CHAPTER 4
FOOD-POPULATION RELATIONSHIP IN RAJASTHAN
In the previous chapter macro analysis of population and food was made. It was observed that
the relationship between food and population is changing very rapidly over time. And it was
also observed that at macro level India achieved self-sufficiency after green revolution in
later 1960s. States lying in the fertile alluvial pain produced large amount of food grains to
feed whole of India ranging from hilly stats to desert states, which are less capable to meet
the growing food requirements. In present chapter an attempt has been made to look foodpopulation relationship at meso level in Rajasthan which is one among many difficult states
with harsh geo-climatic conditions. It is interesting to study the behaviour of population and
agriculture under the influence of harsh climatic conditions. In the cultural and economic life
the impact of desert and its variable climate is so pronounced that one could not find any
sphere of life unaffected by year round drought like conditions.
In the economic development of Rajasthan, the most influencing factor is
harsh geo-climatic conditions. Uneven and scare rainfall has produced a unique set of cultural
and economic milieu in Rajasthan where lack of water is visible in every sphere of life.
Physiographical, Rajasthan is vastly diverse from mountains, plateau to alluvial pains.
Among these physiographic features the Aravalli Mountains are most deterrent on climate
and its economic life. These are relict Mountains which divides Rajasthan into two natural
regions. The north-western which comprise about three-fifth of the state, is predominantly a
desert and rest north-eastern part is plain or plateau.
Although Aravalli is seen as a physiographic division dividing relief of
Rajasthan into two half, but in reality it is climate and cultural divide also. West of Aravalli,
harsh climate and sandy soil has produced a different form of life as compare to eastern
Rajasthan. West of Aravalli rainfall is very low, highly erratic and variable seasonal. The
variability of rainfall is very high it ranges from 50 to 70 percent. This variability has caused
many periods of sever water shortages in the state. Under the given harsh climate, population
and agriculture of Rajasthan has performed in somewhat different ways as compare to rest of
country. In this chapter an attempt has been made to study dynamic performance of
agriculture in relation to behaviour of population.
4.1. Agricultural Performance of Rajasthan
Ever since, the formation of Rajasthan in 1956 agricultural sector
remained in policy focus, as agricultural of Rajasthan shows greater recumbence with
101
prevailing climatic conditions, especially with the amount of rainfall. Highs and lows in the
production are very common feature in agriculture and it is highly uncertain economic
activity and it entire depends on the mercy of rain god. After independence, under the
influence of favourable policies agricultural development in India started showing constant
improvement and significant jump in production and productivity of almost all the crops. But
at the same time agriculture of Rajasthan was never able to keep the pace with the
agricultural development in India. Evidences shows that the poor performance of Rajasthan
agriculture can be attributed to two basic causes, firstly, being a desert state Rajasthan has
poor agriculture to sustain agriculture. Second, along with year round drought like conditions
also put hurdles for robust agricultural growth in the state. During initial years of its
formation, when irrigation technology was almost absent in the state, the state was highly
dependent of monsoonal rains, good rains produced good output otherwise droughts. But as
irrigational technology spreaded under the influence of green revolution farmers of Rajasthan
were also benefited. Under this section an attempt has been made to analysis the contours of
over time agricultural performance in the state. The whole analysis is done by dividing total
agricultural history of Rajasthan into following three phases:
A. The pre-green revolution period (1956-1980)
B. The beginning of green revolution (1980-1995)
C. The maturing green revolution. (1995 onwards)
It is interesting to note that phase in agricultural development in
Rajasthan has great resemblance with the agricultural development of India. The green
revolution acts as water divides in history of agricultural of both the units. But, in terms of
time period they differ a great deal. As any new trend stating in agriculture at national level
has definite time lag to diffuse at the state. This time lag may be even longer in states having
difficult geo-climatic conditions. In the pre-green revolution phase, agriculture of Rajasthan
was characterised by pre-Newtonian technology and regular highs and lows in production.
Poor agricultural base in terms of absence of irrigation facilities and other modern farm
implements was causing mass hunger and starvation a common feature at that time in
Rajasthan. The performance of agriculture at that time was highly synchronised with the
rhythm of monsoon. When the monsoon rains are good, agricultural performance use to good.
Primarily, in this phase Rajasthan agriculture was in true sense can be termed as gamble of
monsoon. During pre-green revolution period irrigation facilities were virtually absent in
whole of Rajasthan, as during this period area under irrigation to gross cropped area was
merely 8 percent. And in this phase whatever agricultural expansion was taking place that
was purely because of newer area coming under plough or due to area expansion. Addition of
102
newer land under plough led to jump in the production in almost all the crops. But, in root the
performance of agriculture of Rajasthan was very dismal due to technological bottlenecks
(CAZRI, 2006:13).
Owning to highly erratic nature of monsoon, dependency of Rajasthan
determines its food status of Rajasthan in a very dismal way, as frequent fluctuations in the
amount of rainfall received and frequent famines are very common feature. Government
initiated many schemes including schemes to expand irrigation facilities such as building
longest canal in desert in the form of Indira Gandhi Canal in western Rajasthan. At the same
time government promoted R & D activities favouring arid climate of India by establishing
agricultural universities and research institutions. Among premier institutions working in this
direction includes, Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI) to prompt research and
development activities in agriculture which support harsh arid climate of the state. These
instructions were also asked to developed agricultural technologies to meet the needs of
desert state keeping in mind the arid nature of the state.
Government efforts stared to show their impacts in the beginning of
1980s. This was the time when green revolution technology diffused from Haryana and
Punjab to Rajasthan, especially in well irrigated north-western districts and in eastern districts
where irrigation facilities were present. The diffusion of HYV based technology was rather
slow, given the harsh climatic conditions prevailing over Rajasthan. This made spread of
green revolution highly restrictive activities to the areas where sufficient irrigational facilities
were available. The areas which were highly benefited from this diffusion were Sri
Ganganagar and districts of eastern plain of Rajasthan. The beginning of green revolution led
to marked increase in yields of most of crops especially in wheat, Bajara and oilseeds. During
this phase yield growth became prime driver of agricultural growth as area expansion slowed
down due to limited availability of land which can be brought to plough. In other word this
can be said that in early 1980s options towards area expansion were almost exhaust.
Period after 1990s in agriculture of Rajasthan witnessed somewhat
similar trends as they were prevalent in agriculture at national level. In Rajasthan also
agriculture witnesses plateau and even falling of growth rates in terms of yield. By this period
almost all the land which can be put to plough economically was brought to plough hence
there was no further scoop for increase in area for boosting agricultural production. As
agricultural growth due to area expansion was not taking place and at the same time growth
in yield was slowing therefore this phase in agricultural development in Rajasthan can be
term as period of pleating agriculture. One more interesting feature of this phase of
agricultural development was area re-allocation from coarse cereals to wheat and towards
103
pulses and oilseeds. This reallocation caused sharpe reduction in production of Jowar, Bajara
and in rice also. Although during this phase total pulses witnessed increase in area but they
recorded reduction in production. This might have happened as land allocated to pulses was
poor and un-irrigated. Pulses were re-located in poor land therefore increase in area was not
able to boost the production of pulses to the higher levels.
4.2. Modernisation of Rajasthan Agriculture
Dry land in India always regarded as non-core areas for agricultural
activities. In arid regions lack of irrigational facilities, harsh climate along with low and
erratic rainfall has never allowed agriculture to flourish in big way. In the absence of
certainty and assurance of good agricultural production in Dry lands has always driven by
traditional farm technology in which animal or man driven farm instruments are common.
Moreover, in absence of R & D in dry land changes in technology are very slow if not absent.
In India the green revolution marks the time divide in terms of agricultural technology. In
1960s green revolution came as shift in technology from traditional animal driven to
mechanical. Ranging from tillage of land, irrigation to harvesting green revolution over
hauled all the existing farm technologies. Interestingly most of the farm mechanisation was
concentrated in irrigated regions only as availability of irrigation was prime requirement for
green revolution technology. As it is known that green revolution was not universal in case of
India. It was highly skewed towards regions with irrigational facilities were ready available.
