Agriculture and allied sectors, unquestionably, are considered to be the largest source of livelihood in India contributing largely to the GDP of the country. However, despite a significant increase in the production of food grains, the agriculture sector has been facing innumerable challengesprimarily because of its dependency on natural resources, which have shrunk due to increasing demographic and socioeconomic pressures. This book, a study assigned by the Ministry of Agriculture, studies different facets of agriculture and allied sectors. It provides an overview of Indianagriculture, and presents an analysis of its performance over the years. Showcasing the issues faced in the development of agriculture, it captures the interventions and initiatives of the government for the development of Indian agriculture.

Authentic and authoritative, this presentation shares a comprehensive overview of the extensive research undertaken by the Agro Economic Research Centers (AERCs) and the concerns confronting Indian agriculture. Established across the states in India to provide policy feedback to the Ministry of Agriculture, the AERCs generated many important research initiatives and debates over five decades. This second volume focuses on the problems confronted at the regional level by each of the participating states.

Authentic and authoritative, this presentation shares a comprehensive overview of the extensive research undertaken by the Agro Economic Research Centers (AERCs) and the concerns confronting Indian agriculture. Established across the states in India to provide policy feedback to the Ministry of Agriculture, the AERCs generated many important research initiatives and debates over five decades. This second volume focuses on the problems confronted at the regional level by each of the participating states.

This volume examines the transitions in Indian agriculture since the 1980s, and emphasizes upon the role of neoliberal policies and their impact. The essays presented here deal with a range of pertinent and contemporary issues, including global food security, livelihoods of agricultural labourers, and public and private investment. These weave together glimpses of the impasse faced by petty commodity producers (marginal and small farmers) and their subsequent economic distress and social exclusion. Comprehensive in analysis, this book will be useful to scholars and researchers of agricultural economics, political economy, political science and public policy.

Contributed articles.