Prioritization of low food grains productivity districts for rural development planning in India

Abstract

Agriculture is the mainstay of many rural economies, ensuring food and nutritional security, employment, livelihoods, and economic development. The agricultural productivity of a country plays a crucial role in determining its people's prospects, as it significantly contributes to eradicating hunger, poverty, and inequality. Despite the remarkable growth of the agriculture sector, there is still a need for increased agricultural productivity in several districts and agro-climatic zones (ACZs). One hundred twenty-two districts yield less than 1.5 t/ha food grain productivity. Therefore, prioritizing districts with low food grain productivity is crucial to bringing underdeveloped ones into development.