Growth of area, yield and agricultural production in Punjab (1961–2015)-A case for diversification for better returns and agricultural sustainability

This paper briefly outlines the performance of agricultural sector in Punjab since 1960–61 to 2014–15. It tries to highlight the reasons for emergence of low returns and high costs of cultivation in the state. The compound annual growth rate of area, yield and production of various crops has been worked out to see the trends in yield and area and its impact on crop production. Index of diversity has also been worked out for various sub-periods under study. The paper highlights the problems and challenges that concern the agriculture sector of the economy and suggests the needed measures in order to make Punjab agriculture ecologically viable and economically remunerative.