Agriculture is the mainstay
of Punjab`s economy and 97 per cent of the total cultivable
area is under the plough. The main crops grown are wheat,
rice and cotton. Priority is being given to sugarcane, oil
seeds, horticulture and forestry. Punjab farmers grew 211.61
lakh tonnes of foodgrains in 1997-98.
Percentage contribution
of wheat and rice to the Central Pool is 64.1 and 42 respectively,
whereas cotton production constitutes 20 per cent of the
national production. The state has recorded highest yield
per hectare of wheat, rice, cotton and bajra. Per capita
milk and egg production is highest in the country. Large
quantities of the surplus of agriculture produce is available
for agro-based industries.
The state has an enterprising
peasantry activity supported by the government .With only
2.99% of area sown and 3.90% of total cropped area of the
country, the state on an average, account for 23% of Wheat
, 14 % of cotton and 10% of rice production of the whole
country. Punjab is the largest single contributor to the
central pool of rice and wheat.
Consolidation of land holdings
and subsequent advent of ' Green Revolution ' in the late
sixties through the introduction of high yielding varieties
, assured irrigation and use of fertilizers harnessed by
hard working peasantry resulted in soaring productivity
levels. In the year 1997-98 ( for which comparative data
are available) per hectare yield of 3853 kgs of wheat ,
3465 kgs of rice and 477 kgs of cotton in Punjab where higher
by 70% , 86% and 80% yield levels at all India level.
In 1997-98 Punjab state
had the highest per capita availability of 904 kgs of food
grains per annum which stands way above the average for
the country.
To reduce
dependence on wheat , paddy rotation , the state government
is encouraging gradual shift in the cropping pattern to oil
seeds such as Sun-flower and Soya beans with positive results.
The state is on he threshold of a second spurt n productivity
levels.
Cooperatives:
Cooperative organizations are involved in every aspect of
agricultural production, processing and marketing. They supply
credit, know-how and inputs, purchase crops, process and market
finished goods and provide extension services to every village
in the state.
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For Incentives
to Agro Industries |
Allied Economic
Activities :
Dairy Farming:
Dairy farming as an ancillary avocation to agriculture is
getting popular. White revolution has already been ushered.
The total production of milk in 1997-98 touched 7.16 million
tonnes. Per capita availability of milk of 845 gms per day
was highest amongst all other states of the Indian union.
The state is served by 44 milk plants and chilling Centres
and 2424 veterinary institutions.
Poultry farming
Poultry farming on scientific lines is being adopted increasingly.
Egg production in 1997-98 reached 2850 million. The state
had the highest per capita availability of 125 eggs per annum
amongst other states of the union.
 Main Exports of the State :
Food products to USA, UK, France and Middle East
Textiles,
woolen and cotton, hosiery and ready-made garments to USSR,
Norway, UK, USA and West Asia Leather
goods to West Germany, Jordan and UK
 Other Economic Activities: Good
transport:
Punjabis are the truckers of the nation and therefore it is
only to be expected that one can transport goods from anywhere
in Punjab and out of Punjab, facilitated by the extensive
network of roads in the state.
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