Abstract

Maharastra is one of the progressive states in India but it has been reported to be a deficit state for long when one considers to major pursuit of economic activity, which is agriculture. In the present study, an attempt has been made to analyze welfare aspect of growth performance of agriculture of the Maharastra State for the period from 1970/71 to 2005/06 by using Kakwanie’s (1997) growth parameters. Based on aggregated district level data on area, production and yield of food grains, the study reveals considerable variations in district wise growth rates. For the overall period of study, food grains production in most of the districts of the State recorded a deceleration of growth in respect to all agrarian parameters. A periodisation analysis as suggested by Kakwani (1997) concludes that the growth performance in Mahasrastra agriculture is highly unequal. The new policy changes have failed to bring about a shift in this pattern so as to enhance the economic wellbeing of the people.

Key words: Agricultural growth, welfare, underdeveloped economy, growth diversity, Kakwani’s growth parameters.