Dimensions of Regional Disparity in Sustainable Agricultural Development of Gujarat

Sustainable Livelihood Security Index (SLSI) was constructed for 26 districts of Gujarat for the TE 2013-14 using the Prem Narain methodology. The districts were classified according to different levels of development based on SLSI using fractile classification. Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Surat, Banaskantha were found to be highly developed while Anand, Kheda, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar were medium developed and Dahod, Bharuch, Dangs, Patan, Porbandar were low developed districts according to SLSI. The study puts forth that regional disparity exists among districts of Gujarat in terms of ecology, economy and equity where the developed districts of state rank high but the tribal belt fares poorly in sustainable agricultural development. Model districts have been identified to bring about uniform development among low ranking districts.