CHAPTER 5 CROPPING PATTERNS AND CHANGES …shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/10376/13/13...134 CHAPTER 5 CROPPING PATTERNS AND CHANGES THEREIN Cropping pattern express the

134

CHAPTER 5

CROPPING PATTERNS AND CHANGES THEREIN

Cropping pattern express the share of different crops in farmer's total

cultivated area in an agricultural year. It is an important indicator of farmer's

decision-making ability which witnesses dynamism over space and time in

response to the change in physical and socio-economic factors.

Cropping pattern refers to the proportionate area under different crops

during a agricultural year. It means the series of crops at a point of time.

Cropping pattern must ensure the greatest efficiency of man, fertilizers,

irrigation and other inputs. It is dynamic concept as no cropping pattern can

be suitable for all times to come. A successful cropping pattern implies the

most efficient use of arable land, consequent upon application of water

resources, bio-chemical inputs and the like. In addition, it must offer the

cultivators the possibility to maximize agricultural productivity per unit area per

unit of time. A cropping pattern is determined by the interaction of physical

and socio-economic factors over a period of time. No cropping pattern can be

good for all times to come. But there is often a tendency for the cropping

pattern to stabilize over a period of time in different agro-climatically

homogeneous farming area (Singh and Sharma, 1985).

Krishna (1972) in his studies has also stressed that cropping pattern of

the country should logically being with the study of its climatic and soil

conditions which constitute the regional and subterranean environment of

crop plants. In most of the situations, the physical environment reduces the

135

choice of enterprise, either by prohibiting the growing of certain crops

altogether or by reducing their level of output to an unprofitable degree

(Morgan and Munton, 1971). The cropping pattern of the study region is

discussed under three heads. These are as follow:

A. Cropping pattern: 1965-66

B. Cropping pattern: 1985-86

C. Cropping pattern: 2005-06

A. CROPPING PATTERN: 1965-66 (Fig. 5.1 & Table 5.1)

During 1965-66, Punjab-Haryana plains had a diversified overall

cropping pattern which was having 15 crops namely wheat, rice, fodder,

maize, bajra, cotton, oilseeds, grams, pulses, sugarcane, vegetables, fruits,

spices, barley, and jower. Among these crops, wheat was predominant crop

with 22.98 percent area under its cultivation. Fodder came next with 20.15

percent followed by third crop pulses with 17.84 percent area under its

cultivation. Fourth important crop from areal point of view was bajra which had

11.39 percent area under its cultivation. Maize, rice and cotton were recorded

three important crops of kharif season with an area of 5.18 percent, 5.74

percent and 7.20 percent respectively. From areal strength, oilseeds were

also enjoying a comfortable position with 5.19 percent area. The next crops in

importance were sugarcane, vegetables with 1.85 and 0.90 of the total

cropped area respectively. Crops like jower spices, barley etc were

combinedly had 1.59 percent of the total cropped area and placed in the

category of other crops. Thus, from the above discussion, the present

researcher has found that wheat and pulses were the leading crops of rabi

season as well as in respect of the overall cropping pattern of the study

136

region. While fodder was considered as important crop in both Rabi and kharif

seasons which was due to the significant role of the live stock in farmer‘s

economy. It is also found that rice, maize, bajra and cotton were the leading

crops of kharif seasons. From table 5.1, it is evident that in overall cropping

pattern, rabi crops were predominant and having more area under their

cultivation as compare to kharif crops which shows the pitiable socio-

economic conditions and development of water resources.

After discussing the overall cropping pattern of the study region, now it

is pertinent to discuss in detail the spatial variations in area under individual

crops and reasons responsible for their uneven distribution in the study

region. These crops are discussed as follow.

Table 5.1 Overall Cropping Patterns in Punjab-Haryana Plains, 1965-66

Sr. No. Crop Per Cent Area 1. Wheat 22.98 2. Rice 5.74 3. Fodder 20.15 4. Maize 5.18 5. Bajra 11.39 6. Pulses 17.84 7. Cotton 7.20 8. Oilseeds 5.19 9. Sugarcane 1.85

10. Vegetables 0.90 11. Others 1.59

Source: 1. Statistical Abstracts of Punjab and Haryana, 1966 I. WHEAT (Triticum Sativum)

Wheat is an important and major food crop which is grown in almost

major parts of the world. It is of two types i.e. spring wheat and winter wheat.

In study region, winter wheat is cultivated. It is a staple crop, whereas its

Overall Cropping Patterns in Punjab-Haryana Plains, 1965-66

Cotton, 7.20%

Oilseeds, 5.19%

Sugarcane, 1.85% Vegetables, 0.90%

Others, 1.59%

Pulses, 17.84%

Bajra, 11.39%

Maize, 5.18%

Fodder, 20.15%

Rice, 5.74%

Wheat, 22.98%

Fig. 5.1

137

straw is used as dry fodder for feeding livestock. It is believed that domestic

wheat originated in the Middle East and south west Asia between 800-600

B.C. and from here it spread to rest of the world (Hussain, 1986). In terms of

area and production, it ranks first in the cropping pattern of the study area

because large area of net area sown is devoted to wheat cultivation. It also

plays a very important part in region's trade and commerce. Wheat crop has

its own set of environmental conditions under which it grows more effectively.

As a general rule, its cultivation is not profitable unless it is adapted to the

area in which it is raised (Singh, 1976).

Wheat being a Rabi crop is sown in the months of October to

November when the mean temperature ranges between 18ºC to 20ºC. It

grows well and reaches its maturity during December to March and harvesting

is done in the month of April, when the mean temperature ranges between

25ºC to 28ºC. Though wheat is grown in a variety of soils, yet loamy and clay

loamy soils are more suitable for its cultivation. Wheat crop can be grown

successfully in low rainfall areas with less than 800 mm can be successfully

grown if the irrigation facilities are adequately developed because normally in

semi-arid areas this crop required 5 to 7 watering for its successful cultivation.

Spatial Distribution (Fig. 5.2)

During 1965-66, wheat was the most important food grain crop of the

study area. It was cultivated almost in all the districts of the study region. But

its distribution was not uniform. The highest area under wheat cultivation was

found in Gurdaspur district with 33.90 per cent of total cropped area. Whereas

the minimum share was found in Bhiwani district i.e. 1.16 per cent of total

cropped area. It shows its cultivation was uneven in space owing to variation

138

in physical, socio-economic, technological and organizational factors. To

make an in depth study of wheat cultivation, the help is taken from fig. 5.2 and

table 5.2 which show the following three categories.

1. High share of wheat cultivation (>30 per cent)

In the overall cropping pattern of 1965-66, eleven out of thirty eight

districts were included in this category namely Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur Tarn

Taran, Amritsar Firozpur, Muktsar, Faridkot, Ludhiana, Sangrur, Patiala and

Fatehgarh Sahib. In all these districts, the proportion was above 30 per cent.

These were traditionally wheat growing districts. The use of improved seeds of

HYV’S, availability for irrigation, flat terrain with fertile soils were the major

reasons accounted for high share of wheat cultivation in these districts. Here,

farmers had preferred wheat to grams cultivation because it gives maximum and

assured returns than grams and moreover, it in a main food crop of the study

region.

2. Moderate share of wheat cultivation (15-30per cent)

Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Moga, Bathinda, Mansa Rupnagar,

S.A.S. Nagar, Yamunanagar, Ambala, Panchkula, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal,

Panipat, Jind, Sonipat, Rohtak, Jhajjar, Gurgaon and Faridabad districts

comprised the of moderate share of wheat cultivation. Maximum share of wheat

cultivation was found in Jalandhar district i.e. 29.8 per cent of total cropped area

while it is recorded lowest of 15.50 per cent in Faridabad district. In rabi season

wheat crop was facing competition with other crops such as fodder crops, pulses

in Rohtak Jhajjar, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Panipat, Jind, Bathinda and Mansa

districts. Owing to have sufficient area, under fodder and pulses crops, the per

cent share of wheat was recorded moderate in these areas during 1965-66.

139

Table 5.2 Punjab-Haryana Plains: Per Cent Area under Different Crops to Total Cropped Area 1965-66

District

Total Cropped Area (000 hectares)

Wheat Rice Maize Bajra Cotton Oilseeds Pulses Sugarcane Vegetables Others Fodder

Gurdaspur 498.00 33.90 12.09 11.75 0.04 0.14 3.10 6.49 4.00 0.57 0.56 27.37

Amritsar 426.00 32.40 13.89 7.26 0.25 3.88 3.30 8.92 3.21 0.18 0.58 26.13

Tarn Taran 400.00 32.90 11.13 8.39 0.70 4.78 4.30 9.20 3.29 0.40 0.50 24.41

Kapurthala 271.00 29.60 7.49 12.40 0.20 0.69 1.90 13.18 3.16 1.36 0.52 29.50

Jalandhar 426.00 29.80 9.70 15.00 0.10 0.86 2.70 12.50 3.60 1.83 0.82 23.09

Nawanshahr 175.00 28.10 5.90 18.60 0.50 0.40 8.20 8.60 3.50 1.70 0.95 23.55

Hoshiarpur 357.00 33.00 4.80 18.80 0.80 0.04 6.10 11.30 3.56 1.72 0.23 19.65

Rupnagar 140.00 23.90 3.96 21.60 0.21 0.78 6.70 10.40 7.50 1.63 0.40 22.92

S.A.S. Nagar 127.00 25.90 5.75 19.40 0.70 0.40 4.30 12.60 6.50 1.81 0.52 22.12

Ludhiana 600.00 30.50 8.30 11.60 0.98 1.78 2.80 13.30 5.00 1.83 0.60 23.31

Firozpur 858.00 31.00 8.60 2.60 3.53 26.00 2.30 11.19 2.10 0.08 1.50 11.10

Faridkot 253.00 30.40 1.80 1.50 3.10 21.63 2.10 10.80 1.50 1.34 1.65 24.18

Muktsar 445.00 31.60 0.50 1.20 3.00 25.60 4.40 10.60 1.20 0.29 1.07 20.54

Moga 368.00 29.00 3.00 1.14 2.30 26.80 2.40 13.50 0.20 1.50 1.30 18.86

Bathinda 555.00 20.50 0.60 1.26 3.20 9.35 5.60 28.70 0.70 0.59 0.90 28.60

Mansa 362.00 19.80 0.92 1.90 8.90 7.01 4.70 29.80 1.50 0.69 0.81 23.97

Sangrur 877.00 32.00 3.80 6.60 6.30 5.43 3.70 19.40 0.40 0.74 1.30 20.33

Patiala 539.00 31.60 10.40 7.40 0.95 1.44 2.70 18.20 4.20 2.29 1.40 19.42

Fatehgarh Sahib 191.00 30.20 8.10 9.90 0.09 1.32 3.50 16.15 5.40 2.18 1.70 21.46

Ambala 202.00 20.50 14.80 11.90 1.93 0.20 4.40 19.70 0.80 1.14 2.30 21.66

Panchkula 44.00 19.90 10.20 13.70 1.13 0.10 4.60 18.09 0.90 1.36 2.00 23.27

Yamunanagar 203.00 18.40 9.09 14.40 0.92 0.37 4.20 19.48 0.20 0.90 2.10 29.94

Kurukshetra 277.00 28.00 15.32 5.04 3.04 2.20 1.65 16.54 0.60 1.55 3.12 22.94

Contd.........

140

District Total Cropped

Area (000 hectares)


Kaithal 377.00 26.70 14.11 6.08 4.92 2.13 1.80 15.16 0.50 1.27 3.45 23.88

Karnal 388.00 27.50 16.40 6.07 4.30 1.08 2.00 16.35 0.70 0.70 3.00 21.90

Panipat 186.00 25.00 12.20 0.10 11.80 2.70 1.30 18.32 0.30 0.80 2.60 24.88

Sonipat 278.00 26.40 14.30 0.22 10.60 1.79 1.50 19.52 0.20 2.61 2.25 20.61

Rohtak 222.00 24.00 1.08 0.47 19.47 0.19 6.90 24.81 0.90 0.54 1.90 19.74

Jhajjar 234.00 22.46 1.02 0.43 15.96 1.81 6.47 25.13 0.12 0.17 1.21 25.22

Faridabad 270.00 15.50 2.59 0.22 23.07 0.17 6.22 22.52 0.20 2.30 1.54 25.67

Gurgaon 288.00 15.97 0.04 0.36 23.61 0.36 7.30 26.47 0.31 1.10 1.80 22.68

Rewari 191.00 2.84 0.02 0.26 50.90 1.72 8.80 20.37 0.11 0.30 1.30 13.38

Mahendragarh 248.00 2.01 0.01 0.60 51.70 1.45 10.70 20.70 0.55 0.40 1.73 10.15

Bhiwani 814.00 1.16 0.12 0.20 48.11 8.60 6.46 21.99 0.35 0.03 1.91 11.07

Jind 466.00 16.52 0.51 0.10 22.70 6.05 2.20 17.99 0.84 0.30 2.32 30.47

Hisar 618.00 9.73 0.06 0.24 24.63 11.54 14.70 22.74 1.50 0.60 2.53 11.73

Fatehabad 422.00 9.47 0.59 0.06 23.55 11.71 8.30 28.80 1.90 0.51 2.63 12.46

Sirsa 697.00 8.00 0.03 0.02 21.85 12.52 15.80 27.66 1.88 0.26 2.91 9.07

REGION 14,293.00 22.98 5.74 5.18 11.39 7.20 5.19 17.84 1.85 0.90 1.59 20.22

Source: Statistical Abstracts of Punjab and Haryana – 1966

Per Cent of TCA

> 30

15-30

< 15

Region's Average = 22.98

Source: Statistical Abstracts of Punjab and Haryana: 1966

1965-66

Wheat CultivationPUNJAB-HARYANA PLAINS

Fig. 5.2

0 40

Kms

141

3. Low share of wheat cultivation (< 15 per cent)

Rests of the six districts were included in the category of low wheat

cultivation. These were Fatehabad, Hisar, Bhiwani, Mahendragarh, Rewari

and Sirsa districts. Topographically, these districts were not friendly for the

cultivation of wheat. While in the districts of Bhiwani, Mahendragarh, Rewari

and Gurgaon, the presences of rocky surface, deep inadequate aquifers of

sub-soil water, presence of sand dunes, low extent irrigation, low rainfall,

predominance of pulses and fodder crops were responsible for low share of

wheat cultivation in this category.

Thus, it shows that the areas with fertile soil, flat land, moderately

irrigational facilities, comparatively high amount of rainfall had experienced

high per cent share of wheat cultivation, whereas the presence of sand dunes

and rocky structure, merely absence of irrigational facilities, low rainfall, far

away from the urban centre and major transport network, dominance of

pulses and fodder area under wheat cultivation was low. It is also found that in

areas where staple food was wheat, were having high share under its

cultivation. While were people had bajra and jowar were as staple food had

also recorded low wheat cultivation.

II. RICE (Oryza Sativa)

Rice is a grass "autogame" a crop that is grown more easily in tropics.

In the beginning, rice was grown wild but today it is cultivated in most of the

countries. Cultivate varieties of rice belongs to the oryza sativa which has

around twenty different species is grown in many countries. The archeological

evidence suggests that rice was cultivated in India between 1500 B.C. to 1000

B.C. (Rai, 2004). Rice is the world's most consumed cereal after wheat. It

142

provides more than 50 per cent of daily calories ingested by more than half of

the world population. Rice being Kharif crop is grown in the month of June to

July. It grows faster in more wet and warm conditions. A temperature varying

between 20ºC to 37ºC is ideal for rice. Clay-loam and clayey soils are best

suited for its cultivation, because these soils have good water retentive

capacity. It needs lot of water during its growing period. It grows well if water

stands in the field particularly at the time of sowing and growing, but not at the

time of harvesting. Due its early maturity two to three crops are possible in

one agricultural year, but in Punjab-Haryana Plains, it was only grown once in

summer months.


Rice was the 6th ranking food grain crop in overall cropping pattern of

Punjab-Haryana Plains during 1965-66. Its proportion varied from 0.01 per

cent in Mahendragarh district to 16.4 per cent in Karnal district of the study

region. Great variations are noted in rice cultivation. These variations are

shown in fig. 5.3 and table 5.2 which yield four categories. These are as

follow:

1. High share of rice cultivation (>10 per cent)

This category covered north-western and eastern parts of the study

area. Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Patiala, Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra,

Ambala, Panchkula, Sonipat and Panipat districts formed this category of high

proportion of rice cultivation. In all these districts the size of land holdings was

large. The farmers in these districts had grown generally fine variety of rice

because of the availability of water from canals and secondly, these were all

low lying areas owing to nearness to rivers where during rainy season a great

0 40

Kms

Per Cent of TCA

5-10

1-5

< 1


> 10

1965-66

Rice CultivationPUNJAB-HARYANA PLAINS

Fig. 5.3


143

part of these districts come under the water sheet owing to floods in the rivers.

Thus farmers had preferred rice cultivation to maize cultivation in these areas.

Migrants’ farmers from Pakistan who were well versed with rice cultivation in

their lands of origin had started growing rice in these areas and as a result in

this category the proportion of rice cultivation is recorded high.

2. Moderate share of rice cultivation (5-10 per cent)

It covered Firozpur, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Nawanshahr,

Fatehgarh Sahib, S.A.S. Nagar and Yamunanagar districts. In these districts,

the proportion varied from 5 to 10 per cent of the total cropped area. In these

districts, rice crop was facing competition with other Kharif crops such as

fodder, vegetables, pulses, oilseeds, etc. These were the major reasons for

moderate proportion of rice cultivation.

3. Low share of rice cultivation (1-5 per cent)

It comprised eight districts of the study region namely Faridkot, Moga,

Sangrur, Rupnagar, Hoshiarpur, Rohtak, Faridabad and Jhajjar. The reason

for low proportion of rice cultivation in case of Hoshiarpur and Rupnagar

districts were the presence of Shiwaliks, piedmont plain, undulating and

dissected topography and comparatively low rainfall. All these factors were

suitable for maize cultivation rather for rice cultivation. Rice was being

cultivated in low lands where during summer season water was accumulated

and farmers use this water for rice cultivation which resulted into low

proportion of rice cultivation. Whereas in case of rest of the districts, the

rainfall was comparatively low, sols was not suitable for rice cultivation and as

a result farmers used to sow rice along the canal areas which were having

seepage and that water was used for rice cultivation but the agro-climatic

144

conditions were suitable for cotton cultivation in Punjab Plains and bajra

cultivation in Haryana Plains. All these resulted into low proportion of rice

cultivation.

4. Very low share of rice cultivation (< 1 Percent)

It was found in the southern and western parts of the study region

including Muktsar, Bathinda, Mansa, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar, Jind, Bhiwani,

Mahendragarh, Rewari and Gurgaon districts. In all these areas, the soils

were mostly sandy, presence of sand dunes, rocky surface in Mahendragarh,

Rewari and Gurgaon, less developed irrigation, low rainfall and predominance

of cotton, jowar, bajra and pulses, etc. All these factors had led to negligible

area under rice cultivation, because the above mentioned factors were

unfriendly to rice cropping.

III. FODDER

Fodder refers to the crops which are used for feeding of livestock. It is

grown in both kharif and rabi cropping season. Bajra (pennisetum typhoides),

jowar (Sorghum Vulgare), Guara (Clutser Bean) and maize were the major

Kharif fodder crops while barsin (Egytain clouer) and seinji were the major

rabi fodder crops of the study area.

Spatial Distribution (Fig.5.4)

Fodder crops were enjoying the second rank in overall cropping pattern

of the study region. It had 20.15 per cent to the total cropped area, but this

average figure was not uniform in all parts of the study region. It varied

between 9.07 per cent in Sirsa district to 29.94 per cent in Yamunanagar

district. Several factors were responsible for this uneven distribution like area

under permanent grazing and pastures lands, number of live stocks heads,

< 12

12-24


Per Cent of TCA

> 24

1965-66

Fodder CultivationPUNJAB-HARYANA PLAINS

Fig. 5.4


0 40

Kms

145

irrigational facilities, nature of soils, number of urban centers or nearness to

urban centers, etc. Fig. 5.4 and table 5.2 portray the following categories.

1. High share of fodder crops (>24 per cent)

This category was found in scattered patches. It included the districts

of Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Bathinda, Faridkot, Panipat,

Jhajjar, Faridabad, Jind, Yamunanagar and Panchkula. In all these districts

the per cent share of fodder crops was found high and maximum of 29.94 per

cent was recorded in Yamunanagar district while minimum of 24.41 per cent

of the total cropped was recorded in Tarn Taran district. Here the fodder crops

were grown for domestic as well as for commercial purposes. The demand by

dairy farms was the main reason for high share of fodder crops in this part of

the study region.

2. Moderate share of fodder crops (12-24 per cent)

This category covered a large part of the study region including

Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar, Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Ludhiana, Moga, Mansa,

Muktsar, Sangrur, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, S.A.S., Ambala, Kurukshetra,

Kaithal, Karnal, Sonipat, Rohtak, Fatehabad, Rewari and Gurgaon districts.

Fodder faced competition with other crops like pulses oilseed, bajra in

Sonipat, Rohtak, Rewari and Gurgaon districts. But it faced competition with

cotton in Muktsar, Mansa, Moga and Sangrur districts. Whereas Maize was

predominant in Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar,

Hoshiarpur and Ambala districts which had led to moderate share of fodder

crops. While rice and wheat were dominant crops in Patiala, Kaithal,

Kurukshetra and Karnal districts. Owing to these reasons, the moderate share

of fodder crops was found in above mentioned districts.

146

3. Low share of fodder crops (<12 per cent)

Firozpur, Sirsa, Hisar, Bhiwani and Mahendragarh districts formed this

category of low share of fodder crops. These were agriculturally backward

areas where inadequate irrigational facilities, unfriendly topography as well as

the climatic factors especially low amount of rainfall, etc. were found. Owing to

these reasons, most of the land was left unsown and as a result farmers

preferred grazing to stall feeding the live stock. These were the determining

factors responsible for low share of fodder cultivation.

IV. MAIZE (zea mays)

Maize is an important cereal crop in the world. Its use is made as food

for human and feed for animals. It is originated in Mexico and Central

America. It requires temperature ranging between 21ºC to 27ºC and rainfall

between 100 cm to 125 cm in old alluvium, well drained soils with good water

holding capacity are best for maize crop. It performs poorly under low

humidity and high temperature. Though Maize requires excess water and

moisture stress yet water should not stand in the maize fields. In low rainfall

areas 3 to 5 watering are required for successful maize cultivation. For high

yield, it requires heavy manures.


Maize was very important crop in overall cropping pattern during 1965-

66. It needs relatively high temperature for its optimum growth. In the study

region, about 5.18 per cent of the total cropped area was under maize

cultivation. Its proportion varied from 0.02 per cent to 21.60 per cent in Sirsa

and Rupnagar districts respectively of the study region. It shows that the

distribution of maize cultivation was uneven. Some area had high proportion

Fig. 5.5

PUNJAB-HARYANA PLAINS

Maize Cultivation1965-66

> 10


< 1

1-5

5-10

Per Cent of TCA


0 40

Kms5.18

147

of maize cultivation while some were having negligible share of maize

cultivation. Fig. 5.5 and table 5.2 are prepared to show the following

categories of maize cultivation.

1. High share of maize cultivation (>10 per cent)

This category was spread in north-eastern parts of the study region

which included Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Rupnagar, S.A.S.

Nagar, Jalandhar, Kapurthala Ludhiana Ambala, Yamunanagar and

Panchkula districts. In these districts, the moisture and temperature conditions

were favourable for maize cultivation i.e. why these areas are having high

share of maize cultivation.

2. Moderate share of maize cultivation (5-10 per cent)

Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Sangrur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, Karnal,

Kaithal, and Kurukshetra districts formed this category of moderate maize

cultivation. In these districts, maize was used as fodder crop as well as food

grain also. In these districts, maize crop was facing competition with other

Kharif crops such as cotton, pulses, oilseeds, etc. Due to the cultivation of all

these crops, the area under maize cultivation was noted moderate.

3. Low share of maize cultivation (1-5per cent)

This category comprised western parts of the study region including

Firozpur, Moga, Faridkot, Bathinda, Muktsar and Mansa districts.

Predominance of cotton and bajra cultivation in these districts were

responsible for low share of maize cultivation.

