Background: Total factor productivity indicates the contribution of non inputs to the growth of agricultural productivity. In this study, estimation of total factor productivity in ragi crop and returns to investment in ragi research in Karnataka is attempted.
Method: For the study, the time series data on cost of cultivation of ragi was collected from farm management reports, published by Directorate of agriculture, Government of Karnataka. The Tornqvist Theil index of TFP is used for measuring TFP growth and regression analysis is employed to identify sources of TFP growth.
Findings: The result indicates that The Total Factor Productivity index of ragi grew at 4.75 per cent per annum. Public research significantly contributed to TFP growth in ragi. The additional investment of one rupee in ragi research generated additional income of Rs. 26.84, indicating substantial rate of returns to investment on research in ragi in Karnataka.
Conclusion/Application: The total factor productivity in ragi crop registered a substantial growth in Karnataka. Hence the Government should allocate substantial funds to public research in ragi for productivity improvement of ragi crop providing food security to masses.