Using farm level data generated by National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) and National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), the authors of the book provide empirical evidences on seven issues related to asset build up for farm-households in developing countries. First, what are the empirical evidences on asset-liability portfolio structure of farm households? Second, whether there have been shifts in composition of asset-liability structure over a period of time? Third, what are the determinants of likelihood of financial inclusion and exclusion of farm households? Fourth, how is the structure of capital expenditure incurred by farmers, and what are the determinants of capital expenditure? Fifth, what are the factors which would govern the accumulation of non-farm business activities and thereby enhance livelihood options in rural areas? Sixth, with respect to all these issues, are there fundamental differences as between large and small farmers and rural and urban farmers? Finally, which are the possible policy directions to facilitate asset-build up in farm households? The book is based on the research work of authors and on field level evidences; and a new methodological framework has been developed by authors which could facilitate further cross-country research in this neglected area.

Documented and analyzed in this comprehensive account are the cross-country evidences in India that establish a relationship between capital and growth as well as between growth and poverty. The accelerated growth of the service sector, the almost stagnant growth of the industrial sector, and the decelerated growth of the agricultural sector have all been registered as patterns of growth in India during the last few decades. As a result, among other things, the rural-urban development divide has broadened and deepened, moving the agricultural sector to the top of the development agenda. The book analyzes macro evidences on investment behavior in Indian agriculture, shifting composition of public and private sector investment in agriculture, and the relationship among capital formation, agriculture growth, and poverty alleviation. It also provides comprehensive micro (field) level evidences on capital structure, growth, composition, capital intensity, the impact of capital stock on productivity of labor and land, and determinants of farm-level capital formation.