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Abstract
Indian agriculture is diversifying during the last two decades towards High-Value
Commodities (HVCs) i.e., fruits, vegetables, milk, meat, and fish products. The pace has
been accelerated during the decade of 1990s. HVCs account for a large share in the total
value of agricultural production. Supply and demand side factors coupled with
infrastructural development and innovative institutions drive these changes. In this paper,
the focus is on diversification towards HVCs in the context of urbanization. Group of
urban districts (districts with >1.5 million urban population) have a higher share of HVCs
compared to the urban-surrounded (near urban districts) and other districts (districts in
the hinterland). Among the HVCs, vegetables and meat products have a higher share in
urban districts compared to the other two groups. Milk production is more widespread
due to excellent network of co-operatives and infrastructure facilities.
Using GIS (geographic Information System) approach it was found that urban-surrounded
districts with better road network connection to urban centers have been able
to diversify towards HVCs to meet the demand in the urban centers. Model results
further confirm these findings. Thus, urbanization is a strong demand side driver
promoting HVCs.
Since urban population is growing at more than 3% per annum, demand for HVCs
will drive their production. The analysis has also brought out regional variations in HVCs
across different districts in the country that has implications on regional development and
planning, and consequently on public and private sector investment strategies.