Looking to the importance and scope of the pomegranate crop in
Maharashtra this study has been undertaken to identify the growth in
Total Factor Productivity of the Pomegranate crop in Maharashtra. An
attempt has been made to study the Total Factor Productivity Growth
in Pomegranate crop of Maharashtra. The data on area, production and
productivity of pomegranate for Maharashtra and India was collected
from the various published sources viz: Director of horticulture,
Maharashtra state, Pune, Economic Survey of Maharashtra, National
Horticulture Database (NHB) etc. The information on expenditure on research, extension, salary, contingency etc. was availed from the office record of AICRP on Arid Fruits, Central Campus, MPKV Rahuri. The information on sale of University released Bhagwa variety were taken from the office record of Chief Seed office, MPKV, Rahuri, Seed Council Reports from 2000- 2001. The time series data on costs and returns of pomegranate crop for the year 2000-01 to 2016-17 were collected and compiled from the quick estimate reports of State cost of Cultivation Scheme, Department of Agril. Economics, MPKV, Rahuri. Maharashtra state ranks first in area and production of pomegranate in India contributing 65 to 70 percent of area and production of the country. The production of pomegranate was increased through both area expansion and productivity improvement for the entire period. There is a contribution of technology and input in TFP growth even though the input indices decreasing. Research investment (0.08), N to P ratio (0.66) and area under drip (0.99) have significantly contributed to TFP growth in pomegranate. The contribution of research and rainfall was significant in TFP growth for pomegranate in Maharashtra. Hence the Government should allocate substantial funds to public research in pomegranate for productivity improvement of pomegranate crop.

Keywords: Pomegranate, input index, Output Index, total factor
productivity factor share, future prospects.