Agriculture Development and Crop Diversification in Western Himalayan State of Himachal Pradesh

초록

This paper analyzes the trends in land use, cropping pattern, output and productivity and factors affecting crop diversification in the Indian western Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh. The study is based on the secondary data collected and computed from various government publications. Analysis indicated that the net area sown in this Himalayan state declined at the rate of 0.18% per annum during the last 44 years. Area under non-food crops increased by 20.88% over the base triennium ending (TE) 1974-75. However, the cereal production is seen to have increased mainly due to the adoption of modern techniques of production and the increase in area under HYVs. Farming in the state is found to have diversified significantly, with the maximum diversification taking place during 1970s. The study suggests the need for educating farmers for judicious use of modern critical inputs to restore declining soil and water quality and for overall sustainable agriculture development in this mountainous state, as well as in other similar hilly states.

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