4. Very low share of maize cultivation (<1 per cent)

Rests of the districts were included in this category namely Sirsa,

Fatehabad, Jind, Panipat, Sonipat, Rohtak, Hisar, Bhiwani, Jhajjar,

148

Mahendragarh, Rewari Gurgaon and Faridabad. Land devoted under maize

cultivation in above mentioned districts was less than I percent. These areas

were traditionally bajra growing areas due to arid climatic conditions. Thus

maize crop is facing a very strong competition from Bajra which was the

dominant crop in these districts. Owing to these seasons the share of maize

was recorded very low.

V. BAJRA (Pennisetum typnoides)

Bajra is most important millet crop. Popular names of bajra are pearl

millet, bulrush millet or spiked millet. Bajra is used for food by human beings

and it is also used as fodder purpose. Bajra is protein rich crop. It is not very

popular food and has little market. It is quick growing crop successfully grown

in warm areas with low rainfall. 300 mm to 400 mm rainfall is ideal for the

crop. Light shower, bright sunshine, low humidity and high temperature are

required for its cultivation. Sandy soils and shallow well-drained light loamy

soils are good for bajra cultivation.


Bajra was important millet crop in the study region during 1965-66. It

comprised 11.39 per cent of the total cropped area. It was the 1st ranking crop

among the millets and third ranking crop among the food grains. The

proportion varied from 0.04 per cent in Gurdaspur district to 51.70 per cent in

Mahendragarh district. These variations are shown in fig. 5.6 and table 5.2

having the following categories.

1. High share of bajra cultivation (>15 per cent)

This category was found in the southern and southwestern part of the

study region. It included Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar, Jind, Bhiwani, Rohtak,

0 40

Kms

Per Cent of TCA

5-15

1-5

< 1


> 15

1965-66

Bajra CultivationPUNJAB-HARYANA PLAINS

Fig. 5.6


149

Jhajjar, Mahendragarh, Rewari, Faridabad and Gurgaon districts. Because

bajra was responded good to even poor sandy soils, required low rainfall and

warm temperature for its proper growth. These factors were present in the

above mentioned districts and as a result high share of bajra cultivation was

found during 1965-66 in this category.

2. Moderate share of bajra cultivation (5-15 per cent)

It covered, the districts of Mansa, Sangrur, Sonipat, and, Panipat,

districts of the study region. In these districts, the proportion varied from 5 per

cent to 15 per cent of the total cropped area. Due to the availability of canal

irrigation and comparatively more rainfall as compare to the districts falling in

the high category, farmers preferred other crops to bajra in kharif season and

as a result its proportion was found moderate.

3. Low share of bajra cultivation (1-5 per cent)

It contained Firozpur, Muktsar, Faridkot, Moga, Bathinda, Ambala,

Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal, and Panchkula districts. During kharif season

maize was predominant crop in case of Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal

and Panchkula. While cotton crop was predominant in Firozpur, Muktsar,

Bathinda, Faridkot and Moga districts. These were the important reasons

responsible for low share of bajra cultivation in this category.

4. Very low share of bajra cultivation (<1 per cent)

Districts of Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Jalandhar,

Ludhiana, Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar, Patiala,

Fatehgarh Sahib and Yamunanagar comprised this category. Less than one

per cent of total cropped area was devoted to bajra cultivation in these

districts. Bajra cultivation was facing competition from rice, maize in Amritsar,

150

Tarn Taran and Gurdaspur districts. Whereas Maize cultivation in Rupnagar,

Nawanshahr, S.A.S. Nagar, Kapurthala and Jalandhar districts. Moreover,

these districts also received high rainfall which was not good for bajra

cultivation. These were the major reasons for low share of bajra cultivation.

VI. PULSES

Pulses are essential component of our daily diet because they provide

protein and other nutrients. Pulses are leguminous crops and are useful for

soils because it maintains soils fertility. Pulses are grown in both rabi and

kharif season. Important kharif pulses are arhar, urd, moong, etc. Whereas

grams, masur (lentil), mooth are grown in rabi season. Pulses are generally

grown in areas of low rainfall. These are required less rainfall. In the study

region, pulses are grown in combination with food grains and are also grown

separately.


Pulses had significant place with 17.84 per cent in overall cropping

pattern of Punjab-Haryana plains in 1965-66. Its proportion varied from 6.49

per cent in Gurdaspur district to 29.80 per cent in Mansa district of the study

area. The following 3 categories are mapped fig. 5.7 and table 5.2 to show the

spatial variations in pulses cultivation.

1. High share of pulses cultivation (>20 per cent)

High share of pulses cultivation during 1965-66 was found in Bathinda,

Sirsa, Mansa, Fatehabad, Hisar, Bhiwani, Rohtak, Jhajjar, Mahendragarh,

Rewari, Gurgaon and Faridabad districts. The varieties of pulses were grown

during Rabi and Kharif seasons in these districts. Moong, moth, arhar and

soyabean were main pulses grown in these districts. Suitable soils and

Per Cent of TCA

>20

10-20

< 10


1965-66

Pulses CultivationPUNJAB-HARYANA PLAINS

Fig. 5.7


0 40

Kms

151

favourable moisture conditions were the main reasons which encouraged the

farmers for cultivation of pulses.

2. Moderate share of pulses cultivation (10-20 per cent)

This category covered large parts of the study region including

Ludhiana, Firozpur, Faridkot, Moga, Muktsar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Sangrur

Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Patiala, Ambala,

Yamunanagar, Panchkula, Sonipat, Panipat, Jind, Kaithal, Karnal and

Kurukshetra districts. In these districts, pulses were facing competition with

other Kharif and Rabi crops especially with cereal crops, because of flat land,

fertile soils, etc. This was the main reason due to which the proportion of

pulses crop was moderate.

3. Low share of pulses cultivation (<10 per cent)

This category covered only four districts of the study area. Gurdaspur,

Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Nawanshahr were the districts comprised this

category. In these districts, the area under pulses cultivation was less than 10

per cent. In these districts, the area under pulses cultivation was low because

of the dominance of rice and wheat during Kharif and Rabi season

respectively. Fodder crops and oilseeds were restricted the area under pulses

cultivation. During this study period farmers also preferred to grow food grain

crops as compare to pulses. This was the basic reason which was

responsible for low share of pulses cultivation in above mentioned districts of

the study region.

VII. COTTON (Gossypium Species)

Cotton is important fiber crop and is very sensitive plant also. It is sown

in month of April and harvested in the month of November. An average

152

temperature of 24ºC to 27ºC is ideal for it. Rainfall ranging between 600 mm

to 850 mm is good for its cultivation. Bright days and dry climatic conditions

are required during its growing and picking times. Loamy soils having good

moisture holding capacity are good for its cultivation; it needs lot of labour

force for thinning, hoeing and picking.


Cotton was one of the most important fiber crop grown in the study

area. It was an important cash crop for farmers. About 7.20 per cent of total

cropped area was under cotton cultivation in the study region in 1965-66. Its

proportion varied from 26.80 per cent of total cropped area in Moga district to

0.04 per cent in Hoshiarpur district of the study area. To know the factors

responsible for in-depth study is made in the following pages. The derived

percentages are mapped in fig. 5.8. Thus, this yield the following three

categories.

1. High share of cotton cultivation (>10 per cent)

It was confined to the south-western parts of the study region and

comprised the districts of Faridkot, Moga, Muktsar, Firozpur, Sirsa, Fatehabad

and Hisar. Here its proportion varied between 11.54 per cent in Hisar district

to 26.80 per cent in Moga district. These areas were having sand loam to

sandy soils, low rainfall, irrigation facilities, traditional cotton growing areas,

etc. Due to these reasons this category had experienced high proportion of

cotton cultivation.

2. Moderate share of cotton cultivation (5-10 per cent)

Mansa, Bathinda, Sangrur, Jind and Bhiwani were the districts

accounted in this category. In these districts, the area under cotton cultivation

Per Cent of TCA

5-10

1-5

< 1


> 10

1965-66

Cotton CultivationPUNJAB-HARYANA PLAINS

Fig. 5.8


0 40

Kms

153

was recorded between 5-10 per cent. In these districts, cotton crop was facing

competition from bajra, pulses and fodder in Kharif season. From physical

point of view, these areas were having dry climatic conditions, sandy soil,

presence of sand dunes, etc. And from socio-economic point of view, these

areas were good for cotton cultivation, but moreover the cultivation of other

crops during kharif season which were mentioned above the proportion of

cotton cultivation was noted moderate.

3. Low share of cotton cultivation (1-5 per cent)

This category covered Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh

Sahib, Patiala, Kaithal, Panipat, Sonipat, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Jhajjar, Rewari

and Mahendragarh districts. Rice, sugarcane, oilseeds and vegetables were

the dominant crops in above mentioned districts during 1965-66. Due to the

cultivation of these crops, the share of cotton cultivation was low. The socio-

economic conditions were not fully developed and as a result farmers prefer

to grow several crops from securing point of view. All these factors had led to

low proportion under cotton crops.

4. Very low share of cotton cultivation (< 1 Percent)

It was spread over northern and north-eastern parts of the study area

including Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Nawanshahr,

Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar, Rohtak, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Panchkula, Ambala

and Yamunanagar districts. Almost all these districts except Kapurthala and

Jalandhar were lying in the foothill zone of Shiwaliks. So topography of these

districts was not favourable for cotton cultivation. These areas were also

receiving comparatively high rainfall i.e. over 100 cms during summer months

and as a result farmers preferred either maize or rice crop to cotton during

154

kharif season. But in case of Kapurthala and Jalandhar districts owing to

heavy flood which was caused by rivers, Beas and Satluj during summer

months did not allow the farmers to cultivate cotton crop. Thus, farmers did

cultivate rice and maize crop and only at high lands where some loamy sand

or sandy loam soils exist, they cultivated cotton crop and as a result the share

of cotton cultivation was very low or negligible.

To sum up, it observed that cotton cultivation was very favourate

among the farmers particularly in southern and south-western part of study

region where pedeological and climatic conditions were highly suitable for its

cultivation supplemented by canal irrigation. Whereas in areas of high rainfall,

undulating and dissected topography, clay soils, comparatively developed

irrigation, the proportion of cotton cultivation was recorded low to very low.

And in the remaining areas, the proportion of cotton cultivation was noted

moderate.

VIII. OILSEEDS

Oilseeds are the seeds of different plants from which oil is extracted.

Principal oilseeds sown in study area during rabi season are Toria (Brassica

Campestris, Indian rape), Taramira (Eruca Sativa) and Sarson (Brassica

Compestris). Whereas Groundnut (Arachis py pogdea), Sesamum (Sesamum

indicum, Till) and Caster are oilseeds of Kharif season. Oilseeds are industrial

crops. Oil cakes are form from the residue after the extraction of oil, it is also

used as cattle feed as well as fertilizes for the soil. Different oilseeds required

different sets of climate and soils conditions. Mostly oilseeds are grown in dry

conditions and on variety of soils.

155

Spatial Distributions (Fig. 5.9)

In overall cropping pattern, oilseeds cultivation occupied 5.19 per cent

of the total cropped area. Its proportion varied from 1.30 per cent in Panipat

district to 15.80 per cent in Sirsa district of the total cropped area. These

variations are shown in fig. 5.9 and table 5.2 which depict the following

categories.

1. High share of oilseeds cultivation (>6 per cent)

This category was found two different belts; one was lying along the

north-eastern parts of the study area. It included the districts of Hoshiarpur,

Rupnagar and Nawanshahr. Second belt of oilseeds was found in the south

and southwestern parts of the region. This belt contained Fatehabad, Hisar,

Rothak, Mahendragarh, Faridabad, Sirsa, Bhiwani, Rewari, Jhajjar, and

Gurgaon. Here the land devoted under oilseeds cultivation was high due to

the presence of sandy soils, rugged terrain, low amount of rainfall, lack of

adequate irrigation. Because in such conditions, the cultivation of other crops

were not suitable and as a result farmers preferred to grow oilseeds and

consequently it led to high proportion of oilseeds in this category.

2. Moderate share of oilseeds cultivation (3-6 per cent)

Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Muktsar, Fatehgarh Sahib, S.A.S.

Nagar, Sangrur, Mansa, Bathinda, Panchkula, Ambala and Yamunanagar

districts formed the category of moderate share of oilseeds. In these districts,

their proportion varied from 3.1 per cent in Gurdaspur district to 5.6 per cent in

Bathinda district of the total cropped area. Main reasons of moderate share of

oilseeds cultivation in these districts were that these areas were having

comparatively high rainfall, fertile soils, irrigational facilities, etc. which

Per Cent of TCA

3-6

< 3


> 6

1965-66

Oilseeds CultivationPUNJAB-HARYANA PLAINS

Fig. 5.9


0 40

Kms

156

enthused the farmer to grow other crops than oil seeds, because oilseeds

fetched low economic returns as compare to wheat, maize, pulses, etc. All

this led to moderate proportion of area under oilseeds cultivation.

3. Low share of oilseeds cultivation (<3 per cent)

Rest of the thirteen districts comprised this category namely Firozpur,

Moga, Ludhiana, Jalandhar Faridkot Kapurthala, Patiala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal,

Karnal, Jind, Sonipat and Panipat districts. All these areas were good for

cultivation of wheat, pulses, bajra and maize Crops. Thus farmers had a little

preference for oilseed cultivation.

IX. SUGARCANE (saccharcum officinarum)

Sugarcane grows well in tropical rainforest climatic conditions. It

requires high temperature that is over 30°C and high rainfall that is more than

1500 mm which should be well distributed throughout the year. But it requires

more water/rainfall during growing period. Rich soils are ideal for its

cultivation. Thus sucrose content of sugarcane depends upon climatic

conditions of an area. It yields ratoon crop also. Best suitable areas for

sugarcane cultivation are Hawaii islands and Cuba where one can take 20 to

25 ratoon crops from one sowing. Thus, from pedeological and climatic

conditions parts of veiw, Punjab-Haryana plains is not highly suitable for its

cultivation.


Sugarcane occupied 1.85 per cent of the total cropped area in overall

cropping pattern. Its proportion varied from 0.11 per cent in Rewari district to

7.50 per cent in Rupnagar district. These figures had shown great variations

in sugarcane cultivation. Sugarcane was very important crop in north-eastern

Per Cent of TCA

1-3

< 1


> 3

1965-66

Sugarcane CultivationPUNJAB-HARYANA PLAINS

Fig. 5.10


0 40

Kms

157

districts of the study region. The variations regarding sugarcane cultivation

are shown in fig. 5.10 and table 5.2.

1. High share of sugarcane cultivation (> 3 per cent)

Districts of Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Rupnagar, S.A.S.

Nagar, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Amritsar

and Tarn Taran formed this category. Sugarcane required a lot of water and

sunshine for its proper growth. In these districts, the annual rainfall is very

high which is helpful to meet the water requirements of sugarcane plant.

Secondly, the soil type is also appropriate for sugarcane cultivation. These

were the reasons responsible for high sugarcane cultivation in above

mentioned districts of the study region.

2. Moderate share of sugarcane cultivation (1-3 per cent)

This category stretched from west to south direction of the study region

and covered Firozpur, Muktsar, Faridkot, Mansa, Sirsa, Fatehabad and Hisar

districts. These areas were having sandy soils, comparatively low rainfall,

predominance of wheat-rice and cotton, lack of sugar mills etc. These were

the reasons for moderate proportion of sugar cane cultivation in this ctegory.

3. Low share of sugarcane cultivation (<1 per cent)

This category covered large parts of the study region. It contained the

districts of Sangrur, Moga, Bathinda, Jind, Bhiwani, Mahendragarh, Rewari,

Gurgaon, Faridabad, Jhajjar, Rohtak, Sonipat, Panipat, Karnal, Kaithal,

Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar, Panchkula and Ambala. The major reasons for

low proportion of sugarcane cultivation were lack of sugar mills, lack of

irrigation facilities, etc. In such climatic conditions farmers preferred to grow

158

wheat-gram mix in rabi season and maize, bajra, etc. during kharif season.

Thus, all this led to low proportion of sugarcane cultivation in this category.

X. VEGETABLES

Though vegetables can be grown in a variety of soils but well drained

loamy and loamy clay soils are best for their cultivation. Frost, hails, strong

winds and dryness are harmful for vegetables cultivation. These can be grown

well in areas where irrigation is developed because these requires high doses

of manure, chemical fertilizers, weedicide, pesticides, etc. which requires lot

of water. Thus adequate well developed irrigation is ideal for vegetables

farming, because these require watering at different stages of its growth.

Spatial Distributions (Fig. 5.11)

Vegetables occupied 0.90 per cent of the total cropped area in 1965-

66. The minimum share of 0.03 per cent of total cropped area was found in

Bhiwani district and maximum share of 2.61 per cent of the total cropped area

was found in Sonipat district of the study region. These variations are shown

in fig. 5.11 and table 5.2 which depict the following categories.

1. High share of vegetables cultivation (> 1 per cent)

This category included Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Jalandhar, Ludhiana,

S.A.S. Nagar, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Rupnagar, Moga, Kapurthala,

Faridkot, Kaithal, Panchkula, Sonipat, Kurukshetra, Faridabad, Ambala and

Gurgaon districts. Prescribe of major urban centers in this category which

requires lot of vegetables and as a result farmer had grown vegetables in

large areas to meet the urban demand which consequently led to high share

of vegetables in this category.

0 40

Kms

Per Cent of TCA

> 1

< 1


Fig. 5.11

1965-66Vegetables Cultivation



159

2. Low share of vegetables cultivation (< 1 per cent)

Districts covered by this category were Yamunanagar, Panipat,

Sangrur, Karnal, Mansa, Hisar, Bathinda, Gurdaspur, Rohtak, Fatehabad,

Tarn Taran, Mahendragarh, Rewari, Jind, Muktsar, Sirsa, Amritsar, Jhajjar,

Firozpur and Bhiwani. In these districts, the size of urban centers was

comparatively moderate as compare to the category of high share of

vegetables cultivation and thus the demand was also low. Secondly, these

districts were far away from major urban centers of the study area, the size of

urban population in these districts was small. Socio-economic backward ness

areas, lack of irrigation facilities etc. had compelled the farmers not to grow

vegetables on large area. Because of low demand of vegetables farmers had

grown food grains and fodder crops on large scale.

From the above discussion, it is found that the areas where the number

of urban centers and their size were large had created high demand for

vegetables and consequently the share of area under vegetables were

recorded high. But in the districts which were having few urban centers and

those were also contained small urban population had recorded low

proportion of vegetables. It was also observed that those areas which were

blessed with irrigational facilities had also recorded low to high proportion of

vegetables cultivation.

XI. OTHER CROPS

Crops included in this category were spices, fruits, barley, jower, etc.

These crops combinedly occupied 1.59 per cent of the total cropped area

during 1965-66. Maximum area of 3.4 per cent under other crops was

recorded in Kaithal district, while the minimum area of 0.23 per cent was


< 1

> 1

Per Cent of TCA

Fig. 5.12


Other Crops Cultivation1965-66


0 40

Kms

160

found in Hoshiarpur district. These variations are mapped in figure 5.12 and

table 5.2 which yield the following three categories.

Districts of Firozpur, Faridkot, Muktsar, Moga, Sangrur, Patiala,

Fatehgarh Sahib, Ambala, Panchkula, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Kaithal,

Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat, Rohtak, Jhajjar, Faridabad, Gurgaon, Rewari,

Mahendragarh, Bhiwani, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa had recorded more

than one per cent of the total cropped area under the cultivation of other

crops. Plantation and cultivation of spices in above mentioned districts

resulted in area i.e. above 1 per cent under other crops.

Rest of the districts had experienced negligible area under other crops.

These were the districts of Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala,

Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar, Ludhiana,

Bathinda and Mansa. During 1965-66 in the above mentioned districts the

other crops had faced competition from wheat, Pulses, oilseeds, fodder and

maize. Owing to these reasons, the area under other crops was recorded

below 1 per cent of the total cropped area.

Conclusion

It is concluded from the above discussion that there were 13 crops

grown in the study region in 1965-66. The differences among the proportion of

individual crops were very low. Except sugarcane, vegetables and other

crops, the share under individual crop was more than 5 per cent of total

cropped area which shows the cropping pattern was highly diversified. It is

also observed that this diversification of cropping pattern was largely resulted

of less developed agricultural infrastructure. Thus in such atmosphere,

farmers had grown several crops from security point of view because if one

161

crop were failed at least they could reap other crops, so that they can stay in

the business. From the study of individual crop, the present researcher has

found that wheat was first ranking crop with 22.98 per cent of the total

cropped area. It varied between 1.16 per cent in Bhiwani district to 33.90 per

cent in Gurdaspur district. The low share of wheat in Bhiwani district was

owing to high area under bajra and pulses cultivation which was 51.70 per

cent and 20.70 per cent under bajra and pulses respectively, where as area

under pulses in Gurdaspur district was 6.49 per cent and under bajra 0.01 per

cent. Second crop in importance during 1965-66 in study area was recorded

fodder cultivation. It varied between 9.10 per cent in Sirsa district to 29.50 per

cent in Kapurthala district. It shows that most of the farmer had shown fodder

crops to feed their animals. Pulses ranked third with an area of 17.84 per

cent. Pulses mostly contained grams which were sown by the farmers in dry

climatic condition without irrigational facilities. Consequently the share of

pulses was recorded high. It varied between 6.49 per cent in Gurdaspur

district to 29.80 per cent in Mansa district. The western and southern parts of

the study area had high percentage of area under its cultivation as compare to

northern and eastern parts. Bajra was the next crop in order from areal

strength in the study region. It had 11.39 per cent of the total cultivated area

under its cultivation. Its percentage had varied very greatly. It was only 0.04

per cent in Gurdaspur district whereas; it was noted 51.70 per cent in

Mahendragarh, 51.70 per cent in Bhiwani and 50.90 per cent in Rewari

district. These figures had shown that in Rewari, Mahendragarh and Bhiwani,

bajra was enjoying the position of a monoculture especially in kharif season.

Again it is true that bajra cultivation was significant in western and southern

162

parts of Punjab-Haryana Plains, where-as in northern parts and eastern parts,

its proportion was negligible i.e. less than 2 per cent in most of the districts. It

had also throw light about the poor irrigational facilities and under developed

agricultural infrastructure. After bajra the next crop in importance in the study

region was recorded maize with 5.18 per cent. It is recorded that maize

cultivation was confined to northern districts and along the Shiwaliks, because

these areas were having comparatively high rainfall during summers and

favourable topography, where water did not stand in the fields. These

conditions are ideal for maize cultivation. But western and southern parts of

the study region were having low rainfall, frequent occurrence of sand dune,

lack of irrigational facilities, etc. which were not favourable for maize

cultivation and as a result farmers preferred bajra to maize which

consequently lead to low share of maize cultivation in these district of the

study region. Rice with 5.74 per cent of total cropped area had sixth rank in

the overall cropping pattern. It had ranged between 0.01 per cent in

Mahendragarh district to 16.40 per cent in Karnal district. The districts of north

and eastern parts were having high share of rice cultivation owing to

irrigational facilities and high rainfall. Whereas unfavourable climatic

conditions infertile soil, frequent occurrence of sand dunes, lack of irrigation,

etc. were responsible for low share of rice cultivation in southern and western

parts of the study region. It is also noted that cotton was the important crop in

the districts of Firozpur, Faridkot, Muktsar, Moga, Bathinda, Mansa, Sangrur,

Bhiwani, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa. All these districts were having low

rainfall, sandy soils, supplemented by canal irrigation. Whereas, its per cent

share was recorded low along Shiwaliks and northern districts and extreme

163

south-western districts of the study region. In case of northern and eastern

districts, its share was low owing to high rainfall. But in southeastern districts,

absence of irrigation and climatic conditions were not favourable for its

cultivation. Oilseeds were also having 5 per cent of total cropped area. It was

well distributed in the study region but its per cent share was recorded high

only in the districts of Mahendragarh, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa. Mostly

oilseeds were grown during rabi season because rape and mustered can

grown well in dry climatic conditions. Sugarcane is a commercial crop which

had 1.85 per cent of total cropped area. It is found that though all districts had

grown sugarcane, yet its per cent was high along the Shiwalik foot hill zone

due to high rainfall, presence of sugar mills, etc. In the remaining districts, its

share was found negligible which was less than the region’s average was. In

case of vegetables, it is found that its share in overall cropping pattern was

0.90 per cent. It varied between 0.03 per cent in Bhiwani district and 2.40 per

cent in Sonipat district. It is observed that, it is mostly grown for domestic

purpose, but some of its share was being marketed also. Area under other

crops was observed 1.59 per cent which varied between 0.40 per cent in

Rupnagar district and 3.40 per cent in Kaithal district. These are minor crops

which were having some regional significance. It is also found that farmers

use to grow these crops for their domestic consumption. Overall, it is

concluded that the cropping pattern of 1965-66 was highly diversified.

