A temporal analysis of diversification of Punjab agriculture: The role of policy and practice

Punjab's agrarian economy witnessed structural transformations under the influence of various policies and practices followed after that. The study attempted to bring out temporal changes in cropping patterns over a period of time and identify various factors responsible for the change. The study brought out that the cropping pattern had mainly shifted in favour of wheat and paddy crops, although the productivity of crops such as maize, cotton, and pulses increased over a period of time. The decline in crop diversification was primarily influenced by the increasing contribution of area and yield effects of land to the total production of crops, especially for wheat and rice crops. The study concluded that diversification could only be brought in the state if the farmers were ensured higher profits, low risk, and effective procurement policy for the other crops such as pulses and oilseeds.