Punjab Agriculture

Punjab is one of the most prosperous and successful states in the country. Its prosperity is largely due to its development in the field of agriculture. A portion of 75% of the total population depends on agriculture. The development of the state largely depends on its agricultural productivity. The state led the country’s Green Revolution of the 1960s and earned for itself the distinction of becoming India’s ‘bread basket’. The Green Revolution introduced a new technology of production in agriculture.

A large portion of the land of the state is under cultivation because the Punjab plain is free from physical handicaps. The deficiency of rainfall has been made up by irrigation facilities. It is only the districts of Ropar and Hoshiarpur that the cultivated area is less than 60 per cent of the total. It is in these districts that considerable land is covered by Shivalik Hills and the beds of seasonal streams that cannot be brought under cultivation.

The major crops grown in this state include wheat, rice, sugarcane, cotton, maize, bajra etc. Minor crops like millet, barley and fruit and vegetables are also produced in some area.

The soil of the state is very fertile and it is formed by the deposition of alluvium. From geographical point of view the state is divided into two parts i.e. plain region and hilly region. Irrigation in the state is mainly dependent on canals. Some people use Persian wheels to draw water from the wells.

The agricultural industries in the state include mainly cotton textile, sugar and diary industry. The state is the major producer of milk in the country. It has got highest per capita availability of milk. Operation Flood was launched in the year 1969 – 70 to increase the production of milk in the country.

The government of Punjab has set up various departments to support agricultural development in the state. The Department of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, the Punjab Agriculture University which provides a base for education, research and extension; and theCooperative Department which provides credit to the farmers.