Na

Na

Taking cognizance of a rapidly globalising world, this paper attempts to determine the relationship between the “growth rate of exports” and the “growth rate of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)” by taking empirical evidences from India. The methodology of this paper leans towards a model that encapsulates the endogenous growth theory by incorporating the “growth rate of labour force” and the “growth rate of capital stock” as the independent variables in addition to the growth rate of exports. As such, this paper attempts to bring in the perspective of factor productivity gains owing to export growth and, consequently, its impact on India’s GDP growth. An annual time-series data of 30 years (1992 to 2022) is taken to conduct an in-depth analysis of how export growth has impacted GDP growth after India’s New Economic Policy of 1991. Accordingly, a multiple regression model, adjusted to make its time-series components stationary, is used. Rigorous diagnostic tests to rule out the presence of spurious regression, autocorrelation, heteroscedasticity and multicollinearity are then conducted to ensure that the estimates of the model are best linear unbiased estimators (BLUE). Diagnostic tests for model specification error and model stability are also employed. The resulting analysis confirms that export growth has a “positive significant impact” on GDP growth for India and emphasises on the role and impact of factor productivity gains in this aspect. This paper also finds that capital stock growth has not had statistically significant impact on GDP growth at the 5% level of significance. Finally, this paper also highlights the trend of jobless growth in India during the time period, 1992 to 2022.

Rice is a vital staple crop in India, with Punjab being one of its largest producers and making a significant contribution to the country’s food security. In recent years, Punjab has faced several impacts of climate change, such as rising temperatures and fluctuations in rainfall, which affect rice production. In this context, the current study examines the interdependence between climate variables and rice yield in Punjab from 1990 to 2022 by using the Granger causality test and the Vector Autoregressive (VAR) model. The estimated VAR results were then employed for future predictions.

Forge smiths, historically regarded as the most crucial and respected group in traditional rural settings, have been indispensable for the sustenance of agriculture and rural industries. Despite their paramount significance, these skilled workers face appalling working conditions characterized by the use of heavy tools and furnaces. Working in environments laden with heat, noise, vibration, and dust, forge smiths are particularly susceptible to various occupational health issues, leading to a higher incidence of sickness-related absenteeism. The study was carried out on a group of 120 individuals employed in the field of forging to determine the occupational hazards and various risk factors. Personal observation and interviews were conducted for workers involved in different activities of forging. ANOVA technique is applied to compare various activities and mean heart rate (during activity). The result was found to be significant at P<0.01, indicating average Heart rate and EER were significantly higher in case of group II who were engaged in striking operation in bending position i.e. 124.60 beats/min and 11.09 kJ/min, respectively as compared to other activity group workers. The result also revealed that forging workers were exposed to various occupational stressors and are at high risk of various work-related disorder that need to be taken care of through ergonomic intervention and medical treatment. It was concluded that by implementing various improvements, a safer and more conducive work environment for forging industry workers and be create.

Rice is a vital cereal crop that sustains more than half of the global population and remains central to India’s food security and rural economy. As the world’s second-largest rice producer, India relies heavily on this crop for livelihoods and agricultural income. This study examines the marketed surplus and marketing efficiency of rice across different farm-size categories in Banda district, Uttar Pradesh. Primary data were collected from 160 rice-growing households through stratified random sampling in two purposively selected blocks, Baberu and Naraini. The findings reveal significant variation in marketed surplus across farm sizes, with large farms marketing 205.57 quintals, medium farms 116.07 quintals, small farms 27.67 quintals, and marginal farms 8.44 quintals. Marginal farmers frequently sold beyond their marketable surplus, indicating financial stress and the need for liquidity. A multiple linear regression analysis was carried out to identify the determinants of marketed surplus across farm categories. Among three identified marketing channels, Channel II (producer → wholesaler → retailer → consumer) accounted for 57.8% of total sales, while Channel III (direct producer → consumer) exhibited the highest producer price share (96.45%) and marketing efficiency (27.26). The study underscores the importance of promoting shorter marketing chains, farmer cooperatives, and improved access to market information to enhance efficiency and farmer welfare in the rice sector.

