Crop diversification in Odisha: an analysis based on panel data

Abstract

Crop diversification is considered as a pathway to promote agricultural development. The present paper examines the subtleties of crop diversification in Odisha, an eastern state in India through spatial trends across 30 districts and determinants of crop diversification. The analysis carried out from 1993-94 to 2012-13 indicates sluggishness and unevenness in crop diversification. The coastal districts lack diversification while several of the districts falling in the southern part of the state tend to be more diversified. The analysis reveals that greater use of high-yielding crop varieties and access to irrigation have influenced crop concentration, whereas rural roads and income have led to crop diversification.

What determines crop diversification in North‐East zone of India?

“…Cropping intensity which is defined as the ratio of GCA to net sown area, is expected to have a positive impact on crop diversification because farmers have the tendency to rotate crops to improve farm sustainability (Kumar & Gupta, 2015a; Nayak & Kumar, 2019a). In align with the previous studies, we find a positive and significant value of the variable LNCI.…”

“…Growing different types of crops throughout the year requires regular irrigation facility, so households having access to regular irrigation water sources are expected to diversify crops. Several studies have found that irrigation influences crop diversification positively (Abro, 2012; Aheibam & Singh, 2017; Birthal et al, 2006; Dube & Guveya, 2016; Kumar et al, 2012; Kumar & Gupta, 2015a, 2015b; Rahman & Kazal, 2015), while others show that irrigation discourages diversification (Benin, Smale, Pender, Gebremedhin, & Ehui, 2004; Jha, Tripathi, & Mohanty, 2009; Joshi, Birthal, & Minot, 2006; Joshi, Joshi, & Birthal, 2006; Nayak & Kumar, 2019a; Rao, Joshi, Kumar, & Ganguly, 2008). In our study we did not find any significant relationship between irrigation and crop diversification.…”

“…Therefore, the districts having higher rural road density are expected to witness higher crop diversification. It is expected that the farmers having access to improved rural road infrastructure diversify their crop portfolio (Abro, 2012; Birthal et al, 2006; Nayak & Kumar, 2019a). We find negative relationship between rural road density and crop diversification as discussed by few other studies (Benin et al, 2004; Rao et al, 2008).…”

Crop diversification with and without irrigation: Selected tribal households of South Odisha

“…The increased demand and price for the vegetables also lead to crop diversification [3]. There are different factors like rain-fall, fertilizer, irrigation, farmer's knowledge etc are responsible for crop diversification in the study area [4] but sometimes due the climate change and unproductive rain there is crop concentration rather than diversification [5].…”

Interlinking dietary diversity, production diversity, and climate change: Non-separable farm household model approach

“…They can produce diversified foods; therefore, they are almost self-reliant and less dependent on purchases. Farms may also be specializing in growing and selling commercial crops and, if necessary, buying most of its food needs (Nayak and Kumar 2019). The production decision is majorly determined by the distance between the farm and market (transaction cost).…”