Agricultural Growth and Rural Poverty Reduction in India

This book provides ablueprintfor the allocation of public expenditures "in" and "for" agriculture at the dis-aggregated state level and suggests a reorientation in favour of disadvantaged regions where the marginal returns on additional investments would be higher. It provides insights into the inter-linkages between public expenditures, private investment, rural poverty, and agriculture productivity from a regional perspective to reflect upon spatial differences in the welfare effects of various investments, subsidies,and policies. The book focuses on agricultural growth and rural poverty reduction through public and private investments, non-farm employment,and other pathways to theformulation of appropriate policies at thedis-aggregatedstate level. It presents new evidence based on advanced econometric tools for analysing and understanding the relationship between public and private investments in agriculture and input subsidies (fertilizer, power, irrigation,and credit) together with their impacts at thedis-aggregatedstate level. The book also deliberates on an income based direct support system for farmers as an alternative to the existing input price subsidy regime. Accordingly, the book offers valuable insights not only for researchers working on poverty alleviation, rural economy, and agricultural growth,but also forpolicymakers.