164

B. CROPPING PATTERN: 1985-86

The overall cropping pattern of Punjab-Haryana plains in 1985-86 was

highly diversified which contributed large number of crops. The overall

cropping pattern in 1985-86 indicated that wheat had contributed 36.90 per

cent, rice 15.30 per cent, fodder 14.61 per cent, cotton 6.04 per cent,

oilseeds, 4.34 per cent, bajra 6.81 per cent, sugarcane 1.52 per cent, maize

3.10 per cent, pulses 8.43 per cent, vegetables 1.45 per cent and other crops

1.58 per cent of the total cropped area respectively.


Sr. No. Crop Per Cent Area 1. Wheat 36.90 2. Rice 15.30 3. Fodder 14.61 4. Maize 3.01 5. Bajra 6.81 6. Pulses 8.43 7. Cotton 6.04 8. Oilseeds 4.34 9. Sugarcane 1.52

10. Vegetables 1.45 11. Other Crops 1.58

Source: 1. Statistical Abstracts of Punjab and Haryana, 1986. I. Spatial Distribution of Wheat Cultivation (Fig. 5.14)

Wheat was the dominant cereal crop of the study region. In the overall

cropping pattern, wheat accounted for 36.90 per cent of the total cropped area

in 1985-86. Its proportion varied from 8.50 per cent in Bhiwani district to 48.02

per cent in Patiala district. It shows great variations in wheat cultivation.

Patterns of wheat cultivation were divided into three following categories.

These categories are mapped in fig. 5.14 which are discussed below.



Oilseeds, 4.34

Sugarcane, 1.52

Vegetables, 1.45Other Crops, 1.58

Pulses, 8.43

Cotton, 6.04

Bajra, 6.81

Maize, 3.01

Fodder, 14.61Rice, 15.3

Wheat, 36.9

Fig. 5.13

165

This category covered a large part of the study region. It included

Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, Sangrur, Moga,

Muktsar, Faridkot, Firozpur, Kaithal, Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat and Kurukshetra

districts. The high share of wheat in these districts was due to the presence of

gentle gradient of land, availability of irrigational facilities, well developed

agricultural infrastructure, etc.

2. Moderate share of wheat cultivation (30-40 per cent)

Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar,

S.A.S. Nagar, Bathinda, Mansa, Panchkula, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Jind,

Rohtak, Jhajjar, Gurgaon and Faridabad districts formed the category of

moderate wheat cultivation. Northern parts of Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur,

Nawanshahr, Rupnagar, Panchkula, Ambala and Yamunanagar districts were

lying in the Shiwalik hills and piedmont plains. Here rugged physiography,

infertile soils, less irrigation facilities, presence of seasonal torrents, etc. were

the main reasons for moderate share of wheat. But the districts of Bathinda,

Mansa, Jind, Gurgaon and Faridabad were having either sand dunes or rocky

surface, lack of adequate irrigation facilities, predominance of gram cultivation

in rabi season, etc. were responsible for minimising the share of wheat

cultivation in this part of the study region which had resulted into moderate

share of its cultivation.

166


District

Total Cropped Area (000 hectares)


Gurdaspur 498.00 38.50 20.52 8.82 0.02 0.03 2.20 1.88 3.30 1.06 0.54 23.12 Amritsar 426.00 40.00 21.75 6.17 0.19 0.72 4.50 0.53 0.60 1.10 2.30 22.14 Tarn Taran 400.00 39.98 20.02 6.25 0.15 0.77 4.80 0.57 0.75 1.05 1.03 24.63 Kapurthala 271.00 40.22 16.26 7.21 - - 4.80 1.40 0.70 1.03 1.39 26.99 Jalandhar 426.00 41.25 12.11 5.51 - - 4.90 1.60 2.05 1.02 3.49 28.07 Nawanshahr 175.00 37.14 10.71 15.50 - - 2.80 1.50 3.43 1.05 3.72 24.15 Hoshiarpur 357.00 39.90 10.05 22.41 - - 1.90 2.83 1.73 2.01 7.30 11.87 Rupnagar 140.00 37.86 10.20 19.29 - - 2.10 7.10 1.43 1.50 2.50 18.02 S.A.S. Nagar 127.00 39.37 18.11 7.09 - - 2.20 7.80 3.77 1.60 2.75 17.31 Ludhiana 600.00 43.25 30.33 8.00 - 0.76 1.80 3.20 0.50 1.95 1.38 8.83 Firozpur 858.00 44.52 24.71 0.46 - 10.40 3.40 3.10 0.23 1.46 1.14 10.58 Faridkot 253.00 42.44 17.60 0.58 0.32 10.30 2.00 11.80 0.40 1.50 3.12 9.94 Muktsar 445.00 46.21 15.50 0.89 0.83 11.60 1.10 7.20 0.22 1.57 2.14 12.74 Moga 368.00 44.55 18.05 0.81 1.68 10.90 1.30 6.00 0.60 1.10 3.26 11.75 Bathinda 555.00 36.94 5.50 0.36 1.11 28.60 4.50 11.00 0.76 1.40 2.43 7.40 Mansa 362.00 40.00 8.50 0.28 1.71 16.50 4.90 18.90 0.28 1.70 0.46 6.77 Sangrur 877.00 42.19 26.30 1.73 1.10 10.60 3.10 2.70 0.17 1.19 0.99 9.93 Patiala 539.00 48.02 30.20 2.59 - 0.56 2.40 2.50 0.37 1.82 2.06 9.48 Fatehgarh Sahib 191.00 47.12 31.40 2.61 - 0.52 2.00 4.30 0.40 1.80 2.00 7.85 Ambala 202.00 38.90 19.00 6.70 - - 3.20 5.20 9.25 1.62 2.09 14.04 Panchkula 44.00 37.50 15.98 7.00 - - 4.70 4.55 7.95 1.93 2.93 16.52 Yamunanagar 203.00 31.53 19.99 6.50 0.74 - 3.20 4.92 8.96 1.61 3.38 18.99 Kurukshetra 277.00 45.48 31.80 1.00 1.60 0.80 1.60 0.70 2.40 1.74 1.36 11.52

Contd.........

167


Area (000 hectares)


Kaithal 377.00 42.96 31.50 1.67 1.92 0.63 1.10 0.58 1.80 1.02 1.11 13.22 Karnal 388.00 42.15 32.20 1.64 1.54 0.51 0.70 1.28 2.80 1.92 3.88 11.38 Panipat 186.00 43.60 23.60 0.20 3.22 0.80 2.80 4.30 6.60 1.85 0.56 12.47 Sonipat 278.00 45.27 16.83 0.86 14.30 0.53 2.80 2.90 6.10 1.12 0.58 8.71 Rohtak 222.00 39.95 1.10 - 22.27 1.26 6.00 12.60 4.20 1.20 0.46 10.96 Jhajjar 234.00 39.79 2.35 - 20.38 0.48 6.70 11.90 4.00 1.35 1.89 11.16 Faridabad 270.00 38.00 4.41 0.50 20.96 0.14 6.60 5.80 2.89 1.27 1.75 17.68 Gurgaon 288.00 31.90 0.30 0.30 22.09 0.07 10.90 10.70 1.07 1.39 1.23 20.05 Rewari 191.00 24.20 0.15 - 32.90 0.62 6.02 21.40 0.50 1.20 0.67 12.34 Mahendragarh 248.00 18.39 0.10 - 34.31 0.48 6.01 16.90 0.20 1.10 0.55 22.27 Bhiwani 814.00 8.50 0.15 - 36.40 3.83 6.17 30.20 0.36 1.21 0.24 12.94 Jind 466.00 35.00 9.70 - 15.10 0.38 11.58 10.10 2.55 1.90 0.88 12.81 Hisar 618.00 24.75 3.24 0.20 12.10 17.31 10.35 14.70 0.48 1.85 0.17 14.85 Fatehabad 422.00 26.25 4.90 0.07 9.50 20.03 9.95 15.50 0.90 1.50 0.25 11.15 Sirsa 697.00 24.96 4.70 - 3.52 19.39 7.70 23.20 0.04 1.61 0.28 14.60 REGION 14,293.00 36.90 15.30 3.01 6.81 6.04 4.34 8.43 1.52 1.45 1.58 14.61

Source: Statistical Abstracts of Punjab and Haryana - 1986

0 40

Kms

Per Cent of TCA

> 40

30-40

< 30



1985-86


Fig. 5.14

168

3. Low share of wheat cultivation (<30 per cent)

Low per cent share of wheat was found in the southern parts of the study

region including the districts of Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar, Bhiwani, Mahendragarh

and Rewari. The presence of rocky and sandy surface, rugged terrain, low

rainfall, underdeveloped irrigational facilities, etc. were limited the area under

wheat cultivation in above mentioned districts, because the conditions were not

favourable for wheat, thus farmer prefer to grow grams, pulses, oilseeds, etc.

during rabi season which resulted to low share of wheat cultivation.

II. Spatial Distribution of Rice Cultivation (Fig. 5.15)

The second leading cereal crop of the study region was rice which

covered 15.30 per cent of the total cropped area. It was recorded highest of

32.20 per cent in Karnal district and lowest of 0.10 per cent in Mahendragarh

district. This great variation in rice cultivation was the result of variations in

physical and socio-economic parameters. Thus to make an in-depth study of

these variation in rice cultivation the following three categories are discussed

below fig. 5.15.

1. High proportion of rice cultivation (>30 per cent)

This category comprised the districts of Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib,

Patiala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal and Karnal districts of the study region. The area

under rice cultivation was high in these districts due to the availability of

favourable relief, developed sources of irrigation, well network of transport,

developed agricultural infrastructure, rice mills, etc.

2. Moderate proportion of rice cultivation (10-30 per cent)

Districts of Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur,

Nawanshahr, Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar, Faridkot, Moga, Sangrur, Firozpur,

0 40

Kms

Per Cent of TCA

10-30

< 10

> 30



1985-86


Fig. 5.15

169

Muktsar, Jalandhar, Panchkula, Yamunanagar, Ambala, Panipat and Sonipat

formed this category. Rice crop was facing tough competition with other crops

such as maize and fodder crops in case of Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Rupnagar,

Yamunanagar and Jalandhar districts, while it was facing competition from

cotton crop in case of Firozpur, Muktsar, and Moga districts. Due to all these

reasons, share of rice cultivation was noted moderate in this category.

3. Low proportion of rice cultivation (<10 per cent)

Low share of rice cultivation was found in the southern parts of the study

region which covered Bathinda, Mansa, Sirsa, Hisar, Bhiwani, Rohtak, Jhajjar,

Mahendragarh, Rewari, Gurgaon, Fatehabad, Jind and Faridabad districts.

Presence of sand dunes, low rainfall, lack of adequate irrigational facilities,

saline and alkaline sub-soil water, non-traditional, rice growing areas, etc. were

the reasons for low proportion of rice cultivation in this category.

III. Spatial Distribution of Fodder Crops (Fig. 5.16)

From areal point of view fodder was an important crop in the study

region during 1985-86. It covered 14.61 per cent of the total cropped area. But

this average was not uniform throughout the study region. Its percentage

varied from 28.07 per cent in Jalandhar district to 6.77 per cent in Mansa

district. It shows that the fodder crop was not uniformly spread. The share of

its cultivation was ruled by both physical and socio-economic environments.

These variations are shown in fig. 5.16 and table 5.4 which highlights the

following three categories.

1. High proportion of fodder cultivation (>15 per cent)

Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, S.A.S. Nagar,

Rupnagar, Nawanshahr, Panchkula, Yamunanagar, Mahendragarh, Gurgaon

0 40

Kms

< 10

10-15


Per Cent of TCA

> 15


1985-86


Fig. 5.16

170

and Faridabad districts were included in this category. The northern parts of

Gurdaspur, S.A.S. Nagar and parts of Yamunanagar districts were having

undulating and dissected topography comparatively high rainfall, etc. as a

result farmers grew fodder crop which was suitable in these conditions. While

the districts of Mahendragarh, Gurgaon and Faridabad were having sand

dunes and rugged topography, low amount of rainfall, less developed

irrigational facilities, etc. Thus farmers had grown fodder crops for domestic

as well as for market. Owing to all these factors fodder crops were grown as

main crop particularly during kharif season. Due to all these reasons, the

above mentioned districts had high concentration of fodder crops.

2. Moderate proportion of fodder cultivation (10-15 per cent)

17 out of 38 districts were included in the category of moderate

proportion of fodder crops namely Hoshiarpur, Firozpur, Muktsar, Moga,

Ambala, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Kaithal, Panipat, Jind, Fatehabad, Sirsa, Hisar,

Bhiwani, Rohtak, Jhajjar and Rewari districts. In case of Hoshiarpur district

the proportion of fodder crops was low owing to the availability of natural

pasture, hilly surface which provided free grazing to animals, predominance of

maize crop during kharif season. While in other districts fodder crop was

facing competition with other crops such as wheat, rice, cotton, pulses,

oilseeds, etc. which was the main reason for moderate share of fodder crops.

3. Low share of fodder cultivation (<10 per cent)

Only eight districts were included in this category. These districts were

Ludhiana, Faridkot, Bathinda, Sangrur, Mansa, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala and

Sonipat. In all these districts the shares of fodder crops were less than 10 per

cent. Where as in case of others districts the proportion of fodder cultivation

171

was low owing to the developed infrastructure which enable the farmers to

grow hybrids variety of fodder which yield ratoon crops also and as a result,

area under fodder was recorded low. It was further supplemented by stiff

competition from cereal crops, cotton, etc. as a result farmer had grown

fodder crops on small fields.

IV. Spatial Distribution of Maize Cultivation (Fig. 5.17)

3.01 per cent of the total cropped area was devoted under maize

cultivation in the study region. The proportion varied from 0.07 per cent in

Fatehabad district to 22.41 per cent in Hoshiarpur district. To know the spatial

variations of maize cultivation help is taken from fig. 5.17 and table 5.4 is

prepared which has shown the following categories.


The category of high share of maize cultivation was confined in a

narrow belt which ran along the Shiwalik hills. The districts included in this belt

were Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur,

Nawanshahr, Ludhiana, Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar, Panchkula, Ambala and

Yamunanagar. Except Ludhiana district, most parts of these districts were

hilly and choes infested which provided a favourable environment for maize

cultivation. Relatively high rainfall, well drained soils, high temperature

conditions during summers, etc. were favourable for maize crop in these

districts. Under such conditions, maize was the important crop in Kharif

season. Due to all these reasons, maize had accounted for a considerable

share in the cropping pattern of these districts.

0 40

Kms

Fig. 5.17



Statistical Abstracts of Punjab and Haryana: 1986Source:

> 5


> 1

1-5

Per Cent of TCA

No Maize

172


This category included six districts namely Fatehgarh Sahib, Sangrur,

Patiala, Kaithal, Kurukshetra and Karnal. In these areas, maize crop was

facing a stiff competition from rice crop during Kharif season. Farmers

preferred rice to maize cultivation in kharif season, because a rice yield

maximum and assured economic return which was mainly responsible for

moderate share of maize cultivation.

3. Low share of maize cultivation (<1 per cent)

This category was spread in the districts of Firozpur, Muktsar, Faridkot,

Moga, Bathinda, Mansa, Fatehabad, Hisar, Sonipat, Panipat, Gurgaon and

Faridabad. In these districts, share of maize cultivation was recorded below

1.0 per cent. In Firozpur, Muktsar, Faridkot, Moga, Bathinda, Fatehabad and

Hisar districts cotton was dominant which minimised the share of maize

cultivation. On the other hand in Sonipat, Gurgaon and Faridabad districts

bajra, pulses and fodder crops had captured a considerable area in the overall

cropping pattern in 1985-86 because of suitable physical and climatic

conditions. Moreover, when one moves away from the Shiwaliks the amount

of rainfall starts decreasing which is not good for maize cultivation. But dry

climatic conditions are highly suitable for cotton, bajra, pulses, etc. and as a

result maize had low areas under its cultivation in this category.

4. Area without maize cultivation

Seven districts were included in this category of no maize cultivation

namely Sirsa, Bhiwani, Mahendragarh, Rewari, Jhajjar, Rohtak and Jind. Due

to the presence of arid and semi-arid climatic conditions, and presence of

sandy or rocky surface, the maize crop was practically absent in all these

173

districts, because such condition are more favourable during kharif season for

pulses, oilseed, bajra, etc.

V. Spatial Distribution of Bajra Cultivation (Fig. 5.18)

Bajra was grown on 6.81 per cent of the total cropped area in the study

region. It varied from 0.04 per cent in Gurdaspur district to 36.40 per cent in

Bhiwani district of the study region. Fig. 5.18 and table 5.4 illustrated the

following categories of bajra cultivation.

1. High proportion of bajra cultivation (>10 per cent)

High proportion of bajra cultivation covered the southern parts of the

study region. 26.30 per cent of the total occurrences covered this category.

The districts which formed this category were Hisar, Bhiwani, Mahendragarh,

Rewari, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Rohtak, Sonipat, Jind and Jhajjar districts.

These districts were having low rainfall with high temperature and sandy to

sandy loam soils, etc. These conditions were favourable for the growing of

bajra crop during Kharif season, as compare to cotton, rice, etc. And as a

result these areas had high percent share of bajra cultivation.

2. Moderate proportion of bajra cultivation (1-10 per cent)

Moga, Sangrur, Bathinda, Mansa, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Kaithal, Kurukshetra,

Karnal and Panipat districts included in the category of moderate proportion of

Bajra cultivation. In these districts wheat, rice, cotton, fodder etc snatched area

from bajra crop which resulted in Moderate proportion of bajra cultivation.

3. Low share of bajra cultivation (<1 per cent)

This category was found in scattered patches in the study region. It

included Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Faridkot, Muktsar, Panchkula and

Yamunanagar districts of the study region. Most of the districts were

0 40

Kms

Per Cent of TCA

> 10

1-10

< 1



1985-86


Fig. 5.18

< 1

No Bajra

174

agriculturally developed districts. In this category, bajra crop was under

competition from maize and rice in Gurdaspur, Amritsar and Tarn Taran,

whereas in case of Faridkot and Muktsar from cotton and rice, in the remaining

districts from maize and rice during kharif season, because the agricultural

infrastructure and climatic conditions were favourable for above mentioned crops

and not for bajra cultivation. Moreover, bajra fetched poor economic return as

compare to other crops. Thus, farmers had given little importance to bajra

cultivation which resulted into its low proportion to total cropped area.

4. Area without bajra cultivation

This category covered Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Firozpur,

Ludhiana, Nawanshahr, S.A.S. Nagar, Rupnagar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala

and Ambala districts. These districts were agriculturally advanced with

developed agricultural infrastructure and had adopted green revolution

technology. Thus, in such conditions farmers choice had fallen on maize, rice,

etc. as compare to bajra from economic point of view. Therefore area under

bajra cultivation was recorded nil.

VI. Spatial Distribution of Pulses (Fig. 5.19)

The cultivation of pulses was found over 8.43 per cent of the total

cropped area. The proportion of pulses was recorded minimum of 0.53 per

cent in Amritsar district and 30.20 per cent in Bhiwani district of the study

region. The spatial distribution of pulses is shown in fig. 5.19 and table 5.4

which depict three categories.

1. High proportion of pulses cultivation (>10 per cent)

This belt run from north to south direction in the western parts of the

study region and included Faridkot, Bathinda, Mansa, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Jind,

0 40

Kms

Per Cent of TCA

> 10

5-10

< 5



1985-86


Fig. 5.19

175

Hisar, Bhiwani, Rohtak, Jhajjar, Mahendragarh, Rewari and Gurgaon districts.

In above mentioned districts, suitable agro-climatic conditions were

responsible for high share of pulses cultivation.


Moderate share of pulses cultivation was found in Muktsar, Moga,

Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar, Ambala and Faridabad districts. Predominance of

crops like maize, bajra, wheat, rice and cotton in different districts of this belt,

the per cent share of pulses was recorded moderate because in these areas,

irrigational facilities were developed. Due to all these reasons the proportion

of maize cultivation in these districts was moderate.


About 50 per cent of the total occurrence formed this category which

covered the districts of Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Firozpur,

Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib,

Sangrur, Patiala, Kaithal, Sonipat, Panipat, Karnal, Kurukshetra,

Yamunanagar and Panchkula districts. Well developed agricultural

infrastructure, excellent irrigational facilities, fertile soils, flat topography,

wheat-rice crop rotation, etc. were responsible for low concentration of pulses

in the above mentioned districts.

VII. Spatial Distribution of Cotton (Fig. 5.20)

Cotton was an important industrial crop of the study area. It covered

6.04 per cent of the total cropped area. The proportion of cotton was uneven

in its spatial distribution in the study region. Some areas had very high share

and some had negligible share of cotton cultivation. Its proportion varied from

0.07 per cent in Gurgaon district to 28.60 per cent in Bathinda district.

176

Physical environment such as soil, rainfall, relief were the ruling factors for its

cultivation. Because of high rainfall, arid and clayey soil, rocky surface, etc. its

cultivation was not feasible. To know the patterns of cotton cultivation and

factors responsible, for it Fig. 5.20 is made which depicts the following

categories.

1. High proportion of cotton cultivation (>10 per cent)

This category covered western parts of the study region. Ten districts

were included in this category namely Sangrur, Moga, Firozpur, Faridkot,

Muktsar, Bathinda, Mansa, Sirsa, Fatehabad and Hisar. The most determining

factor in cotton cultivation in these was owing to pedeological and climatic

conditions. Moreover, these were traditionally cotton growing areas.


The areas having moderate share of cotton cultivation was found in the

southern parts of the study region namely Rohtak, and Bhiwani districts. Here,

proportion varied from 1.26 per cent in Rothak district to 3.83 per cent in

Bhiwani district. Though from climatic point of view these districts were able

for cultivation yet these were not traditional cotton growing areas and

secondly was facing stiff competition from bajra, pulses, oilseeds, etc.

3. Low proportion of cotton cultivation (<1 per cent)

44.73 per cent of the total occurrences were included in this category

of low share of cotton cultivation. These were the districts of Gurdaspur

Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, Kurukshetra,

Kaithal, Jind, Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat, Jhajjar, Mahendragarh, Rewari,

Gurgaon and Faridabad. Well developed agricultural infrastructure with flat

land, fertile soils, well developed irrigational facilities etc. in Gurdaspur,


1985-96


Fig. 5.20


> 10

< 1

1-10

Per Cent of TCA

No Cotton0 40

Kms

177

Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, Kurukshetra,

Karnal, Sonipat, Panipat, and Jind districts had encouraged the farmers to

cultivate rice during kharif season. Whereas in case of Jhajjar, Mahendragarh,

Rewari, Gurgaon and Faridabad districts the share of cotton cultivation was

negligible owing to the unfriendly physical as well the socio-economic

environment. Here farmers were grown bajra, pulses and oilseeds which

fetched more economic returns to them as compare to cotton.

4. Area without cotton cultivation

This category was confined to the north-eastern parts of the study

region including Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Rupnagar,

S.A.S. Nagar, Panchkula, Ambala and Yamunanagar districts. all these areas

were having high rainfall during summers which is not suitable for cotton crop

either in its growing period nor in its picking period. Thus, farmers were to

grow maize and rice crops which were climatically highly suitable as compare

to cotton because cotton require dry climatic conditions particularly at the time

of picking and secondly required irrigation is also needed for cotton crop

during its growing period. Due to these reasons farmers prefer to grow maize

and rice in place of cotton.

VIII. Spatial Distribution of Oilseeds (Fig. 5.21)

A variety of oilseeds were grown in the study area in both Kharif and

Rabi seasons; mustard, linseed, sunflower, rape seeds are some important

oilseeds crops of the study region. Total area under oil seeds was 4.34 per

cent of the total cropped area. Its share was maximum of 11.58 per cent in

Jind district while minimum of 0.70 per cent in Karnal district. Fig. 5.21 and

table 5.4 portray the following categories.