Green revolution ignored dry lands including dry lands of Rajasthan and it by-passed it
except some areas of Ganganagar and some Eastern districts. But on hand profound
transformation in farm technology was recorded in Haryana, Punjab, eastern Uttar Pradesh,
Bihar, and West Bengal in 1970s and 1980s. Changes in farm machinery led marked jump in
productivity and production. As new farm implements are power driven, they are more
powerful and efficient and up to mid 1980s they replaced almost all the animal driven
technology.
With reference to Rajasthan the direction of spread of new farm
technology and farm machinery was from the core regions of green revolution. As discussed
earlier that technology was reaching only towards regions where irrigation facilities were
readily available. This is also true in the case of Rajasthan. In Rajasthan during late 1970s
and early 1980s spread of farm technology was only witnessed in Sri Ganganagar,
Hanumangarh, Bharatpur, Alwar, and Tonk where irrigation facilities were available. Over
time technology spreaded of non-irrigated regions also but its diffusion was very slow. After
1980s with the work of Suratgarh farm and spread of irrigation to other districts which were
earlier remained by-passed also witnessed changes in farm equipments (Bokil, 2000), but that
104
too was slow progress as compare to regions where canal irrigation was available. Table 4.1
shows progress of modern farm technology in Rajasthan, this table reveals that pace of farm
machinery gained with time as green revolution spreaded use of machinery also witnessed
increase.
Table: 4.1
Rajasthan: Trend of Machinery in Agriculture, 1966-2009
(Number in thousands)
Machinery
1966-67
1970-71
1980-81
1990-91
2008-09
28908
39200
69300
99080
287654
Power Tiller
Combine
Harvester
NA
1700
21000
49000
88543
NA
1031
4866
21000
98432
Diesel Pump
2300
6000
39089
89076
189767
Sprayer
1660
9005
31876
87905
143245
Tractor
Source: Rajasthan Agriculture in Brief, 2010
4.3. Development of Irrigation
Rajasthan being a desert state has a very high variability of rainfall. To
eliminate and minimise the impact of hard arid climate on farm activities, availability of
irrigational facilities are essential. In terms of Gross Irrigated Area (GIA) Rajasthan has
shown tremendous improvement, GIA which was merely 1624 thousand hectare increased to
7726 million hectare, showing 78 % increase. Apart from increase in area, change in sources
of irrigation also been witnessed. In 1956 around 90 % of area used to be irrigated by wells
but within a span of 50 years with the spread of green revolution technology diversification in
irrigation sources has also taken place. Over time canal irrigation and tube ells has taken
place of wells as prominent source of irrigation in Rajasthan. In Rajasthan, canal irrigation is
mostly concentrated in western districts where Indira Gandhi Canal (IGC) is situated. In
south-east Rajasthan Kota, Sawai Madhopur, Banswara has large share of area irrigated by
canal. Well irrigation is mostly concentrated in northern districts and tank irrigation is being
practised in hilly and plateau regions which suits their physiographic conditions for these
types of irrigation sources. If further in depth analysis is made regarding distribution of Gross
Irrigated Area under food and non-food crops among various districts of Rajasthan is done,
shows that out of 32 districts in 17 districts 40 % of more area of Gross Irrigated Area is
under non-food crops. In districts such as Alwar, Barmer, Bharatpur Tonk, Sikar, Rajsamand
Dausa, Dholpur, Jodhpur, Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Dholpur and Dausa large share of GIA
is under non-food crops, this reveals prominence to non-food crops given by farmers in these
105
districts. And among these 17 districts 9 are those districts which shows high level of food
insufficiency on the basis of ICMR methodology.
Table: 4.2
Rajasthan: Percentage Irrigated Area by Various Sources, 1956-2011
Year/ Sources
Canal
Well
Tank
Tube Well
1956
1961
1971
1981
1991
2001
2011
Percentage Change
between 1956-2011
0
0
38.03
33.95
33.62
32.67
30.44
89.66
88.08
52.7
58.38
54.88
45.92
39.02
9.61
10.51
8.02
2.55
1.98
1.61
1.06
0.74
1.41
1.25
5.12
9.52
19.8
29.47
Gross Irrigated
Area
1624
1779
2406
3926
4096
6692
7726
100.00
-129.78
-806.60
97.49
78.98
Source: Agricultural Statistics of Rajasthan (1956-2009), Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Rajasthan
Yojana Bhawan, Jaipur
4.4. Land-use Pattern in Rajasthan
Land is finite resource and it always undergoes constant changes under
prevailing socio-economic conditions. Land use and changes in its usage have a defiant
bearing on food-population balance of the society. Land-use undergoes changes in every
region but changes are more pronounces in regions with difficult geo-climatic conditions, as
people strive to get more from available land. As Rajasthan is one among water deficient
states of India, availability of good rainfall have highest bearing on land-use pattern. Good
and timely rainfall may increase land under plough or failure of rainfall may reduced area
under cultivation. Temporal analysis of land-use data reveals that land-utilization has under
gone considerable changes under various heads. Gross cropped area which was 14013
thousand hectares jumped to 19230 showing 27.13 % increase in a span of 5 decades after the
formation of Rajasthan. This increase is significant in desert state, where most of the districts
are under sand dunes or are highly undulating and water for irrigation is precious resource.
Increase in GCA is even impressive when it is considered with increase in area sown more
than once. In desert state, to increase area sowed more than once from 6.42 % of GCA to
17.49 % of GCA requires impressive progress in the field of irrigation.
106
Table 4.3
Rajasthan: Trends in Land Utilization Pattern, 1956-2001
(Area in „000 Ha)
Items
1960-61
Area
1970-71
34265
6.1
2353
6.86
2606
7.61
1507
4.4
1490
4.35
1740
5.08
68.76
37.07
13.82
2917
8.52
2790
8.14
2566
7.49
-100.82
5878
17.23
4424
12.92
4280
12.49
4306
12.57
-45.1
4.97
1807
5.29
1834
5.35
1912
5.59
1707
4.98
1.35
16
0.04
9
0.02
24
0.07
22
0.06
14
0.04
-14.29
6841
20.21
6112
17.19
6415
18.74
5567
16.25
4908
14.32
Other uncultivable
land excluding fallow
land
Other than fallow
land
Current fallow land
8541
25.23
7928
23.24
8273
24.17
7501
21.98
6629
19.34
-39.38
-28.84
3104
9.17
9326
27.34
2089
6.1
1927
5.62
2444
7.13
-27
2022
5.97
1443
4.23
2085
6.09
1814
5.29
2415
7.05
16.27
Total fallow land
5126
15.14
3769
11.04
4174
12.19
3741
10.92
4859
14.18
13112
38.74
15179
44.5
15268
44.6
16377
47.81
15865
46.3
14013
41.4
16720
49.01
17350
50.69
19380
56.58
19230
56.12
-5.49
17.35
27.13
901
2.66
(6.42)
1550
4.54
(9.27)
2082
6.08
(12.00)
3003
8.76
(15.49)
3365
9.82
(17.49)
Land under
miscellaneous use
Cultivable waste
Net Area Sown
Total Cropped Area
Area Sown More than
Once*
814
2.4
1355
1095
3.23
5153
Area
34227
%
share
100
3.97
2088
1162
3.4
15.22
4716
6248
18.46
1684
Area
Area
% change
1960-2001
34252
Land under nonagricultural use
Barren and
uncultivable land
Area not available for
cultivation
Permanent pasture
and other grazing
lands
34109
%
share
100
2000-01
%
share
100
Forest
33841
Area
1990-91
%
share
100
Geographical Area
%
share
100
1980-81
Note: *Figures in parentheses are percentage to gross cropped area.
Source: Trends in Land Use Statistics, Department of Agriculture.
Secondly, in Rajasthan land which was not available for cultivation
earlier was also brought to plough using improved agricultural technology. During 1960-61,
the land not available for cultivation was around 18.46 % which was reduced to 12.57 % of
total geographical area of the state by the adoption of improved technology. Rajasthan has
large area under wasteland and barren land. Land under riverine, dunes and uneconomical
land is categorised as wasteland. And in any region large area of waste land it is cause of
serious concern.
In waste and barren land use category, Rajasthan has shown huge
improvement by adopting techniques which helped in regaining land. Although, Rajasthan
still hold s highest proportion of wasteland in India, but from 1960-61 onwards it has
107
1.24
73.22
recorded reduction by 100 % now it compromises of 7.49 % of total geographical area.
