<–2/”>a >Punjab holds place of pride among the Indian States for its outstanding achievements in agricultural development. The state has witnessed tremendous increase in the agricultural production during the Green Revolution period, mainly due to healthy mix of institutional and technological factors. Agrarian economy, consolidation of landholdings, reclamation of new agricultural lands, development of Irrigation, use of biochemical inputs comprising high yielding variety seeds, chemical Fertilizers, insecticides and mechanical inputs were among the important factors which helped Punjab agriculture in making rapid strides. Dominating rural based political power with agricultural background provided favorable Environment through thrust on rural and agricultural development. In this context, extension of irrigation Network, rural link roads, rural electrification, establishment of focal points and agricultural market centers, efficient delivery system of credit and other agricultural inputs along with effective implementation of agricultural price policy for wheat and paddy played significant role in agriculture and rural development of state.
The details are divided into following sections:
- Rural Population and Agriculture Workers
- Role of Agriculture in Economy
- Punjab Agricultural University
- Area under Agriculture
- Forest Land
- Crops Grown In Punjab
- Fruits Grown In Punjab
- Area Under Vegetables
- Irrigation – Rainfall, Canals and Tubewells
- Agriculture Minister of Punjab
- Agriculture based industries
Role of agriculture in economy
Agriculture and allied fields like Dairy, Fisheries-2/”>Fisheries, Animal Husbandry are a major source of EMPLOYMENT in Punjab. These sectors play an important role in the economy of Punjab, although the Percentage contribution of agriculture in the state income is decreasing every year. According to latest figures available (2014-15), the percentage contribution of agriculture to the total state income is 16.78 (GROSS) and 17.65% (NET). The contribution of agriculture and allied industries in state gross domestic product (GDP) at current prices is 27.38%. It was 32.65% in 2004-2005 and is decreasing every year.
Contribution of Agriculture to GDP (2014-15)
Agriculture = 16.78%,
Livestock = 7.78%
Forestry and Logging = 2.50%,
Fisheries = 0.32%
Total = 27.38%,
Total (2004-05) = 32.65%
Rural Population and Agriculture Workers
In Punjab, majority of the population lives in villages where main occupation of the people is agriculture or related to agriculture like dairy or animal husbandry. According to 2011 census data, the total rural population of Punjab is 1,73,44,192 i.e. 1.73 crore, which is 62.5% of total population of the state. 
Agriculture Workers – According to 2001 figures, the total workers in Punjab is 91.27 lakh and number of agriculture workers is 35.55 lakh. The percentage of agriculture workers to total workers is around 39%.
Area under Agriculture
The total area of Punjab is 5036 thousand hectare (50362 square kilometers). The net area sown in 2013-14 was 4145 thousand hectare, which you can say is the total agricultural land in Punjab. It means that almost 82% land of Punjab comes under agriculture. Most of the agriculture land in Punjab is sown more than once and area sown more than once is 3703 thousand hectare. Hence the total cropped area in 2013-14 was 7848 thousand hectare. According to this, the crop intensity in Punjab is almost 189%.
Forest Land
The forest area in Punjab is very less as compared to the national Average. The forest land is almost 6% of the total area of the state. The district Hoshiarpur has the largest forest cover and has almost 38% of the total forests of the state. Timber is the main forest produce in the state. Other than this, bamboos & canes are obtained from these forests.
Crops Grown in Punjab
In Punjab, mainly the two cereal crops, wheat and rice, are grown in rotation during an year. Rice is the principal crop of Kharif season and wheat is the principal crop of Rabi season. Other than wheat and rice, some quantitiy of maize and barley is also grown. Other cereal crops like jowar, bajra etc. are either not sown or are produced in very small quantity.
Punjab, having only 1.54% area of India, is the largest contributor of wheat and rice in the central pool. During 1980-81, the state’s share in the central pool was – rice 45% and wheat 73%. These figures for the year 2014-15 are Rice 24.2% and Wheat 41.5%. Being the largest contributor of main Cereals to the central pool, Punjab has earned the title of Granary of India or Food Basket of India. Note that these figures are contribution to the central pool, not the percentage of total cereals produced in India. If we consider the data of last few years, Punjab produces roughly 12% of the total cereals produced in India.
Other main crops of Punjab are Cotton and sugarcane. Gram and some other pulses are also grown in some areas of Punjab. In the oil seeds category, rapeseed and mustard are the major contributors. Groundnut, sesamum and sunflower are also cultivated, but only in small area.
