ROLE OF CREDIT IN FARMERS" ADJUSTMENT AGAINST RISK IN ARID AND SEMI-ARID TROPICAL AREAS OF INDIA

Contains discussions of weather-induced risk in the form of drought. Analyzes farmers" adjustment mechanism, some basic to the farming system and others clear-cut external manifestations. Studies role of credit in adjustment against risk, credit for "drought proofing" the farming system, credit for minimizing risk/loss, and credit in loss-management. Credit in two phases of adjustment, the drought year and post-drought activities, as well as private and institutional lending agencies, are covered, along with policy implications for credit programs. Cooperatives and various risk-defusing credit strategies are discussed in separate section. Tables of relevant data and references are included.