Improved technology has enabled this conversion form waste land into productive resource.
And it is expected that with further technology diffusion percent share of wasteland to total
geographical are will reduce further and it will have positive bearing on food-population
balance in long run.
In land-use data one another cause of worry in terms of future foodpopulation balance is higher percentage share of fallow land to total geographical area that is
around 27 % of the total geographical area of Rajasthan. During field survey in interior
Rajasthan, it was noticed that farmers poor farmers do not have access to costly fertilizers and
instead using them they prefer practising fallowing of land for two to three years so that land
can get replenished naturally. Although this practice is natural way to replenish lost strength
of land but this practice keep scares land out of use for long periods and at state level 27 % is
big share of land which remains out of cultivation. Therefore, policies must be directed to
promote use of fertilizers and manure in the interiors of the state so that more land can be
brought to plough and fields get replenished by use of manures and fertilizers.
4.5. Cropping Pattern
Cropping pattern means the proportion of area under different crops at a
particular period of time. Change in cropping pattern means a change in the proportion under
different crops. Cropping pattern in any region is determined by many climatic and socioeconomic factors. In determination of cropping pattern climatic conditions especially failure
or success of monsoon and diffusion of green revolution technology has played prominent
role with reference to Rajasthan. Under the influence of drought like conditions farmers opt
to cropping pattern which is led by less water intensive crops and that matures early. In
Rajasthan, green revolution changed the contours of agriculture by pushing new technology
and impact of technology is visible in all the crops but higher impact is visible in commercial
crops especially in terms of oilseeds.
Cropping pattern of Rajasthan throughout history has remained
dominated by food grain, especially led by Bajara which is a form of millet grown in arid
regions globally. Food grain in 1964 had 69.47 % area of gross cropped area, out of which
Bajara lone occupied around 30%. Area under food grains reduced to 51.56 % in 2007-10.
This reduction in area under food grain can be attributed in rapid increase in area under nonfood crops especially under oilseeds. Here one interesting aspect that is revealed by table 4.4
that area under non-food crops as a proportion of the gross cropped area is increasing but still
cropping pattern in Rajasthan is dominated food crops as still large area is under food-crops.
108
The new seed-fertilizer technology during late 1980s was instrumental in the introduction of
wheat as second most important crop in cropping system of the state replacing Jowar and
small millets. While analysing, data on percentage share of area under various crops in
Rajasthan, trend shows that on an average Rajasthan holds more than 15 % of its area under
pulses and it has good position in the country in terms of production of pulses. In a country
like India and state like Rajasthan, where most of the population is vegetarian, lager area
under pulses should be treated as healthy sign in terms of future food-population balance of
the state and at large for the country as well.
Climatic conditions of Rajasthan suits cultivation of some of the oilseeds
such as rape seeds Ground nut and Sun Flower. As because of suitability of climatic
condition, Rajasthan has emerged as largest producer of edible oil, especially in terms of rape
seeds where it holds first rank at national level. The share of oilseeds in cropping system of
Rajasthan in 1960s was merely around 8 percent, that has went up rapidly from late 1980s
under the favourable push from green revolution technology and higher demand for edible oil
in India and abroad. Now around one-fourth of GCA in Rajasthan is under oilseeds. This
could be attributed to technology mission on oilseeds launched in mid-1980s, which laid
emphasis on increasing productivity of oilseeds and worked on bridging yield gaps between
experimental stations and farmers‟ fields by adopting improved package of practices (Kannan
and Sujata, 2011).
Although, this is a healthy sigh at national level, given the fact that India
is a major importer of cooking oil and oil seeds as edible put heavy burden on exchequer, but
at state level in harsh climatic region large area under non-food crops like oil seeds may
cause a sever threat to food-balance of the society. Moreover this can prove disastrous in
conditions of failure of crops under poor monsoonal regimes. The Shift in cropping pattern
from food to non-food crop is visible as non-food crops are showing gradual increase in area
under them. Among many reasons of this shift in cropping pattern, the most prominent reason
is higher market price and higher demand for oil seeds in market nationally and
internationally (Zaveri and Parmar, 2013). Comparison between areas under food crops and
non-food crops reveals that area under total food grains is falling, primarily under the intense
competition from non-food crops commercial crops having higher price value. In terms of
area under total food grains, area under total cereals is falling but pulses has somewhat
maintained slow rate of fall in area as compare to other crops. As area under pulses was 22.19
% of GCA In 1961-64, but, in 2007-11 it recorded 16.95 % showing reduction of 30.19
percent.
109
Table 4.4
Rajasthan: Percentage Share of Area under Various Crops in Gross Cropped Area, 1961-2010
Bajara
Jowar
Rice
Wheat
Small
Millets
1961-64
1964-67
1967-70
1970-73
1980-83
1990-93
2003-06
2007-10
29.6
32.46
31.64
31.26
26.06
25.72
24.69
21.72
7.98
7.33
7.04
5.97
5.15
4.31
2.85
3.14
0.78
0.53
0.82
0.75
0.76
0.73
0.48
0.53
8.43
7.26
8.44
8.93
9.23
10.06
9.54
9.17
0.49
0.45
0.55
0.39
0.24
0.16
0.09
0.06
47.28
48.04
48.48
47.3
41.44
40.98
37.65
34.62
22.19
19.98
21.07
20.75
20.32
17.73
16.98
16.95
69.47
68.02
69.55
68.05
61.76
58.71
54.62
51.56
8.35
7.97
6.8
6.88
11.03
17.69
19.48
21.77
1.55
1.62
1.82
2.05
2.05
2.58
2.01
1.97
13.15
13.83
16.97
14.05
13.24
14.96
10.78
12.73
0.19
0.39
0.46
0.6
1.62
1.26
4.33
5.06
Other
nonfood
crops
0.19
0.16
0.37
0.13
0.39
0.57
2.33
4.39
% Change
from
1961-64 to
2007-10
-36.28
-154.14
-47.17
8.07
-716.67
-36.57
-30.91
-34.74
61.64
21.32
-3.3
96.25
95.67
Triennium
Average
Total
Cereals
Pulses
Total
Food
grains
Oilseeds
Source: Agricultural Statistics of Rajasthan (1956-2009), Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Rajasthan Yojana Bhawan, Jaipur
110
Cotton fodder
species
Total
nonfood
crops
30.53
31.98
30.45
31.95
38.24
41.29
45.38
48.44
36.97
Rajasthan: Trends in Percentage Share of Area under Food and Nonfood Crops in GCA- 1961-64 to 2007-2010
80
70
Percentage area of GCA
60
50
40
30
Total Food grains
20
Total non-food crops
10
0
1961-64
1964-67
1967-70
1970-73
Years
1980-83
1990-93
2003-06
2007-10
Source: Agricultural Statistics of Rajasthan (1956-2009), Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Rajasthan
Yojana Bhawan, Jaipur
Figure 4.1
Total food grains recorded a fall of 36.57 % which is cause of worry as
food crops are losing battle against commercial or non-food crops. Non-food crops are
commercial in nature having higher prices and easier to sell, making them more lucrative
than that of food crops, which have less market value as compare to non-food crops.
4.5.1. District level Cropping Pattern
District level analysis of cropping pattern reveals that in all the districts
food crops are dominant and non-food crops are less dominant as they have more area under
them. The most important aspect emerging form analysis is that changes in area under food
crop and non-food crop. Map 4.1 shows that out of 32 districts 12 districts namely Dholpur,
Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Jaipur Rajsamand, Banswara, Sirohi, Karauli, Alwar, Bundi,
Jhunjhunu, Baran showed positive shift towards food crops. It means that in these districts
witnessed increase in area under food crops. Whereas, Sikar, Churu, Bikaner, Hanumangarh,
Ganganagar, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Ajmer, Bharatpur, Jhalawar, Dausa, Jalore, Barmer,
Jodhpur, Tonk, Sawai Madhopur, Kota, Dungarpur, Nagaur, Pali witnessed reduction in area
under food crops. In these districts food crops were less preferred to non-food crops may be
111
as food crops are less renumurative as compare to non-food crop (This aspect was later
judged in field survey in chapter 5).