According to 2013-14 data, the total production of rice in India was 106645 thousand metric ton and that in Punjab was 11267 units. It means Punjab produced 10.6% of the total rice produced in India. The production of wheat in India was 95849 units and the same in Punjab was 17620 units, which is 18.4% of the wheat produced in India. The total production of cereals (includes wheat, rice and other cereals like maize, jowar, bajra, barley etc.) in India was 265043 units and that in Punjab was 29480 units. According to these figures, Punjab produced almost 11.1% of the total cereals produced in the country.
Irrigation – Rainfall, Canals and Tubewells
Punjab receives good rainfall during the monsoon season from July to September which is very good for the Paddy (Rice) crop grown in that season. The state also has a good Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE for irrigation. Out of the total agriculture land of Punjab, almost 99% is irrigated through canals or tubewells. It is often said that Punjab has a extensive network of canals for irrigation, but the fact is that only about 27% of the total cultivated area is irrigated through canals and rest 73% is irrigated through tubewells. The state has surplus electricity production so power supply to the tubewells is not a problem. There are total 14.05 lakh tubewells, out of which 12.26 lakh are operated by electricity and 1.79 are diesel operated.
Annual Rainfall – The average rainfall in Punjab was 619.7 mm in 2013 and it was 384.9 mm in 2014. The five year average for the period from 2010 to 2014 was 501.4 mm. The rainy season in Punjab is from July to September and 60-70 percent of annual rainfall occurs during these three months. Gurdaspur district receives the maximum rainfall, followed by Rupnagar (Ropar). The district with least rainfall is Mansa, followed by Firozpur district.
Fruits Grown In Punjab
The state mainly produces the food grain crops and most of the fruits are imported from the other states of the country. The main fruit grown in Punjab is Kinnow. There are vast areas covered with Kinnow orchards, mostly in the Fazilka, Muktsar and Firozpur districts. The production is more than enough for consumption within the state and it is also sent to other states in large quantities. Other than Kinnow, Guava and Mango are the other main fruits of Punjab. Guava is mainly grown in Firozpur district and the production is enough for consumption within the state. Mango orchards are mainly located in the Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur districts of Punjab, but the production is small as compared to the total consumption of the state. Pear, Peach, Lemon and Ber are also produced in good quantity and it is enough for the state’s own consumption. For the commonly consumed fruits like apple, mango, banana, grapes, papaya and waterlemon, the state depends mostly on other parts of the country.
Area Under Vegetables
The only major vegetable produce of the state is Potato. The other main vegetables produced in the state are cauliflower, lady finger, tomatoes, carrot and raddish. The total production of vegetables is small as compared to the overall consumption within the state.
Punjab Agricultural University
Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) is one of the renowned agriculture universities in India, which has made a significant contribution to the development of agriculture in Punjab. It palyed an important role in bringing the green revolution in the country and to make the country self sufficient in the production of food grains. According to National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings for 2017, the PAU was ranked at 24th position in India amongst all universities in India and it was ranked 40th in the Overall category.
Kissan Mela: PAU organizers Kisan Mela at the main campus of university at Ludhiana and some other cities of the state. High quality seeds produced at the university farms are distributed/sold during these melas. The Kisan Mela is held twice an year, once in March before the start of sowing for Kharif Crops and then in September when the Rabi season is about to start.
Agriculture Based Industries
Agriculture plays a major role in the economy of Punjab and there are a number of industries which are directly related to or dependent upon agriculture. These industries range from an ironsmith making small agricultural implements to the farm machinery like tractor and combine manufacturing, making pickles at a shop to the large scale Food Processing units. There are hundreds of companies that manufacture farm equipments and machinery. Here we will give a list of large scale industrial units in Punjab that are directly related to agriculture.
- Sonalika Tractors – Sonalika Group, based in Hoshiarpur, is amongst the top tractor manufactures of India.
- National Fertilizers Limited – This public sector company has two urea Plants in the state. One unit is located in Nangal and another is located in Bathinda.
- Swaraj Tractors – This company is owned by Mahindra Group and one of the largest tractor manufactures of the country. The compnay was established by the government of Punjab and later acquired by Mahindra & Mahindra. The company has main manufacturing unit in Mohali city under the name of Punjab Tractors Limited.
- Standard Corporation – Standard Corporation is a leading Harvester Combine and Tractor manufacturing company, based in Barnala.
- Nestle – Nestle has a factory in Moga where a huge quantity of milk is collected from surrounding areas and processed to form desi ghee, skimmed milk, butter and other products. Some of the household names like Maggi, Cerelac and EveryDay are manufactures in this factory.
