Growth performance of selected oilseed commodities in Maharashtra

Abstract

Oilseed crops are the second most important determinant of agricultural economy, next only to cereals within the segment of field crops. India is one of the major oilseeds grower and importer of edible oils. The data pertaining to the area, production and productivity of selected oilseed crops viz, groundnut and soybean for thirty years (1983-84 to 2013-2014) in Maharashtra were taken from the authentic published source viz: Epitome of Agriculture in Maharashtra published by the Department of Agriculture Maharashtra State and from various Government publications. Therefore, attempt has been made to study the performance of selected oilseed commodities viz, groundnut and soybean by compound growth rate in Maharashtra. The growth rates for area, production and productivity of groundnut found stagnant during all three decadal studies. The variation in area of groundnut was highest followed by production and productivity respectively. Instability studies in groundnut indicates that productivity under groundnut exhibited highest variation as compared to area. The growth rates for area and production of soybean found significant during all three periods. The productivity of Soybean was stagnant during period II and period III and I period productivity was significant. The coefficient of variation during overall period of soybean was highest in area, production and productivity. Cuddy and Della instability index on soybean in Maharashtra state showed the highest instability on production followed by productivity and area with 32.45 per cent, 24.72 per cent and 22.64 per cent respectively.