With reference to percentage change in area under non-food crops to
GCA is concern Pali, Barmer, Sawai Madhopur, Jodhpur, Tonk, Nagaur, Jaisalmer,
Bharatpur, Ganganagar, Kota, Churu, Jhalawar, Bikaner, Dausa, Dungarpur, Jalore,
Hanumangarh, Udaipur, Ajmer, Sikar witnessed expansion of area under non-food crops. On
other hand Baran, Jhunjhunu, Alwar, Bundi, Sirohi Jaipur, Dholpur, Bhilwara, Karauli,
Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Banswara recorded fall in area under non-food crops, these districts
recorded high level of preference to marketable commercial non-food crops.
4.6. Trends in Area, Production and Yields in Principal Crops
The performance of agriculture in any regions can be judge by analysing
trends in area, production and yields of different crops. In this segment an attempt has been
made to analysis quantitative aspect by trends in area and production and also analysing
qualitative aspects by working on trends in yields of principal crops in Rajasthan. As it was
discussed in previous chapter that agricultural growth has two main drivers, as:
 Extension of area under crop
 Intensification of agriculture
Extension of agriculture denotes to bring newer area under plough and
spread of agricultural activities to non-cropped, non-core areas that would boost agricultural
production. Along with this one other aspect which is also associated with area is reallocation
of redistribution of area among crops. In reallocation of area, area which was earlier under
some other crop is put to newer crops due to various factors (i.e. market price, agricultural
technology, food habit of society etc.). This reallocation of land also denotes change in
cropping pattern of region was discussed in preceding section of this chapter. Agricultural
growth can also be achieved by intensification of crops that denotes increasing yields of crops
by using modern technology and refined agricultural inputs. For analysing trends in area,
production and yield of Rajasthan, the time period from 1961 to 2011 has been divided under
three phases based on growth drivers of that particular phase. These three phases are:
A. 1961-64 to 1980-83 (Pre-Green revolution period)
B. 1980-83 to 1990-93 (Green revolution period)
C. 1990-93 to 2008-11 (Post green revolution)
112
1961-64 to 1980-83
This was the early phase of agricultural development in the state. In this
phase agriculture in Rajasthan was in pre green revolution period with very low penetration
of technology and this can be treated as this initial stage of agriculture development in
Rajasthan. Poor agriculture base, lack of irrigation and out dated technology along with
highly dependency on rain were main characteristics of agriculture. Agricultural production
was highly co-associated with the time and amount of monsoon rainfall. During this phase
government of Rajasthan initiated many schemes and projects including mega irrigational
project in the form of Indira Gandhi Canal in western Rajasthan to boost the level of
technology and agricultural development in the state. But as all major schemes needs time to
translate into reality, these schemes started showing their results only in much later in second
phase of agricultural development in Rajasthan (i.e. 1980-83 to 1990-93)
During 1961-64 to 1980-83 phase area was main growth driver of
agricultural development in Rajasthan, but it should be keep in mind that yields of crops were
also increasing. Increase in area was visible in all the crops leaving Jowar and small millets.
Among these crops increase in area was very impressive in Bajara, rice, wheat and total
pulses. With reference to non-food crops such as oilseeds and cotton were the front runner in
terms of area expansion as Rajasthan has geo-climatic conditions favouring these crops.
Owning to expansion of area and some increase in yields of different crops recorded
handsome increase in production. In production also oil seeds and cotton were the prime
gainers as increase in area under plough and increase in yield boosted production. During this
phase food crops witnessed an impressive growth in area as well as in production they
recorded around 12 % and 33.5 % growth in area and production respectively. Surprisingly
the growth in area was much lower as compare to percentage growth in area under
commercial crops especially oil seeds and cotton.
1980-83 to 1990-93
During late 1960s India witnessed beginning of a revolution in
agricultural sector. This revolution which is commonly known as green revolution in the
realm of knowledge was based on the application of HVY seeds, fertilizers and timely
irrigation. As slowly knowledge of green revolution started to flow in non-core areas from
core-areas of Haryana and Punjab, green revolution started to show its impact in districts
nearer to these regions in Rajasthan. The diffusion of knowledge was not same in all the
directions, it was rather slow in regions where irrigation facilities were less or absent, as
availability of assured irrigation was pre-condition to green revolution technology.
113
Consequently, while agriculture in other areas developed fast, its performance in the dry
areas showed gradual decline. Moreover, in dry regions agriculturally relevant endowment of
natural factor was extremely low (Jodha, 1972; 11). In Rajasthan, during late 1980s green
revolution started to show its impact and green revolution technology started diffusing to
western Rajasthan in command areas of IGC and eastern Rajasthan where Chambal irrigation
system exists.
In this phase, spread of revolutionary technology had a positive impact
on yields of almost all the crops. And among all crops Bajara, oilseeds cereals and pulses
were highly benefited. By this time new land reached to its maximum capacity in terms of its
availability to bring it to plough. The main driver of agricultural growth in this period was
increase in yields, as Table 4.5 reveals that in terms of area, all crops leaving wheat, oil seeds
and cotton witnessed reduction in area under them. In terms of production pulses and sugar
cane witness reduction, this was also as after green revolution the area which was under
pulses was reallocated to either to oilseeds or to wheat and pulses were push to inferior nonirrigated land.
Table 4.5
Rajasthan: Compound Growth Rates of Area, Production and Yield of Major Crops,
1961-2011
Non-food Crops
Food Crops
Triennium Average
1961-64 to 1980-83
Crops
Area Production Yield
8.94
40.54
28.32
Bajara
-24.24 12.92
13.95
Jowar
17.86 35.51
23.84
Rice
26.77 67.96
35.31
Wheat
Small
-65.91 -357.14
20.75
Millets
Total
11.10 38.49
9.02
Cereals
6.56
Total Pulses 12.47 10.71
11.50 33.25
20.00
Total
Food grains
7.89
46.80
5.33
Sugarcane
39.29 67.78
13.90
Oilseeds
39.47 69.79
0.14
Cotton
fodder
Species
Other nonfood crops
1980-83 to 1990-93
Area
Production Yield
-3.61
37.68
60.83
-22.18 13.38
36.53
-6.06
15.85
28.66
6.21
23.59
38.36
-51.72 12.50
82.03
1990-93 to 2008-11
Area
Production Yield
1.23
-33.81
30.90
-14.71 -56.27
11.94
-15.79 -7.19
39.19
8.22
12.24
21.46
-123.08 -100.00
51.16
-3.10
25.02
42.18
-11.74
16.79
34.27
-17.24
-7.69
41.72
12.76
-8.89
13.97
-6.83
20.46
7.01
-4.04
13.96
25.55
-40.74
36.22
18.45
-31.65
64.58
44.19
10.75
74.83
8.35
-440.00 -308.70
32.22
54.31
-9.13
-33.33
-7.06
39.30
-305.05
61.11
28.05
15.33
9.50
6.36
25.93
-19.21
-19.39
-33.22
75.44
-41.38
1.64
50.00
42.19
13.27
18.86
29.01
34.06
61.11
18.99
3.23
-132.26 -73.63
12.68
63.53
36.36
4.05
Source: Calculated from Researcher from data obtained from Agricultural Statistics of Rajasthan (1956-2009),
Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Rajasthan Yojana Bhawan, Jaipur
114
1990-93 to 2008-11
In early 1990s following trends in agriculture of India, agriculture of
Rajasthan also witnessed fall in production of almost all the principal crops except of wheat,
total cereals and oilseeds. By 1990s most of the crops witnessed stagnation or fall in area,
Millets such as Bajara and Jowar were the worst sufferer in terms of production due to fall in
area under acreage of these crops. This fall in area of most of crops is outcome of change in
cropping pattern towards oilseeds. Under the influence of market forces cropping pattern
witnessed shift from food to non-food crops (Kannan and Sujata, 2011). This is also evident
from the table 4.5 that oil seeds were most benefited from this area reallocation. Favourable
market conditions for refined oil and protein-rich soya food might have been responsible for
inducing farmers to allocate larger areas for these crops. One interesting characteristic of this
time period was fall in the rate of increase in the yields of almost all the crops as compare to
previous period. These trends were similar as they were in Indian agriculture during early
1990s, where yields reached to stagnation after reaching plateau.