- Preet Tractors – Preet tractors is another leading manufacturers of tractors, self propelled combine harvester and other such machinery and company has its manufacturing facility in Nabha, near Patiala.
- ITC: ITC, which manufacture the various food products under the brand names Sunfeast, Bingo, Aashirvad etc. has a large food processing unit in Kapurthala.
- Markfed: Markfed is a co-operative company of Punjab government and is one of country’s largest agricultural products Marketing company. The products are marketed under the brand name of Sohna and the portfolio includes various edible oils, basmati rice, jams and pickles, desi ghee and ready to serve food items.
Agriculture Minister of Punjab
Capt. Amrinder Singh, the current Chief Minister of Punjab, also heads the agriculture department. He is a senior leader of Congress party and is MLA from Patiala Urban assembly constituency. In the previous tenure of SAD government from March 2012 to March 2017, Tota Singh of Akali Dal was the head of this department.,
Agriculture in Punjab is a major economic activity, contributing to about 20% of the state’s GDP. The state is one of the leading producers of wheat, rice, cotton, and sugarcane in India.
Punjab has a long history of agriculture, dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization. The state’s fertile Soil and favorable Climate make it ideal for growing a variety of crops.
In recent years, Punjab has seen a decline in the number of farmers due to factors such as low prices for crops, high input costs, and water scarcity. However, the State Government has taken steps to support the agricultural sector, such as providing subsidies for farmers and investing in irrigation infrastructure.
The following are some of the subtopics related to agriculture in Punjab:
- Crops: Wheat, rice, cotton, sugarcane, maize, barley, pulses, oilseeds, fruits, and vegetables
- Livestock: Cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, Poultry
- Fisheries: Fish farming
- Dairy: Milk production
- Irrigation: Canals, tube wells, and Drip Irrigation
- Agriculture research: Punjab Agricultural University
- Agriculture extension: Punjab Agriculture Department
- Agriculture marketing: Punjab Mandi Board
- Agriculture finance: Punjab State Cooperative Bank
- Agriculture cooperatives: Punjab State Farmers’ Cooperative Marketing Federation
- Agriculture policy: Punjab Agriculture Policy 2015
Crops
Wheat is the most important crop in Punjab, accounting for about 40% of the state’s cultivated area. Rice is the second most important crop, accounting for about 25% of the cultivated area. Other important crops include cotton, sugarcane, maize, barley, pulses, oilseeds, fruits, and vegetables.
Livestock
Punjab has a large livestock population, with about 30 million cattle, 15 million buffalo, 10 million sheep, and 5 million goats. The state is also a major producer of milk, meat, and eggs.
Fisheries
Fish farming is a growing Industry in Punjab, with about 10,000 fish farms in the state. The main species of fish farmed are carp, catfish, and tilapia.
Dairy
Punjab is a major producer of milk, with about 10 million dairy cows in the state. The state’s milk production is about 10 million tonnes per year.
Irrigation
Punjab has a well-developed irrigation system, with about 90% of the cultivated area under irrigation. The main sources of irrigation are canals, tube wells, and drip irrigation.
Agriculture research
Punjab Agricultural University is the main agricultural research institution in the state. The university conducts research on a variety of agricultural topics, including crop production, livestock production, fisheries, dairy, and irrigation.
Agriculture extension
The Punjab Agriculture Department is responsible for providing extension Services to farmers. The department provides farmers with information on new agricultural technologies, as well as on how to improve their Farming practices.
Agriculture marketing
The Punjab Mandi Board is responsible for marketing agricultural produce. The board operates a network of markets where farmers can sell their produce.
Agriculture finance
The Punjab State Cooperative Bank is the main source of agricultural finance in the state. The bank provides loans to farmers for a variety of purposes, including crop production, livestock production, and fisheries.
Agriculture cooperatives
The Punjab State Farmers’ Cooperative Marketing Federation is a cooperative organization that markets agricultural produce on behalf of farmers. The federation operates a network of markets where farmers can sell their produce.
Agriculture policy
The Punjab Agriculture Policy 2015 is the state government’s policy for the agricultural sector. The policy aims to promote Sustainable Agriculture, increase agricultural productivity, and improve the livelihoods of farmers.
The following are some of the challenges facing agriculture in Punjab:
- Low prices for crops: Farmers in Punjab are often paid low prices for their crops. This is due to a number of factors, including the low demand for agricultural produce, the high cost of production, and the government’s policies.