Women entrepreneurship plays a crucial role in promoting inclusive economic growth and social empowerment. This study examines the determinants of the growth of women-led enterprises registered under the Startup India scheme. For this purpose, primary data were collected from 126 women entrepreneurs across Punjab and Haryana states. The study used Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling to examine the impact of behavioural and institutional factors on entrepreneurial growth. The results reveal that ‘creative ability’ and ‘institutional backing’ are the most influential determinants of women entrepreneurial growth, followed by ‘technical awareness’, ‘aspiration for progress’ and ‘risk tolerance’. The model explains 65% of the variation in entrepreneurial growth (R² = 0.649). The findings highlight the importance of strengthening innovation capacity, technical skills, and policy support mechanisms to enhance women’s participation in the startup ecosystem.

Vegetable transplanting is a highly labour- intensive agricultural activity predominantly performed by farm women in India, involving prolonged bending and squatting postures that impose considerable musculoskeletal strain. The present study was conducted in Banda district of Uttar Pradesh to assess musculoskeletal discomfort, grip fatigue, and overall postural stress among 50 farm women (20–55 years) during vegetable transplanting using traditional and mechanized methods. A comparative experimental design was adopted under actual field conditions. Musculoskeletal discomfort was assessed using the body map technique and a five-point pain scale, hand grip strength was measured using a dynamometer, and Overall Discomfort Rating (ODR) was recorded using a 10-point Visual Analogue Scale. Results indicated a high prevalence of severe to very severe pain in the neck (56%), upper back (72%), knees (68%), and thighs (62%) during the traditional method. The mechanized method significantly reduced severe discomfort across body regions (65–87% reduction). Mean grip strength reduction was significantly lower in the mechanized method (3.88 ± 0.26%) compared to the traditional method (6.40 ± 1.32%) (p < 0.05), indicating reduced muscular fatigue. The mean ODR decreased from 8.2 ± 0.74 (heavy discomfort) in the traditional method to 3.4 ± 0.81 (moderate discomfort) in the mechanized method (p < 0.01). The findings demonstrate that use of a hand-operated vegetable transplanter substantially reduces musculoskeletal strain and drudgery, thereby enhancing occupational health and work efficiency among farm women.

The Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector forms the backbone of India’s economy, contributing nearly 30% of GDP, 45% of exports, and employing over 111 million people. Yet women remain underrepresented, with only 20.37% of MSMEs under female ownership, and their share in small and medium segments negligible. This paper examines the structural barriers that limit women’s participation in MSMEs, focusing on skill development deficits, financial exclusion, and socio-cultural constraints. Using official data from the MSME Annual Report (2023–24) and the Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Report (2023–24), the study analyzes the impact of government initiatives such as PMKVY, SANKALP, and MUDRA, while highlighting gaps in gender budgeting. The analysis is grounded in the Capability Approach and the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Framework, demonstrating how systemic disadvantages across skills, finance, and markets reinforce gender inequality. Empirical evidence shows that while interventions have created opportunities such as the Drone Didi program in agri-tech and localized artisan training schemes, fragmented implementation and underfunding continue to constrain outcomes. The paper concludes that bridging the gender gap requires an integrated strategy that links gender-responsive skilling with financial access, mentorship, regulatory support, and market linkages. Expanding women’s participation in MSMEs is critical not only for gender equity but also for achieving India’s inclusive growth and sustainable development goals.

The growing interest in sustainable development has enhanced the necessity to determine the role played by green financial flows and development assistance in facilitating economic growth. The research paper analyses how green finance and official development assistance affect economic growth in India over the period 2002-2022. The analysis uses important macroeconomic variables, such as net official development assistance (NET_ODA), environment-related aid (ENV_ODA), foreign direct investment (FDI), renewable energy investment (REI), domestic credit (DC), and trade openness (TRADE). The study uses Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing method to capture both short-run and long-run dynamics. The findings establish a long-run cointegration relationship between the variables. Empirical evidence shows that total development assistance plays a significant role in economic growth whereas environmentally oriented aid plays a positive role in sustainable development in the long run. Investments in renewable energy also exhibit long term growth benefits despite short run adjustment costs. The impact of FDI and domestic credit on economic performance is however mixed in the study period. The results indicate that the strategic distribution of development aid to environmentally friendly sectors and the reinforcement of green financial institutions can improve the economic stability and help India to move to the low-carbon economy. The research has some policy implications in enhancing the performance of external financial flows towards the realization of sustainable economic development.