Rajasthan: Sever Drought and Food Grain
Production, 1962-2002
16000
Production (in 000 Million Tons)
14000
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
Total food grain production
2000
2002
2001
(NY)
1999
1991
1990
(NY)
1986
1978
(NY)
1974
1972
1970
(NY)
1968
1967
(NY)
1966
1962
0
Years
Note: NY denotes normal years with reference to rainfall, rest X axis years are drought years.
Source: Calculated from Researcher from data obtained from Agricultural Statistics of Rajasthan (1956-2009),
Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Rajasthan Yojana Bhawan, Jaipur
Figure 4.2
This situation is serious matter for policy makers and researchers as far as food-population
balance is concern. Ignorance of agriculture by the means of not investing in developing
115
infrastructure and lack of capital formation made Indian agriculture sick, and future prospect
were looking maligned.
4.7. Droughts and Food Production in Rajasthan
Agricultural production in any region is outcome of combined effect of
physical as well as cultural factors. Physical factors such as climate become even more
important in drought prone regions with most of rain fed agriculture.
In Rajasthan also, most of the agriculture is rain fed with very little
irrigation facilities, agriculture is entirely dependent on the mercy of rains. Droughts have
never been a rare in Rajasthan and it is generally believed that drought occurs once in three
years (Bokil, 2000; 4171). National Commission on Agriculture has defined drought in three
categories:
(1) Agricultural drought, when soil moisture and rainfall are inadequate during the growing
season to support a healthy crop growth to maturity and cause crop stress and wilting.
(2) Meteorological drought, when there is a significant (more than 25 per cent) decrease in
rainfall from the normal value over the area
(3) Hydrological drought, when prolonged meteorological drought results in hydro-logical
drought with a marked depletion of surface water and consequent drying up of reservoirs,
lakes, streams and rivers, cessation of spring flows and also fall in groundwater levels
[CAZRI 2000:5].
Now if one applies the National Commission on Agriculture's definitions to Rajasthan, it is
clear that one or the other condition of drought occurs in Rajasthan virtually every year as 60
per cent of the state is an arid region and the remaining belongs to the semi-arid region.
Further, this rainfall is extremely erratic and unreliable. Leaving South-Eastern part of
Rajasthan, the annual precipitation over most of the state is insufficient for rain fed
agriculture. Hence, irrespective of whether there is a meteorological drought or not, there is a
permanent agricultural drought in Rajasthan. With just one percent share in country‟s surface
water resources Rajasthan‟s agriculture entirely dependent on the mercy rains, and whenever
there is fall in total rainfall food grains production also records fall in production and vice
versa. Figure 4.2 reveals that food grain production in Rajasthan always had a negative
correlation with rainfall. Climatic data on Rajasthan also shows that frequency rain deficient
years is very high in comparison to other states in India, under these conditions one can easily
judge the food-status of the society.
116
4.8. Demographic Trends in Rajasthan
After analysing agricultural sector of Rajasthan, it is essential to study
population trends as population is the next key determinant in food-population status of the
society. Population growth in any region is governed by changes in birth and death rates. In
the hot, dry, desert and semi-desert regions of Rajasthan, there is early adolescence and early
maturity of females. Fertility begins at an early age of 13, it declines appreciably after the age
of 25, practically ceases at 35 and finally stops at 45 (Singh and Nagar, 1953, 40). As per
Demographic Transition Theory (1929), demographic history of Rajasthan can be divided
into three phases. First phase includes period prior to 1970s, it was the time when birth and
death rate in the state were high leading to low natural growth of population in the state. In
this period high prevalence of incidents of communicable disease, regular natural calamities,
war and poor nutritional capacity led to high death rate in society. At the same time birth rate
was also high due to prevalence of mass illiteracy and low coverage of contraceptive methods
in the society. As demographic transition theory underlines, that in demographic transition of
in any region, death rate, declines first, followed by fall in birth rate at later stage. In the case
of Rajasthan also by 1970s death rate started to fall with the improvement of medical
facilities and some checks on communicable diseases. In Rajasthan, during the second stage
of demographic transition birth rate was phenomenally very high around 40 per thousand and
death rate was around 16.2 per thousand, hence first time in demographic history of
Rajasthan started to witness a constant increase in population. This was the period when in
1971-81 Rajasthan recorded highest ever growth rate in population.
Table 4.6
Demographic Trends in Rajasthan: Birth rate and Death rate, 1950-2010
Decades
1950-51
1960-61
1970-71
1975-76
1980-81
1985-86
1990-91
1995-96
2000-01
2005-06
2009-10
Birth Rate
47.1
45.7
40.9
34.7
37.9
37.1
34.6
33.31
29.08
28.11
27.88
Death Rate
21.3
19.6
16.2
15.1
13.3
12.2
12.01
11.72
10.2
9.7
9.1
Source: Various issues of Sample Registration System Bulletin
117
Natural Increase
25.7
26.1
24.7
19.6
24.6
24.9
22.5
21.5
18.8
18.41
17.7
By early 1990s, Rajasthan jumped into third stage of demographic
transition. During this phase, increase literacy and social conciseness about small families
helped in reduction of birth rate to 33 per thousand. This reduction in birth rate and already
lowering death rate; totally changed the demographic dynamics of Rajasthan. As fall in death
rate was more rapid as compare to birth rate as due to development health facilities were
increasing and death due to war and famines also recorded sharpe decline. Both death and
birth rate were reducing, but as death rate was reducing more rapidly population was
increasing rapidly. Slowly but steadily with social development birth rate also started falling
and death rate is also reaching to lowest level in this scenario. It is expected that in decades to
come growth rate in population of Rajasthan will stabiles. Analysis of data from census of
India about Rajasthan shows four distinct phases in the population growth from 1901 to 2011
and these phases are as follows
A. 1901 to 1921
B. 1921 to 1951
C. 1951 to 1981
D. 1981 onwards
1901 to 1921
Prior to 1921 birth rate and death rates in Rajasthan were very high due
to which natural increase in population was very low and highly irregular. Period prior to
1921 is known for fluctuating growth of population. Sometimes due to war or sever natural
calamities or due to harsh weather incidents increased death rare use to erode increase in
population leading low population increase. Therefore, in 1911-1921, Rajasthan witnessed
negative growth in population. And as in demographic history of Rajasthan this was the lone
phase when negative growth of population was recorded, this period is attributed as great
demographic divide. During 1911-1921, Rajasthan witnessed fall in population by -6.29 %
which was primarily caused due to epidemic spreaded in the state.
1921-1951
During next phase (i.e. 1921-1951), population of Rajasthan started to
increase with fall in death rate under the influence of increased medical facilities. Although,
this increase was very minute, but it was of greater demographic significance for Rajasthan,
as this was the time when demographic transition started in Rajasthan. This increase in
population was primarily due to falling death rate. As by this period some economic
development help in evolving health sector in the state and these health institutes helped in
118
bringing death rate down. Government efforts to further reduce deaths caused due to disease,
hunger and epidemic were also adding to increasing population. During that time in
Rajasthan, Social development (i.e. literacy, status of woman etc.) was low, resultantly; birth
rate was still very high.
Table 4.7
Rajasthan: Population growth and Decadal Variation, 1901-2011
Year
1901
1911
1921
1931
1941
1951
1961
1971
1981
1991
2001
2011
Total Population
10294090
10983509
10292648
11747974
13863859
15970774
20155602
25765806
34261262
44005990
56507188
68621012
Absolute Increase
---689419
-690861
1455326
2115885
2106915
4184828
5610204
8495456
9744728
12501198
12113824
Decadal Variation
---6.7
-6.29
14.24
18.01
15.2
26.2
27.83
32.47
28.44
25.41
21.44
Source: Various Census Reports.
1951-1981
During this phase, death rate reduced to lowest level and at the same
time birth rate was falling but it was still very high. Because of this during 1951-1981,
Rajasthan witnessed highest ever population growth in the decade of 1971-1981 recording
32.47% decadal growth in population. This was the phase of when in some form population
explosion in Rajasthan was taking place, as population was acting as pressure on already
scarce resources with the state. Government of India along with Rajasthan government
initiated many family planning schemes but in the absence of adequate social development
and awareness theses programmes had limited scope for success. These programmes became
successful only when Rajasthan achieved some decency in literacy level.