- High input costs: The cost of inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides has increased in recent years. This has made it difficult for farmers to make a profit.
- Water scarcity: Punjab is facing a water crisis. The state’s water Resources are being depleted due to over-extraction, Climate Change, and pollution. This is having a negative impact on agriculture.
- Farmer suicides: The number of farmer suicides in Punjab has increased in recent years. This is due to a number of factors, including low prices for crops, high input costs, and water scarcity.
Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about agriculture:
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What is agriculture?
Agriculture is the practice of cultivating plants and livestock. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that enabled people to live in cities. The history of agriculture began thousands of years ago. After gathering wild grains beginning at least 105,000 years ago, nascent farmers began to plant them around 11,500 years ago. Pigs, sheep and cattle were domesticated over 10,000 years ago. Plants were independently cultivated in at least 11 regions of the world. -
What are the different types of agriculture?
There are many different types of agriculture, but some of the most common include: -
Subsistence agriculture: This type of agriculture is used to meet the basic needs of the farmer and their family. It is often practiced in developing countries, where there is a lack of resources and infrastructure.
- Commercial agriculture: This type of agriculture is used to produce crops or livestock for sale. It is often practiced in developed countries, where there is a large market for agricultural products.
- Industrial agriculture: This type of agriculture is characterized by the use of large-scale machinery and technology. It is often used to produce crops or livestock on a large scale.
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Organic agriculture: This type of agriculture is based on the principles of sustainability and environmental protection. It does not use synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.
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What are the benefits of agriculture?
Agriculture provides many benefits, including: -
Food: Agriculture is the primary source of food for humans and animals.
- Fiber: Agriculture provides fibers for clothing, paper, and other products.
- Fuel: Agriculture provides biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel.
- Jobs: Agriculture employs millions of people around the world.
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Economic Development: Agriculture is a major driver of economic development in many countries.
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What are the challenges of agriculture?
Agriculture faces many challenges, including: -
Climate change: Climate change is causing changes in temperature, Precipitation, and other weather patterns. These changes are making it difficult for farmers to grow crops and raise livestock.
- Water scarcity: Water scarcity is a major problem in many parts of the world. Farmers need water to irrigate their crops, and water shortages can make it difficult to produce enough food.
- Pests and diseases: Pests and diseases can damage crops and livestock. Farmers need to use pesticides and other methods to control pests and diseases.
- Soil erosion: Soil erosion is the loss of topsoil from land. This can be caused by wind, water, or human activities. Soil erosion can make it difficult to grow crops.
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Deforestation: Deforestation is the clearing of forests for other uses, such as agriculture. Deforestation can lead to soil erosion, climate change, and the loss of Biodiversity-2/”>Biodiversity.
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What is the future of agriculture?
The future of agriculture is uncertain. Climate change, water scarcity, pests and diseases, soil erosion, and deforestation are all challenges that will need to be addressed. However, there are also opportunities for agriculture to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly. New technologies, such as precision agriculture and vertical farming, have the potential to help farmers produce more food with less land, water, and energy.
Sure, here are some MCQs on the topics of agriculture, food, and Nutrition:
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Which of the following is not a major crop grown in Punjab?
(A) Wheat
(B) Rice
(C) Cotton
(D) Sugarcane -
Which of the following is the most important food crop in the world?
(A) Wheat
(B) Rice
(C) Corn
(D) Potatoes -
Which of the following is the most important source of protein in the world?
(A) Meat
(B) Fish
(C) Eggs
(D) Dairy products -
Which of the following is the most important source of Carbohydrates in the world?
(A) Rice
(B) Wheat
(C) Corn
(D) Potatoes -
Which of the following is the most important source of VITAMINS and Minerals in the world?
(A) Fruits
(B) Vegetables
(C) Grains
(D) Nuts and seeds -
Which of the following is the most important source of fiber in the world?
(A) Fruits
(B) Vegetables
(C) Grains
(D) Nuts and seeds -
Which of the following is the most important source of water in the world?
(A) Fruits
(B) Vegetables
(C) Grains
(D) Nuts and seeds -
Which of the following is the most important source of antioxidants in the world?
(A) Fruits
(B) Vegetables
(C) Grains
(D) Nuts and seeds -
Which of the following is the most important source of phytonutrients in the world?
(A) Fruits
(B) Vegetables
(C) Grains
(D) Nuts and seeds -
Which of the following is the most important source of omega-3 fatty acids in the world?
(A) Fish
(B) Flaxseed
(C) Walnuts
(D) Chia seeds
I hope these MCQs were helpful!