Artha Vijnana: Journal of The Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics

Amita Shah ¹

Affiliations
1 Gujarat Institute of Development Research, Ahmedabad-382 481, IN

Abstract

Traditionally, formers in dryland regions have a fairly good understanding of the critical role of soil-moisture conservation in sustaining the crop yields. This is evidenced by a number of indigenous practices which they traditionally follow. However some of these practices, especially field bundings, often need modifications, besides proper maintenance. One of the technological options adopted more recently in watershed projects in India, is to promote vegetative barriers instead of the conventional earth or stone bunding. These measures though, technologically more sound and environmentally conducive, might bring only limited economic (yield) gains. In that case these measures may fail to achieve the laudable objectives of ensuring sustainability to the farmers, depending on the dryland agriculture.

This paper is on attempt to examine yield impact of vegetative bundings and understand farmers' perceptions about moistur yield interactions under the constrained agro-climatic conditions in Gujarat. The analysis suggests that (a) traditional bundings are not only widely prevalent but also considered very important for higher yields under 'normal' rainfall conditions; Compared to this, yield impact of vegetative barriers - actual, as well as perceived is low and also uncertain, (b) given the indigenous practices of soil-moisture conservation, fortiliser turns out to be the most important factor for obtaining higher yields; and (c) strategy to provide stability in yield would require large scale investments in the form of water harvesting structures and irrigatian. What is, therefore, needed is to improve the net returns, hence, paying capacity of farmers rather than large scale subsidies spread thinly over a large number of watershed projects In the dryland regions.

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D. C. Sah , Amita Shah

Abstract

This paper seeks to answer the question why even after half a century of fertiliser use, farmers In India have not responded to soil testing service; the services that are essential for improving fertiliser use effeciency. The three Important findings of this study are as follows: First, over-use of fertilisers is widespread and Is guided by farmers' perceptions about yield response rather than soil test based recommendations. Second, farmers' yield perceptions are shaped in a chaotic environment that Is a product of inefficient farm' practices and fertiliser use techniques, constraints on yield response due to lack of complementary inputs and misconceptions and ignorance about balanced nutrient use. Thirdly, unless extension system is geared to face the challenge, the ineffeclent over-use Is unlikely to cease. These are not new findings. But their Implications are far reaching. They indicate that easy option for productivity growth have been exhausted. Productivity cannot be sustained only by applying more and more fertilisers; efficiency of Its use cannot be ignored.

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Amita Shah , D. C. Sah

Abstract

Despite technological stagnation, development of dry land agriculture bears certain special advantages. A balanced approach is therefore, essential with a significant role of dry land farming in attaining the future growth of farm production. The present analysis of Gujarat's agricultural sector, indicates that dry land farming not only contributes a significantly large share in the total agricultural output, its performance in terms of productivity is also quite encouraging. Nevertheless, the major problem is Instability of growth in the dry land region.

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