1981 onwards
After recording highest population growth rate, Rajasthan was reeling
under the intense population pressure and in a situation like population explosion after 1980s.
Population was putting heavy pressure on basic amenities and government schemes as
population reaches beyond carrying capacity of available resources. Therefore, more rigorous
efforts from NGOs, State Government and National Government started to curb population
growth rate. At the same time with the increase of literacy social environment was changing
119
and social conciseness towards smaller families was spreading.
And after 1985 social
transformation favouring small families and spread of literacy started showing some impact
on birth rate of the society. As the state had low death rate with the fall of birth rate, natural
increase in population started to slow down in. After 1981, population of Rajasthan started
showing signs of reduction in the rate of population growth primarily due to falling birth rate.
And if trends continuous in further reduction in population is possible.
4.9. Distribution of Population in Rajasthan
Distribution of population denotes actual pattern of spacing of units of
individual, density (Hassan, 2005:40). Population distribution in Rajasthan is highly coassociated with physiographic divisions. Arid region of Rajasthan includes Bikaner, Churu,
Sri Ganganagar, Jodhpur, Barmer, Jalore, Nagaur, Jaisalmer accounts 57.8 per cent of total
geographical area of the state holds only 32.38 % population. This reveals that in West of
Aravalli Mountains, low availability of water and harsh topographic had a negative impact on
population distribution. In general population density in Rajasthan tends to decrease from
east to west and from north to south and within arid region population is clustered around
water points.
In the Aravalli hill region districts such as Udaipur, Rajsamand,
Dungarpur, Banswara, Sirohi and Ajmer covers 9.3 % of total geographical area while they
holds 16.38 % population of the state. In the state, population is highly concentrated in the
eastern fertile alluvial plain. This plain constitutes districts such as Jaipur, Dausa, Alwar,
Sawai Madhopur, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Jhunjhunu, Sikar and Bhilwara are highly dense
because of suitability of climate and rich agricultural fertile land. Moreover, better irrigation
facilities from river Chambal and its dams have made this region more attractive for
population, as a result these districts holds more population in comparison to others, it
constitutes 23.3 % area and hold nearly 40 % of the total population of the state. In short it
can be understood that the concentration and distribution of population in the state is greatly
affected with the amount of rainfall, nature of land and facilities of irrigation and therefore,
there is large scale region variation in population distribution of the state and for the purpose
of analysis population of the state can be studied by dividing into following density regions:
Category
Name of Districts
Low density region
Jaisalmer, Nagaur, Pali, Jalore, Jodhpur, Barmer
Moderately dense region
Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Udaipur, Rajsamand,
Dungarpur, Sirohi, Ajmer
Jaipur, Dausa, Tonk, Sawai Madhopur, Bharatpur,
Alwar, Sikar, Bhilwara
High density region
120
4.10. Comparative Analysis of Food and Population in Rajasthan:
After analysing performance of population and agriculture separately, in
this section an attempt has been made to study performance of agriculture in relation to
changing population. For analysis following four methods has been applied:
a) Per Capita Availability.
b) Comparison of Agricultural, Arithmetic and Nutritional densities.
c) Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) methodology for determining food
sufficiency.
d) Location Quotient methodology for delineation of Population-food resource regions.
4.10.1. Per Capita Availability of Food Grains
In order to understand the magnitude of the problem associated with the
pressure of population on food products per capita availability is one of the most commonly
used method by Geographers and researchers. Decreasing per capita availability of any article
denotes growing pressure and its availability will decrease if production is not increased. For
present analysis per capita availability of total food grains, wheat, Bajara and pulses in the
state has been analysis.
Table: 4.8
Rajasthan: Rate of Growth in Population, Food Crop and Per Capita Availability of
Food Grains, 1951-2011
Census Decadal % Decadal % Difference in
Per capita/per year availability (in
relative
%
decadal
Year
variation in Variation
kg)
variation of Food
Population in Total
grain and
Food
Population
Grains
Total Food Wheat Bajara Pulses
Grains
--------1951 ---304
71
34
99
15.2
13.09
2.1
1961
277
63
53
71
26.2
11.9
14.3
1971
246
96
53
51
27.83
11.55
16.27
1981
209
86
41
45
32.47
20.08
12.39
1991
204
98
57
39
28.41
10.72
17.68
2001
178
98
36
16
21.44
7.23
14.21
2011
158
85
32
19
-93
17
-8
-409
Percentage variation between 1951-2011
Source: Calculated from Researcher from data obtained from Agricultural Statistics of Rajasthan (1956-2009),
Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Rajasthan Yojana Bhawan, Jaipur
121
Analysis shows that in Rajasthan, decadal percentage growth in total food grains has never
been able to keep the pace with decadal percentage growth in population since form its
formation. This shows that population has much higher growth as compare to that of food
grains. Table 4.8 shows that difference between decadal growth in population and total food
grains was highest in 2001 but in 2011 situation has improved with the fall in decadal growth
of population.
Per capita availability of all the food crops has shown falling trend,
which is cause of grave concern for policy makers. In terms of total food grains % variation
from 1951 to 2011 recorded a fall of 93 percent. Wheat was only one food crop which
recorded bit of increase in the selected time span. For Rajasthan the biggest cause of worry is
the fall in per capita per day availability of pluses. Rajasthan is primarily a vegetarian state,
where there is no other source of protein is available apart from pluses and steep reduction in
per capita availability of pulses is matter of serious concern and further research.
District level per capita availability of total food crop, wheat, Bajara, and
pulses reveals that there are huge regional variations. With reference to total food crops
Alwar, Bhilwara, Kota, Jhalawar, Sawai Madhopur, Ganganagar, Bundi, Jaisalmer,
Hanumangarh, Chittorgarh, and Sirohi has performed relatively better as compare to other
districts. In these districts irrigational facilities, spread of green revolution has boosted per
capita availability, moreover, in terms of population these districts also hold less population.
On the other hand because of poor agricultural base and harsh geo-climatic realities Jalore,
Udaipur, Dungarpur, Churu, Sikar, Jaipur, Nagaur, Jodhpur, Barmer, Bikaner, Ajmer, Pali,
Banswara, and Rajsamand have performed low in per capita availability of food grains. In
terms of per capita availability of pulses situation is even more pathetic; here pulses
producing districts have performed well as compare to non-producing regions. Among better
performing districts in terms of per capita availability districts are Jhalawar, Bikaner,
Jhunjhunu, Tonk, Sawai Madhopur, Hanumangarh, Jaisalmer, Kota, and Barmer.
4.10.2. Comparison of Densities in Rajasthan
To determine actual pressure on land, in Geographical studies various
kind of method are being applied in research. Among these methods comparative analysis of
various types of densities are most common in population related studies. Basically, density
is a measure to determine pressure of population on and simplest form of density is known as
crude density or arithmetic density. Arithmetic density is termed as the number of people
divided by the total area. But being an average figure, it suffers from serious imitations.
Crude density is one-dimensional and tells very little about the opportunities and obstacles
122
contained in the relationship between people and land (Hassan, 2008, 41). In a more refined
form on arithmetic density, nutritional density in which total population is viewed in relation
to the amount of land under cultivation in a region this is also known as physiological
density. This measure of density is more accurate in countries where agriculture is the
mainstay of economy. But it is less important in regions where less population is engaged in
agriculture for its livelihood. Therefore, nutritional density does not provide accurate picture
of population pressure on land. As a further improvement, agricultural density is widely used.
Agricultural density is work out by dividing the population engaged in agriculture for their
livelihood with the amount of cultivable land available. In other words, agricultural density is
ratio between number of people earning their livelihood working on farmland and actual
cultivable land.