India, being an agrarian economy, is highly dependent of the development of the rural and agricultural sector for the overall development of the economy. This makes it the proper credit provision to these sectors the need of the hour. Kisan Credit Card scheme was brought as a need based credit delivery system which was modified many times by the RBO. Some of the major modifications include the addition of SHGs, JLGs, etc under this scheme, allowing credit disbursement to allied fields of agriculture such as dairy farming and so on. This study examines the socio-economic and financial impacts of Self-help Group (SHG) membership among farmers in the Nadia and East Burdwan districts of West Bengal. The socio-economic profile revealed that even though majority farmers were of small and marginal categories, SHG members did fare better than non-members. Repayment patterns and factors affecting were also examined and seen that SHG member farmers were on a better footing with timely repayments. Regression analysis identified SHG membership and total annual income as highly significant factors (at the 1% level) influencing timely repayment, while education and land ownership were significant at the 5% level. These findings highlight the critical role of SHGs in enhancing financial discipline and socio-economic resilience. Policy recommendations include strengthening SHG networks, promoting livestock farming, improving market access, and expanding financial literacy programs, especially for marginal and small farmers. SHGs, through collective farming and sustainable practices, can serve as a transformative force in rural agricultural development.

The present study evaluated the operational performance and economic feasibility of a mini tractor-operated roto-planter developed for small and marginal farmers. The implement integrates rotary tillage and seed sowing into a single field operation, thereby reducing labour requirements, fuel consumption, and cultivation costs. Field experiments were conducted under uniform operating conditions using paddy as the test crop. The developed machine achieved an effective field capacity of 0.15 ha h⁻¹ with satisfactory operational performance. Economic analysis indicated a total operating cost of ` 265.76 h⁻¹ (` 1,771.73 ha⁻¹), resulting in a cost saving of ` 1,228.27 ha⁻¹ (40.9%) over conventional cultivation practices. Break-even analysis revealed that the machine becomes economically viable at an annual utilization of 615.93 h (92.38 ha), while the investment could be recovered within 1.46 years under the assumed utilization pattern. The findings demonstrate that the developed roto-planter provides a technically efficient and economically viable mechanization option for smallholder farming systems and has considerable potential for custom hiring services.

This study is intended to analyze the post-harvest losses of rice in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. Primary data were collected from 60 rice growers and 30 rice processors in the results shows that the majority of post-harvest losses viz., occurs in rice growers while in harvesting of rice accounts for 500 kg with the value of ` 8500/- then major losses which goes on cleaning and winnowing (700 kg stood the value of ` 11,900/-) followed by drying, transportation from rice field to road and threshing cost incurred during storage and value Addition/Processing, the material cost accounts for ` 1850/-. The rice processor also has been losses at the time transporting from production point to rice mill with 300 kg in terms of value ` 2400/- and in Grain scattering while threshing / Combine harvesting would occur in minimum level of losses. Rice processor has been incurred the cost of ` 4150/- for gunny bag for the storage and using the godown charges of ` 5000. While the harvesting of rice, the foremost problem of entry of rodents and pig followed by Delaying of middleman to settle the amount, Flooding at the time of harvesting/winnowing, non-availability of combine harvester as well as right path way and Low price of the produce. Government may be increasing the number of rice procurement centre at the time of harvesting with higher price to safeguards the rice growers from the middleman intervention.