0 40

Kms

Per Cent of TCA

3-6

< 3


> 6


1985-86


Fig. 5.21

178

1. High proportion of oilseeds cultivation (>6 per cent)

This category was found in south and western parts of the study area.

It included Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar, Bhiwani, Mahendragarh, Rewari, Jind,

Rohtak, Jhajjar Faridabad and Gurgaon districts. Owing to hot and dry

climatic conditions and low extent of irrigation, the successful cultivation of

wheat during rabi season was risky and as a result farmers had grown

oilseeds. Moreover, oilseeds crops especially in Rabi season required less

moisture, and loamy sand soil. Thus owing to these reasons, high share of

oilseeds cultivation was recorded.

2. Moderate proportion of oilseeds cultivation (3-6 per cent)

11 out of 38 districts were covered in this category namely Amritsar,

Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Firozpur, Bathinda, Mansa, Sangrur,

Yamunanagar, Ambala, and Panchkula. Oilseeds were facing competition

from maize, grams, wheat, etc. in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Jalandhar

Ambala, Yamunanagar, and Panchkula, while in Bathinda, Sangrur, Mansa,

Rewari, Faridkot and Muktsar oilseeds faced competition from crops like

cotton, bajra, grams, wheat, etc. All this had led to moderate proportion of

area under oilseeds.

3. Low proportion of oilseeds cultivation (<3 per cent)

Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar,

Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, Ludhiana, Moga, Faridkot, Muktsar,

Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal, Panipat and Sonipat were the districts found

in the category of low share of oilseeds cultivation. In the districts of

Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, Ludhiana, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal, Panipat

and Sonipat farmers preferred to grow wheat and rice main crops and it

179

yielded maximum returns to the farmers. While in the districts of Moga,

Faridkot and Muktsar, wheat, rice and cotton were the first preference of

the farmers. Whereas in the districts of Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana,

Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, Nawanshahr, Rupnagar, Kurukshetra, Kaithal,

Karnal, Panipat and Sonipat wheat, maize, fodder and rice were mainly

grown in rabi and kharif season. Hence it resulted in low share of oilseeds

cultivation.

IX. Spatial Distributions of Sugarcane Cultivation (Fig. 5.22)

Sugarcane was having 1.52 per cent share in the total cropped area of

the study region. It varied from 0.20 per cent in Mahendragarh district to 9.25

per cent in Ambala district in the study region. It was showing great variations

sugarcane cultivation. These variations are explains with the help of fig. 5.22

and table 5.4.

1. High proportion of sugarcane cultivation (>4 per cent)

Two different belts of High per cent share of sugarcane cultivation

were found in the study region. First belt covered the districts of

northeastern parts of the study region namely Panchkula, Ambala, and

Yamunanagar, while the second belt covered the southeastern parts of

study area and complied Panipat, Sonipat and Rohtak districts. The

most determining factors responsible for sugarcane cultivation in these

districts were suitable geo-climatic conditions, presence of silty clay

soils along the Yamuna river, irrigational facilities, availability of

agricultural labourers and presence of large number sugar mills. These

were the favourable factors responsible for high proportion of area

under sugarcane cultivation.

0 40

Kms

Per Cent of TCA

1-4

< 1


> 4

1985-86


Fig. 5.22


180

2. Moderate proportion of sugarcane cultivation (1-4 per cent)

It covered thirteen districts of the study area namely Gurdaspur,

Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar, Kurukshetra,

Kaithal, Karnal, Jind, Jhajjar, Gurgaon and Faridabad. The proportion of

sugarcane cultivation varied from 1.0 per cent to 4.0 per cent in these

districts. In case of Rupnagar, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr and Gurdaspur

districts, the topographical and socio-economic conditions were favourable for

sugarcane cultivation but stiff competition from cereals crops like wheat, rice,

maize, etc. were responsible for moderate proportion of sugarcane cultivation.

But in case of Jind, Jhajjar, Gurgaon and Faridabad districts other crops such

as oilseeds, bajra, wheat, pulses, etc. were more economically viable than

sugarcane, thus these were the reasons responsible for moderate share of

sugarcane cultivation.

3. Low proportion of sugarcane cultivation (<1 per cent)

Rest of the districts of the study region occurred in this category. These

were Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Firozpur, Faridkot, Moga, Bathinda,

Muktsar, Mansa, Sangrur, Ludhiana, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Sirsa,

Fatehabad, Hisar, Bhiwani, Mahendragarh and Rewari districts. In Amritsar,

Tarn Taran, Ludhiana, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Sangrur, Moga, Faridkot,

Muktsar and Firozpur districts, wheat and rice crop rotation was the main

reason, because sugarcane had faced a strong competition from these crops,

because farmers had fetched higher and assured economic returns from

these crop than sugarcane. In Bathinda, Mansa, Sirsa, Fatehabad and Hisar

districts, sugarcane had faced competition from cotton and fodder crops,

these areas were lying far away from major sugar mills. In Bhiwani,

181

Mahendragarh and Rewari districts oilseeds, pulses and bajra were the

important crops because of rugged terrain, infertile soils, less developed

irrigational facilities, lack of sugar mills, poor agricultural infrastructure, etc.

These were the reasons accounted for low sugarcane cultivation.

X. Spatial Distribution of Vegetables Cultivation (Fig. 5.23)

During 1985-86 only 1.45 per cent of the total cropped area was under

other crops. High proportion of 2.02 per cent of total cropped area was found

in Hoshiarpur district and minimum of 1.02 per cent was found in Kaithal

district of the study region. These variations are shown in fig. 5.23 which is

exhibits the following categories.

1. High share of vegetables cultivation (>1.50 per cent)

High share of other crops was found in Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar,

Ludhiana, Mansa, Faridkot, Muktsar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, S.A.S. Nagar,

Ambala, Panchkula, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Panipat, Jind, Hisar,

Fatehabad and Sirsa Districts. In all these districts, the cultivation of potato

was responsible for high share.

2. Low share of Vegetables cultivation (<1.50 per cent)

The category of low proportion of other crops covered Gurdaspur,

Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Firozpur, Moga,

Sangrur, Bathinda, Kaithal, Sonipat, Jhajjar, Rohtak, Bhiwani, Rewari,

Gurgaon, Faridabad and Mahendragarh districts. In these districts most of the

agricultural area was under food grains. And secondly non cultivation of

potatoes etc. these were the main reasons for low cultivation of vegetables in

this part of study region.

Per Cent of TCA

> 1.5

< 1.5


Fig. 5.23




0 40

Kms

182

XI. Spatial Distribution of Other Crops (Fig. 5.24)

Other crops occupied 1.58 per cent of the total cropped area in the

study region during study period. Its share varied from 0.17 per cent in Hisar

district to 7.30 per cent in Hoshiarpur district. These variations are shown in

fig. 5.24 and table 5.4 which depicted three categories as below.

1. High share of other crops (>2 per cent)

The high proportion of other crops were found in the districts of

Amritsar, Jalandhar, Moga, Faridkot, Bathinda, Muktsar, Patiala, Fatehgarh

Sahib, S.A.S. Nagar, Rupnagar, Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur Ambala,

Yamunanagar, Panchkula, and Karnal. Small size of land holding and more

area under fruits in Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Rupnagar and Jalandhar

districts were responsible for high share of other crops, whereas in the

remaining districts, cultivation of spices and Jowar were responsible for high

share of other crops.

2. Low share of other crops (<2 per cent)

Rests of the districts were included in this category of low proportion of

other crops. These districts were Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Firozpur,

Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Mansa, Sangrur Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jhajjar, Gurgaon

Faridabad, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar, Bhiwani, Mahendragarh, Rewari, Rohtak,

Sonipat, Panipat and Jind. In all these districts wheat and rice were grown as

principal crops which led to low proportion of other crops in these districts of

the study area.

Conclusion

From the above discussion of the cropping pattern of Punjab

Haryana Plain in 1985-86, the present researcher has observed that there

0 40

KmsRegion's Average = 1.58

< 2

> 2

Per Cent of TCA

Fig. 5.24




183

were eleven crops leaving aside the others category like spices, fruits, etc.

It is concluded that area under wheat cultivation was 36.90 per cent of

total cropped area and it had first rank in the overall cropping patter. It is

also observed that wheat cultivation was done in all the districts of the

study region, which shows the suitability of study region for the cultivation

of wheat crop. Its share was recorded lowest of 8.5 per cent in Bhiwani

district whereas Patiala district had highest share of 48.02 per cent of

wheat cultivation. Rice had emerged as the second ranking crop in the

overall cropping pattern with 15.30 per cent of area under its cultivation. It

is observed that rice was predominant in northern and eastern districts of

the study region whereas its proportion was very low in the southern and

western parts of the study area. It is also found that these patterns were

the result of unfavourable agro-climatic conditions in southern and western

parts which were dry areas with hardly irrigational facilities existed. But on

the other hand, the northern and eastern districts had high share under

rice cultivation. For instance Karnal district with 32.2 per cent was the

leading one in rice cultivation in the study region. Third ranking crop was

fodder with 14.61 per cent of total cropped area. Its share was recorded

highest of 24.44 per cent in Mahendragarh district and lowest of 7.70 per

cent in Sangrur district. The spatial variation in the district of fodder shows

that the proportion of fodder crops was low in agriculturally developed

districts comparatively to agriculturally lacking behind districts. It is also

found that livestock was a major component of agriculture in the study

region. The next crop in order of percentage strength was recorded pulses

with 7.66 per cent of total cropped area. Pulses had recorded as fourth

184

rank crop in the study region. Its percentage was highest of 30.2 per cent

in Bhiwani district, whereas it was recorded lowest of 0.53 per cent in

Amritsar district. Again it is found that pulses cultivation was predominant

in dry areas with low irrigational facilities. But in those districts, where

agricultural infrastructure was well developed, the per cent share of pulses

was recorded low because farmer preferred the cultivation of wheat and

rice to pulses. And as a result, the percentage of pulses were recorded

low in agriculturally developed districts. Bajra had enjoyed fifth rank with

6.81 per cent of total cropped area in the study region. Its cultivation was

nearly absent in the districts where rice, maize and cotton crops were

predominant in 1985-86, because farmers fetched high return from rice,

maize and cotton as compare to bajra. But in case of southern and

western districts the share under bajra cultivation was very predominant

owing to infertile soil, lack of irrigation, low rainfall, etc. which were ideal

for bajra cultivation. The sixth ranking crop in the study region was

recorded cotton cultivation with 6.04 per cent of total cropped area. It is

also noted that out of 38 districts 9 districts, did not have any cotton

cultivation which was largely the result of relief, soil, climatic conditions,

predominance of rice and maize cultivation. Its percentage was found

highest of 28.6 per cent in Bathinda district. It is also noted that the

southwestern parts of Punjab and neighbouring districts of Haryana state

were having comfortable area under cotton cultivation because these

areas were highly favourable for agro-climatic and pedological conditions

for cotton cultivation. It is also recorded that oilseeds were having 4.34 of

total cropped area. Though oilseeds were grown in all parts of the study

185

region, yet these were predominance only in the southern and western

parts of study region where mainly low rainfall and less developed

irrigation, compelled the farmers to grow oilseeds. Maize was having 3.01

per cent of total cropped area in 1985-86. Its cultivation was mainly

confined to the northern parts of the study region and along the Shiwaliks.

All these areas have received comparatively more rainfall during summer

months supplemented by the moderate steep gradient of the land which

had created excellent condition for maize cultivation. The next rank in

overall cropping pattern of the study region was sugarcane with 1.52 per

cent area under its cultivation. It is also observed that sugarcane

cultivation was predominant along Shiwalik foothills, piedmont plains,

developed irrigation, presence of sugar mills, etc. The districts with all

these facilities were having high share of sugarcane cultivation. It is also

observed that in all districts of the study region farmers had grown

sugarcane though its proportion varied greatly. Other crops like spices,

fruits, barley, etc. were discussed under the head Other Crops. In case of

other crops, 1.58 per cent of total cropped area was under its cultivation.

Though these were grown every where yet its share was recorded high

with 7.30 per cent in Hoshiarpur district and lowest of 0.17 per cent in

Hisar district. It is also found that other crops were having individual areal

significance. It is found that Vegetables covered 1.42 per cent of total

cropped area. Vegetables were found lowest of 1.02 per cent in Jalandhar

district and highest of 2.01 per cent in Hoshiarpur district.

186

C. CROPPING PATTERN: 2005-06

It is judicious to discuss the overall cropping pattern of the study region

before proceeding to explain the cropping pattern of individual crops. Wheat is

enjoying first rank with 40.21 per cent of the total cropped area which shows

the suitability of physical and socio-economic conditions for its cultivation. The

next crop is rice which holds 25.34 per cent of total cropped area. The third

crop of significance in study area is fodder which has 11.33 per cent under its

cultivation of total cropped area. Cotton is recorded fourth ranking in the

overall cropping pattern with 7.07 per cent of total cropped area. Oilseeds with

5.58 per cent of total cropped area and are recorded fifth ranking crop in the

study region. Whereas, bajra with 3.99 per cent of total cropped area is

having sixth position. Area under sugarcane cultivation is 1.52 per cent of total

cropped area and is enjoying seventh position. While 1.48 per cent of the total

cropped area is recorded under pulses cultivation which has eighth rank in

overall cropping pattern. Maize has tenth position in overall cropping pattern

with 1.14 per cent of total cropped area. Vegetables cover 1.27 per cent of

total cropped area and having ninth rank in the overall cropping pattern of the

study area. Other crops cover 1.07 per cent of total cropped area with

eleventh position in the cropping pattern of the study region. From the above

discussion, it is observed that wheat, rice and fodder are major crops of

Punjab-Haryana plains during 2005-06. It is useful to discuss the overall

cropping patterns of Punjab-Haryana plains for the year 2005-06 before

revealing the individual crop patterns. Thus, overall cropping pattern of

Punjab-Haryana plains during 2005-06 is shown in fig. 5.25 and table 5.5.

187


Sr. No. Crop Per Cent Area 1 Wheat 40.21 2 Rice 25.34 3 Fodder 11.33 4 Maize 1.14 5 Bajra 3.99 6 Pulses 1.48 7 Cotton 7.07 8 Oilseeds 5.58 9 Sugarcane 1.52

10 Vegetables 1.27 11 Other Crops 1.07

Source: 1. Statistical Abstracts of Punjab and Haryana, 2006.

Now it would be of imperative to reveal the spatial patterns of individual

crops of the study area, so that one can understand the regional significance

of all the individual crops grown in the study area. These are discussed in the

following sequence.

I. Spatial Patterns of Wheat Cultivation (Fig.5.26)

Total area under wheat cultivation in the study region is

57,84,000 hectares. It comprises 40.47 per cent of the total cropped

area. It varies between 15.60 per cent in Bhiwani district to 47.84 per

cent in Sonipat district. These figures show very high variations in

wheat cultivation in the study area. These variations are the largely the

results of physical and non-physical environment. The derive results

are shown in figure 5.26 which portrays 3 categories. These categories

are as below:


Sugarcane, 1.52

Vegetables, 1.27

Other Crops, 1.07

Oilseeds, 5.58

Cotton, 7.07

Pulses, 1.48

Bajra, 3.99

Maize, 1.14

Fodder, 11.33Rice, 25.34

Wheat, 40.21

Fig. 5.25

188


This category comprises 11 districts namely Faridabad, Panipat,

Sonipat, Kaithal, Faridkot, Patiala, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Moga, Sangrur

and Mansa. In these districts, the share of wheat cultivation varies between

45.03 per cent in Mansa district to 47.84 per cent in Sonipat district. The main

reasons for high share in these districts of the study area are developed

agricultural infrastructure, well developed irrigational facilities, fertile soil, high

yielding varieties of seeds and the adoption of the advance farm technology

by farmers all these factors have contributed for high wheat cultivation in

these districts. Wheat is facing less competition from other Rabi crops like

barley, grams, oilseeds pulses etc. is another major factor for high share of

wheat cultivation because wheat is more economical and assured crop than

others.

2. Moderate share of wheat cultivation (30-45 per cent)

Thirty-four districts of the study region fall in this category, which

comprises about 60.5 per cent of the total occurrences. The districts which fall

in this category are Firozpur, Muktsar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Bathinda, Amritsar,

Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Rupnagar,

S.A.S. Nagar, Fatehabad, Kurukshetra, Ambala, Gurgaon, Rohtak,

Panchkula, Jhajjar, Sirsa, Jind, Karnal, Yamunanagar and Hisar. These

are all traditionally wheat growing areas, but during Rabi cropping season

fodder and other crops are also having competitive share with wheat which

lead to moderate share of it. These are the major reasons for moderate per

cent share of wheat crop.

189



Area (000 hectares)


Gurdaspur 498.00 45.58 38.15 2.61 0.01 - 1.00 0.50 4.22 0.32 0.04 7.57 Amritsar 426.00 44.43 42.02 - - - 0.80 0.82 1.17 0.94 0.23 9.58 Tarn Taran 400.00 46.50 41.50 0.75 - 0.25 1.00 1.48 0.25 0.43 0.13 7.73 Kapurthala 271.00 40.96 39.85 1.11 - - 1.48 0.04 1.48 5.17 4.43 5.50 Jalandhar 426.00 39.91 35.45 2.82 - - 2.11 0.35 2.58 5.52 4.93 6.34 Nawanshahr 175.00 41.14 28.00 9.71 - - 1.71 1.26 4.00 1.94 1.14 11.09 Hoshiarpur 357.00 40.62 17.09 18.49 - - 2.80 0.25 5.88 3.50 2.24 9.13 Rupnagar 140.00 42.14 26.43 15.00 - - 1.43 0.57 2.14 0.71 0.71 10.86 S.A.S. Nagar 127.00 37.80 23.62 6.30 - - 0.79 1.10 1.57 1.73 0.79 26.30 Ludhiana 600.00 42.63 41.67 0.33 - 0.17 0.83 0.58 0.33 2.76 1.33 9.37 Firozpur 858.00 43.69 26.11 - - 16.32 1.75 0.21 0.12 0.62 2.40 8.79 Faridkot 253.00 45.85 33.99 - - 10.28 0.40 0.36 0.40 0.48 0.05 8.21 Muktsar 445.00 44.34 17.30 - - 25.27 0.67 0.27 0.22 0.47 1.60 9.85 Moga 368.00 45.02 43.00 - - 1.90 0.27 0.52 - 2.25 0.40 6.63 Bathinda 555.00 43.78 17.12 - 0.18 26.41 1.26 0.29 - 2.94 0.80 7.22 Mansa 362.00 45.03 19.04 - 0.28 24.74 1.10 0.22 - 0.34 0.70 8.54 Sangrur 877.00 45.15 41.05 0.11 0.23 2.51 0.34 0.47 0.11 0.89 0.80 8.34 Patiala 539.00 45.04 42.11 0.37 - 0.19 0.37 0.11 0.19 2.04 0.60 8.99 Fatehgarh Sahib 191.00 43.68 42.50 - - - 0.52 0.21 1.05 2.57 0.30 9.17 Ambala 202.00 40.59 36.63 1.49 - - 1.83 1.39 6.29 1.93 2.02 7.83 Panchkula 44.00 38.64 15.99 20.86 - - 3.41 3.21 1.82 3.40 0.50 12.18 Yamunanagar 203.00 35.07 29.06 0.94 0.49 - 1.63 1.43 18.92 1.53 1.00 9.94 Kurukshetra 277.00 40.49 41.87 0.07 0.04 - 1.01 0.25 4.26 2.31 0.30 9.40 Kaithal 377.00 46.05 40.58 0.03 2.86 0.69 0.27 0.13 0.61 0.29 0.10 8.39

Contd.........

190


Area (000 hectares)


Karnal 388.00 44.07 41.48 0.05 1.92 0.03 0.21 0.34 2.73 0.93 3.00 5.65 Panipat 186.00 45.16 37.91 - 0.38 0.05 0.38 0.27 3.49 1.43 1.90 9.03 Sonipat 278.00 47.84 23.74 0.18 2.48 0.72 1.98 2.48 5.61 0.46 0.80 13.71 Rohtak 222.00 39.19 6.76 0.05 6.26 5.86 12.16 5.45 6.89 0.41 1.06 15.92 Jhajjar 234.00 35.90 5.56 0.04 10.85 2.26 23.76 2.69 1.03 0.62 0.12 17.17 Faridabad 270.00 47.37 10.37 0.01 3.81 0.07 2.04 2.67 2.15 1.48 0.20 29.83 Gurgaon 288.00 40.28 2.08 - 17.99 0.06 22.50 0.97 0.03 0.17 0.40 15.52 Rewari 191.00 23.56 0.21 - 26.39 4.08 37.70 0.21 - 0.42 0.05 7.38 Mahendragarh 248.00 16.53 0.11 - 34.00 0.60 40.32 2.30 - 0.40 0.10 5.63 Bhiwani 814.00 15.60 1.35 - 22.31 8.97 22.53 9.75 0.17 0.23 0.60 18.48 Jind 466.00 44.42 21.40 - 9.83 10.71 2.77 0.30 1.22 0.52 0.50 8.33 Hisar 618.00 32.69 4.53 0.02 10.02 24.00 11.68 4.51 0.40 0.24 0.90 11.01 Fatehabad 422.00 41.94 15.40 - 2.82 23.26 4.05 0.52 0.21 0.86 0.70 10.23 Sirsa 697.00 35.58 6.60 - 0.83 28.49 12.12 1.97 0.03 0.22 0.90 13.26 REGION 14,293.00 40.21 25.34 1.14 3.99 7.07 5.58 1.48 1.52 1.27 1.07 11.33

Source: Statistical Abstracts of Punjab & Haryana - 2006

0 40

Kms

Per Cent of TCA

> 45

30-45

< 30



2005-06


Fig. 5.26

191

3. Low share of wheat cultivation (<30 per cent)

Three districts namely Rewari, Mahendragarh and Bhiwani comprise

this category and covering about 8 per cent of the total occurrences. Here, the

proportion varies between 15.60 per cent in Bhiwani district to 23.56 per cent

in Rewari district. The main reasons of low cultivation of wheat are largely

owing to rough topography, inadequate irrigational facilities, less developed

agricultural infrastructure, popularity of oilseeds and pulses in such prevailing

conditions etc. The crop is partially rain fed. Topography of these areas is

rugged and undulated which is not highly suitable for its cultivation. Due to

this type of topography, the irrigation facilities are also lacking behind in these

areas because topography is not suitable for digging of tubewell, canals, etc.

Moreover, these districts have sandy, loamy sand and sandy soft loam type of

soils which is also major reason of low wheat share in these areas. Due to all

these factors farmers prefer to grow pulses, oil seeds, in place of wheat.

II. Spatial Patterns of Rice Cultivation (Fig. 5.27)

Rice crop is having 25.34 per cent share in the total cropped area of

the study region. Its percentage is highly variable which ranges between 0.12

per cent in Mahendragarh district to 43.00 per cent in Moga district. It shows

that its cultivation ranges between negligible shares to very high proportion in

the study region. The study area is non-traditional rice growing area, but with

ushering of green revolution technology in mid 60's, rice picked up its

cultivation and now this region is main supplier of rice to the central pool. Its

cultivation depends upon terrain of land, amount of rainfall, type of soils,

degree of irrigation facilities, etc. To know the spatial variations of rice

0 40

Kms

Per Cent of TCA

20-30

< 20

> 30



2005-06


Fig. 5.27

192

cultivation in depth fig. 5.27 and table 5.6 are prepared which depict four

categories. These are:

1. High share of rice cultivation (>30 per cent)

This category contains 16 out of 38 districts which comprise 38 per

cent of the total occurrences. These districts are Moga, Faridkot, Jalandhar

Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, Amritsar, Sangrur, Ludhiana, Tarn Taran,

Kapurthala, Gurdaspur, Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal, and Panipat.

Faridkot district of the study area has experienced lowest share of 33.99 per

cent while Moga district has recorded highest share of 43.00 per cent in this

category. These areas are having flat land; fertile soils, well developed

agricultural infrastructure and developed irrigational facilities which are

responsible factors for high proportion of rice crop in the study area.

2. Moderate share of rice cultivation (20-30 per cent)

Seven out of 38 districts namely Nawanshahr, Firozpur, Rupnagar,

S.A.S. Nagar, Yamunanagar, Sonipat and Jind comprise this category. These

districts are having mix blessings of physical and man-made environment.

