Livelihoods and agro-ecological gradients: A meso-level analysis in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, India

Rice–wheat systems in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) have long exemplified South Asia’s agricultural transformation through the Green Revolution. The same systems now also typify the post-Green Revolution stagnation and equity challenges, despite receiving considerable attention from the research an...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Erenstein, Olaf, Thorpe, W.R.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Elsevier 2011
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/2483
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author Erenstein, Olaf
Thorpe, W.R.
author_browse Erenstein, Olaf
Thorpe, W.R.
author_facet Erenstein, Olaf
Thorpe, W.R.
author_sort Erenstein, Olaf
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Rice–wheat systems in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) have long exemplified South Asia’s agricultural transformation through the Green Revolution. The same systems now also typify the post-Green Revolution stagnation and equity challenges, despite receiving considerable attention from the research and development (R&D) community. The apparent homogeneity of vast irrigated plains masks significant diversity in assets, livelihood strategies and livelihood outcomes. The paper analyzes the rural livelihoods and underlying agro-ecological gradients in the IGP drawing on village surveys and secondary data as characterization tools. The contribution of the paper is twofold: (i) new knowledge of the socio-economic circumstances in farming communities across the Indian IGP to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of R&D interventions and particularly poverty alleviation; and (ii) an illustration of a novel approach to operationalize livelihood analysis at the meso-level so as to address spatial scale issues and link micro-level contextual realities across a vast geographical area. The agricultural R&D community needs to incorporate this socio-economic diversity more proactively into its R&D agenda if it is to succeed in sustaining productivity gains, improving rural livelihoods equitably, and securing environmental sustainability in this important eco-region.
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spelling CGSpace24832023-12-08T19:36:04Z Livelihoods and agro-ecological gradients: A meso-level analysis in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, India Erenstein, Olaf Thorpe, W.R. mixed farming agroecosystems Rice–wheat systems in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) have long exemplified South Asia’s agricultural transformation through the Green Revolution. The same systems now also typify the post-Green Revolution stagnation and equity challenges, despite receiving considerable attention from the research and development (R&D) community. The apparent homogeneity of vast irrigated plains masks significant diversity in assets, livelihood strategies and livelihood outcomes. The paper analyzes the rural livelihoods and underlying agro-ecological gradients in the IGP drawing on village surveys and secondary data as characterization tools. The contribution of the paper is twofold: (i) new knowledge of the socio-economic circumstances in farming communities across the Indian IGP to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of R&D interventions and particularly poverty alleviation; and (ii) an illustration of a novel approach to operationalize livelihood analysis at the meso-level so as to address spatial scale issues and link micro-level contextual realities across a vast geographical area. The agricultural R&D community needs to incorporate this socio-economic diversity more proactively into its R&D agenda if it is to succeed in sustaining productivity gains, improving rural livelihoods equitably, and securing environmental sustainability in this important eco-region. 2011-01 2010-10-25T18:07:03Z 2010-10-25T18:07:03Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/2483 en Limited Access Elsevier Erenstein, O. and Thorpe, W. 2010. Livelihoods and agro-ecological gradients: A meso-level analysis in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, India. Agricultural Systems 104(1):42-53.
spellingShingle mixed farming
agroecosystems
Erenstein, Olaf
Thorpe, W.R.
Livelihoods and agro-ecological gradients: A meso-level analysis in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, India
title Livelihoods and agro-ecological gradients: A meso-level analysis in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, India
title_full Livelihoods and agro-ecological gradients: A meso-level analysis in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, India
title_fullStr Livelihoods and agro-ecological gradients: A meso-level analysis in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, India
title_full_unstemmed Livelihoods and agro-ecological gradients: A meso-level analysis in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, India
title_short Livelihoods and agro-ecological gradients: A meso-level analysis in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, India
title_sort livelihoods and agro ecological gradients a meso level analysis in the indo gangetic plains india
topic mixed farming
agroecosystems
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/2483
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