Agricultural Growth: Pattern and Prospects

This paper examines the pattern of development of Andhra Pradesh agriculture and suggests a perspective for the first decade of the 21st century. The growth of agriculture since the mid-1950s is reviewed in terms of production, total factor productivity, expansion of irrigation, investment in agriculture and rise in fertiliser use. The growth potential of the sector is then analysed by examining the scope for increasing net area sown and yields of various crops. Also discussed is the strategy needed in the different agro-climatic regions of the state.