This paper has a three fold contribution to the existing literature - 1) Indian state level sorghum input and output data for the period 1970-71 to 2000-01 is collected, 2) non-parametric and parametric productivity measures are estimated, and 3) examine the impact of percent acreage under high yielding varieties and irrigation, state domestic product, productivity and five year plans on poverty alleviation using error component and SUR models.