Agriculture diversification in South Asia: patterns, determinants, and policy implications

Pramod Joshi (), Ashok Gulati, Pratap Birthal and Laxmi Tewari
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Laxmi Joshi

No 57, MSSD discussion papers from International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Abstract: The South Asian countries are gradually diversifying with some inter-country variation in favor of high value commodities, namely fruits, vegetables, livestock and fisheries. Agricultural diversification is strongly influenced by price policy, infrastructure development (especially markets and roads), urbanization and technological improvements. Rainfed areas have benefited more as a result of agricultural diversification in favor of high value crops by substituting inferior coarse cereals. Agricultural diversification is also contributing to employment opportunities in agriculture and increasing exports. The need is to suitably integrate production and marketing of high value commodities through appropriate institutions. Market reforms in developing and strengthening desired institutions through required legal changes would go a long way in boosting agricultural growth, augmenting income of small farm holders and promoting exports.

Keywords: agrobiodiversity; economic aspects; price policies; urbanization; technological changes; markets; economic policies; agricultural growth; agricultural development; diversification; Southern Asia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2003
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dev
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (84)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:fpr:mssddp:57

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