Changing Pattern of Agricultural Productivity in the Brahmaputra Valley, Assam, India

Abstract

"Introduction of green revolution technology has many variants for agricultural land use intensification and increasing agricultural production as well. The authors have tried to probe into the changing pattern of agricultural productivity which is not only result of agro-ecological conditions of land but also of the use of improved seed-fertilizer technology. Such scenario is a recently emerging phenomenon in the Brahmaputra valley. Comparing inter- and intra- zone differences of agricultural productivity, a profile of agricultural productivity is examined with a focus on isolating the effects of seed-fertilizer technology. It is found that the use of HYVs has significant effects on enhancement of agricultural productivity in the lower parts and use of fertilizer in the central as well as upper parts of the Brahmaputra valley. As a result, two areally differentiated scenarios of the change of agricultural productivity have been observed. First, the scenario of per humid weather conditions with floods and natural calamities prevailing in the upper northern and lower parts of the valley restricts productivity level and also creates variations in its areal pattern. And the second one is related to the scenario of sub-humid climate of fertile alluvial soils (Morigaon - Dibrugarh area of upper southern part of the valley) in which the processes of diffusion of seed-fertilizer technology are operated through the market centers and intensification of rural road network. These conditions of agricultural practices increase productivity fast with diversifying its areal patterns. Consequently, the obliterated pattern of productivity change is observed in the valley."