This paper forms a part of the study on agricultural growth and its linkages to poverty alleviation in six selected states of India, namely, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Odisha, Punjab, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh (MP). Bihar, UP and Odisha have experienced low-to-moderate growth in agriculture over the period 2000-01 to 2014-15. Punjab has been the seat of green revolution and was a front-runner in agriculture during late 1960s, but slipped to low levels of agri-growth in recent period. Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh have shown some extra-ordinary growth in their agriculture sectors (almost three times the all-India agri-growth) in the last decade or so. The key idea of this study was to look for policy lessons from each other within the Indian context, and see how to propel growth in agriculture for faster alleviation of poverty. The study has been financially supported by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and we are deeply touched by their generous support and cooperation. In particular, we are grateful to those who have been in close association with us on this project from its conception till now: Hari Menon, Brantley Browning and Purvi Mehta. Our sincere thanks to them for their very positive and encouraging attitude, cooperation and understanding.
