Department of Agricultural Economics, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, 125 004, Haryana
The study has analysed the structural changes in land, water, farm power and livestock resources, and the impact of these changes on crop diversification in the state of Haryana. The time series data pertaining to number and area of holdings, energy sources, area irrigated by different source and cropping pattern were collected from published sources. Besides tabular analysis and simple linear trend equations, compound growth rates have been computed. The study has revealed that forest area in the state has been declining continuously due to population pressure and accompanied demand for cultivable land. There has been a sharp increase in the number of marginal and small holdings, from 51.37 per cent in 1980–81 to 60.51 per cent in 2001–02.
The utilization of diesel, electricity, diesel engine, electric motors and tractors has increased considerably during the past three decades. The use of human labour energy increased significantly during 1966–67 to 2001–02, while the growth rate of animal energy use in agriculture was negative. There has been a shift of area towards rice, wheat, cotton (American), rapeseed and mustard and sugarcane with expansion of irrigation facilities, extensive use of modern inputs and mechanization of farm operations. A consequential decline in the area under bajra, jowar, maize, barley, gram and sugarcane has been observed. The structural changes in Haryana agriculture have occurred as a result of change in size of operational holdings, land-use pattern, and area irrigated by different sources. The cropping pattern has diversified area of coarse cereals and pulses towards more remunerative and less risky crops.