Rice cultivation is largely confined to low lying areas where water during rainy

season is easily available. Secondly agricultural infrastructure is also

developed and thirdly rice crop is facing competition with maize, sugarcane

and oilseeds except Jind district where rice facing competition from cotton and

oilseeds. Due to these factors, these areas experienced moderate share of

rice cultivation.

3. Low share of rice cultivation (< 20 per cent)

This category has 15 districts namely Mansa, Muktsar, Bathinda,

Hoshiarpur, Panchkula, Fatehabad, Faridabad, Rohtak, Sirsa, Jhajjar, Hisar,

193

Gurgaon, Bhiwani, Mahendragarh and Rewari. These are non-traditionally

rice growing areas. In case of Hoshiarpur and Panchkula, the main reason for

low rice cultivation are presences of Shiwaliks, piedmont plains, deep sub-soil

water, poor irrigation facilities, etc, whereas in case of Bathinda, Hisar,

Gurgaon, Bhiwani, Mahendragarh, Sirsa, Fatehabad and Mansa districts,

presence of sandy soil, sand dunes, saline and alkaline sub-soil water, low

rainfall, competition from cotton crop etc. are responsible for minimising area

under rice. All these factors have compelled the farmers for cultivation of

other remunerative crops like cotton, fodder and bajra crops in place of rice

during Kharif season which consequently resulted into low proportion of rice

cultivation. But in case of Jhajjar and Faridabad districts, poor irrigational

facilities are and popularity of oil seeds, pulses, fodder, etc. are major regions

for low share of rice cultivation. In addition to the above factors, undeveloped

irrigation and low rainfall are also hampering the rice cultivation.

III. Spatial Patterns of Fodder Cultivation (Fig. 28)

Fodder is having 11.33 per cent share in the total cropped area of

study region. It varies from 5.43 per cent in Mahendragarh district to 29.83 per

cent in Faridabad district. These spatial patterns of fodder crop are divided

into the followings 3 categories which are mapped in figure 5.28 and it shows

the following categories.

1. High share of fodder cultivation (>15 per cent)

This category contains the districts of S.A.S. Nagar, Bhiwani,

Faridabad, Rohtak, Jhajjar and Gurgaon. Large numbers of dairy farms

around S.A.S. Nagar, Gurgaon and Faridabad demand large amount of

fodder for their livestock. It is dry region with low rainfall and rugged

0 40

Kms

< 10

10-15


Per Cent of TCA

> 15


2005-06


Fig. 5.28

194

topography with lack of developed irrigation and consequently are not

highly suitable for cereal crops like wheat, rice, sugarcane, maize, etc.

which require frequent watering. Due to this reason, farmers prefer to

grow fodder crops for their domestic as well as commercial purposes

which has resulted into high share of fodder crops to the total cropped

area.

2. Moderate share of fodder cultivation (10-15 per cent)

Eight districts of the study region fall in this category namely

Sonipat, Sirsa, Hisar, Panchkula, Rupnagar, Nawanshahr and Fatehabad.

Here proportion of fodder crops varies between 10 to 15 per cent. In these

districts more land is being put under food grains and other cash crops

which are main reasons for moderate cultivation of fodder crops in these

districts.

3. Low share of fodder cultivation (<10 per cent)

This category covers the large part of the study area. Twenty four

districts form this category namely Ambala, Yamunanagar, Jind, Kaithal,

Karnal, Rewari, Panipat, Mahendragarh, Kurukshetra, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana,

Muktsar, Mansa, Firozpur, Sangrur, Faridkot, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur,

Amritsar, Bathinda, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, Jalandhar, Kapurthala and

Moga. Most of the above mentioned districts are having favourable

topography, well developed agricultural infrastructure, fertile soils, developed

irrigation facilities etc. In these areas farmers prefer to grow wheat, rice,

cotton and sugarcane crops because of their higher economic returns from

these crops. Owing to these reasons, these districts are having low fodder

cultivation.

195

IV. Spatial Distribution of Maize Cultivation (Fig. 5.29)

Maize crops having 1.14 per cent share in the total cropped area of the

study region which varies between 0.01 per cent in Faridabad district to 20.86

per cent in Panchkula district. These figures show great variations in maize

cultivation in the study region. To study the spatial variations of maize

cultivation, fig. 5.29 is prepared which shows the following four categories:


This category is found in a compact belt, which contains only three

districts namely Panchkula, Hoshiarpur and Rupnagar. These districts are

having Shiwalik hills, piedmont plain, relatively high rainfall, well drained

loamy and loamy sand soil, steep gradient, and dissected topography which

do not allow the water to stand in the field which is the prerequisite conditions

for maize cultivation. In such conditions rice can not be cultivated

successfully. Thus in such suitable physical environment, farmers give more

preference to maize cultivation then rice or bajra. In addition to above factors,

these districts do not have adequate irrigational facilities and well developed

agricultural infrastructure which also contribute for the choice of maize

cultivation. Owing to all this, in these districts, maize is emerging very high

proportion of the total cropped area under it.


Out of 38 districts six districts of the study region namely, Nawanshahr,

S.A.S. Nagar, Jalandhar, Gurdaspur, Ambala and Kapurthala fall in this

category. In these parts of the study region, proportion of maize crop ranges

between 1 to 10 per cent. In these areas, maize crop is facing competition

mainly from rice crop because these are traditionally rice growing areas.

0 40

Kms

Fig. 5.29




> 10


> 1

1-10

Per Cent of TCA

No Maize

196

Farmers prefer rice to maize cultivation during Kharif season because of its

high and assured economic returns. Consequently all this leads to moderate

share of maize cultivation.

3. Low share of maize cultivation (<1 per cent)

The districts which fall in this category are Tarn Taran, Patiala,

Ludhiana, Sonipat, Sangrur, Faridabad, Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar, Karnal,

Rohtak, Jhajjar, Kaithal and Hisar districts. Maize crop has faced strong

competition mainly with rice during Kharif season in Amritsar, Tarn Taran,

Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur, Karnal, Kaithal, Kurukshetra and Yamunanagar

districts. Bajra and oilseeds cultivation is done in rest of the above mentioned

districts; as a result proportion of maize cultivation is recorded low.

4. Areas without maize cultivation

This category includes sixteen districts namely Moga, Amritsar,

Faridkot, Bathinda, Muktsar, Mansa, Firozpur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Jind,

Bhiwani, Mahendragarh, Sirsa, Panipat, Gurgaon, Fatehabad and Rewari.

Due to the predominance of bajra, pulses, oilseeds and cotton in these areas,

the share of maize cultivation is negligible. Here sandy soil, low rainfall, less

developed irrigation facilities, etc. are the main obstacle in maize cultivation

because these conditions are suitable for the cultivation of bajra, cotton,

oilseeds, etc.

V. Spatial Distribution of Bajra Cultivation (Fig. 5.30)

Total area under bajra cultivation in the study region is 3.99 per cent. It

varies from 0.04 per cent in Kurukshetra district to 34.31 per cent in

Mahendragarh district of the study region. Fig. 5.31 and table 5.6 are

0 40

Kms

< 10

Per Cent of TCA

> 20

10-20

No Bajra



2005-06


Fig. 5.30

197

prepared to show the spatial variations of bajra cultivation in the study area.

The study region is divided into following five categories:

1. High share of bajra cultivation (>20 per cent)

Only three districts namely Mahendragarh, Rewari and Bhiwani fall in

this category. Bajra's maximum proportion is found in Mahendragarh district

i.e. 34.31 per cent and minimum of 22.31 per cent in Bhiwani district. In these

districts bajra is dominant because of suitable climatic conditions for its

cultivation. Here annual rainfall is less than 20 cm which is ideal for its

cultivation. Arid type of climate is found in these districts which is again best

suited to bajra cultivation. The high share of bajra in these districts is because

of sandy soils, irregular topography with structural hills of Aravallis. The

physical environment of these districts is not suitable for other Kharif crops

like rice, maize, etc.. Due to all these factors, bajra is dominant crop in these

districts.

2. Moderate share of bajra cultivation (10-20 per cent)

The category of moderate cultivation contains three districts of the

study area namely Gurgaon, Jhajjar and Hisar. Its maximum share of 17.99

per cent is found in Gurgaon district and minimum of 10.02 per cent is

recorded in Hisar district. Oilseeds cultivation is more important in Gurgaon,

Jhajjar and Hisar districts which minimise the share of bajra crop.

3. Low share of bajra cultivation (< 10 per cent)

Fifteen districts of the study area, namely Mansa, Bathinda, Sangrur,

Gurdaspur, Yamunanagar, Sirsa, Kurukshetra, Panipat, Karnal, Ambala,

Fatehabad, Jind, Kaithal, Sonipat, Rohtak, Faridabad and Panchkula fall

in this category. The districts of Gurdaspur, Sangrur, Karnal, Panipat,

198

Sonipat and Kaithal have well developed irrigation facilities, well

developed agriculture infrastructure, fertile soils, etc. All these factors

promote the cultivation of rice, oilseeds, pulses and cotton cultivation in

Kharif season which minimise the share of bajra. While the main reason of

low bajra cultivation in Sirsa, Bathinda and Mansa is the predominance of

cotton cultivation in Kharif season. Here the climatic conditions, soil type and

other socio-economic conditions are well suited to cotton cultivation. As a

result, share of Bajra is noted low in this category.

4. Areas without bajra cultivation

It covers the large part of the study area and include 15 districts

namely Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Firozpur, Nawanshahr, Kapurthala, Rupnagar,

Tarn Taran, Ludhiana, Amritsar, S.A.S. Nagar, Muktsar, Fatehgarh Sahib,

Faridkot, Patiala, Moga, Ambala and Panchkula. These are rice growing

districts except Rupnagar and Nawanshahr which is the main reason for

negligible share of bajra cultivation. In Rupnagar, Hoshiarpur and

Nawanshahr maize and cultivation is predominant during kharif season and

consequently the negligible share of bajra crop is noted. Due to well

developed agricultural infrastructure especially the irrigational facilities,

farmers of these districts prefer other remunerative crops like rice, maize, etc.

in Kharif season.

VI. Spatial Pattern of Pulses (Fig. 5.31)

Pulses share 1.48 per cent of the total cropped area of the study

region. It varies between 0.04 per cent in Kapurthala district to 9.75 per cent

in Bhiwani district. These spatial variations are shown in fig. 5.30 and table

5.6 which depict the following categories:

0 40

Kms

Per Cent of TCA

> 2

1-2

< 1



2005-06


Fig. 5.31

199

1. High share of pulses cultivation (>2 per cent)

This category includes eight districts namely Bhiwani, Rohtak, Hisar,

Panchkula, Jhajjar, Faridabad, Sonipat and Mahendragarh. The major factors

responsible for high share of pulses cultivation are low fertility of sandy soils,

low moisture content, low extent of irrigation, high temperature, rugged relief

particularly in Mahendragarh district. In such conditions are highly ideal for

pulses cultivation.


Sirsa, Yamunanagar, Ambala, Nawanshahr, Tarn Taran and S.A.S.

Nagar districts form this category. In Ambala, Yamunanagar, Nawanshahr,

S.A.S. Nagar and Tarn Taran districts, irrigational facilities are well developed,

developed agricultural infrastructure, comparatively high rainfall, fertile soils,

etc. are more suitable for wheat and rice cultivation in rabi and kharif seasons

respectively. Thus farmers give preference to pulses cultivation. But in case of

Sirsa district, conditions are favourable for bajra, oilseeds, cotton, wheat, etc.

than pulses. Thus due to these reasons, these districts are having moderate

share of pulses cultivation.


It covers large parts of the study area including Amritsar, Ludhiana,

Rupnagar, Mansa, Firozpur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, Fatehabad, Moga,

Gurdaspur, Sangrur, Faridkot, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Karnal, Bathinda,

Muktsar, Jind, Panipat, Kurukshetra, Rewari, Kaithal, Gurgaon and

Kapurthala districts. These areas are having flat topography, fertile soils and

well developed agricultural infrastructure. Due to all these factors, farmers

prefer to grow wheat, rice and cotton in both agricultural periods which give

200

them maximum returns except Rewari district where due to high proportion of

oil seeds area under pulses is low. These are the responsible factors which

minimise the share of pulses cultivation in the above mentioned districts.

VII. Spatial Distribution of Cotton Cultivation (Fig. 5.32)

Cotton is having 7.07 per cent share in the total cropped area of the

study region. It varies from 0.03 to 28.49 per cent in Karnal and Sirsa district

respectively. It shows high variation in cotton cultivation in the study region.

The derived results are shown in fig. 5.32 which depicts in the following four

categories.

1. High share of cotton cultivation (>15 per cent)

It includes seven districts of the study region. These districts are Sirsa,

Hisar, Fatehabad, Bathinda, Muktsar, Mansa, and Firozpur. The vital and

determining factor in cotton cultivation in these districts is climate. Here the

rainfall is low and temperature is high during its growing period and warm dry

weather at the time of picking which are the favourable factors for its

cultivation. Thus physical and non-physical factors are not highly suitable for

other Kharif cereal crop such as rice, maize etc. Owing to these reasons,

these districts are having high proportion of cotton cultivation.


Four districts of the study region fall in this category namely, Jind,

Faridkot, Bhiwani and Rohtak. The main reason of moderate proportion of

cotton cultivation is due to popularity of oilseeds, pulses and bajra crops in

Bhiwani, Jind and Rohtak districts because of the presence of unfriendly

topography, unfertile soil and low rainfall, all this supports bajra and pulses

cultivation in these districts. Thus in these districts cotton crop face strong

0 40

Kms


2005-06


Fig. 5.32

> 15


< 5

5-15

Per Cent of TCA

No Cotton

201

competition with bajra, pulses and oilseeds. While well-developed agriculture

infrastructure, adequate irrigation facilities and flat topography support the rice

cultivation in Faridkot district which lead to moderate proportion of cotton

cultivation.

3. Low share of cotton cultivation (<5 per cent)

This category include Sangrur, Moga, Tarn Taran, Patiala,

Ludhiana, Rewari, Mahendragarh, Jhajjar Faridabad, Gurgaon, Panipat,

Sonipat, Kaithal, and Karnal districts of the study region. The districts of

Tarn Taran, Moga, Sangrur, Patiala, Ludhiana, Kaithal and Sonipat have

flat land, fertile soils and well developed agricultural infrastructure which

are the major reasons for the low proportion of cotton cultivation and

farmers of these districts also prefer to grow rice than cotton.

Environmentally these districts are ideally suitable for rice crop during

Kharif season. In Jhajjar, Mahendragarh, Rewari, Gurgaon and Faridabad

districts the share of cotton cultivation is low because of the

underdeveloped source of irrigation, unfavourable topography infertile

soils, low rainfall, underdeveloped agricultural infrastructure, etc. are the

factors suitable for the cultivation of bajra, fodder, oilseeds, pulses, etc. All

these resulted into low share of cotton cultivation.

4. Area without cotton cultivation

It comprises Yamunanagar, Ambala, Panchkula, S.A.S. Nagar,

Nawanshahr, Rupnagar, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Kurukshetra,

Fatehgarh Sahib, Jalandhar and Kapurthala districts of the study region. In

these districts, food grain crops occupy major proportion of the area during

Kharif season. Rice is the principal crop which occupies large area of the

202

total cropped area. In case of Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Nawanshahr,

Panchkula and Rupnagar districts, most of the cultivated area is devoted

to Maize and sugarcane crops. Here the physical environment is main

reason for low cotton cultivation. Sugarcane is an important crop occupies

large area during Kharif season in Gurdaspur, Ambala and Kurukshetra

districts of the study area. There are some other factors also which are

responsible for the negligible share of cotton cultivation in this part of the

study region such as flat topography, irrigation facilities, well developed

agricultural infrastructure, etc.

VIII. Spatial Distribution of Oilseeds Cultivation (Fig. 5.33)

5.58 per cent of total cropped area of the study region is devoted to

oilseeds. The maximum share under oilseeds cultivation is observed in

Mahendragarh district that is 40.32 per cent and the minimum of 0.21 per

cent in Karnal district of the study region and shows striking variations in

oilseeds cultivation. To know the spatial variations, the study area is divided

into following three categories. These categories are shown in figure 5.33

and table 5.6.

1. High share of oilseeds cultivation (>15 per cent)

This category includes five districts namely Mahendragarh, Rewari,

Jhajjar, Bhiwani and Gurgaon. Here, the high share is recorded in Rewari

district i.e. 37.70 per cent and lowest share of 22.50 per cent is noted in

Gurgaon district. In this category, oilseed crops hold a significant position in

the cropping pattern. The main reasons responsible for the cultivation of

oilseeds are presence of loamy sand soil, occurrence of sand dunes, less

developed agricultural infrastructure, etc. Here the climatic conditions which

0 40

Kms

Per Cent of TCA

5-15

< 5


> 15


2005-06


Fig. 5.33

203

are hot and dry also favourable for oilseeds cultivation. Topographically, these

areas are not homogenous but marked with rocky surface. In this type of

topography rice, wheat, sugarcane, etc. crop can not be grown successfully,

but oilseeds respond well. Thus the proportion of oilseeds is high.

2. Moderate share of oilseeds cultivation (5-15 per cent)

Only three districts namely Rohtak, Sirsa and Hisar form this category.

Toria, Taramira and sarson are grown in Rabi season and Til (sesamum) are

grown in Kharif season in these districts. Here Groundnut is of very little

importance in Kharif season but bajra and cotton are more important crops.

Mainly, these are wheat and gram growing areas in rabi season and area

under oilseeds is low. Owing to these reasons share of oilseeds is noted

moderate.

3. Low share of oilseeds cultivation (<5 per cent)

This category comprises Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran,

Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar,

Fatehgarh Sahib, Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur, Moga, Firozpur, Faridkot,

Bathinda, Mansa, Muktsar, Yamunanagar, Panchkula, Ambala,

Fatehabad, Faridabad, Jind, Sonipat, Panipat, Kurukshetra, Kaithal and

Karnal districts. Here flat topography, developed agricultural infrastructure,

adequate availability of irrigation facilities and fertile soils, etc. support

wheat and rice cultivation during rabi and kharif seasons respectively

except districts of Bathinda, Mansa, Muktsar, Faridkot, Fatehabad, Jind

and Southern Firozpur, because in these wheat during Rabi and cotton

and rice during kharif are predominant. As a result in this category low

share of oil seeds in noted.

204

IX. Spatial Distribution of Sugarcane Cultivation (Fig. 5.34)

Sugarcane is having 1.52 per cent share in the total cropped area of

the study region. It varies from 0.03 per cent in Gurgaon district to 18.92 per

cent in Yamunanagar district. It shows very high variation in sugarcane

cultivation. To know the spatial variations of sugarcane cultivation fig. 5.34 is

prepared which shows the following four categories:

1. High share of sugarcane cultivation (>4 per cent)

This category comprises seven districts namely, Yamunanagar,

Rohtak, Ambala, Hoshiarpur, Sonipat, Kurukshetra and Gurdaspur. Flat

topography, well developed agricultural infrastructure, adequate irrigation

facilities, sugar mills etc are the main factors responsible for high proportion of

sugarcane cultivation in these districts.

2. Moderate share of sugarcane cultivation (2-4 per cent)

This category includes six districts of the study region namely,

Nawanshahr, Panipat, Karnal, Jalandhar, Faridabad and Rupnagar. In the

districts of Panipat, Karnal and Jalandhar rice cultivation is done during Kharif

cropping season. Thus in these districts sugarcane's share is moderate. But in

Rupnagar and Nawanshahr districts, maize cultivation and in case of

Faridabad fodder cultivation are responsible for moderate proposition of

sugarcane crop. These are the main reasons responsible for moderate share

of sugarcane cultivation in this category.

3. Low share of sugarcane cultivation (<2 per cent)

It includes Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, S.A.S. Nagar, Ludhiana,

Firozpur, Faridkot, Muktsar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, Sangrur, Jhajjar,

Kaithal, Hisar, Jind, Fatehabad, Bhiwani, Gurgaon, Sirsa and Panchkula,

0 40

Kms

Per Cent of TCA

2-4

< 2


> 4

2005-06


Fig. 5.34


No Sugarcane

205

districts of the study region. In these districts, agro-climatic and socio-

economic conditions are not in favour of sugarcane cultivation. Rice is

predominate crop in Firozpur, Faridkot, Moga, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Sangrur,

Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Tarn Taran and S.A.S. Nagar. On the other hand,

oilseeds, bajra, cotton are predominating crop in Bhiwani, Jhajjar and

Gurgaon districts and cotton in case of Sirsa, Hisar, Fatehabad, and Muktsar

districts.

4. Negligible share of sugarcane cultivation

Five districts namely, Mahendragarh, Rewari, Mansa, Bathinda and

Moga fall in this category. Rewari and Mahendragarh have sandy soil,

presence of structural hills of Aravallies, undeveloped irrigational facilities and

irregular topography etc. All these conditions are not suitable for sugarcane

cultivation. In case of Mansa, Moga and Bathinda districts predominance of

wheat rice and cotton, lack of sugar mills etc. are responsible for negligible

share of sugarcane in these districts.

X. Spatial Distribution of Vegetables Cultivation (Fig. 5.35)

Vegetable crops are having 1.27 per cent share in total cropped area of

study region. It varies from 0.22 per cent in Sirsa district to 5.52 per cent in

Jalandhar district. These figures show a little variation in vegetables

cultivation. The following categories are made to understand the spatial

variation in vegetables cultivation. Fig. 5.35 and table 5.6 show the following

categories:

1. High share of vegetables cultivation (>2 per cent)

This category includes the Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur,

Ludhiana, Moga, Bathinda, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Kurukshetra, and

0 40

Kms

Per Cent of TCA

1-2

< 1


Fig. 5.35




> 2

206

Panchkula districts of the study region. Both Rabi and Kharif vegetables are

grown here. The geo-climatic conditions are well suited to Rabi and Kharif

seasons for vegetables cultivation. Secondly, all the districts have large urban

centers and most of the population in these areas is urban which raises the

demand for vegetables. Road network and marketing facilities are more

relevant for vegetable cultivation in these districts.

2. Moderate share of vegetables cultivation (1-2 per cent)

This category comprises districts of Nawanshahr, S.A.S. Nagar,

Ambala, Yamunanagar, Panipat and Faridabad. Socio-economic conditions

and heavy pressure on arable land for food-grains are obstacles in vegetable

cultivation in these districts.

3. Low share of vegetables cultivation (<1 per cent)

Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Rupnagar, Firozpur, Faridkot,

Muktsar, Mansa, Sangrur, Karnal, Kaithal, Sonipat, Jhajjar, Jind, Rewari,

Rohtak, Mahendragarh, Fatehabad, Bhiwani, Sirsa, Hisar and Gurgaon

districts fall in this category. Mostly, these districts have low share of urban

population, which is mainly responsible for low proposition of area under

vegetable.

XI. Spatial Distribution of Other Crops Cultivation

Other crops cover 1.07 per cent of total cropped area in overall

cropping pattern. The maximum cultivation of other crops is found in

Jalandhar district, which occupied 4.93 per cent of the total cropped area. The

minimum share of 0.04 per cent is noted to total cropped area in Gurdaspur,

district of the study region. The following categories are mapped in fig. 5.36.

0 40

KmsRegion's Average = 1.07

< 1

> 1

Per Cent of TCA

Fig. 5.36




207

Districts of Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana,

Firozpur, Muktsar, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Karnal, Panipat, and Rohtak are

having above 1.00 per cent of the total cropped area under other crops.

The districts of Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Rupnagar, S.A.S.

Nagar, Faridkot, Moga, Bathinda, Mansa, Sangrur, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib,

Panchkula, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Sonipat, Jhajjar, Faridabad, Gurgaon,

Rewari, Mahendragarh, Bhiwani, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa are having

less than 1.00 per cent of the total cropped area under other crops.

Conclusion

It is concluded that the food grain crops are again dominant crops in

the overall cropping pattern during 2005-06 in the study area. The cultivation

of different crops in the study area is mainly the outcome of physical

environment and socio-economic factors. Different crops are grown in the

study region. Among these crops, wheat ranks first in overall cropping pattern

with 40.21 per cent area under wheat cultivation. It is found highest of 47.84

per cent in Sonipat district and minimum share of 15.60 per cent of wheat

cultivation is found in Bhiwani district. Among the food grain crops, rice

occupies 25.34 per cent of total cropped area. Its proportion varies from 43.00

per cent in Moga district to 0.21 per cent in Rewari district of the study region.

