GROWTH DYNAMICS AND PERFORMANCE OF MAJOR CASH CROPS IN INDIA

The study investigates the changes in the growth rate of area, production and yield of major cash crops in India. Time series data from 1990-91 to 2023–24 are employed to study the long-term trends for selected cash crops- cotton, jute, sugarcane, soybean, rapeseed-mustard and groundnut. Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) was used to estimate the growth rates. The findings of the study revealed that most crops showed positive trends. Soyabean and cotton showed high growth rates in area and production. Jute and groundnut revealed declining or stagnant trends in area, mainly due to crop diversification and changes in consumer preferences. Cotton, jute, rapeseed & mustard, and groundnut showed increase in productivity. The findings highlight the vulnerability of cash crops to climatic and market conditions. The study emphasises that policies should focus on climate-resilient technologies, irrigation expansion and crop diversification in order to increase production in India’s cash-crop sector.