Analysis of Rice Production and Productivity in Eastern India

Abstract

: The Problem of low productivity of rice in Eastern India is currently being discussed among the policy makers, academicians and technologists. This paper attempt to analyses the data of rice production, area and productivity of Eastern India and individual states for a period of 1971-72 to 1981-82. The low productivity is the result of the slow adoption of high yielding varieties which points to the fact that the varieties evolved are not suitable for the area or proper rice technology is not evolved. The analyses of district data indicate that there are few districts with positive growth rates and a large number of districts with negative growth rates of productivity. A comparative study of these two groups of districts will reveal factors which govern low productivity in the region. Because of the analysis of the districts data, it was possible to identify factor governing the low productivity and to suggest measures to policy makers, development agencies and research to improve productivity and enhance production.