Unveiling patterns and drivers of agricultural diversification

Empirical findings from farm households in Kaithal district of Haryana in India

Bibliographic Data

ID6005855
AuthorsSimran Sharma (0009-0007-6186-8769, Banasthali Vidyapith Department of Economics), Swati Shastri (0000-0003-2717-6543, Banasthali Vidyapith Department of Economics)
Year2025
Volume52
Issue10
Pages1447-1462
Publication date2025-10-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Social Economics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0306-8293 • E-ISSN: 1758-6712
PublisherEmerald (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1108/ijse-12-2023-0963
OpenAlexW4406526931
LanguageEN
References cited42

Purpose This study aims to examine the patterns of and factors influencing agricultural diversification among farmers in the Kaithal district of Haryana, India. Design/methodology/approach The authors analysed the data collected from a sample of 400 agricultural households from five blocks of Kaithal, Haryana. Agricultural diversification is measured through the Herfindahl Index. Determinants of agricultural diversification have been evaluated using the two-stage least square method. Findings The average value of the diversification index among farmers in Kaithal is 0.51, indicating that there is room for diversification. In the study area wheat and rice are the dominant crops, while vegetables emerge as the most common non-staple crop. Regression analysis indicates that farmers of Scheduled Caste (SC) are more inclined to diversify crops. Factors such as larger land ownership, utilization of tractors, government subsidies, education and loans positively impact agricultural diversification. The availability of irrigation facilities, and employing labour negatively influence it. Social implications Focus on SC within the diversification policies for equitable access to resources. Special programmes aimed at educating small landowners and casual labourers about diversified crops. Implementing an “Uberisation” model for tractors, providing subsidies on seeds and equipment, customized financing programmes tailored to the needs of small-scale farmers can contribute to boosting agricultural diversification. Originality/value This study contributes by providing insights into the farm-level determinants of agricultural diversification in Kaithal district, Haryana. It adds to the understanding of factors influencing agricultural diversification in developing economies at the micro level. Peer review The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-12-2023-0963

Agricultural diversification · Agricultural economics · Agriculture · Business · Economics · Geography · Socioeconomics · Agricultural Economics and Practices · Agricultural Innovations and Practices · Agricultural risk and resilience · Marketing

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