Table: 4.9
Rajasthan: Arithmetic, Nutritional and Agricultural Densities, 1961-2011
Year
Arithmetic Density
(No. of persons per sq.
km)
Nutritional Density
(No. of people per
sq km of cultivable
land)
1961
58.89
1.44
Agricultural Density
(No. of people earning
livelihood from land
per sq km of cultivable
land)
0.26
1971
75.29
1.54
0.28
1981
100.11
1.97
0.36
1991
128.58
2.27
0.41
2001
165.11
2.94
0.53
2011
200.51
3.16
0.57
% change between
1951 to 2001
70.63
54.52
54.52
Source: Calculated from Researcher from data obtained from Agricultural Statistics of Rajasthan (1956-2009),
Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Rajasthan Yojana Bhawan, Jaipur
Analysis of data reveals that in Rajasthan with growing population
Arithmetic density, nutritional density and agricultural density are increasing rapidly. As land
is finite resource, increase in population is putting heavy stain on and, it is not surprising that
in last six decades arithmetic density has gone up by 70 %. But as arithmetic density is less
informative about actual pressure on cultivable land, agricultural density has also been
worked out; this also shows that pressure on cultivable land is increasing ever since state was
formed. At district level those districts which has high population growth rate has shown
increasing trend in agricultural density and nutritional density. High agricultural density is
worse form of population pressure on land. As far as distribution of nutritional density is
123
concern Churu, Barmer, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Chittorgarh, Jodhpur, Pali, Baran have low
nutritional density, whereas, Bundi, Jalore, Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Nagaur, Sirohi,
Tonk, Jhalawar, Udaipur, Bhilwara, Karauli, Sawai Madhopur have medium nutritional
density. The prevalence of high nutritional density is found in Kota, Alwar, Banswara, Sikar,
Dausa, Dholpur, Rajsamand, Bharatpur, Jhunjhunu, Jaipur, Dungarpur, and Ajmer as these
districts high population pressure and low level of cultivable land. Definitely these districts
with high nutritional density have high level of population pressure on cultivable land.
Table: 4. 10
Nutritional Density in Rajasthan, 2011
Category
Low Nutritional Density
Range
0.01-0.14
Medium Nutritional
Density
0.15-0.24
High Nutritional Density
0.25-0.52
Districts
Churu, Barmer, Bikaner, Jaisalmer,
Chittorgarh, Jodhpur, Pali, Baran
Bundi, Jalore, Ganganagar,
Hanumangarh, Nagaur, Sirohi, Tonk,
Jhalawar, Udaipur, Bhilwara, Karauli,
Sawai Madhopur
Kota, Alwar, Banswara, Sikar, Dausa,
Dholpur, Rajsamand , Bharatpur,
Jhunjhunu, Jaipur, Dungarpur, Ajmer
Source: Calculated from Researcher from data obtained from Agricultural Statistics of Rajasthan (1956-2009),
Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Rajasthan Yojana Bhawan, Jaipur
After analysing arithmetic and nutritional density, a much more refined
form of density is used to measure population pressure on cultivable land. Agricultural
density which is number of people earning livelihood from land per sq km of cultivable land
shows actual pressure on food producing land resources. With reference to agricultural
density Chittorgarh, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Baran, Pali, Jodhpur, Hanumangarh, Barmer, Jalore,
Churu, Ganganagar have low level of agricultural density as they have huge tracks of land
and relatively less population dependent on agriculture. Bhilwara, Jhalawar, Sirohi, Tonk,
Karauli, Udaipur, Bundi holds medium level of density. Banswara, Ajmer, Rajsamand,
Alwar, Jhunjhunu, Sawai Madhopur, Sikar, Jaipur, Dausa, Bharatpur, Kota, Dholpur,
Dungarpur holds high level of agricultural density as here population dependent on
agriculture is high as compare to cultivable land available.
124
Table: 4.11
Agricultural Densities in Rajasthan, 2011
Category
Low Agricultural Density
Range
0.01-0.39
Medium Agricultural
Density
Low Agricultural Density
0.47-0.56
0.57-1.27
Districts
Chittorgarh, Jaisalmer, Bikaner,
Baran, Pali, Jodhpur,
Hanumangarh, Barmer, Jalore,
Churu, Ganganagar
Bhilwara, Jhalawar, Sirohi,
Tonk, Karauli, Udaipur, Bundi
Banswara, Ajmer, Rajsamand,
Alwar, Jhunjhunu, Sawai
Madhopur, Sikar, Jaipur, Dausa,
Bharatpur, Kota, Dholpur,
Dungarpur
Source: Calculated from Researcher from data obtained from Agricultural Statistics of Rajasthan (1956-2009),
Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Rajasthan Yojana Bhawan, Jaipur
4.10.3. Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) Methodology for Determining
Food Sufficiency
According to medical science, every person requires certain amount of
food to live a healthy life. And medical scientists globally recommend having that specific
amount of food to live healthy life, globally; this amount of food is known as RDA
(Recommended Dietary Allowances). As difference in diet, climate and biological needs of
people differs from one country to other, RDAs also show bit of variation across countries.
For India, Recommended Dietary Allowances is recommended by ICMR (Indian Council for
Medical Research), New Delhi, based on the nutritive value of food produced in Indian and
biological needs of individuals. According which an Indian must have following items in
prescribed amount of food items are required to sustain healthy life.
Table: 4.12
Recommended Dietary Allowances for Indian by ICMR, New Delhi
Food Stuffs
Per Person per day amount
(in grams)
Cereals
369.5
Pluses
68.6
Total food grains
438.1 (440 Approx)
Leafy vegetables
107.4
Other vegetables
124.5
Fruit
37.1
Fats and oils
37.6
Sugar and Jiggery
46.3
Milk
178.4
Source: Gopalan, C.: Diet Atlas of India, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad.
125
Using ICMR methodology regarding RDA total food requirements of Rajasthan shows that
through history after 1961, Rajasthan was able to produce food grains to meet its
requirement. The worrying thing in trends in terms of availability using ICMR methodology
is that availability of mean food is reducing rapidly. And following the trend in 2011, it has
produced lesser amount of food then its food requirement. Regional analysis shows that out
of total district 9 districts have not able to produce required food grains. These districts are
Ajmer, Barmer, Bikaner, Churu, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Pali and Sikar basically most of
these districts are arid or lying on undulating and difficult terrain. Difficulty produced by
geo-climatic conditions agriculture in these districts is poor failing in meeting the needs of
ever growing population.
Table 4.13
Rajasthan: Estimates of Food Availability at Meso level, 1961-2011
(Using ICMR Methodology)
Census Total
Standard food
Population requirement
per head per
year (in kg)
Mean
Available
food
(in kg)
Total food
available
( in Kg)
Total food
required
( in Kg)
1961
20155602
158.4
276.9
5581000000
3192647357
Difference
between
Available and
Required Food
( in Kg)
2388352643
1971
1981
1991
2001
2011
25765806
34261262
44005990
56507188
68621012
158.4
158.4
158.4
158.4
158.4
245.87
209.07
203.68
177.68
157.72
6335000000
7163000000
8963000000
10040000000
10823000000
4081303670
5426983901
6970548816
8950738579
10869568301
2253696330
1736016099
1992451184
1089261421
-46568301
Source: Calculated from Researcher from data obtained from Agricultural Statistics of Rajasthan (1956-2009),
Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Rajasthan Yojana Bhawan, Jaipur
On the basis of ICMR methodology, food availability at district level
reveals that agriculturally rich districts such as Sirohi, Chittorgarh, Hanumangarh,
Ganganagar, Jaisalmer, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, Jhalawar, Kota, Bhilwara, Alwar have high
food availability, whereas, hilly and tribal districts such as Baran, Bharatpur, Dausa, Dholpur,
Karauli, Jhunjhunu Tonk, Banswara, Rajsamand, Udaipur, Jalore, Dungarpur have medium
food availability. The most problematic districts on the basis of ICMR methodology are
Churu, Jaipur, Pali, Ajmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Barmer, Nagaur, and Sikar in these districts
poor performance of agriculture along with huge demand from large population size is
causing low level of food availability.
126
Table: 4.14
Rajasthan: Average Food Availability as per ICMR Methodology, 2011
Category
High food
Availability
Range (kg)
762-313
Medium food
Availability
314-161
Low food
Availability
162-66
Districts
Sirohi, Chittorgarh, Hanumangarh,
Ganganagar, Jaisalmer, Bundi, Sawai
Madhopur, Jhalawar, Kota, Bhilwara, Alwar
Baran, Bharatpur, Dausa, Dholpur, Karauli,
Jhunjhunu Tonk, Banswara, Rajsamand,
Udaipur, Jalore, Dungarpur
Churu, Jaipur, Pali, Ajmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur,
Barmer, Nagaur, Sikar
Source: Calculated from Researcher from data obtained from Agricultural Statistics of Rajasthan (1956-2009),
Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Rajasthan Yojana Bhawan, Jaipur
4.10.4. Population-Food Resource Regions in Rajasthan using Location Quotient
As discussed in previous chapter, concept related to population-food resource regions are an
important understanding in geography. Concept of Population-food resource region enhance
over understanding about dynamism in population and food production both over time.
