Exploring Agricultural Disparities in Western Odisha: A Comprehensive Study Based on Composite Index Scores

The research endeavor delves into the intricate agricultural disparities prevalent in Western Odisha, focusing on crucial metrics such as land area, yield rates, and production trends spanning the years 2020 to 2022. The study encompassed an extensive scope, encompassing 50 blocks distributed across six carefully selected districts: Nuapada, Jharsuguda, Boudh, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, and Baragarh. These districts were meticulously chosen through a process of simple random sampling from a pool of ten districts in the Western Odisha region. To distill meaningful insights, the research harnessed the power of composite indices, drawn from a comprehensive set of fifteen indicators, each illuminating distinct facets of agricultural development. Through the application of Principal Component Analysis (PCA), five key indicators were expertly extracted from this data set. Drawing upon secondary data sourced from the esteemed Statistical Abstracts of Western Odisha districts, and the Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES), Government of Odisha (2019-2020), the study validated its assumptions by subjecting the extracted components to the rigors of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for normal distribution. Primary data was diligently collected from a cohort of 300 households via meticulously structured questionnaires, encompassing vital parameters such as land area (measured in acres), yield rates (measured in kilograms), and production figures (measured in quintals). It was discovered that the data exhibited deviations from normality, prompting the application of non-parametric methodologies. The ensuing Kruskal-Wallis tests unearthed significant disparities among the identified groups, emphasizing substantial distinctions between the Meteoric, Progressive, Mediocre, and Laggard classifications. To gauge the extent of these disparities, the Gini Coefficient (GC) was aptly employed. The findings underscored that the Meteoric group exhibited more


Introduction
Odisha, a state comprising 30 districts, ranks ninth in terms of geographical area and eleventh in population among Indian states.Its economy is predominantly agrarian, with agriculture forming the backbone of its economic activities.However, despite its agricultural significance, the state grapples with notable regional disparities in development.The benefits of development are not uniformly distributed across all regions within Odisha due to a range of substantial economic, agricultural, and social constraints.In response, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have leveraged their connections with farmers to implement decisions that harness advanced information systems, thereby reinvigorating previously developed technologies to bridge developmental gaps (Munda et al., 2022). 1   India's economy is inherently intertwined with agriculture, displaying a multifaceted landscape of agricultural development shaped by a complex interplay of social and economic factors.This distinctive characteristic sets it apart from other economies.The overarching concept of agricultural development is directed towards enhancing the quality and efficacy of local agricultural systems, encompassing aspects like agricultural potential and trade.This endeavour encompasses the infusion of improved agricultural resources, advanced irrigation techniques and systems, cultivation of high-yielding premium crops, and the application of organic fertilizers (NPK), pesticides, and irrigation practices (Mohammad Ali, 1979). 34The pursuit of elevated agricultural production, expansion of agricultural land, improvements in irrigation infrastructure, crop diversification, technological advancements, and the enhancement of human resources all stand as pivotal components of the agricultural sector's progression, influenced by an array of factors (Krishna G., 1992). 35  Undoubtedly, research in the realm of agricultural development carries profound significance.As Odisha exemplifies, the equitable distribution of development is not given, the identification of factors that influence regional disparities and effective interventions to counterbalance them is of paramount importance.NGOs, through their direct interaction with farming communities, have demonstrated that existing technological solutions can be revitalized to meet contemporary developmental challenges, leveraging information systems to make better decisions and bolster overall progress (Munda et al., 2022). 1   In the context of India, a country marked by its agrarian orientation, the multifaceted nature of agricultural development stems from a complex interplay of socioeconomic factors.This landscape of diversity necessitates a concerted effort to enhance local agricultural systems, driving improvements in productivity, resource management, and technological adoption.This, in turn, cascades into broader developmental benefits and economic upliftment.The evolution of the agricultural sector is deeply intertwined with factors like land use, irrigation, crop patterns, infrastructure, and human capital, collectively influencing the trajectory of progress.
Odisha's developmental landscape mirrors broader trends seen across India, underscoring the intricate relationship between agriculture and development.The unequal distribution of developmental benefits within Odisha accentuates the need for targeted interventions to address regional disparities.The role of NGOs in repurposing technological solutions to bolster development illustrates the potential for grassroots-level change.In the larger Indian context, the spectrum of agricultural development reflects the influence of diverse factors, necessitating a comprehensive approach to elevate local agricultural systems.Research focused on agricultural development assumes a pivotal role in understanding these dynamics, thereby steering effective policies and interventions toward a more equitable and prosperous future.