Fodder crops are also important in areas where agro-climatic conditions are

not suitable for growing of food grains. It covers 11.33 per cent of the total

cropped area. Cotton is also an important crop in overall cropping pattern

during 2005-06 with 7.07 per cent of the total cropped area under its

cultivation. Its proportion is also highly variable. It is also observed that some

areas have high concentration of cotton while some areas are without cotton

208

cultivation. The maximum percentage of cultivated area under cotton is 28.49

per cent in Sirsa district and the minimum percentage of 0.03 per cent is

recorded in Karnal district. At the same time, oilseeds also occupy a

significant place in overall cropping pattern during 2005-06. 5.58 per cent of

the total cropped area is under oilseeds cultivation, while bajra occupies 3.99

per cent of the total cropped area. Sugarcane and pulses cover 1.52 per cent

and 1.48 per cent of the total cropped area in overall cropping pattern

respectively. Among the cereal crops maize is least cultivated crop, there is

only 1.14 per cent of total cropped area under if. Vegetables have 1.27

percent of total cropped area under its cultivation in overall cropping pattern.

Its proportion varies from 0.17 per cent in Gurgaon district to 5.52 per cent in

Jalandhar district. Lastly, other crops have 1.07 per cent of the total cropped

area under its cultivation. High proportion of other crops is recorded in

Jalandhar district with 4.73 per cent area and minimum proportion of 0.02 per

cent is recorded in Muktsar district. Thus it is noted that a variety of crops are

grown in the study region in 2005-06. Among all the crops, wheat, rice and

fodder are most important ones from areal point of view.

209

CHANGES IN CROPPING PATTERNS IN PUNJAB-HARYANA PLAINS

Ushering of modern technology in agriculture started with the beginning

of Kharif crop of 1966, which coincide the beginning period of present study

i.e. 1965-66 and shows widely impart on agricultural land scope particularly in

the cropping pattern of Punjab-Haryana plains. Thus, with the introduction of

modern techniques like use of machinery for instance sinking of tubewells,

density of tractors, HYVs seeds, agro-chemicals, irrigation, marketing, fixing

of minimum support price for the major crops, establishment of Food

Corporation of India, Agricultural Price Commission, opening of agricultural

research institutes, agricultural universities, agricultural research and

extension programs, regulated and assured rural marketing, rural

electrification, village link roads, the cropping pattern of the study area has

affected very decisively. At the beginning of the study period, several crops

with comfortable area under their cultivation were grown which depicted the

highly diversified nature of cropping pattern. But the adoption of new

agricultural technology and other developed infrastructure have led to a highly

specialized and commercialized cropping pattern in the study region. During

this pace, some crops have disappeared from agricultural landscapes,

whereas some minor crops have emerged very significantly on agricultural

scenario in Punjab-Haryana Plains, For instance, the main gainer crop is

recorded rice which has captured the second overall ranking in the cropping

pattern of the study region, While major looser crop is noted grams cultivation.

The last area from grams is gained by wheat cultivation in rabi season. Wheat

has also captured area under rabi season form barley, fodder, oilseeds,

210

pulses, etc. It is also found that rice has become the first ranking crop of kharif

season of the study area and it has encroached area from maize, bajra,

fodder, cotton, oilseeds, pulses etc. during kharif season and consequently all

other crops like cotton, bajra, fodder, maize, etc. become secondary. In north

eastern and central parts of the study region, wheat-rice crop rotation is

predominant and combinedly these two crops covering about 80 per cent area

under their cultivation. Presently the percentage of wheat and rice crops

combinedly in the whole study region is 65.86 per cent, whereas in 1965-66

wheat and rice combinedly covered only 28 per cent of total cropped area.

Thus an overall positive volume of change of 37.83 per cent is recorded

during 1965-66 to 2005-06. But in western and south-western parts of the

study reason, area under wheat and rice is comparatively low but area under

bajra, cotton and fodder is more predominant. All these significant changes in

the cropping pattern during the study period are largely the result of

development of agricultural infrastructure adoption of new agricultural

technology by the farmers, government policies, people’s participation etc.

Thus to know the changes in cropping pattern under individual crops and to

know the reasons responsible for these changes each crop is discussed

individually for three time periods and for this figures of changes of all

individual crops are made. These time periods are:

A. Changes in cropping pattern: 1965-66 to 1985-86

B. Changes in cropping pattern: 1985-86 to 2005-06

C. Changes in cropping pattern: 1965-66 to 2005-06

211

A. CHANGES IN CROPPING PATTERN: 1965-66 TO 1985-86

During this period agriculture of the study region has gone through

revolutionary changes with the adoption of green revolution technology. As a

result significant changes had noticed in the cropping pattern of the study

region. These changes in the overall cropping pattern in Punjab-Haryana

plains had shown in fig. 5.37 table 5.7. An in-depth study of the table and

figure had revealed that there were only three crops which had experienced

positive changes namely wheat, rice and vegetables. Among these wheat and

rice crop had recorded significant increase in area under their cultivation.

Changes in vegetables cultivation were normal. While the rest of the crops

like fodder, maize, cotton, sugarcane, bajra, oilseeds, total pulses and grams

had experienced negative volume of change.

The major gainer crops were wheat and rice and major looser crops

were grams, pulses, bajra and fodder. Thus fig. 5.38 reveal that area under

wheat cultivation had increased from 22.98 per cent in 1965-66 to 36.90 per

cent in 1985-86 and as a result recorded positive volume of change of 13.92

per cent. Whereas, area under rice cultivation which had only 5.74 per cent

in 1965-66 had increased to 15.30 per cent in 1985-86. Thus a total positive

volume of change of 9.56 per cent during the study period was recorded. In

case of fodder crops, a negative volume of change of 5.54 per cent was

recorded, because its cultivation had 20.15 per cent and 14.61 per cent of

the total cropped area during 1965-66 and 1985-86 respectively. The

reasons for negative volume of change were decline in drought livestock and

emergence of wheat and rice crops in the agricultural scenario. The major

looser food grain crop was gram cultivation. In 1965-66 pulses had occupied

212

a very significant place with about 17.84 per cent of the total cropped area,

but with the adoption of HYV of wheat seeds and development of irrigation

pulses had declined to 8.43 per cent and consequently a negative volume of

change of 9.41 per cent had noted. Bajra cultivation had also recorded

negative volume of change. Its cultivation had declined from 11.39 per cent

to 6.81 per cent during 1965-66 to 1985-86 respectively. This decline was

largely the result of more area devoted to cotton and rice cultivation

particularly in Haryana state of the study region. Maize crop had also lost

area under its cultivation from 5.18 per cent to 3.01 per cent and recorded a

negative volume of change of 2.17 per cent. This change was largely the

result of emergence of rice crop in Punjab of the study region. Cotton

cultivation had declined from 7.20 per cent to 6.04 per cent in 1965-66 and

1985-86 respectively and had experienced 1.16 per cent of negative volume

of change. Sugarcane cultivation had experienced a minor negative change

of 0.33 per cent during the study period. Area under its cultivation was 1.85

per cent in 1965-66 and 1.52 per cent in 1985-86. Oilseeds cultivation had

5.19 per cent in 1965-66 and 4.34 per cent in 1985-86 respectively and it led

to a positive volume of change of 0.85 per cent. Other crops which include

spices, fruits, barley, etc. had combinedly cover 1.59 per cent in 1965-66,

which had declined to 1.07 per cent in 1985-86 and had recorded a negative

volume of change of 0.48 per cent. Thus, one can conclude that the major

gainer crops during this period were wheat and rice and major looser crops

were grams, bajra, pulses and fodder. All this was the result of the adoption

of new agricultural technology.

213

Table 5.7 Overall Changes in Cropping Pattern in Punjab-Haryana Plains

1965-66 to 1985-86 Per cent of Total

Cropped Area Sr. No.

Crop

1965-66 1985-86

Per cent Change 1965-66

to 1985-86

1 Wheat 22.98 36.90 13.92 2 Rice 5.74 15.30 9.56 3 Fodder 20.15 14.61 -5.54 4 Maize 5.18 3.01 -2.17 5 Bajra 11.39 6.81 -4.58 6 Pulses 17.84 8.43 -9.41 7 Cotton 7.2 6.04 -1.16 8 Oilseeds 5.19 4.34 -0.85 9 Sugarcane 1.85 1.52 -0.33

10 Vegetables 0.9 1.45 0.55 11 Others 1.59 1.58 -0.01

Source: Statistical Abstracts of Punjab and Haryana, 1966 and1986 I. Changes in Wheat Cultivation (Fig. 5.38)

Wheat cultivation has experienced positive volume of change of 13.92

per cent in the overall cropping pattern of study region. In 1965-66, the area

under wheat was 22.98 per cent which had increased to 36.90 per cent in

1985-86. But this average was uneven in space. Thus to know the variations

in changes and reasons responsible for them an in-depth study is made with

the help of fig. 5.38 which depicts the following three categories:

1. High positive volume of change (>15 per cent)

High positive volume of change of more than 15 per cent was recorded

in Moga, Bathinda, Mansa, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, Panchkula, Ambala,

Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Fatehabad, Sirsa, Hisar, Panipat, Sonipat, Rohtak,

Jhajjar, Faridabad, Gurgaon, Rewari and Mahendragarh districts. In all these

districts, the area under wheat cultivation was marked a considerable change

under its cultivation. The development of irrigational facilities, use of HYV

Overall Changes in Cropping Patterns in Punjab-Haryana Plains 1965-66 to 1985-86

Cotton, -1.16

Oilseeds, -0.85

Sugarcane, -0.33

Vegetables, 0.55

Others, -0.01

Wheat, 13.92

Rice, 9.56

Fodder, -5.54

Maize, -2.17

Bajra, -4.58

Pulses, -9.41

Fig. 5.37

214

seeds, use of chemical fertilizers, low per cent share of wheat in 1965-66, etc.

resulted in expansion of area under wheat cultivation in above mentioned

districts during the study period.

2. Moderate positive volume of change (10-15 per cent)

This category comprised Kapurthala, Firozpur, Muktsar, Faridkot,

Sangrur, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar, Yamunanagar and

Karnal districts. Most of the above mentioned districts were traditionally wheat

growing areas and had a considerable area under wheat cultivation during

1965-66. But with the ushering of Green Revolution during 60's, the further

expansion in farm technology, irrigational network, advanced agricultural

infrastructure etc. were the favourable conditions for expansion in area under

wheat crop. Owing to all these reasons, this category noted a moderate

positive volume of change under wheat cultivation.

3. Low positive volume of change (<10 per cent)

Rests of the six districts comprised this category. These districts were

Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr and Bhiwani. In

case of Hoshiarpur and Nawanshahr districts the main reasons for low

positive volume of change in area under wheat cultivation in case of Bhiwani

district was the predominance of gram cultivation, whereas in rest of the

districts, the area proportion under wheat was more in 1965-66. Gurdaspur,

Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts were traditionally wheat growing areas.

Owing to above mentioned factors, the low positive volume of change was

recorded in this category.

215

Table 5.8 Changes in Area Under Different Crops: 1965-66 to 1985-86

Districts Wheat Rice Maize Bajra Cotton Oilseeds Pulses Sugarcane Other Vegetabl

es Fodder

Gurdaspur 4.60 8.43 -2.93 -0.02 -0.11 -0.90 -4.61 -0.70 -0.02 0.49 -4.32

Amritsar 7.60 7.86 -1.09 -0.06 -3.16 1.20 -8.39 -2.61 1.72 0.92 -3.99

Tarn Taran 7.08 8.89 -2.14 -0.55 -4.01 0.50 -8.63 -2.54 0.53 0.65 0.22

Kapurthala 10.62 8.77 -5.19 -0.20 -0.69 2.90 -11.78 -2.46 0.87 -0.33 -2.51

Jalandhar 11.45 2.41 -9.49 -0.10 -0.86 2.20 -10.90 -1.55 2.67 -0.81 4.98

Nawanshahr 9.04 4.81 -3.10 -0.50 -0.40 -5.40 -7.10 -0.07 2.77 -0.65 0.60

Hoshiarpur 6.90 5.25 3.61 -0.80 -0.04 -4.20 -8.47 -1.83 7.07 0.29 -7.78

Rupnagar 13.96 6.24 -2.31 -0.21 -0.78 -4.60 -3.30 -6.07 2.10 -0.13 -4.90

S.A.S. Nagar 13.47 12.36 -12.31 -0.70 -0.40 -2.10 -4.80 -2.73 2.23 -0.21 -4.81

Ludhiana 12.75 22.03 -3.60 -1.12 -1.02 -1.00 -10.10 -4.50 0.78 0.12 -14.34

Firozpur 13.52 16.11 -2.14 -3.53 -15.60 1.10 -8.09 -1.87 -0.36 1.38 -0.52

Faridkot 12.04 15.80 -0.92 -2.78 -11.33 -0.10 1.00 -1.10 1.47 0.16 -14.24

Muktsar 14.61 15.00 -0.31 -2.17 -14.00 -3.30 -3.40 -0.98 1.07 1.28 -7.80

Moga 15.55 15.05 -0.33 -0.62 -15.90 -1.10 -7.50 0.40 1.96 -0.40 -7.11

Bathinda 16.44 4.90 -0.90 -2.09 19.25 -1.10 -17.70 0.06 1.53 0.81 -21.20

Mansa 20.20 7.58 -1.62 -7.19 9.49 0.20 -10.90 -1.22 -0.35 1.01 -17.20

Sangrur 10.19 22.50 -4.87 -5.20 5.17 -0.60 -16.70 -0.23 -0.31 0.45 -10.40

Patiala 16.42 19.80 -4.81 -1.30 -0.88 -0.30 -15.70 -3.83 0.66 -0.47 -9.59 Fatehgarh Sahib 16.92 23.30 -7.29 -0.09 -0.80 -1.50 -11.85 -5.00 0.30 -0.38 -13.61

Ambala 18.40 4.20 -5.20 -1.93 -0.20 -1.20 -14.50 8.45 -0.21 0.48 -8.09

Panchkula 17.60 5.79 -6.70 -1.13 -0.10 0.10 -13.54 7.05 0.93 0.57 -10.36

Yamunanagar 13.13 10.90 -7.90 -0.18 -0.37 -1.00 -14.56 8.76 1.28 0.71 -11.13

Kurukshetra 17.48 16.48 -4.04 -1.44 -1.40 -0.05 -15.84 1.80 -1.76 0.19 -11.42

Kaithal 18.76 17.39 -4.41 -3.00 -1.50 -0.70 -14.58 1.30 -2.34 -0.25 -11.26

Karnal 14.65 15.80 -4.43 -2.76 -0.57 -1.30 -15.07 2.10 0.88 1.22 -10.52

Panipat 18.60 11.40 0.10 -8.58 -1.90 1.50 -14.02 6.30 -2.04 1.05 -12.41

Sonipat 18.87 2.53 0.64 3.70 -1.26 1.30 -16.62 5.90 -1.67 -1.49 -11.90

Rohtak 15.95 0.02 -0.47 2.80 1.07 -0.90 -12.21 3.30 -1.44 0.66 -8.76

Jhajjar 17.33 1.33 -0.43 4.42 -1.33 0.23 -13.23 3.88 0.68 1.18 -12.73

Faridabad 22.50 1.72 0.28 -2.11 -0.03 0.38 -16.72 2.69 0.21 -1.03 -6.17

Gurgaon 15.93 0.26 -0.06 -1.52 -0.29 3.60 -15.77 0.76 -0.57 0.29 -2.63

Rewari 21.36 0.13 -0.26 -18.00 -1.10 -2.78 1.03 0.39 -0.63 0.90 -1.04

Mahendragarh 16.38 0.09 -0.60 -17.39 -0.97 -4.69 -3.80 -0.35 -1.18 0.70 12.12

Bhiwani 7.34 0.03 -0.20 -11.71 -4.77 -0.29 8.21 0.01 -1.67 1.18 1.93

Jind 18.48 9.19 -0.10 -7.60 -5.67 9.38 -7.89 1.71 -1.44 1.60 -17.66

Hisar 15.02 3.18 -0.04 -12.53 5.77 -4.35 -8.04 -1.02 -2.36 1.25 3.12

Fatehabad 16.78 4.31 0.01 -14.05 8.32 1.65 -13.30 -0.99 -2.38 0.99 -1.32

Sirsa 16.96 4.67 -0.02 -18.33 6.87 -8.10 -4.46 -1.84 -2.63 1.35 5.53

REGION 13.92 9.56 -2.17 -4.58 -1.16 -0.85 -9.41 -0.33 -0.01 0.55 -5.54

Source: Statistical Abstracts of Punjab and Haryana -1966 & 1985.

0 40

Kms

Changes in Wheat CultivationPUNJAB-HARYANA PLAINS

1965-66 to 1985-86

Per Cent


Fig. 5.38

Statistical Abstracts of Punjab and Haryana - 1966 & 1986Source:

< 10

10-15

> 15

216

II. Changes in Rice Cultivation (Fig. 5.39)

A positive volume of change of 9.56 per cent was recorded under rice

cultivation from 1965-66 to 1985-86. These changes were marked due to

increase in irrigational facilities, use of chemical fertilizers, use HYV's, etc.

These changes had found not homogenous in all the districts of the study

region. In areas where irrigation was more developed that fertile loamy soil,

comparatively high rainfall etc, had high volume of change. Whereas in areas

with frequent occurrence of sand dunes, low rainfall and less developed

tubewells and canal irrigation, were ideal conditions for bajra and cotton

cultivation etc. i.e. there had experienced moderate to low volume of change.


The districts in this category were Firozpur, Muktsar, Faridkot, Moga,

Ludhiana, Sangrur, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, S.A.S. Nagar, Yamunanagar,

Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal and Panipat districts. The techno-economic

changes which had occurred during this period were responsible for high

positive volume of change in rice cultivation in these districts.


Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Mansa,

Rupnagar, Panchkula and Jind districts comprised this category. Here the

change in area under rice cultivation ranged between 5 to 10 per cent.

Gurdaspur Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts were traditionally rice growing

areas supplemented by developed agricultural infrastructure had experienced

moderate positive volume of change. Whereas in Rupnagar Hoshiarpur and

Panchkula districts during kharif season, maize was predominant crop but due

to introduction of green revolution technology some areas from maize and

0 40

Kms


Fig. 5.39

1965-66 to 1985-86


Changes in Rice Cultivation

> 5


5-10

> 10

Per Cent

217

fodder had come under rice cultivation and as a result the change was

moderate. Whereas in Kapurthala district, groundnut and maize were also in

competition with rice. Thus in bet areas, farmer had rice cultivation and in

dona areas groundnut was predominant crop during this period. Thus, all

these led to moderate positive volume of change in these areas.

3. Low positive volume of change (< 5 per cent)

This category were well scattered in the study region including the

districts of Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Bathinda, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar,

Mahendragarh, Rewari, Gurgaon, Sonipat, Faridabad, Bhiwani, Rohtak

Jhajjar, and Ambala except Jalandhar and Nawanshahr districts, the soils

were sandy, low rainfall, low extent of irrigation, traditionally cotton growing

areas were the hindrance in the expansion of rice cultivation. All this led to low

change in these districts. But in case of Nawanshahr and Jalandhar districts

the maize and fodder crops were more predominant, were the reasons for low

change in rice cultivation.

III. Changes in Fodder Cultivation (Fig. 5.40)

Fodder occupied 20.15 per cent of the total cropped area in 1965-66

and 14.61 per cent of the total cropped area in 1985-86. Thus, a negative

volume of change of 5.54 per cent was recorded during the study period. But

there were some areas which had experienced increase in area under fodder

crops and some other areas had experienced decrease in fodder crops.

These changes are shown in fig. 5.40 and table 5.8 which depict three

categories:

0 40

Kms

Source: Statistical Abstracts of Punjab and Haryana - 1966 & 1986

Fig. 5.40

1965-66 to 1985-86


Changes in Fodder Cultivation

<5

Region's Average = -5.54

- ve+ ve

5-10

> 10

< 1

> 1

Per Cent

218

1. High negative volume of change (>10 per cent)

The category of high negative volume of change of more than 10 per

cent was covered districts fifteen namely Mansa, Bathinda, Sangrur, Faridkot,

Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib, Panchkula, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Kaithal,

Karnal, Jind, Panipat, Sonipat, and Jhajjar. In case of Mansa, Sangrur and

Bathinda districts cotton and wheat crops had snatched area from fodder

crops. While in rest of the districts, increase in area under rabi and kharif

cereal crops gave a strong competition to fodder crops. Thus, area under

fodder crops had decreased which resulted in high negative volume of change

in this category.

2. Moderate negative volume of change (5-10 per cent)

Eight out of thirty-eight districts were included in the category of

moderate negative volume of change. These were Muktsar, Moga, Patiala,

Hoshiarpur, Ambala, Faridabad and Rohtak districts. Main reasons for

moderate negative change were the decline in number of livestock, leads shift

in area to paddy, cotton, wheat, etc. in respective districts.

3. Low negative volume of change (<5 per cent)

In this category increase in area under other crops in kharif and Rabi

season after green revolution was the main reason for decrease in area under

fodder crops which comprised the districts of Firozpur, Amritsar, Ludhiana,

Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar, Fatehabad, Gurgaon and

Rewari.


This category covered the districts of Jalandhar, Sirsa, Hisar, Bhiwani

and Mahendragarh. In Jalandhar district area under fodder crop increased

219

owing to demand from dairy owners of Jalandhar Cantt and city as well as

demand of milk in these cities also enthuse the farmer to grow more fodder for

milk animal. In rest of districts the increase of fodder crop due to emergence

of cotton which reduce the area under bajra cultivation because farmers used

straw of bajra as fodder. They had to grow more fodder for meeting their

demand and as a result fodder cult had experienced over 1 per cent positive

volume of change.


This category of Low positive volume of change covered the districts of

Tarn Taran and Nawanshahr. The increasing demand for milk products in

urban as well as in rural locality encouraged the farmers to demote more area

under fodder crops. Secondly the increases in dairy farms were also

responsible reason for low positive volume of change under fodder cultivation.

IV. Changes in Maize Cultivation (Fig. 5.41)

Study region had witnessed decline in area under Maize cultivation

which is evident from fig. 5.41 and table 5.8. A negative volume of change of

2.17 per cent was recorded from 1965-66 to 1985-86. Fig. 5.4 and table 5.8

show the spatial changes in maize cultivation in the study region.


This category covered Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Fatehgarh Sahib,

Sangrur, Patiala, S.A.S. Nagar, Panchkula, Ambala, Yamunanagar,

Kurukshetra, Kaithal and Karnal districts of the study region with the

introduction of green revolution technology, farmers of these areas had

adopted HYV's of rice with good yield and as a result, rice fetched higher and

assured economic return as compare to maize. Thus farmers had preferred

0 40

Kms


Fig. 5.41

1965-66 to 1985-86


Changes in Maize Cultivation

< 2


- ve+ ve

2-4

> 4

< 1

> 1

Per Cent

220

rice to maize which led to high negative volume of change in maize

cultivation.


It was found scattered in the study area. It includes the districts of

Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Firozpur, Ludhiana, Nawanshahr and Rupnagar. In

these districts, the negative volume of change was ranged between 2 to 4 per

cent. In Gurdaspur, Ludhiana, Nawanshahr and Rupnagar districts, expansion

of irrigational facilities, improvements in agricultural infrastructure etc. led to

increase in rice cultivation. Whereas in districts of Firozpur district area under

cotton cultivation had increased during Kharif season. These were the

responsible factors for moderate negative change in area under maize

cultivation.


This category comprised 36.84 per cent of the total occurrences.

Districts of Amritsar, Moga, Faridkot, Mansa, Muktsar, Bathinda, Sirsa, Hisar,

Bhiwani, Mahendragarh, Rewari, Gurgaon, Jhajjar, Rohtak, and Jind formed

this category. The share of maize cultivation was low in 1965-66 as well as in

1985-86 which yield low negative volume of change. Moreover, except

Amritsar and Moga districts, these were not traditionally maize growing areas.

In rest of the districts, farmers preferred to grow oilseeds and pulses at place

of maize because oilseeds and pulses were economically more beneficial

than maize.


It is found that there was only one district in the study region namely

Hoshiarpur which had experienced positive volume of change over 1 per cent.

