Agriculture sector hit by lack of rain

Scanty and erratic rainfall, limited availability of irrigation and low productivity of crops are among the major constraints in agricultural growth in the state, a study carried out by the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics has revealed.

The findings were part of the statistical analysis of the agricultural sector over the past four decades in the state. Shrikant Kalamkar, who carried out the research at the institute, said, "The agriculture sector has undergone a lot of changes in the past few years. The sector exhibits wide fluctuations and there are no signs of sustained progress. The recent suicides by farmers in Vidarbha and Marathwada have once again highlighted the regional disparity in the state."

The study revealed that the share of primary sector (agriculture and allied activities) in the state has been steeply declining over the decades, as compared at the nation. It accounted for 31 per cent of the GDP in 1960-61 and steeply declined to 11.7 per cent in 2008-09. "The slow growth of agriculture as compared to other sectors is a serious issue from the point of view of rural employment and poverty, both of which are heavily dependent on agricultural growth," Kalamkar said.

Explaining how rainfall has also been one of the major hurdles in agricultural growth of the state, Kalamkar said, "Though the average rainfall in the state is relatively high when compared to many other states of India, the fact is that it spreads over many months and is inconstant. Over the years, some regions have been getting more rain than others, further affecting areas bereft of water resources."

Nearly one-third of Maharashtra falls in the rain-shadow region, where rains are scanty and erratic. About one-fourth of India’s drought-prone districts are in Maharashtra, with 73 per cent of its geographical area classified as semi-arid. Moreover, the Central Water Commission has identified 45 talukas from nine districts in the state as drought-prone.

According to this study, the limited availability of irrigation is another constraint that affects the growth of agriculture in the state. "About 82 per cent of the cultivated area is rain-fed. Due to lack of irrigation facilities, not only are low-value crops being cultivated here, but, also, the productivity of most of the crops is much lower as compared to the national average," Kalamkar added.