Review of Literature
The study by Munda et al. (2022) investigates agricultural disparities at the grassroots level in Sambalpur district, Odisha.They employ a Statistical SWOT analysis to assess strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in the agricultural landscape.This study builds upon prior research highlighting regional disparities in Odisha's agriculture.Behera and Mishra (2019) address productivity gaps, while Das and Nayak (2017) compare coastal and non-coastal regions.Dash and Sahoo (2018) focus on Western Odisha, emphasizing infrastructure and market accessibility.Tripathy (2020) examines discrepancies in crop production and irrigation.Mohanty and Mishra (2020) explore the link between agriculture and poverty in Western Odisha.These studies collectively inform targeted policies for more equitable and sustainable agricultural development in the region.Munda, S., Gartia, Dr. R., Chand, Dr. D., Sahu In the second stage, one sample village was randomly selected from each selected block.Finally, in the third stage, a random sample of 25 households was selected from each village for the collection of primary data.A structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data from the selected households.
The questionnaire included relevant sections to gather information on Land area (in Acre), Yield rate (in Kg), and production (in Qtl.) during the year 2020-2022.

Methodology Normality Test
The collected data for agricultural land area, yield rate, and production were tested for normality using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test.This test helps to determine if the data follows a normal distribution or not.The null hypothesis of no absolute difference between the empirical distribution function of the sample and the theoretical normal distribution was tested for each variable.

Kruskal-Wallis Test
To analyse the differences in agricultural outcomes among the categorized groups, the Kruskal-Wali's test was conducted.This non-parametric test is used when the data does not meet the assumptions of normality and equal variances.It determines whether there are significant differences among multiple independent groups.In this study, the test was performed to assess the differences in agricultural land area, yield rate, and production among the Meteoric, Mediocre, Progressive, and Laggard groups.
In this study, Principal Component Analysis [PCA] has been used to measure block-wise agricultural development differential at various principal component levels as well as the aggregate level of development for the year 2019-20. 29

Principal Component Analysis
The goal of principal component analysis (PCA) is to combine a number of independent, linear original variables that can account for the majority of the variation in the original dataset to describe the variance and covariance structure of a set of variables.The ith principal component is given by : Where, a in are the weight of the input variable Z i and Z i =(x i -µ i )/σ i , are standard normal variable (i=1,2,…..n).However, the composite index has been constructed by using principal components to find out the regional disparities at block levels in the districts of Western Odisha.[Imran Ali Baig et al.The j th block composite index score is given by

Gini Coefficient
Gini coefficient is a precise way of measuring the degree of inequality between two variables.It can be treated as a measure of the concentration of areas between the Lorenz curve and the line of perfect equality and expressed as a proportion of the area enclosed by the tringle defined by Where X i = Cumulative Proportion of first group of observations, Y i = Cumulative Proportion of second group observations.
The statistical analyses mentioned above were conducted to examine the differences and disparities in agricultural outcomes among the categorized groups in Western Odisha.These analyses provide insights into the variations and disparities in agricultural land area, yield rate, and production, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the agricultural dynamics in the region.

Objective of the Study
The study aims to examine agricultural disparities in Western Odisha with the following objectives

Statistical Analysis and Findings
The secondary and primary data collected for the research study was analysed through SPSS-25, excel and the results obtained are presented in Table 1 through Table-10(c) as follows.The provided table appears to contain data related to various regions or blocks, along with associated coefficients and indices.

