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.
Methodology of Identification and Characterization of Farming Systems in Irrigated Agriculture: Case Study in West Bengal State of India
ABSTRACT Targeted extension for heterogeneous farming systems is a challenge in developing countries. Farm type identification and characterization based on estimates of income from different farm components allows simplifying diversity in farming systems. Use of multivariate statistical techniques, such as principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA), help in such farm typology delineation. Using this methodological approach, the present study conducted in West Bengal, India, identified four distinct farm types, namely, farms growing food grain and jute, farms with animal husbandry and fishery based diversification with high off-farm income, farms with crop based diversification with off-farm income, and farms growing vegetables and fruits. Such typology delineation helps in differentiated, holistic, and broad-based extension intervention to address the need of different identified farm types and a reduced transaction cost in the agricultural research and extension system. Keywords:
Agrarian Reform and Agro-Industry in Honduras
ABSTRACT In contract farming (CF), agro-industries purchase produce from independent growers through a contract which specifies several terms of sale, including price, quantity and quality. The system can be mutually advantageous, reducing uncertainty for both parties and providing growers with technical assistance, inputs and access to new markets. Some LDC governments have promoted CF through legislation with mixed results. This article examines two cases of CF in Honduras, one in melons for export, the other in sugar for the domestic market. It explores the effects of existing legislation on the behaviour of firms and isolates the factors which led to very different outcomes in terms of grower welfare.