Expansion of rice cultivation in Haryana from 1966–67 TO 2010–11

Rice is the staple food for about 60 percent of the total population of the country. The paddy cultivation is limited by rainfall and temperature. The crop required in most instances a relatively high atmospheric humidity, an average temperature of 20° centigrade and a well distributed rainfall between 125 centimeter and 150 centimeter during the growing season. To the climatic requirement must also be added on abundant supply of fresh water for irrigation where the rainfall is less than 125 centimeter. Rice thrives well on a variety of soils widely ranging from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline particularly the heavy, compact and acidic soils having the ability to hold water over the surface for a considerable period. Haryana is a traditionally wheat producing region but the enterprising farmers of the plain have made full use of package technology including perennial irrigation by canals and tube wells, HYV seeds and fertilizers. This has resulted in widespread change in the cropping pattern of state and the region has become a very important producer of rice. Over short period the spread of rice cultivation has enabled this region to occupy an important place among the rice producing states of India. The area used for the cultivation of paddy has increased fourfold. In 1966–67 area under rice constituted only 4.2 percent to total cropped area. But it increased to 19.06 percent in 2010–11.