Blocks
These are the different regions or areas that have been analysed.Each row represents a specific block.The degrees of freedom (df) for each variable are 3, indicating that there were three groups within each variable.The Asymptotic Significance (Asymp. Sig.) values for all three variables are recorded as 0.000, suggesting a statistically significant difference among the groups within each variable.
In summary, Kruskal-Walli's test results indicate significant differences among the groups in terms of area in acres, yield rate in kilograms, and production in quintals.The grouping variable for the test was not explicitly mentioned in the provided data.
The GC (Gini coefficient) values were calculated to assess the disparity levels between groups for three variables: "Area in Hector," "Yield Rate in Kg" and "Production in Qntl." as depicted below.
These GCR values provide insights into the differences in means between the groups within each variable.They indicate that the "Meteoric" group tends to have higher disparity compared to other groups, suggesting potential differences in performance or characteristics.

Conclusion
The study reveals significant disparities in agricultural outcomes across categorized groups in Western Odisha.The Meteoric group exhibits notably higher disparities in land area and yield rate, indicating varying levels of abundance and scarcity within this category.This calls for tailored interventions considering the diverse agricultural landscape.
The Gini Coefficient reinforces these disparities within the Meteoric group, emphasizing the need for targeted policies.Addressing factors like resource access, technology adoption, and infrastructure is crucial for balanced and sustainable agriculture.
In sum, this study provides a clear path for intervention, offering a roadmap to create a more inclusive and prosperous agricultural sector in Western Odisha, benefiting livelihoods in the region.

Policy Recommendation
Agricultural disparities in Western Odisha must be addressed through a targeted, multifaceted approach that prioritizes resource allocation, promotes technological adoption, enhances market accessibility, improves land tenure, and invests in capacity-building and training programs.Tailored interventions that meet the unique needs of each categorized group are essential for achieving more equitable and sustainable agricultural development.For the "Area in Hector" variable, the GCR values indicate that the "Meteoric" group has a significantly higher disparity compared to the "Progressive," "Mediocre," and "Laggard" groups, with differences of 14.48%, 14.36%, and 11.53% respectively.Similarly, for the "Yield Rate in Kg" variable, the GCR values show that the "Meteoric" group has a significantly higher disparity compared to the "Progressive," "Mediocre," and "Laggard" groups, with differences of 19.52%, 16.93%, and 14.41% respectively.

•
Develop a composite index using selected indicators to gauge the overall agricultural development in each block and categorize them into distinct groups based on their composite index scores.• Determine the statistical significance of variations in agricultural land area, yield rate, and production across the categorized groups.• Evaluate the extent of disparities in agricultural outcomes among the categorized groups.• Provide policymakers and stakeholders with insights into specific areas of disparities and offer recommendations for focused interventions to enhance agricultural productivity and minimize disparities in Western Odisha.

