District-wise growth and the reasons behind stagnation in the productivity of important agricultural crops in Maharashtra are considered. Secondary data for the period 1960/61 - 2004/05 is used to analyse the growth pattern of production and productivity, and the regional variations of stagnation for cereals, pulses, oilseeds, cotton and sugarcane. Agricultural growth constraints are identified and district-level interventions to overcome the problems of stagnation are suggested. Measures for growth in TFP are recommended that include watershed development and rainwater harvesting, the supply of good quality inputs, greater research into increasing crop yields, and flexible credit facilities. Greater horticultural production and irrigation, and the development of drought-resistant, high yielding variables more suited to the agro-climate of the State are also suggested.