Following in similar understanding in present thesis an attempt is made to delineate foodpopulation resource regions by working on total food-grain production and total population of
the district. In order to have a clear idea about the spatial distribution pattern of any
phenomena, Geographers tends to use many methods among these methods location quotient
is most widely used. The proportion of any characteristic in an area is studied in relation to its
proportion in the region; this ratio is known as Location Quotient (Mahmood, 2006:102).
Location quotient gives us relative picture which compare the relative proportion of
phenomena on space. Symbolically location quotient for population concentration index and
food-production concentration index is written as follows:
(I)
Population Concentration Index
𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝒐𝒑𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒕
𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝑪𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒅 𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂 𝒐𝒇 𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒕
(II)
÷
𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝒐𝒑𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆
𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝑮𝑪𝑨 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆
Food-Production Concentration Index
𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒕
𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝑮𝑪𝑨 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒕
÷
𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆
𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝑮𝑪𝑨 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆
For analysing food and population Location Quotient has been applied. By applying Location
Quotient population concentration index and food concentration index has been derived.
Population-food resource regions identified using Location Quotient is as follows:
127
Dynamic Population-Food Resource Region
These are the areas and districts where food-population balance is
healthy. Available food resources exceeds food requirement of population at present level of
technology. In 1981 this category includes Sirohi, and Chittorgarh these districts had healthy
balance of population-food resource. Districts under this category had large agricultural land
and relatively low population base. In 1991 under this category Sirohi, Jaisalmer, Bundi, and
Chittorgarh lie in this category. Only Bundi came as new entrant to this category. In these
districts future prospect of population is bright, as these districts hold low population and
somewhat higher food production.
Table 4.15
Rajasthan: Population-Food Resource Regions, 1981-2011
Category
Dynamic
PopulationFood Resource
Region
Range
0-0.74
Prospective
PopulationFood Resource
Region
Problematic
PopulationFood Resource
Region
Name of the Districts
1991
2001
1981
Sirohi,
Chittorgarh
Sirohi, Jaisalmer,
Bundi,
Chittorgarh
0.75-1.49
Bundi, Pali,
Jodhpur, Alwar,
Ganganagar,
Jaisalmer, Jalore,
Bharatpur, Tonk,
Bhilwara,
Banswara, Udaipur
1.50 &
above
Jhalawar, Jaipur
Jhunjhunu,
Dungarpur, Churu,
Kota, Sawai
Madhopur, Nagaur,
Ajmer, Sikar,
Barmer, Bikaner
Kota, Bhilwara,
Tonk, Banswara,
Jhunjhunu, Jalore,
Alwar,
Ganganagar,
Dungarpur,
Barmer, Jhalawar,
Bharatpur
Dholpur, Churu,
Bikaner, Udaipur,
Ajmer, Nagaur,
Sawai Madhopur,
Pali, Jodhpur,
Sikar, Jaipur
2011
Sirohi, Bundi,
Hanumangarh,
Ganganagar,
Sawai Madhopur,
Bharatpur, Kota,
Dausa, Jaisalmer,
Chittorgarh,
Baran, Dholpur,
Alwar, Jhalawar,
Bhilwara,
Karauli, Jalore,
Banswara,
Rajsamand, Tonk,
Barmer, Udaipur,
Dungarpur,
Sirohi,
Chittorgarh,
Hanumangarh,
Jaisalmer, Bundi,
Ganganagar,
Sawai Madhopur,
Jhalawar, Kota,
Bhilwara, Alwar,
Baran, Bharatpur
Jodhpur, Jaipur,
Jhunjhunu,
Ajmer, Pali,
Bikaner, Nagaur,
Churu, Sikar,
Pali, Ajmer,
Bikaner, Barmer,
Jodhpur, Nagaur,
Sikar, Jaipur,
Dausa, Dholpur,
Jhunjhunu,
Karauli, Tonk,
Banswara, Churu,
Rajsamand,
Jalore, Udaipur,
Dungarpur,
Source: Calculated by Researcher.
Situation improved towards better with addition of newer districts in this
category in 2001. This category has Sirohi, Hanumangarh, Bundi, Ganganagar, Sawai
Madhopur, Bharatpur, Kota, Dausa, Jaisalmer, Chittorgarh, Dholpur, Alwar, Baran, Jhalawar,
Bhilwara, under this category. In 2011, this category has districts Sirohi, Chittorgarh,
Hanumangarh, Jaisalmer, Bundi, Ganganagar, Sawai Madhopur, Jhalawar, Kota, Bhilwara,
128
Alwar, Baran, and Bharatpur. Most of these districts have good agricultural land along with
increase irrigational facilities.
Prospective Population-Food Resource Regions
This category has a population-food balance at balanced stage at present
technological levels and situation can improve further if technological level goes upward. In
1981, this category included Bundi, Pali, Jodhpur, Alwar, Ganganagar, Jaisalmer, Jalore,
Bharatpur, Bhilwara, Banswara, Tonk, and Udaipur. In this category districts presently lies in
equilibrium in population-and food resources and in future if these districts work towards
increasing availability of better technology they can move towards better balance. In 1991,
under this category Kota, Bhilwara, Tonk, Banswara, Jhunjhunu, Jalore, Alwar, Ganganagar,
Dungarpur, Barmer, Jhalawar, and Bharatpur are constituted. In 2001, only Karauli,
Banswara, Rajsamand, Tonk, Barmer, Udaipur, Jalore, Dungarpur, lie in this category. In
2011, Dausa, Dholpur, Jhunjhunu, Karauli, Tonk, Banswara, Rajsamand, Jalore, Udaipur,
Dungarpur, Churu, lie in prospective population-food resource regions.
Problematic Population-Resource Region
This category includes districts having poor geo-climatic conditions and
has high population base on the bases of present technological level. In 1981, this category
includes districts such as Jhalawar, Jhunjhunu, Dungarpur, Churu, Kota, Sawai Madhopur,
Nagaur, Ajmer, Sikar, Barmer, Bikaner and Jaipur. As up to 1981 spread of agricultural
technology was low population-food resource balance was not very impressive. In 1991 and
2001, situation improved towards betterment and districts lies in this category are Dholpur,
Churu, Bikaner, Udaipur, Ajmer, Nagaur, Sawai Madhopur, Pali, Jodhpur, Sikar, Jaipur and
Jodhpur, Jhunjhunu, Ajmer, Pali, Bikaner, Nagaur, Churu, Sikar, Jaipur respectively. In
2011, Pali, Ajmer, Bikaner, Barmer, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Sikar, Jaipur, is covered under this
category. These districts have large population base and poor agricultural base therefore their
population-food resource is performing dismal. Future prospects in districts laying in this
category is presently very dismal but if technological up gradation takes place this can
improve.
The performance of agricultural development in Rajasthan has always
been determined by prevailing rainfall systems and fluctuation in food grains production is
highly associated with time and amount of rainfall. Apart from weather associated
phenomena, changes in socio-economic conditions also bound to have some impact on foodpopulation balance. It was witnessed in the case of Rajasthan that under the influence of these
socio-economic conditions cropping pattern underwent slow changes may cause serious
129
threat to food balance of the society. Trends in compound growth rate in area, production and
yield reveal that in present phase of agricultural development neither area nor yield was
acting as driver to agricultural development. Under the influence of economic policy changes,
agriculture of Rajasthan remained stagnant for long. This stagnation in agriculture was
primarily outcome of reduction in public investment. Analysis of food-population
relationship in Rajasthan using various statistical techniques shows that food-population
relationship is highly precarious and with increasing population situation is expected to
deteriorate further in coming times. Situation is even more alarming in the state, when
analysis is made with reference to household level. Social stratification, poverty,
discrimination and many other social attributes cause serious problems in the society. In next
chapter an attempt is made to identify food status of household in different regions of
Rajasthan.
130
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131