Fig. 1 :
Fig. 1: Block vs Composite Index Value in percentage

Fig. 3 :Fig. 4 :Fig. 5 :
Fig. 3: Comparison of Block vs Composite Index Value in percentage for a Progressive Block.
Behera and Mishra (2019) provide a statewide perspective, while Das and Nayak (2017) compare coastal and non-coastal regions.Dash and Sahoo's (2018) research emphasize the role of infrastructure and market accessibility.Pradhan and Behera's detailed examination of Baragarh District adds significant insights to the discourse on promoting equitable agricultural development.Pradhan, S., & Behera, K. (2019).Regional Disparities in Agricultural Development: A Study of Baragarh District in Western Odisha.Journal of Indian Management Research and Practice, 11(1), 58-67.Senapati and Mohanty's (2019) study focuses on regional disparities in agricultural development in Bargarh District, Odisha.This research offers specific insights into factors influencing agricultural imbalances in this district, contributing to the broader effort to address disparities in agriculture.It emphasizes the importance of tailored interventions for promoting balanced and sustainable agricultural development in Bargarh District.Senapati, M. R., & Mohanty, R. K. (2019).Regional Disparities in Agricultural Development: A Case Study of Bargarh District in Odisha.Journal of Krishi Vigyan, 8(1), 33-37.Mohanty and Mishra's (2018) study examine regional disparities in agricultural development in Boudh District, Odisha.Their research provides specific insights into factors influencing agricultural imbalances in this district, contributing to the broader effort to address disparities in agriculture.It emphasizes the importance of tailored interventions for promoting balanced and sustainable agricultural development in Boudh District.Mohanty, S., & Mishra, S. (2018).Regional Disparities in Agricultural Development: A Case Study of Boudh District in Odisha.Economic Affairs, 63(4), 1123-1132.Dash and Sahoo's (2018) study examine regional disparities in agricultural development in Western Odisha.Their research provides specific insights into factors influencing agricultural imbalances in this region, emphasizing the role of infrastructure and market accessibility.This study contributes to the broader effort to address disparities in agriculture, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to promote balanced and sustainable agricultural development in Western Odisha.Dash, S. K., & Sahoo, D. (2018).Regional Disparities in Agricultural Development: A Study of Western Odisha.Odisha Review, 76(6), 12-18.Das and Nayak's (2017) study compare agricultural development in coastal and non-coastal regions of Odisha.Their research provides valuable insights into the distinct challenges and opportunities faced by these areas.This comparative approach contributes to the broader effort of understanding and addressing regional disparities in agriculture, highlighting the need for tailored interventions for different regions in Odisha.Das, S. K., & Nayak, J. K. (2017).Regional Disparities in Agricultural Development: A Comparative Study of Coastal and Non-Coastal Regions of Odisha.International Journal of Agricultural Science and Research, 7(1), 23-31.Biswal and Das's (2019) study on regional disparities in agricultural development in Sambalpur District, Western Odisha, is a significant contribution to the existing body of research.Their localized focus offers granular insights that can be instrumental in crafting policies to address specific challenges in this district.This research aligns with the broader discourse emphasizing the importance of targeted interventions to promote more balanced and sustainable agricultural development in Odisha.Biswal, S., & Das, B. (2019).Regional Disparities in Agricultural Development: A Study of Sambalpur District in Western Odisha.International Journal of Research in Commerce and Management, 10(5), 34-42.Bhatta and Panda's (2019) study on regional disparities in agricultural development in Nuapada District, Western Odisha, is a significant contribution to the existing body of research.Their localized focus offers granular insights that can be instrumental in crafting policies to address specific challenges in this district.This research aligns with the broader discourse emphasizing the importance of targeted interventions to promote more balanced and sustainable agricultural development in Odisha.Bhatta, K. P., & Panda, P. (2019).Regional Disparities in Agricultural Development: A Case Study of Nuapada District in Western Odisha.Agriculture Update, 14(2), 334-338.Behera and Parida's (2018) study on regional disparities in agriculture in Odisha is a significant contribution to the existing body of research.Their comprehensive analysis offers valuable insights that can inform policies and interventions aimed at promoting more balanced and sustainable agricultural development across different regions of the state.This research aligns with the broader discourse emphasizing the importance of targeted interventions to address the underlying causes of agricultural disparities in Odisha.Behera, S., & Parida, P. C. (2018).Regional Disparities in Agriculture and Its Causes: A Study in Odisha.International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 7(9), 417-428.Behera and Mishra's (2019) study on regional disparities in agricultural development at the district level in Odisha is a significant contribution to the existing body of research.Their localized focus offers granular insights that can be instrumental in crafting policies to address specific challenges in different districts.This research aligns with the broader discourse emphasizing the importance of targeted interventions to promote more balanced and sustainable agricultural development in Odisha.Their localized focus offers granular insights that can be instrumental in crafting policies to address specific challenges in this district.This research aligns with the broader discourse emphasizing the importance of targeted interventions to