Diversification of agriculture in Punjab – perceptions and realities

The economy of Punjab made tremendous progress due to the adoption of New Agricultural strategy and consequent Green Revolution during the late 1960s. The state is already a forerunner in modernisation of agriculture however, for over two decades; the state agriculture has been showing signs of stagnation. Consequently, there have been recurrent suggestions to alter the course of Indian Agriculture. Due to the half-hearted efforts of state government, some crop diversification has taken place in the state in the name of contract farming. The present paper makes an attempt to review the progress of Punjab agriculture in terms of the practice of wheat paddy rotation(which hitherto has been extensively followed in the state) and the progress of crop diversification in terms of contract farming. An attempt is also made to recommend a future course of action. The study concludes that the efforts to introduce crop diversification in the state need to be more intensive and the government support currently being provided to wheat and paddy should instead be switched over to alternative crops.