Background: Determination of growth rate, acreage response and production response of groundnut using price and non-price factors in Gujarat and Rajasthan state. Methods: Compound growth rate and Cuddy-Della index were used for the calculation of growth rate and instability index, respectively during the study period from 2002-03 to2018-19. To study the effect of price and non-price factors influencing on acreage and production of groundnut crop over time and space in both states were examined by using the Nerlovian lag adjustment method. Results: The study reveals that in Gujarat, the area under groundnut crop was decreasing at 1.79 per cent per annum with one per cent level of significance. The production and yield of groundnuts showed a high rate of instability with 42.02 per cent and 37.94 per cent, respectively. The factors namely, irrigated area and lag year groundnut production were found positive and statistically significant impact on the rise in groundnut area over the study period. This implied that higher irrigated area and lag year groundnut production leads to larger areas of the groundnut crop. However, the lag area of cotton (competitive crop) had a negative impact on the rise in groundnut area over the study period. The results of the production response function indicated that the regression coefficients of a irrigated area under groundnut crop and monsoon season rainfall has a statistically significant impact on the rise in groundnut production in Gujarat. The area under groundnut crop has been positively increasing at 7.52 per cent per annum and found statistically significant at a one per cent level in Rajasthan state. It was found that area (17.18 %), production (20.57%) and productivity (16.87%) registered medium instability. During the decision of area allocation for groundnut crop in Rajasthan state, the coefficient of area under bajra (competitive crop) was negative and significant magnitude was 0.69. It implied that an increase of one per cent in the area under bajra crop is expected to result in a decrease 0.69 per cent area for groundnut crop. Coefficient of irrigated area and monsoon season rainfall were positive and significant helps to increase groundnut production. Thus, results suggests that groundnut production is improved by agricultural improvements like building protective irrigation structures like farm ponds contribute to an improvement in groundnut area and production.

Potato being the key component of the food system of the communities residing North Eastern Hill Region (NEHR) of India, where the farming is practiced in the traditional way. The present study was conducted in the state of Meghalaya, in the three blocks, Ri-Bhoi, West Garo Hills and West Jaintia Hills. Primary data was collected from 56 natural farmers and 34 conventional farmers, for the year 2023-24. The growth rate in production and productivity at the world, India, and Ri-Bhoi District found to be positive. The study highlights potential gender-based variations in labour requirements, observing natural farming as labour intensive farming. The total cost of potato cultivation was lower in natural farming by 4 per cent. Although the yield was lower in natural farming but the net returns was significantly higher than conventional farming by mean difference of ` 4898.93 per hectare. There was a significant difference in the cost of human labor and FYM. Allocative efficiency suggested that the use of FYM and human labour should be increased, while the use of planting material should be reduced to achieve optimal input allocation, henceforth maximizing yield and returns.

In this paper an attempt has been made to estimate the effects of cropped area and year on production of Chilli, Ginger and Turmeric spice crops in the north-east region of India, the secondary data for the period of 1985-1986 to 2024-2025 were compiled, to evaluate the impact of all crops; three regression equations for each of the crops have been fitted by the method of least squares. To examine the significance of the estimated regression equations, analysis of variance is carried out for each of the crops viz; Chilli, Ginger and Turmeric separately.

How many productive animals would have to be on a Gaushala to be independent of donations and why is it that milk revenue never really fills the gap? These questions are at the heart of Gaushala financial policy, but neither has been addressed by previous multi-state work with audited data. This paper does that with the help of primary information obtained from the 32 Gaushalas surveyed in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh in 2024–25. The results are presented in the context of three interrelated analyses. First, a break-even productive animal share analysis reveals that, for earned income self-sufficiency, a sector mean of nearly 37.5% (SD: 16.1 pp; range: 10.4–81.6%) would be required, whereas the break-even threshold for the sector under simulation is around 30%. Second, a milk-feed cost squeeze analysis reveals that the average institution is spending ` 150.8 per litre of milk for feed, resulting in a negative margin, which highlights why a sector that relies on milk revenue to achieve self-sufficiency is a challenge. Third, sensitivity scenarios to earned income show that the highest single intervention to income in the sector is 0.445, and the highest combined intervention is 0.422, both well below the BCR of 1.0 required for self-sufficiency. These are findings that challenge the policy debate; dependency on transfer income isn’t a stage that can more effectively be managed, it is the financial imprint of a welfare mandate. The policy issue is what to do to make that dependency more stable, closer to the true cost, and conditional on institutional performance.