promote more balanced and sustainable agricultural development in Odisha.Singh, R., & Swain, M. R. (2019).Regional Disparities in Agricultural Development: A Study of Boudh District in Odisha.Economic Affairs, 64(2), 279-288.Singh and Swain's (2018) study on regional disparities in agricultural development in Sambalpur District, Western Odisha, is a significant contribution to the existing body of research.Their localized focus offers granular insights that can be instrumental in crafting policies to address specific challenges in this district.Western Odisha, is a significant contribution to the existing body of research.Their localized focus offers granular insights that can be instrumental in crafting policies to address specific challenges in this district.This research aligns with the broader discourse emphasizing the importance of targeted interventions to promote more balanced and sustainable agricultural development in Odisha.Senapati, M., & Mahakul, K. (2019).Regional Disparities in Agricultural Development: A Case Study of Sambalpur District in Western Odisha.Journal of Indian Research, 7(6), 75-81.Senapati and Mohanty's (2019) study on regional disparities in agricultural development in Bargarh District, Odisha, is a significant contribution to the existing body of research.Their localized focus offers granular insights that can be instrumental in crafting policies to address specific challenges in this district.This research aligns with the broader discourse emphasizing the importance of targeted interventions to promote more balanced and sustainable agricultural development in Odisha.Senapati, M. R., & Mohanty, R. K. (2019).Regional Disparities in Agricultural Development: A Case Study of Bargarh District in Odisha.Journal of Krishi Vigyan, 8(1), 33-37.Samal and Panigrahy's (2019) study on regional disparities in agricultural development in Baragarh District, Western Odisha, is a significant contribution to the existing body of research.Their localized focus offers granular insights that can be instrumental in crafting policies to address specific challenges in this district.This research aligns with the broader discourse emphasizing the importance of targeted interventions to promote more balanced and sustainable agricultural development in Odisha.Samal, S. K., & Panigrahy, R. R. (2019).Regional Disparities in Agricultural Development: A Study of Baragarh District in Western Odisha.International Journal of Scientific Research and Management, 7(11), 622-630.Sahu and Mishra's (2020) study on regional disparities in agricultural development in Western Odisha is a significant contribution to the existing body of research.Their localized focus offers granular insights that can be instrumental in crafting policies to address specific challenges in this region.This research aligns with the broader discourse emphasizing the importance of targeted interventions to promote more balanced and sustainable agricultural development in Odisha.Sahu, D., & Mishra, A. (2020).Analysis of Regional Disparities in Agricultural Development: A Case Study of Western Odisha.Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, 13(1), 97-113.Singh and Swain's (2018) study on regional disparities in agricultural development in Sambalpur District, Western Odisha, is a significant contribution to the existing body of research.Their localized focus offers granular insights that can be instrumental in crafting policies to address specific challenges in this district.This research aligns with the broader discourse emphasizing the importance of targeted interventions to promote more balanced and sustainable agricultural development in Odisha.Singh, R., & Swain, M. R. (2018).Regional Disparities in Agricultural Development: A Case Study of Sambalpur District in Western Odisha.Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics, 73(2), 169-180.Mohanty and Mishra's (2018) study on regional disparities in agricultural development in Nuapada District, Odisha, is a significant contribution to the existing body of research.Their localized focus offers granular insights that can be instrumental in crafting policies to address specific challenges in this district.This research aligns with the broader discourse emphasizing the importance of targeted interventions to promote more balanced and sustainable agricultural development in Odisha.Mohanty, S., & Mishra, S. (2018).Regional Disparities in Agricultural Development: A Case Study of Nuapada District in Odisha.Indian Journal of Economics and Development, 14(3), 551-558.Pradhan and Padhi's (2021) study on regional disparities in agricultural development in Sundargarh District, Odisha, is a significant contribution to the existing body of research.Their localized focus offers granular insights that can be instrumental in crafting policies to address specific challenges in this district.This research aligns with the broader discourse emphasizing the importance of targeted interventions to promote more balanced and sustainable agricultural development in Odisha.Pradhan, A. K., & Padhi, B. K. (2021).

Table - 9
In terms of the area in acres, the mean rank for the Meteoric group is 254.91, for the Progressive group is 185.66, for the Mediocre group is 101.33, and for the Laggard group is 60.09.In the context of production in quintals, the mean rank for the Meteoric group is 251.95, for the Progressive group is 190.88, for the Mediocre group is 101.95, and for the Laggard group is 57.21.

Table 9 .1.1: Test Statistics Area in acre Yield rate in kg Production in Qntl.
Walli's test conducted on three variables: area in acres, yield rate in kilograms, and production in quintals.The calculated values for the Kruskal-Wallis H statistic are 230.410for the area in hectares, 213.447 for yield rate in kilograms, and 229.906 for production in quintals.

Table 10 (c): (Gini Coefficient) Production in Qntl.
Regarding the "Production in Qntl." variable, the GCR values suggest that the "Meteoric" group has a slightly higher disparity compared to the