Crop Diversification: Challenges of Switching Crops in Punjab

The cultivation of paddy wheat crops in Punjab over a prolonged period have led to decline in the ground water table, deterioration of soil quality and emergence of environmental problems. Crop diversification was suggested in various studies for sustained agricultural production in the state. With the help of Crop Diversification Index (CDI) it was concluded in the study that Punjab agriculture is moving towards specialization of crops in almost all the districts of Punjab during the period of1980-81 to 2011–12. Therefore, concentric efforts are required to stop the increasing adoption of paddy-wheat area. The cultivation of paddy crop is using lion's share of natural irrigation resources of Punjab as a result there is an overexploitation of underground water. Well-developed support system of government policies, innovative technologies, well settled production scenario and marketing system, socio-economic conditions of the farmers were main factors for specialization of paddy-wheat cultivation in Punjab. Strong institutional support in the form of new infrastructural development, research and extension strengthening, developments of cooperatives, development of marketing system of international standard backed by sound government policies is required for switch over to diversified crops and enterprises in Punjab.