat production in the district Burdwan as well as the state of West

Bengal when we compare the production of those crops for the period 1985-86 to 1994-95.

Again, when we compare the production of cash crops, e.g. mustard, total oilseeds and jute

except potato and sugarcane production in the district Burdwan along with the state of West

Bengal during the decade 1995-96 to 2004-05 with that of 1985-86 to 1994-95, we find from

table-5 that there has been an upward trend of growth in the same.

Crops

Productivity (Percent per annum)

Burdwan West Bengal

1985-86to

1994-95

1995-96to

2004-05

1985-86to

1994-95

1995-96to

2004-05

Aus 0.69252 0.283776 1.169819 0.602416

Aman 0.85076 0.32797 0.757754 0.675949

Boro 0.46443 (-) 0.14029 0.085302 0.018405

Rice 0.7597 0.1897 0.7464 0.5396

Wheat (-) 0.0934 0.1181 0.2651 (-) 0.0329

All Cereals (Total) 0.75805 0.18908 0.7115 0.497


Mustard (-) 1.37128 0.03018 0.19075 0.176816

All Oilseeds (Total ) (-) 0.77978 0.206423 0.394538 0.343165

Jute 0.644811 0.435041 0.510185 0.4963

Sugarcane 0.872629 0.206565 (-) 0.29971 (-) 0.15784

Potato 0.53206 0.044701 0.298989 (-) 0.02425

Table 6: Trend of Growth Rate of Productivity of Important Crops* for the

District Burdwan and West Bengal (in general)

(* Estimates based on semi-log regression equation.)

Source: Various Issues of District Statistical Hand Books and Economic Reviews

(Government of West Bengal).


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Table- 6 presents the estimated results of semi-log regression equations showing the rate of

growth of productivity of some important crops covering two decades starting from the year

1985-86 for the district of Burdwan along with the state of West Bengal. In Burdwan, the

trend of productivity growth rate for rice during 1985-86 to 1994-95 and 1995-96 to 2004-05

had been positive, but the growth rate declined during the year 1995-96 to 2004-05 when

compared to the figures of 1985-86 to 1994-95. Again, in West Bengal, we observed the

similar trend in the growth rate of rice productivity. From the table- 6 it is revealed that the

productivity growth rate for mustard in the district of Burdwan changes between (-) 1.37128

per cent and 0.03018 per cent during the periods 1985-86 to 1994-95 and 1995-96 to 2004-05

respectively. Thus, it is revealed that not only wheat but also mustard and total oilseeds

continued to grow at higher productivity rate in the district Burdwan. However, the growth

rate of productivity of the remaining crops declined during the period 1995-96 to 2004-05 but

improved during the period 1985-86 to 1994-95. In the period 1995-96 to 2004-05, it is

observed that there is a decennial trend growth rate of productivity of all the crops except in

case of sugarcane productivity when compared against the productivity of those crops for the

period 1985-86 to 1994-95 in case of West Bengal. It transpires from the study that

agricultural sector has been experiencing lower growth rate of productivity for most of the

crops both in the district Burdwan as well as the state of West Bengal. This poor performance

is more worrying in view of the fact that present decelerated productivity growth rate has led

to decline in the overall growth of the economy. In these circumstances, each crop related

socio-economic problems have to be diagnosed and appropriate solutions have to be found.

4. Conclusion:As civilization advances, the demand for quality and quantity of food and other necessariesof

life increases which emphasis the need for enhancing agricultural land productivity. Indian

economy still depends largely on agriculture. Therefore, in a developing economy like India,

there should be persistence effort to increase agricultural productivity of land.

It reveals from our discussion that agricultural sector has been experiencing significantly

positive growth rate of productivity (albeit in some cases growth rate is found

negative).However, the growth has really decreased recent years for most of the crops not

only in the district Burdwan but also the state of West Bengal. The poor performance has an

adverse effect on the development of the economy of the country which in turn has affected

the economic condition of people of this country.


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For better comfortable mode of life, we have to grow more food, generate more power,

establish industrial sector, explore mineral resources, use forest products, extending hosing

facilities and their amenities, construct highways and railways, reserve water resources etc.

all these activities are bound to make changes in socio-economic structure of the society.

Therefore, to fulfill our objectives a special emphasis has to be placed on land reforms, credit

and marketing facilities, balanced application of fertilizer, use of improved seeds, extension

of irrigation facilities and finally involvements of common farmers in a decentralized manner

through the panchayats as well as co-ordination with the concerned government departments,

agricultural universities and research institutes. Accordingly, changing pattern of productivity

of agriculture land is very much needed for the progress of the mankind. Again, it should be

kept in mind that the changes should not come at the cost of environment i.e. it must be

sustainable or eco-friendly.


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3. Misra, S.K. and Puri, V.K. (2003):Indian Economy, Himalya Publishing House.4. Gangadharam. S, Agricultue: New Thrust on Dry-land Farming Needed, The

Economic Times, January 2, 1992, P. -13 and Government of India, Economic

Survey 2002-03.

5. Chakarabarti, M Rajendra,(1986) Under Development and Choices inAgriculture, Heritage Publishers, New Delhi.

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New Delhi.

9. Boyce, J.K;(1987), Agrarian Impulse in Bengal: Institutional constraints totechnological change. Oxford University Press, Oxford and Newyork.

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Economics; 55: 116-135.

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