Artha Vijñāna

Drivers of Solar-Powered Irrigation Pump Adoption in India: Evidence from Macro and Micro-Level Data

A. Narayanamoorthy — 2026-07-31

Solar-powered irrigation pumps are considered as climate-friendly technology that can reduce groundwater exploitation, lower electricity costs and enhance farmers’ income. The Government of India has introduced attractive subsidy schemes to promote their adoption. Although adoption has increased in recent years, it remains limited in many States. This study examines the factors influencing the adoption of solar pumps using both macro-level data from 17 major States of India and micro-level survey data from 304 farmers in Tamil Nadu. The analysis seeks to understand the broader patterns and challenges associated with the diffusion of solar irrigation pumps in India

Evaluating the Impact of Soil Health Card Scheme on Nutrient Management in Karnataka's Major Crops

Ramappa K.B. — 2026-07-31

Soil Health is vital for sustainable agriculture. The Indian Government's Soil Health Card (SHC) program attempts to address soil nutrient imbalance. This study uses data from 360 farmers in Bidar, Davanagere, and Dakshina Kannada to evaluate the effect of SHC on nutrient application in major crops in Karnataka. The results demonstrate that better use of macro and micronutrients, leads to higher incomes and higher yields (20per cent for soybeans, 30 per cent for maize, and 10per cent for arecanuts). However, there are still gaps in farmer participation and awareness. Enhancing the efficacy of the program and advancing sustainable agriculture can be
achieved through targeted training, timely SHC distribution, and strengthened extension service.

Sustainability and Viability of Pulse Sector in Maharashtra: Issues and Policy Options

Deepak Shah — 2026-07-31

The estimates show that the increase in pulse production in the state at macro level is achieved on account of substantial increase in production of red and Bengal gram. However, there has also been area reduction under black and green gram. The cropping pattern over time has shifted towards red gram, Bengal gram, and other crops. The area shift from black and green gram to red and Bengal gram is a matter of concern. Since estimates show lower profit from black and green gram, corrective measures are needed to make black and green gram cultivation as a more profitable proposition

Farmer Producer Company: A Way towards the Sustainable Earning and Enhancing Income of Agricultural Sector

Kalyani Chavan — 2026-07-31

This paper focuses on the farmer’s enhanced income after connecting with the Farmer Producers’ Company. The agricultural sector is rapidly facing an overflowing bundle of challenges due to some traditional techniques and other reasons like unorganized market condition, unacceptable investment decisions, unskilled human resources, inaccessibility to credit and absence of technological knowledge, etc. FPC plays a vital role in the lives of farmers. The main aim of FPC is to ensure better income. The concept of Producer
Company has come to be well accepted by the Government of India, acknowledging 2014 as the ‘Year of FPCs. FPC is a good business model in agricultural development, facilitating combined action, empowering farmers along with advanced market access, sharing different sources, less transaction cost, achieving economic scale, better quality, and price realization for products to minimize the risk.

Linking Crop Diversification Patterns to Net Farm Income: Evidence from NSSO Surveys, 2012–2013 and 2018–2019

Sampath Panthangi — 2026-07-31

The decline in farmers’ income from 2012 to 2019 across almost all states in India has made the ambitious goal of ‘doubling farm income’ by 2022 a distant dream. Several studies examining the relationship between crop diversification and farm income, have found a positive impact on farm income. Over time, Indian agriculture has seen horizontal crop diversification, and in recent years, it has become a key driver of agricultural growth. Although many studies have examined farm incomes in broader contexts, no research
has specifically analysed crop-wise incomes. This study aims to address farm income for farmer households across varying levels of crop diversification. The present study utilises unit-level data from the 70th and 77th rounds of the NSSO's Situation Assessment of Agricultural Households for the years 2012- 2013 and 2018-2019. Crop diversification, along with farm size, irrigation, climate and education and market orientation, play a key role in enhancing farmers’ income

Rethinking Agricultural Trade Competitiveness in BRICS: A Factor-Based Approach

Alen Joshy — 2026-07-31

The agriculture trade is embarking on a fresh set of challenges. Transitioning from a state of comparative advantage to one of comparative disadvantage is common for many agricultural commodities. The study applied exploratory factor analysis and Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares methodologies to estimate the long-term relationship while providing robust estimates. The
findings corroborate the assertion that a long-term relationship exists between trade competitiveness and its determinants over time, specifically concerning coffee, tea, mate, and spices for India and the BRICS nations. BRICS nations should consider more cooperation in reaching mutually beneficial goals in the case of non-tariff measures.

The Dynamic Relationship Between Climate Change and Agricultural Productivity in India: TARDL Model

Mohammad Shareef — 2026-07-31

This study investigates the dynamic relationship between climate change and agricultural productivity in India from 1990 to 2020 using the TARDL bounds testing approach. Climate change indicators rainfall, temperature, and CO₂ emissions are examined for both long- and short-run effects, with robustness checks through FMOLS and CCQ. Findings reveal that rainfall enhances agricultural productivity in the long run but reduces it in the short run, while temperature consistently exerts a negative impact. CO₂ emissions show no
significant effect. The study highlights the need for effective adaptation and mitigation strategies to safeguard sustainable and resilient agricultural productivity in India

Determinants of Farmers’ Membership in Grape Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs): Evidence from Maharashtra, India

Akshay Subhashrao Deshmukh — 2026-07-31

This study examines the determinants affecting farmers' membership in grape Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in Maharashtra, India, as well as the economic advantages associated with such membership. Utilizing primary survey data, the findings reveal that FPO membership significantly enhanced the productivity, market access, and export competitiveness. Members of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) experience substantial economic advantages, including increased yields of 1.5 tons per acre, improved export
prices, and elevated income levels of ₹49,000 per acre, in comparison to nonmembers.Furthermore, logistic regression analysis has identified age, education, awareness training to join FPOs, institutional certification, and investment support for value addition as critical determinants influencing FPO membership. The findings indicate that FPOs augment value chain activities,enhance grape productivity, and elevate farmers' income in grape cultivation relative to non-member farmers.

