INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE IN INDIAN AGRICULTURE
Globalization, privatization and scientific advancements pose new challenges and opportunities for the development of Indian agriculture. The emerging paradigm shifts focus to creation and application of new knowledge for agricultural development and global competitiveness. To facilitate this shift and realize greater economic efficiency, a new set of responsive institutions should emerge. This volume discusses the direction of institutional change in Indian agriculture. The roles of the state, markets and collective actions are examined for evolving the knowledge-intensive agriculture. The contributed papers from a number of leading researchers cover the institutions for R&D, land and water resources, credit, marketing, trade and agro-processing.
Institutional Changes in Delivery of Agricultural Inputs and Services to Farm Households in India
This paper has examined the major institutional changes in agricultural input markets and use of inputs across the farming community of the country in the previous decade. More specifically, it discusses the three aspects of inputs: (i) trend in major agricultural inputs use, (ii) their accessibility to small farmers, and (iii) institutional changes in the delivery of input and services. The study has sourced the data from various government reports mainly from NSSO, input survey and CACP. A significant growth in input-use has been recorded in the previous decade and a noticeable change has been observed in the shares of public and private sectors in the factor markets. Accessibility to institutional credit has been limited for marginal and small farmers; however, chemical fertilizer and pesticide use has been found highest among these farmers vis-a-vis other category of farmers. About 40 per cent of the farmers have access to information on modern technology from any source and progressive farmers have emerged as the major source. Easing procedural norms in accessing institutional credit is essential for inclusion of marginal and small farmers in the formal credit system. In addition, extension system should be rejuvenated with recent developments of information and communication technologies for better dissemination of farm information, particularly among the remotely located farm households.
Contract farming and smallholder outgrower schemes in less-developed countries
Abstract Some studies of outgrower schemes involving smallholders and public or private corporations in less-developed countries suggest the potential value of such arrangements in facilitating transfer of technology, access to markets and other benefits for growers. A diverse literature is surveyed to see what economic and political questions have been raised which have a bearing on the issue of grower welfare. In some cases, existing literature or the author's own research provides adequate answers to the questions raised; in others the need for further research is indicated. Some possible directions and methodologies for systematic comparative studies are suggested.