"Agriculture
in India and Maharashtra-Issues and Prospects”
MEDC published it’s Special research publication on “Agriculture in
India and Maharashtra-Issues and Prospects” in August 2002. This research
studies publication reviewed the strategies on agriculture segment in
Maharashtra.
This study focuses, on major issues and areas of concern such as price
and food policies investment subsidies etc. It highlights reforms which
still need to be initiated in the agriculture sector of Maharashtra.
It also highlights the opportunities and challenges that the WTO regime
is expected to pose.
This study about the status and performance of Agriculture in Maharashtra
reviews the share of Agriculture in State Domestic Product. As Agriculture
is a major employer in the State, it provides data of extent of land
utilization, area under horticulture, irrigated area, food grain production,
the yields of agriculture crops etc.
This study highlights the policy issues and areas of concern regarding
agriculture. It highlighted the food policy, public expenditure on agriculture,
subsidies in agriculture, issues related to sustainable land and water
resources and also technology policies. This study highlights the initiatives
taken by the Government and NGO’s to improve the agriculture scenario
in Maharashtra, which includes Draft Agriculture Policy of 1996, Crop
Insurance Scheme (National Agriculture Insurance Scheme) Watershed Development,
Agriculture Education, Research and Extention Programs, irrigation-development.
Maharashtra Krishna Valley Development Corporation, Tapi Irrigation
Development Corporation, Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation,
Godavari Marathwada Irrigation Development Corporation, Kokan Irrigation
Development Corporation, and the Horticulture Development linked to
employment guarantee scheme. This study makes suggestions for initiating
improvement in agriculture. It shows the necessity for greater investment
in rural and agriculture related infrastructure.