221

The increase was 3.61 per cent. Hoshiarpur was the major maize producing

district of the study region during 1965-66 as well as 1985-86. Here, the

proportion of area under maize was 18.8 per cent in 1965-66 and 22.41 per

cent in 1985-86. The main reasons for high per cent share and high positive

volume of change under maize cultivation was dissected topography with

steep gradient, high rainfall, lack of irrigational facilities, traditionally maize

growing area, etc. Due to lack of irrigation and rough topography, rice could

not make a niche in maize cultivation. Thus, owing to these conditions farmer

continued with maize cultivation which consequently led to high positive

volume of change.


This category had comprised the districts of Fatehabad, Faridabad,

Sonipat and Panipat. These were the areas where share of maize cultivation

to total cropped area was negligible which is being evident from table 5.8

because its share was less than 1 per cent. In Fatehabad the area under

maize had increased from 0.06 to 0.07, Faridabad 0.22 to 0.50, Sonipat 0.22

to 0.86 and Panipat 0.10 to 0.20 per cent. Thus, maize was grown only for

domestic purposes, because traditionally these districts were bajra growing

areas.

V. Changes in Bajra Cultivation (Fig. 5.42)

Bajra cultivation comprised 11.39 per cent in 1965-66 and 6.81 per

cent in 1985-86 of the total cropped area and recorded negative volume of

change of 4.58 per cent. The derived volume of changes are shown in fig.

5.44 and table 5.8 which depicts the following three categories:

0 40

Kms


Fig. 5.42

1965-66 to 1985-86


Changes in Bajra Cultivation

< 1


- ve+ ve

1-5

> 5> 5

Per Cent

222


Ten out of thirty-eight districts were included in this category namely,

Sangrur, Mansa, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Panipat, Bhiwani, Hisar, Jind,

Mahendragarh and Rewari. In Sangrur, Mansa, Jind and Panipat districts.

Owing to development of irrigation and adoption of HYV of seeds of rice,

farmers had preferred rice to bajra and as a result bajra had replaced by rice

crop because of its maximum and assured economic returns. But in the rest of

the districts, farmers replaced the area from bajra cultivation to either cotton

or fodder. These were the main factors for high negative volume of change in

bajra cultivation.


Firozpur, Faridkot, Muktsar, Bathinda, Ludhiana, Patiala, Panchkula,

Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal, Faridabad and Gurgaon were the

districts covered by this category. Bajra was used both food grain and fodder

crop. With the expansion of irrigation, agricultural infrastructure and diffusion

of innovations, farmers had left bajra cultivation and devoted most of its area

to rice crop which resulted into moderate volume of negative change in bajra

cultivation.


This category covered those areas where rice, maize and sugarcane

were the dominant crops. These areas were agriculturally developed with

developed irrigational facilities, fertile soils, etc. Bajra was not an important

crop during 1965-66 and during 1985-86. Very small area was devoted under

bajra in the districts of Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala,

Jalandhar, Moga, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Rupnagar, Fatehgarh Sahib,

223

S.A.S. Nagar and Yamunanagar. Basically, these were not traditionally bajra

growing areas but these were maize growing area.

4. Positive volume of change (<5 per cent)

This category was found in the south-eastern parts of the study region

including Sonipat, Rohtak and Jhajjar districts. In these districts, during 1965-

66, a major part of bajra crop was used as fodder. Whereas 1985-86, the

whole area under bajra crop is taken as millet crop that is the major reason for

recording positive volumes of change in these three districts.

VI. Changes in Pulses Cultivation (Fig. 5.43)

Pulses occupied 17.84 per cent of total cropped area in 1965-66 which

was decreased to 8.43 per cent in 1985-86. And consequently a negative

volume of change of 9.41 per cent was recorded there. The changes

regarding pulses cultivation are shown with the help of fig. 5.43 and table 5.8.


A negative volume of change of above 10 per cent was experienced by

Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Sangrur, Bathinda, Mansa, Patiala,

Fatehgarh Sahib, Panchkula, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Kaithal,

Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat, Rohtak, Jhajjar, Gurgaon, Faridabad and Fatehabad

districts. Most of these areas were agriculturally developed areas with well

developed irrigational facilities, new agricultural technology and developed

agricultural infrastructure, fertile soils, developed socio-economic conditions,

etc. which encouraged the farmers to grow wheat and rice in place of pulses.

Consequently the area under pulses cultivation had recorded high negative

volume of change from 1965-66 to 1985-86.

0 40

Kms


Fig. 5.43

1965-66 to 1985-86


Changes in Pulses Cultivation

< 5


- ve+ ve

5-10

> 10> 1

Per Cent

224


One belt and two different patches of this category were found in the

study region. The first belt was found in northwestern parts of the study region

including the Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Moga and Firozpur districts. Amritsar and

Tarn Taran districts were traditionally wheat and rice growing areas whereas

wheat and cotton crops were dominant in Firozpur and Moga districts during

1965-66. But with introduction of Green Revolution technology, the cultivated

area under wheat and rice had increased significantly in the above mentioned

districts which resulted into moderate negative volume of change in area

under pulses cultivation. First patch was found in northeastern parts of the

study region comprising Nawanshahr and Hoshiarpur districts. Here, the

moderate negative volume of change in pulses was recorded due to increase

in area under wheat, rice and maize cultivation. The second patch comprised

the Hisar and Jind districts. From 1965-66 to 1985-86 increase in area under

wheat and rice in Jind district and wheat, cotton and fodder in Hisar district

were responsible for decline in pulses cultivation which resulted into moderate

negative volume of change.


The main factor responsible for low negative volume of change in this

category was increase in area under rice and wheat, etc. in the districts of

Gurdaspur, Muktsar, Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar, Sirsa, while in Mahendragarh

increase in area under wheat and fodder.

4. Positive volume of change (>1 per cent)

Rests of the three districts were included in this category namely,

Faridkot, Bhiwani and Rewari. In these districts areas under pulses was

225

recorded high in 1965-66, which remain almost same in 1985-86, also and it

resulted in low positive change pulses cultivation.

VII. Changes in Cotton Cultivation (Fig. 5.44)

Area under cotton cultivation had declined from 1965-66 to 1985-86. A

negative volume of change of 1.16 per cent was recorded in the study region,

because during 1965-66, area devoted to cotton cultivation was 7.20 per cent.

While in 1985-86, area under cotton cultivation was noted 6.04 per cent of

total cropped area. Though overall negative change of 1.16 per cent is noted,

yet this negative change was not uniform in the whole region. Some areas

had experienced positive change while others had noted negative change.

Thus, these negative and positive changes are shown in fig. 5.44 and table

3.8 which comprise the following four categories.


This category was found in the districts of Amritsar, Tarn Taran,

Firozpur, Muktsar, Faridkot, Moga, Ludhiana, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind,

Panipat, Sonipat, Bhiwani, Jhajjar and Rewari. In the districts of Amritsar,

Tarn Taran, Ludhiana, Faridkot, Moga, Muktsar, Sangrur, Kurukshetra,

Kaithal, Panipat, and Sonipat districts. The area under rice cultivation during

Kharif had increased and consequently it led to high negative volume of

change in this category.


Districts of Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Jalandhar,

Nawanshahr, Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, Ambala,

Panchkula, Yamunanagar, Karnal, Mahendragarh, Gurgaon and Faridabad

districts comprised this category. These areas were not traditionally cotton

0 40

Kms



- ve+ ve

< 1

> 1> 1

Per Cent

Fig. 5.44

1965-66 to 1985-86


Changes in Cotton Cultivation

226

growing areas. Emergence of rice crop except in Gurgaon and Faridabad

resulted in low negative volume of change in cotton cultivation. Where in case

of other districts the main region for low negative volume of change was that

these were not traditionally cotton growing areas and a little of cultivated area

was under cotton cultivation in 1965-66 as well as 1985-86


In Bathinda, Sangrur, Mansa, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar and Rohtak

districts, the area under cotton cultivation had increased more than 1 per cent

of the total cropped area. The climatic conditions of these areas were much

suitable for cotton cultivation due to low rainfall and high temperature. It has

further supplemented by the introduction of American Cotton, irrigation

facilities, etc. which had led to positive volume of change.

VIII. Changes in Oilseeds Cultivation (Fig. 5.45)

From 1965-66 to 1985-86, a negative volume of change of 0.85 per

cent was recorded under oilseeds cultivation. In 1965-66, area under oilseeds

was 5.19 per cent which was decreased to 4.34 per cent in 1985-86. The

study region had noted overall negative volume of change. But there were

some areas which had experienced positive volume of change. Whereas

other had negative volume of change. These changes are mapped in fig. 5.45

and table 5.8. From fig. 5.45 and table 5.8, the following three categories

emerge:


Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Rupnagar, Sirsa, Hisar and Mahendragarh

districts were included in this category. With the introduction of Green

Revolution technology, expansion of irrigational facilities, HYV's of wheat and

0 40

Kms


Fig. 5.45

1965-66 to 1985-86


Changes in Oilseeds Cultivation

< 1


- ve+ ve

1-4

> 4

< 4

> 4

Per Cent

227

rice, etc. had encouraged the farmers to grow wheat and rice crops than other

crops like oilseeds, because the economic return from wheat and rice were

higher and assured as compare to oilseeds. Thus, area from oilseed had

been shifted to the cultivation of wheat and rice and as a result area under oil

seeds declined which had led to high negative volume of change in these

districts.


The category of moderate negative volume of change was recorded in

the districts of Muktsar, Bathinda, Moga, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib, S.A.S.

Nagar, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Karnal and Rewari. In case of Rewari district

increase in area under pulses and fodder crops was responsible for decrease

in area under oilseeds cultivation. In rest of the districts a considerable

increase in the area under wheat and rice crops had recorded due to the

suitability of physical environment, well developed irrigational facilities, fertile

soils and developed agricultural infrastructure and all this had resulted into

moderate negative volume of change under oilseeds cultivation from 1965-66

to 1985-86.


Districts of Gurdaspur, Faridkot, Sangrur, Patiala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal,

Rohtak and Bhiwani had experienced low negative volume change of less

than one per cent. In these areas, rice, wheat, sugarcane and cotton were

responsible for low change in oilseeds. Moreover, oilseeds were cultivated for

only domestic use. Cultivation of rice and wheat were more economically

beneficial in this districts than oilseeds, thus farmers had preferred to grow

these crops than oilseeds.

228


Only Jind district had experienced a positive volume of change of

above 4 per cent in oilseeds cultivation. The physical and climatic conditions

were highly suitable for oilseeds. Here, the oilseeds cultivation was done for

domestic as well as for commercial purposes. These were the major factor

responsible for high positive increase in oilseeds cultivation.


This category was well scattered in small Patches and covered the

districts of Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Firozpur, Mansa,

Fatehabad, Gurgaon, Panipat, Sonipat, Jhajjar and Panchkula. These districts

had grown oilseeds earlier also, which is mainly responsible for low positive

volume of change.

IX. Changes in Sugarcane Cultivation (Fig. 5.42)

Sugarcane covered 1.85 per cent of total cropped area in 1965-66 and

1.52 per cent of the total cropped area in 1985-86. Therefore negative volume

of change of 0.33 per cent was recorded in the study region. Though an

overall decrease in sugarcane cultivation had noted yet there were some

areas which had experienced increase in area under sugarcane cultivation.

To know these changes, the following categories are shown in fig. 5.46 and

table 5.8.


This category covered Firozpur, Faridkot, Amritsar, Tarn Taran,

Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, Rupnagar, S.A.S.

Nagar, Hoshiarpur, Mansa, Sirsa, Fatehabad and Hisar districts. In these

districts, increase in extent of irrigation, stiff competition from wheat and rice,

0 40

Kms


Fig. 5.46

1965-66 to 1985-86


Changes in Sugarcane Cultivation


- ve+ ve

< 1

> 1

< 1

> 1

Per Cent

229

lack of sugar mills, unfriendly Government policies, etc. were responsible for

high negative volume change in area under sugarcane cultivation.


Only Six districts namely Gurdaspur, Nawanshahr, Muktsar, Sangrur,

Fatehabad and Mahendragarh formed this category. Here the increase was

less than one percent. In case of Gurdaspur, Muktsar, Nawanshahr and

Sangrur districts, the area under wheat and rice cultivation had increased

during 1965-66 to 1985-86. But at the same time in Mahendragarh district, the

cultivated area under wheat and fodder crops had increased which resulted in

low negative volume of change under sugarcane cultivation.


The category of high positive volume of change was confined to north

eastern and southeastern parts of the study reason including Panchkula,

Ambala, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat,

Rohtak, Jhajjar and Faridabad districts. Increase in extent of irrigation, fertile

soils, installation of new sugar mills in both private and cooperative sectors,

etc. had encouraged the farmers to devote more area to sugarcane

cultivation. Thus as a result, these areas had experienced high positive

volume of change.


Districts of Moga, Bathinda, Bhiwani, Rewari and Gurgaon comprised

this category. These areas were not suitable for sugarcane cultivation and

consequently small per cent area was under its cultivation in 1965-66, but

there was little increase in its cultivation which had registered positive volume

of change.

230

X. Changes in Vegetables Cultivation (Fig. 5.47)

Vegetables covered 0.90 per cent of total cropped area in overall

cropping pattern during 1965-66 and 1.45 per cent of total cropped area in

1985-86. A positive volume of change of 0.55 per cent was recorded in area

under vegetables from 1965-66 to 1985-86. These changes were not uniform

in all districts of the study region Fig. 5.47 and Table 5.8 show the following

categories:

Positive volume of change

The districts of Firozpur, Mansa, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran,

Hoshiarpur, Faridkot, Muktsar, Bathinda, Sangrur, Ludhiana, Ambala, Panchkula,

Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Fatehabad, Rewari, Gurgaon, Mahendragarh, Sirsa,

Hisar, Jind, Bhiwani, Panipat, Karnal, Jhajjar and Rohtak formed this category.

The demand of vegetables in rural as well as in urban centers, availability of

proper markets, etc. were the factors responsible for increase in area under

vegetables cultivation which led to positive volume of change.

Negative volume of change

This category comprised Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Moga, Nawanshahr,

Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, Faridabad, Sonipat, and

Kaithal. These districts were traditionally wheat and rice growing areas which

was responsible for low negative volume of change under vegetable

cultivation.

X. Changes in Other Crops (Fig. 5.48)

Overall negative volume of change of 0.01 per cent of the total cropped

area was recorded in study region. 1.59 per cent and 1.58 per cent of the total

cropped area was recorded under other crops in 1965-66 to 1985-86

0 40

Kms


Fig. 5.47

1965-66 to 1985-86


Changes in Vegetables Cultivation

< 2


- ve+ ve

< 2

Per Cent

231

respectively. Though overall a negative volume of changes recorded in the

study region yet some areas had also experienced positive volume of change.

These variations are shown with the help of figure 5.48 and table 5.8 which

depict the following categories.

Negative volume of change

This category covered the districts of Gurdaspur, Firozpur, Sangrur,

Mansa, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar, Bhiwani, Mahendragarh, Rohtak, Sonipat,

Panipat, Jind, Kaithal, Kurukshetra, Ambala, Rewari and Gurgaon. The

increase in area under wheat, rice, cotton, fodder etc. were responsible for

bringing negative volume of change in area under other crops.

Positive volume of change

Positive volume of change was recorded in the districts of Hoshiarpur,

Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Rupnagar, Muktsar, and S.A.S. Nagar, Amritsar,

Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Faridkot, Bathinda, Moga, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh

Sahib, Patiala, Panchkula, Yamunanagar, Jhajjar, Faridabad and Karnal. The

districts of Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Rupnagar and S.A.S. Nagar, Panchkula

and Yamunanagar were lying in the foot hill zone of Shiwaliks and having

dissected and undulating topography with seasonal torrents, which caused

heavy soil erosion during rainy season. In such conditions other crops

especially fruit plantation, gained a little increase in area under their

cultivation.

Conclusion

The preceeding discussion of the cropping pattern yields some points

which can be termed as deductions. The present researcher has found that

the overall changes in cropping pattern during 1965-66 to 1985-86 was

0 40

Kms

Changes in Other Crops CultivationPUNJAB-HARYANA PLAINS

1965-66 to 1985-86

Fig. 5.48

Source:

Per Cent

< 3

+ ve - ve


< 3


232

remarkable. These striking changes in area under different crops were the

result of improvement in physical environment as well as the development of

socio-economic, technological and organizational factors. The undulating and

dissected topography along the Shiwaliks was mostly levelled, drain out of

waterlogging area was done, sand dunes in the south western and southern

parts were levelled, drastic increase in extent of irrigation, increase in

mechanization particularly increase in number of tubewells, tractors and

harvest combines, use of chemical fertilizers, use of plant protection

measures, increase in intensity of cropping, well developed network of

marketing and roads, favourable government policy, adoption of HYVs of

seeds of wheat and rice, agricultural research and extension services, etc.

supplement by the dynamic and progressive farming community, etc. had

brought revolutionary changes in the cropping pattern of the study region

during 1965-66 to 1985-86. As a result of above mentioned factors, wheat

crop had experienced a positive volume of change of 13.92 per cent. The

major areas where it had made remarkable increase under its cultivation are

the central parts of the study region where it had over 40 per cent area in

1985-86 whereas in most of the districts in central parts of the study region

had less than 30 per cent of cultivated area under wheat cultivation. The

second crop which had experienced significant changes is rice. Rice had only

5.74 per cent area in 1965-66 which had increased to 15.30 per cent in 1985-

86 and registered 9.56 per cent overall positive volume of change. It is also

worth mentioning that Punjab had experienced high positive volume of

change of 13.04 per cent than Haryana with 5.32 per cent. In Haryana, the

significant change in rice crop was only confined to the districts of

233

Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal and Panipat, where it was more

than 10 per cent. Fodder cultivation had experienced negative volume of

change of 5.54 per cent area under it had decline from 20.15 per cent in

1965-66 to 14.61 per cent in 1985-86. The main reasons for decline in fodder

cultivation was the reduction in number of livestock due to agricultural

mechanization, adoption of HYV s of Kharif fodder, irrigational facilities, etc. It

is also observed that the study region had experienced negative volume of

change in cotton cultivation. It had declined from 7.20 per cent to 6.04 per

cent during 1965-66 to 1985-86. The decline of 1.16 per cent was registered

in Punjab whereas Haryana had experienced positive volume of change of

0.42 per cent. The major reason for decline in cotton cultivation in Punjab was

the adoption of rice crop in cotton belt. The next crop is maize of the kharif

season which had also registered decline in area under its cultivation and

responsible factors for decline in maize cultivation was the emergence of rice

in kharif season. It is also found that bajra cultivation which had a significant

place in the cropping pattern of the 1965-66 in study region in general and

Haryana in particular had experienced decline under its area. In Punjab it had

declined from 2.40 per cent to 0.44 per cent but in case of Haryana it had

decline from 22.40 per cent to 14.61 per cent. It is also concluded that bajra

cultivation was predominant in the southern parts of the study area, whereas

maize crop was predominant in the north eastern parts of the study region.

Oilseeds production had also declined from 5.19 per cent to 4.34 per cent and

recorded -0.85 per cent volume of change. It is also found that oilseeds are

growing throughout the study region during 1965-66 and 1985-86, but

dominant areas of oilseeds were found in southern parts of the study region.

234

The researcher has also deduced that pulses were very important crop in the

whole study region in 1965-66. But with the emergence of wheat, rice and

cotton cultivation pulses had lost its area significantly i.e. -9.40 per cent

volume of change. But in 1985-86 pulses were still important crop in southern

and south-western districts of the study region. The reasons for changes in

pulses were identified that increase in irrigation facilities, adoption of HYVs of

wheat, rice and cotton, etc. In respect of vegetables, it is found that their

cultivation had increased in area which had increased from 0.90 per cent,

1.49 per cent during 1965-66 to 1985-86. It is also found that no significant

belt was occurring in any part of the study region which means slight

variations under their cultivation in all the districts. Sugarcane cultivation had

also declined from 1.58 per cent to 1.52 per cent. Again it is of great interest

that its cultivation had declined from 2.69 per cent to 0.89 per cent, whereas

in Haryana, it had increased from 0.81 per cent to 2.82 per cent. The major

reasons found for these variations were installation of more sugar mills in

Haryana as well as comparatively favourable government policies for

sugarcane crop. It is also found that other crops like fruits, species barley etc.

had recorded very insignificant negative volume of change i.e. of 0.1 per cent,

But in Punjab, area under other crops had increase from 0.97 to 2.05 per cent

whereas in Haryana their share had declined from 2.35 per cent to 1.0 per

cent. Thus the overall cropping pattern and changes in individual crops had

recorded revolutionary changes during 1965-66 to 1986-86. It is observed that

wheat and rice were the major gainer crops, whereas other crops except

vegetables had recorded negative changes.

235

B. CHANGES IN CROPPING PATTERN: 1985-86 to 2005-06

The cropping pattern has undergone drastic changes during

1985-86 to 2005-06 through the introduction of various newly

developed techniques in agro-sciences such as crop and water

management. During this time period, the area under wheat, rice,

cotton and oilseeds, has increased. At the same time, maize,

sugarcane, bajra, pulses, vegetables and fodder cultivation have

experienced decline in area. A positive volume of change of 3.31 per

cent, 10.04 per cent and 1.03 per cent and 1.24 percent was recorded

under wheat, rice, cotton and oilseeds cultivation respectively during

1985-86 to 2005-06 whereas negative volume of change of 1.87 per

cent, 2.82 per cent, 6.95 per cent 0.18 per cent, 3.28 per cent and 0.51

per cent was observed under maize, Bajra, Pulses, vegetable, fodder

and other crops respectively. But no change was recorded under

sugarcane cultivation during study period. These observed changes

are result of increase in net sown area, increase in the application of

agro-chemical high degree of mechanization, agricultural research and

extension services, agricultural universities, land reforms, favourable

government policies, strengthening the marketing system, developed

road network particularly village linked roads, rural electrification etc.

Thus due to these factors the changes which have noted in the

cropping pattern are discussed below of each defined individual crop

and derived results of each crop were mapped in figures 5.50 to 5.60.

These crops are discussed as below.

236

Table 5.9 Overall Changes in Cropping Pattern in Punjab-Haryana Plains

1985-86 to 2005-06 Per cent of Total

Cropped Area Sr. No.

Crop

1985-86 2005-06

Per cent Change 1985-86

to 2005-06

1 Wheat 36.90 40.21 3.31 2 Rice 15.30 25.34 10.04 3 Fodder 14.61 11.33 -3.28 4 Maize 3.01 1.14 -1.87 5 Bajra 6.81 3.99 -2.82 6 Pulses 8.43 1.48 -6.95 7 Cotton 6.04 7.07 1.03 8 Oilseeds 4.34 5.58 1.24 9 Sugarcane 1.52 1.52 0.00

10 Vegetables 1.45 1.27 -0.18 11 Others 1.58 1.07 -0.51

Source: Statistical Abstracts of Punjab and Haryana, 1986 and 2006

I. Changes in Wheat Cultivation (Fig. 5.50)

Wheat has experienced positive volume of change of 3.31 per cent

during the study period. In 1985-86, the total percent area under wheat

cultivation was 36.90 per cent of the total cropped area and it has increased

to 40.21 per cent of the total cropped area in 2005-06. Therefore, an overall

positive volume of change of 3.31 per cent in the study area has experienced.

But the whole study area has not noted uniform pattern of change. Some

districts have experienced positive changes whereas others have recorded

negative changes. The volume of change varies from -0.64 in Rewari district

to +15.69 per cent in Fatehabad district. These changes are the result of

variations in Physical, socio-economic, technological and organisational


1.03

1.24

0

-0.18

-0.51

Fodder, -3.28

Maize, -1.87

Bajra, -2.82

Pulses, -6.95

Wheat, 3.31

Rice, 10.04

Fig. 5.49

237

factors. Thus, to know the reasons for the changes in-depth, fig.5.50 is

mapped which portrays the following categories. These are:


This category covers Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Bathinda, Mansa, Sirsa,

Fatehabad, Hisar, Jind, Bhiwani, Gurgaon and Faridabad districts. During this

time period, a lot of developmental works have take place with the innovation

of new farm techniques, expansion in irrigational facilities, marketing

networks, etc. Thus the area under wheat cultivation is increased in these

districts.


Amritsar, Nawanshahr, Rupnagar, Faridkot, Sangrur, Ambala, Karnal,

Panipat, Sonipat, Panchkula and Yamunanagar districts form this category.