Production and Marketing Dynamics of Oilseeds in India: Status, Challenges and Strategies towards Atmanirbhar Bharat

Kalpana Kapadia — 2026-07-31

The increasing imports of edible oils in the post-reform period have raised concerns among policy makers in India. India became one of the top importers of edible oils in the world, meeting 56 per cent of its edible oil requirement through imports. The success of the "Yellow Revolution" adopted in the early 1990s vanished within a short span. This research paper analyses the trend in crop output, area and consumption pattern of oilseeds in India, export and import of edible oil and suggests strategies to achieve self-sufficiency in edible oilseed crops. The result indicates strong growth during the 1980s (rising by 2.85, 5.99 and 3.06 per cent growth respectively in area, production and yield of total oilseeds). However, from 1990 to 2024, the area and production of oilseed crops have declined. Although various interventions have been implemented to meet the growing demand, shortage of edible oils still exists.Therefore, strategic policies need to be implemented, such as increasing the area under oilseed crops, adopting improved and advanced crop-specific technologies, and providing price support to ensure stability, etc., for achieving ‘Atmanirbharta’ in edible oilseed. Furthermore, awareness among the public, regarding the ideal consumption of edible oil needs to be made through concrete efforts.

Food Policy and Parastatals, Marketing Mechanism and Farmers’ Income in India: Status and Challenges

Shrikant S. Kalamkar — 2026-07-31

This paper reviews food policy and parastatals, various interventions, support provided, recent marketing reforms, and level of farmers’ income in India. As in India, governments have played a crucial role in shaping policies in the agricultural sector all over the globe. In emerging nations, agriculture accounts for a significant share of all productive activities, and food has a dominant share in consumption expenditure. The different agricultural economic policies and interventions have been pursued by the government. However, despite interventions, the struggle of farmers continues, and farming is becoming an unremunerative activity

Rapporteur’s Report on -Agricultural Growth, Investment, Crop Diversification and Farm Sector Sustainability

Varun Miglani — 2026-07-31

A total of 14 empirical research papers were presented across four technical sessions under this theme. The articles spanned multiple states and diverse agroclimatic zones and addressed different aspects of sustainable agricultural development. The report concludes with actionable pathways for addressing farm sector sustainability that emerged from these discussions

Rapporteur’s Report on-Rural Credit, Marketing Trade and Agricultural Sustainability

Shubhra Mishra Deshpande — 2026-07-31

A total of 15 empirical research papers were presented across four technical sessions in this theme. The theme Rural Credit, Marketing Trade and Agricultural Sustainability received five papers on collectives, including FPOs, cooperatives, and women’s collectives. Five papers focused on marketing and trade, while another five addressed issues related to rural and agricultural credit.

Rapporteur's Report on-Technological Innovations, Climate Change and Agricultural Sustainability

Sanjivani Srivastava — 2026-07-31

Despite significant advances in agricultural technology and a growing policy focus on farm incomes, Indian agriculture continues to grapple with three fundamental and interrelated challenges: feeding a growing population, providing decent livelihoods for farming households, and protecting the natural resource base. The escalating climate crisis has significantly intensified the complexity of this already formidable challenge. Addressing these concerns thus calls for a new strategy built around (i) the scaling of technologies and innovations; (ii) an enabling policy environment; and (iii) better governance, i.e., one that promotes agriculture on the principles of ecology, efficiency, and equity

Rapporteur’s Report on-Agricultural Value Chains: Inclusion and Competitiveness

Radhika Garg — 2026-07-31

Agricultural value chains encompass the full range of activities involved in bringing a product from farm to consumer. This includes input supply, production, harvesting, post-harvest handling, processing, marketing, and distribution. In developing economies like India, these value chains are often fragmented, leaving smallholder farmers to bear the greatest burden. These vulnerabilities include
limited access to markets, inadequate storage infrastructure, price volatility, and a disproportionately low share of the final consumer price. In Maharashtra, one of India’s most agriculturally significant states, these structural challenges are very pronounced. Inclusive and competitive agricultural value chains are thus critical for achieving broader development and economic goals. Inclusivity ensures that smallholder farmers, women, and marginalised agri-entrepreneurs benefit from the value chain, while competitiveness requires efficiency, quality, and integration with modern technologies.

The AERC Platinum Jubilee Conference Special Issue Editorial Note

Jayanti Kajale(Guest Editor) — 2026-07-31

The agricultural sector of India has come a long way in the post-independence period. The green revolution period ushered in the era of self-sufficiency in major food grain crops such as rice and wheat and enabled the sector to move away from subsistence farming towards commercial farming. Over a period of time the food grain production increased and recently has crossed 300-million-ton mark. The production of non-cereal crops and allied sector products has also increased. However, a critical challenge faced today by the sector is of sustaining this growth in the wake of various environment related factors. Over use of natural resources for farming related activities and climatic change have been impacting productivity of crops as well as their cost of cultivation. This challenge gets exacerbated at the level of farmers given the smaller and uneconomic size of majority landholdings. Therefore, sustaining agri production, farmers’ incomes and development of the sector as a whole remains the most important area of
concern in the academic as well as policy related discussions.