This study was conducted in Sirohi district of Rajasthan state. The major sesamumn growing districts in the state are Pali, Sirohi, Jodhpur, Sawai Madhopur and Jalore. Among these district, Sirohi district has first rank in terms of during 2021-22. In this study, 120 farmers from 06 villages of two tehsils namely Sirohi and Sheoganj were selected randomly for detailed study. Primary data were collected for kharif 2024-25 and analyzed through Garrett’s ranking for drawing relevant conclusions. Results revealed that among technological problems, major problems faced by sesamum farmers were shortage of labour ranked first followed by unavailability of short duration varieties, problem of seed shattering and least was high incidence of insects. Among educational problems, lack of knowledge about improved recommended dose of fertilizer, lack of knowledge about market value of produce and lack of knowledge about improved calibration of chemical and their recommended doses ranked first, second and third, respectively. The least problem was lack of knowledge about crop insurance. Among economic problems, high cost of labour was the severe problem followed by high cost of pesticide, high cost of fertilizer and the least but yet important problem was high rate of interest on loan. Among infrastructural problems, lack of market facility in locality was the main problem. Poor transport facility of crop produce and unavailability of information on improved technology through government agencies ranked second and third, respectively. The cultivators should provide sufficient training for technologies, providing inputs on time, providing training to farmers for efficient utilization of inputs.

The Himalayan region is one of the world’s youngest and most tectonically active mountain systems, characterized by exceptional biodiversity, ecological sensitivity, and a high degree of vulnerability to natural hazards, particularly landslides. Increasing anthropogenic pressures, including unplanned infrastructure development, deforestation, rapid urbanization, mining, and unsustainable land-use practices, coupled with climate change-induced extreme rainfall events and glacier retreat, have significantly intensified the frequency and severity of landslides across the region. Recent disasters occurring between 2023 and 2025 have resulted in substantial loss of human life, extensive damage to infrastructure, disruption of ecosystem services, and considerable socio-economic consequences for mountain communities. This review critically examines the major geological, climatic, ecological, and anthropogenic factors responsible for landslides in the Himalayan region and evaluates their impacts on biodiversity, forest ecosystems, water resources, agriculture, and local livelihoods. Furthermore, the paper synthesizes existing structural and non-structural mitigation measures, including landslide hazard zonation, early warning systems, slope stabilization techniques, afforestation, community awareness programmes, and policy interventions promoted by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and other agencies. The study emphasizes that sustainable management of the Himalayan ecosystem requires an integrated approach combining scientific land-use planning, ecosystem restoration, disaster risk reduction, carrying-capacity assessment, and community participation. Strengthening environmental governance, enforcing land-use regulations, promoting nature-based solutions, and incorporating ecological principles into development planning are essential for enhancing the resilience of Himalayan landscapes and ensuring long-term environmental sustainability.

Agricultural wages in India have increased substantially over time, yet inter-state disparities have remained persistent and uneven. Evidence from official wage series shows that spatial wage inequality has neither followed a smooth path of convergence nor declined consistently with economic growth or policy expansion. Measures such as the coefficient of variation indicate that inter-state wage disparities narrowed during certain phases but widened during others, including periods of rapid growth and intensified state intervention. This raises important analytical questions regarding why agricultural wages respond differently to broadly similar economic forces across states and why technological change, non-farm expansion, and national employment programmes have failed to generate sustained convergence. This study argues that agricultural wage determination in India cannot be adequately explained by subsistence-based theories or standard neo-classical demand–supply models. Empirical evidence points to the central roles of productivity growth, labour demand, institutional interventions, and alternative employment opportunities, operating within socially segmented and institutionally mediated labour markets. Persistent caste- and gender-based wage gaps, uneven policy effects, and enduring regional inequalities underscore the limitations of purely market-driven explanations. The analysis highlights the need for an integrated framework that links economic forces with institutional and social structures to explain the long-term dynamics of agricultural wages and inter-state wage inequality in India.