Sangeeta Shroff

Role of cooperatives in export promotion of high value crops: A case of pomegranate marketing in Maharashtra

The results revealed that volume of exports of pomegranates increased by 7.58 times in 2012–13 as compared to 2001–02. However, it was noticed that higher prices are being realized in U.K, Netherlands and Russia where quantity exported was only 1.4, 3.2 and 2.6 percent respectively. In countries such as UAE where 52.6 percent of the fruit was exported, the prices were much lower as compared to western markets. India can reap the benefits of higher price by increasing the volume of exports to western markets. There are also many untapped markets such as USA, South America, China, Japan, etc. where India can export this fruit at favorable prices. The agro-climatic conditions in Maharashtra are so conducive to produce this fruit throughout the year and compete with Spain and Iran whose supply of this fruit is limited to seven months only. Cooperatives such as Maha anar by providing appropriate extension services, can help the farmer-members to take advantage of better prices in the international markets.

Determinants of Suicide Rates in Developing Countries - an Econometric Investigation of the Indian Case

In this paper we look at the determinants of suicide rates in developing countries by looking at the incidence of suicides in the various states of the Indian union. A thorough analysis of socio-economic factors affecting suicide rates in developed countries was conducted by Emile Durkheim towards the end of the nineteenth century and recently by Helliwell among others. However, no comparable work has been done in the case of developing countries. A big difference between our Indian study and the studies on developed countries is that neither literacy, nor the level of urbanization nor unemployment rates turn out to be significant determinants of suicide rates in our analysis. However, per capita income is a significant and positive determinant of suicide rates in both sets of studies.

From EGS to MGNREGS in Maharashtra: Were the Programme Potentials Achieved?

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) implemented since 2006, is considered to be a landmark policy in India, in terms of its socio-economic implications in rural India. The aim of the scheme is to provide safety net to the rural poor and marginalised groups by generating employment and creating durable assets. The state of Maharashtra was the pioneer state to initiate employment guarantee scheme (EGS) for rural poor during the drought years of early 1970s. From 2006, both the schemes of EGS and MGNREGS are being implemented in Maharashtra state simultaneously. This has provided us an opportunity to compare performance of the two schemes on the ground. This chapter analyses employment generated and the assets created under traditional EGS and MGNREGS in Maharashtra. The EGS and MGNREGS have been successful in providing the employment in the state, however, durable and good quality assets have not been created by these schemes to have a dent on agricultural productivity. The extent of employment generated annually under MGNREGS in Maharashtra in the last few years was in fact less than that generated under EGS before 2005–06. There are several practical problems in the implementation of the scheme in Maharashtra. There is a need for locating new and appropriate types of works and innovative ways of implementing the scheme and need for providing timely technical help to the gram panchayats. It would be more desirable if the creation of employment under the schemes also leads to creation of durable assets and efficient management of water and other natural resources locally, thus, ultimately increasing the overall productivity of the agricultural sector as a whole.

Promoting Organized Retail in Horticulture and Beneficial Impact on Farmers—The Case of Deepak Fertilizers and Petrochemicals Limited

Diversification of agriculture has brought about increased production of several agricultural commodities, which in turn have brought about new challenges to handle in terms of huge marketable surplus. India, now ranks second in the production of fruits and vegetables and policy makers have focused attention on building up an efficient marketing system which will ensure time, place and form utility. Market reforms have therefore been initiated to facilitate integration of farm production and attract massive investments for building up post-harvest infrastructure. Accordingly, corporate units have entered agricultural markets to capitalize on opportunities such as “farm to fork” approach.

Soyabean sector of Maharashtra: Pattern of growth and prospects

Soyabean is on its road to become the most important crop in the cropping pattern of Maharashtra. However, the analysis of growth rates of area, production and productivity underlines the slowdown in the overall growth in the case of soyabean both at the state and district level in the post 2000 period. The major factor responsible for this was the lower proportion of irrigated area allocated to soyabean crop. The available data shows that only 0.4 percent of the soyabean area is irrigated. In view of increasing demand for edible oil and increasing reliance on imports to satisfy the domestic demand, productivity enhancement would help in maintaining and increasing the current level of soybean production. There is a need to increase productivity of soybean through provision of irrigation, quality seeds and extension regarding correct mix of quality inputs. This definitely calls for implementation of policies for arresting the slowdown in the soyabean sector.