Most of the districts of this category are traditionally wheat growing. In

Amritsar, Faridkot, Sangrur, Ambala, Panipat, and Sonipat, the area under

wheat cultivation was high in 1985-86. But during 2005-06, a little expansion

in area under wheat cultivation is noted in these districts. In other districts,

such as Nawanshahr, Rupnagar, Panchkula, and Yamunanagar, government

policies encouraged the farmers to bring more area under wheat from grams

which resulted into moderate positive volume of change. Moreover, during this

period, government provides subsidy on high yielding variety of seeds,

chemical fertilizers, etc. and also provide agricultural loan on easy installment

to the farmers. All these reasons are helpful for increase in area under wheat

cultivation.

238


Districts Wheat Rice Maize Bajra Cotton Oilseeds Pulses Sugarcane Other Vegetabl

es Fodder

Gurdaspur 7.08 17.63 -6.21 -0.01 -0.03 -1.20 -1.38 0.92 -0.50 -0.74 -15.55

Amritsar 4.43 20.27 -6.17 -0.19 -0.72 -3.70 0.29 0.57 -2.07 -0.16 -12.56

Tarn Taran 6.52 21.48 -5.50 -0.15 -0.52 -3.80 0.91 -0.50 -0.91 -0.63 -16.91

Kapurthala 0.74 23.59 -6.10 0.00 0.00 -3.32 -1.36 0.78 3.04 4.14 -21.50

Jalandhar -1.34 23.34 -2.69 0.00 0.00 -2.79 -1.25 0.53 1.44 4.50 -21.73

Nawanshahr 4.00 17.29 -5.79 0.00 0.00 -1.09 -0.24 0.57 -2.58 0.89 -13.07

Hoshiarpur 0.72 7.04 -3.92 0.00 0.00 0.90 -2.58 4.15 -5.06 1.49 -2.74

Rupnagar 4.28 16.23 -4.29 0.00 0.00 -0.67 -6.53 0.71 -1.79 -0.79 -7.16

S.A.S. Nagar -1.57 5.51 -0.79 0.00 0.00 -1.41 -6.70 -2.20 -1.96 0.13 8.99

Ludhiana -0.63 11.34 -7.67 0.00 -0.59 -0.97 -2.62 -0.17 -0.05 0.81 0.54

Firozpur -0.83 1.40 -0.46 0.00 5.92 -1.65 -2.89 -0.11 1.26 -0.84 -1.79

Faridkot 3.41 16.39 -0.58 -0.32 -0.02 -1.60 -11.44 0.00 -3.07 -1.02 -1.73

Muktsar -1.87 1.80 -0.89 -0.83 13.67 -0.43 -6.93 0.00 -0.54 -1.10 -2.89

Moga 0.47 24.95 -0.81 -1.68 -9.00 -1.03 -5.48 -0.60 -2.86 1.15 -5.12

Bathinda 6.84 11.62 -0.36 -0.93 -2.19 -3.24 -10.71 -0.76 -1.63 1.54 -0.18

Mansa 5.03 10.54 -0.28 -1.43 8.24 -3.80 -18.68 -0.28 0.24 -1.36 1.77

Sangrur 2.96 14.75 -1.62 -0.87 -8.09 -2.76 -2.23 -0.06 -0.19 -0.30 -1.59

Patiala -2.98 11.91 -2.22 0.00 -0.37 -2.03 -2.39 -0.18 -1.46 0.22 -0.49 Fatehgarh Sahib -3.44 11.10 -2.61 0.00 -0.52 -1.48 -4.09 0.65 -1.70 0.77 1.32

Ambala 1.69 17.63 -5.21 0.00 0.00 -1.37 -3.81 -2.96 -0.07 0.31 -6.41

Panchkula 1.14 0.01 13.86 0.00 0.00 -1.29 -1.34 -6.13 -2.43 1.47 -5.41

Yamunanagar 3.54 9.07 -5.56 -0.25 0.00 -1.57 -3.49 9.96 -2.38 -0.08 -9.05

Kurukshetra -4.99 10.07 -0.93 -1.56 -0.80 -0.59 -0.45 1.86 -1.06 0.57 -2.12

Kaithal 0.59 9.98 -1.64 0.00 0.06 -0.83 -0.45 -1.19 -1.01 -0.73 -4.23

Karnal 1.92 10.54 -1.59 -1.28 -0.48 -0.49 -0.94 -0.07 -0.88 -0.99 -5.73

Panipat 1.56 14.31 -0.20 -2.84 -0.75 -2.42 -4.03 -3.11 1.34 -0.42 -3.44

Sonipat 2.57 6.91 -0.68 -11.82 0.19 -0.82 -0.42 -0.49 0.22 -0.66 5.00

Rohtak -0.76 5.66 0.05 -16.01 4.60 6.16 -7.15 2.69 0.60 -0.79 4.96

Jhajjar -3.89 3.21 0.04 -9.53 1.78 17.06 -9.21 -2.97 -1.77 -0.73 6.01

Faridabad 9.37 5.96 -0.49 -17.15 -0.07 -4.56 -3.13 -0.74 -1.55 0.21 12.15

Gurgaon 8.38 1.78 -0.30 -4.10 -0.01 11.60 -9.73 -1.04 -0.83 -1.22 -4.53

Rewari -0.64 0.06 0.00 -6.51 3.46 31.68 -21.19 -0.50 -0.62 -0.78 -4.96

Mahendragarh -1.86 0.01 0.00 -0.31 0.12 34.31 -14.60 -0.20 -0.45 -0.70 -16.37

Bhiwani 7.10 1.23 0.00 -14.09 5.14 16.36 -20.45 -0.19 0.36 -0.98 5.51

Jind 9.42 11.70 0.00 -5.27 10.33 -8.81 -9.80 -1.33 -0.38 -1.38 -4.48

Hisar 7.94 1.29 -0.18 -2.08 6.69 1.33 -10.19 -0.08 0.73 -1.61 -3.84

Fatehabad 15.69 10.50 -0.07 -6.68 3.23 -5.90 -14.98 -0.69 0.45 -0.64 -0.91

Sirsa 10.62 1.90 0.00 -2.69 9.10 4.42 -21.23 -0.01 0.62 -1.39 -1.34

REGION 3.31 10.04 -1.87 -2.82 1.03 1.24 -6.95 0.00 -0.50 -0.18 -3.28 Source: Statistical Abstracts of Punjab and Haryana 1986 and 2006.

0 40

Kms


1985-86 to 2005-06

Fig. 5.50

Per Cent

+ ve - ve

< 1

Source:


- ve+ ve

Per Cent

> 1

< 1

1-5

> 5

Statistical Abstracts of Punjab and Haryana - 1986 & 2006

239


This category comprises four districts of the study region namely

Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Moga and Kaithal. In these districts positive volume

of change of less than 1 per cent is recorded under wheat cultivation. In these

districts maximum proportion of land is under wheat cultivation in 1985-86 i.e.

over 40 per cent. Thus, high per cent share of wheat during 1985-86 has led

to low positive volume of change in wheat, because there was limited further

scope for increase of wheat cultivation.


Muktsar, Mahendragarh, Kurukshetra, Jhajjar, Patiala, Fatehgarh

Sahib, S.A.S. Nagar and Jalandhar are the main districts fall in this category.

The major causes for high negative volume of change in wheat cultivation in

these areas is the high share of wheat cultivation in 1985-86 and secondly

due to the expansion of rice cultivation farmers started taking more than one

crop on same piece of land and in this way total cropped area has increased

in 2005-06 and when the per cent of wheat is derived with increased total

cropped area, its per cent share has declined and as a result negative volume

of change is recorded. Though there is positive absolute change in these

areas during study period.


Rests of the districts form this category namely Ludhiana, Firozpur,

Rohtak and Rewari of low negative volume of change. In these areas the

negative volume of change is the result of increase in area under oilseeds

cultivation in Rewari and Rohtak districts and in Ludhiana and Firozpur

districts, increase in area under vegetables and other crops are the

240

responsible reasons for low negative volume of change in area under wheat

cultivation.

The preceding discussion shows that the district in which the area

under other crops is increased has experienced a negative volume of change.

On the other hand, the areas in which farmer adopted the new farm

techniques, use HYV's, chemical fertilizers and make full use of government

policies etc. have experienced positive volume of change in area under wheat

cultivation during 1985-86 to 2005-06.


The remarkable expansion in area under rice cultivation is recorded in

the study region. From 1985-86 to 2005-06, the study region has experienced

a positive volume of change of 10.04 per cent under rice crop. In 1985-86, it

covered 15.30 per cent of the total cropped area which increased to 25.34 per

cent of the total cropped area in 2005-06. This positive volume of change in

rice cultivation is the combined result of reclamation of land, extension of

irrigation, higher and assured economic returns as compare to maize, bajra,

cotton, kharif oilseeds, etc.


This category comprises 36.31 per cent of the total occurrences. Here

the positive volume of change varies between 16.23 in Rupnagar to 24.95 per

cent in Moga district. During study period, the price and demand for rice goes

high which encourages the farmers to increase area under this crop.

Secondly, owing to the adoption of HYV's of rice, use of chemical fertilizers

and willingness of farmers for increase in area under rice crop, etc. have

resulted into high positive volume of change in rice cultivation. Gurdaspur,

0 40

Kms


Fig. 5.51

1985-86 to 2005-06



< 10


10-15

> 15

Per Cent

241

Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Rupnagar, Nawanshahr, Moga,

Faridkot, and Ambala are the districts falls in this category.

2. Moderate high positive volume of change (10-15 percent)

Moderate high positive volume of change is recorded in the districts of

Ludhiana, Bathinda, Mansa, Sangrur, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Kurukshetra,

Karnal, Panipat, Jind and Fatehabad. During 1985-86, in Ludhiana, Sangrur,

Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Kurukshetra, Karnal and Panipat had a

considerable area under rice cultivation. With the further expansion in

agricultural infrastructure, the area under rice cultivation is increased in these

districts. In rest of the districts such as Bathinda, Mansa, Jind and Fatehabad

the increase in area under rice cultivation is the result of Green revolution

technology. Thus, these are the reasons for moderate volume of change in

rice cultivation in this category.


This category is well scattered in the study region and comprises

Muktsar, Firozpur, Hoshiarpur, S.A.S. Nagar, Sirsa, Hisar, Bhiwani, Rohtak,

Jhajjar, Rewari, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Sonipat, Yamunanagar, Kaithal,

Mahendragarh and Panchkula districts. The positive volume of change of less

than 10 per cent is recorded in these districts. These are not traditionally rice

growing areas but with the development agricultural infrastructure, availability

of irrigation, chemical fertilizers, etc. farmers started rice cultivation and they

brought area under its cultivation from cotton and fallow land, because the

economic returns were far better than cotton.

Thus it is observed that assured higher economic returns play a very

important role for change in area under rice cultivation in the study region.

242

With the expansion of irrigation, roads, marketing facilities, etc. the study

region has experienced positive volume of change.


Fodder occupied 14.61 per cent of the total cropped area in 1985-86

which has declined to 11.33 per cent of the total cropped area in 2005-06 and

as a result a negative volume of change of 3.28 per cent is recorded in the

study region from 1985-86 to 2005-06. These changes are the result of socio-

economic and technological factors. These changes are mapped in fig. 5.52

which shows the following categories:


This category comprises 39.47 percent of the total occurrences.

Thirteen out of thirty-eight districts fall in this category. These districts are

Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Nawanshahr,

Rupnagar, Moga, Panchkula, Mahendragarh, Karnal, Yamunanagar, and

Ambala. The main reason for decline in fodder crop is increase in area under

rice and wheat cultivation in Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Jalandhar,

Kapurthala, Nawanshahr, Rupnagar, Moga, Karnal and Yamunanagar

districts which is further supplemented by HYV’s of khrif fodder which resulted

low area. All this has resulted in high negative volume of change under fodder

cultivation. While in the district of Mahendragarh, the high negative volume of

change under fodder cultivation is recorded owing to increase in area under

oilseeds cultivation. Thus, all these factors are responsible for high negative

volume of change under fodder crops in this category.

0 40

Kms


Fig. 5.52

1985-86 to 2005-06




- ve+ ve

< 5

> 5

Per Cent

> 5

< 5

243


This category covers the districts of Hoshiarpur, Firozpur, Faridkot,

Muktsar, Bathinda, Sangrur, Patiala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Panipat, Gurgaon,

Rewari, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa. In all these districts, during 1985-86

farmers grow fodder crops only for domestic consumption and area under

these crops was comparatively low whereas in 2005-06 with the change of

agricultural methods, the drought live stock has almost disappeared and now

only the milch live stock is there and secondly due to developed irrigation

farmers have adopted HYV’s of kharif fodder crops which is ratoon crops and

yield high and require less area. It is also one of the reasons for low change in

the fodder crops due to the above mentioned reasons. All these districts have

experienced low negative volume change from 1985-86 to 2005-06.


Only five districts are covered by this category namely S.A.S Nagar,

Jhajjar, Bhiwani, Sonipat and Faridabad. The main reasons for increase in

area under fodder crops are the demand of fodder crops in big dairy farms in

the surrounding areas of Chandigarh and Mohali in case of S.A.S. Nagar and

towns of Delhi, Gurgaon and Faridabad in respect of Faridabad district.


Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib, Mansa and Rohtak districts comprise this

category. In these districts, the increase in area under fodder is less than 5

per cent. During this time period, government is actively supporting dairy

sector by implementing various schemes. Government also launched a new

scheme called Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana with a massive investment of

25000 crores to promote agriculture and allied sector. So the farmers of these

244

districts make full use of the government policies which is a major reason for

increase in area under fodder crops in these districts.

Thus it is observed that during this time period many districts have

experienced a negative volume of change because of the fodder crops

replacing of by wheat and rice. The decline in area is noted particular in the

districts where wheat-rice crop rotation has emerged. At the same time

demand of fodder for dairy farms also play very important role.


Maize is used as food grain as well as fodder in the study region. It

occupied 3.01 per cent of the total cropped area in 1985-86 which has

declined to 1.14 per cent of the total cropped area during 2005-06. Thus,

negative volume of change of 1.87 per cent is recorded in area under maize

cultivation during the study period. These changes are shown in fig. 5.53 and

table 5.10. Fig. 5.53 portrays the following three categories:


Nine out of thirty-eight districts form this category. These are

Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Nawanshahr, Rupnagar,

Ludhiana, Ambala and Yamunanagar districts. With the innovation of new

farm technology, HYV's of seeds of rice, etc. encouraged the farmers to shift

more area from maize to rice crop during Kharif season. Owing to all this, the

area under maize cultivation has declined which resulted into high negative

volume of change.

2. Moderate negative volume of change (1-4 percent)

Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Sangrur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, Kaithal and

Karnal districts comprise this category. Moderate negative volume of change

0 40

Kms

Source: Abstracts of Punjab and Haryana - 1986 & 2006

Fig. 5.53

1985-86 to 2005-06



< 1


- ve+ ve

1-4

> 4

< 1

> 1

Per Cent

NoChange

245

under maize cultivation is recorded from 1985-86 to 2005-06, because of

increase in area under rice cultivation in above mentioned districts during the

study period. But in case of Hoshiarpur district, the change was moderate

owing to high per cent share in 1985-86. But in other districts, maize was not

important crop whereas in 2005-06 area under maize in also in significant i.e.

moderate negative volume of change has experienced.


Firozpur, Muktsar, Faridkot, Moga, S.A.S. Nagar, Bathinda, Mansa,

Kurukshetra, Fatehabad, Hisar, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Sonipat and Panipat

districts are included in the category of low negative volume of change. In

these districts, maize is still cultivated on subsistence scale. In S.A.S. Nagar,

it is still enjoying 6.30 per cent area under its cultivation other districts were

not traditionally maze growing area.

4. High positive volume of change (>1 percent)

Only Panchkula district form this category. Panchkula is traditionally a

maize growing area of the study region. Here, the geo-climatic conditions are

suitable for maize cultivation. Here maize is still used as staple food and as

well as fodder crop. All these reasons are responsible for High positive

volume of change in maize crop.

5. Low Positive volume of change (<1 per cent)

Two districts fall in this category namely Rohtak and Jhajjar. In these

districts maize is cultivated as fodder and as well as food crop. Due to all this,

the area under maize cultivation has increased.

246

6. Areas without change

Rests of the districts are included in this category namely, Sirsa,

Bhiwani, Mahendragarh, Rewari and Jind. In these districts, maize cultivation

is replaced by oilseeds, rice and pulses. There was no land under maize

cultivation during 1985-86 to 2005-06 in these districts. It is one of the major

factors for no change in area under maize cultivation in this part of the study

area.

The present researcher has concluded that maize crop in the whole

study region has never been an important crop, but it regional significance.

Though during 1985-86, area under maize cultivation was 3.01 which has

declined to 1.14 per cent in 2005-06 and recorded a negative volume of

change of 1.87 per cent. But if one look at the table 5.10, one will observe that

it was very important crop in the districts of Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr,

Rupnagar and S.A.S. Nagar where it has over 10 per cent area under its

cultivation not only in 1985-86 but in 2005-06 also. The second finding about

this crop is that the significance in respect of area and change starts decline

when one moves away from the Shiwalik foothills towards the south and

southwest owing to geo-climatic conditions. As a result there is variations in

volume of change in the study region.


Bajra cultivation has experienced negative volume of change of 2.82

percent in the study region during 1985-86 to 2005-06. In 1985-86, it covered

6.87 percent of the total cropped area and in 2005-06, the area under bajra

cultivation has decreased to 3.99 percent of the total cropped area. Fig. 5.54

0 40

Kms


Fig. 5.54

1985-86 to 2005-06



< 1


- ve

1-4

> 4

Per Cent

No Change

247

and table 5.10 are prepared to show the spatial pattern of changes in area

under bajra cultivation which depict four categories.


This category covers the southern parts of the study region including

Fatehabad, Jind, Sonipat, Rohtak, Bhiwani, Jhajjar, Rewari, Gurgaon and

Faridabad districts. Though, these were traditionally bajra growing areas of

the study region but with the ushering of green revolution technology,

expansion in irrigational facilities etc. resulted into increase in area under rice

cultivation in Fatehabad, Jind, Rohtak, Sonipat and Faridabad districts. Due to

these reasons, the area under bajra cultivation has experienced high negative

volume of change from 1985-86 to 2005-06. While at the same time in

Bhiwani and Rewari districts, increase in area under oilseeds cultivation is

responsible for high negative volume of change in this category.

2. Moderate negative volume of change (1-4 percent)

Six out of thirty eight districts form the category of Moderate negative

volume of change namely Moga, Mansa, Sirsa, Hisar, Kurukshetra, Karnal

and Panipat districts. The districts of Moga, Mansa, Kurukshetra, Karnal and

Panipat are not traditionally Bajra growing areas. But in these districts, a small

area of cultivated land is devoted to Bajra cultivation during 1985-86. But in

2005-06 rice crop has snatched this area from bajra cultivation which lead to

moderate negative volume of change. In the districts of Hisar and Sirsa, bajra

crop faces strong competition from cotton and oilseeds which resulted in

moderate negative volume of change.

248


This category is well scattered in the study region. The districts of

Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Faridkot, Muktsar, Sangrur, Bathinda,

Mahendragarh and Yamunanagar comprise this category. The economic

returns from bajra crop are far less than rice crop, thus when agricultural

infrastructure has developed then farmers become choosy and they have

selected rice cultivation in place of bajra in the districts of Amritsar, Tarn

Taran, Sangrur and Yamunanagar. Whereas cotton crop has taken area from

bajra in the districts of Faridkot, Muktsar and Bathinda. All these reasons

consequently lead to low negative volume of change.


Thirteen districts fall in this category namely Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala,

Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Ludhiana, Firozpur, Fatehgarh Sahib, S.A.S. Nagar,

Rupnagar, Patiala, Panchkula, Ambala and Kaithal. No area was under bajra

cultivation during 1985-86 and 2005-06 except Panchkula, Kaithal these

districts of because, of the geo-climatic conditions which are not suitable for

its cultivation. Owing to these factors, the above mentioned districts have

experienced no change under bajra cultivation. But bajra is important millet

crop in areas having rugged topography, hot and dry climatic conditions, less

developed agricultural infrastructure, infertile soil, etc. Secondly, the demand

and price also play an important role in the cultivation of bajra. But farmers of

areas with flat land, fertile soil and developed agricultural infrastructure prefer

rice to bajra cultivation because of its maximum economic returns from the

former.

249


Pulses cultivation have experienced negative volume of change of 6.95

per cent in the study region. 8.43 per cent of the total cropped area was under

pulses cultivation during 1985-86 which has decreased to 1.48 per cent in

2005-06. The spatial changes of pulses cultivation in the study area are

shown with in fig. 5.55 and table 5.10.


This category is confined to the western and south-western parts of the

study region including Faridkot, Bathinda, Mansa, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar,

Bhiwani, Mahendragarh and Rewari districts of the study region. These areas

are traditionally pulses growing areas of the study region, but with the

introduction of Green Revolution technology, the area under wheat has

increased in Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar and Bhiwani the increase in area under

wheat and rice cultivation in Mansa and Faridkot districts resulted in high

negative volume of change in area under pulses cultivation.


Moderate negative volume of change is recorded in the districts of

Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar, Muktsar, Moga, Jind, Rohtak, Jhajjar and Gurgaon.

Increase in area under rice cultivation in Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar, Jind,

Rohtak snatched area from pulses cultivation. At the same time increases in

area under oilseeds cultivation resulted in moderate negative volume of

change pulses cultivation.


Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Firozpur, Sangrur,

Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ludhiana, Nawanshahr, Panchkula, Ambala,

0 40

Kms

Source: Statistical Abstracts Abstracts of Punjab and Haryana - 1986 & 2006

Fig. 5.55

1985-86 to 2005-06



< 5


- ve+ ve

5-10

> 10< 1

Per Cent

250

Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat and Faridabad

districts covered by this category. Tremendous increase in the price of rice

crop and its easy marketing has encouraged the farmers to devote maximum

area under rice cultivation in the above mentioned districts. Owing to this

reason the area under pulses cultivation has experienced a low negative

volume of change.

4. Positive volume of change (<1 per cent)

Only two districts namely Amritsar and Tarn Taran are included in this

category. Increase in pulses cultivation is due to the low area under 1985-86

under their cultivation is mainly responsible for positive change.


Cotton is very important fiber crop in the study region. It occupied 6.04

per cent of the total cropped area in 1985-86 and has increased to 7.07

percent of the total cropped area in 2005-06. As a result positive volume of

change of 1.03 per cent is recorded in the study region. The following

categories are shown in fig. 5.56 and table 5.10.


This category covers the western and southern parts of the study

region including Firozpur, Muktsar, Mansa, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar, Bhiwani,

Rewari, Rohtak and Jind districts. These are traditionally cotton growing

areas. The main reasons which support cotton cultivation are climate, soils,

etc. Here rainfall is less than 40 cms. The soil is also sandy loam which is

infertile. Sub-soil water is saline and alkaline, which is not encouraging for rice

in kharif season. Due to all these reasons, cotton cultivation has experienced

high positive volume of change.

0 40

Kms



- ve+ ve

< 1

> 1> 2

Per Cent

Fig. 5.56

1985-86 to 2005-06



< 2

No Change

251


It covers the districts of Sonipat, Kaithal, Jhajjar and Mahendragarh.

The major reason for low positive volume of change in Sonipat districts is the

emergence of rice crop which has restricted the expansion of area under

cotton cultivation. While in Jhajjar and Mahendragarh, the successful

cultivation of oilseeds during kharif season is responsible for low positive

volume of change in cotton cultivation.


Moga, Bathinda and Sangrur districts fall in the category of negative

volume of change of above 1 percent. These are not traditionally cotton

growing areas but owing to less developed irrigational facilities, farmer sow

cotton crop during kharif season particularly for their domestic use and if

some cotton is surplus they use to sell in the market. But with the

development of irrigational facilities, agricultural infrastructure and HYV of

rice, farmer prefer rice cultivation in place of cotton. All these developments

lead to high negative volume of change in cotton cultivation.

4. Low Negative volume of change (<1 percent)

Eleven out of 38 districts form this category, namely Gurdaspur,

Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Faridkot, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala,

Kurukshetra, Karnal, Panipat, Gurgaon and Faridabad. Due to the predominance

of rice crop in above mentioned districts, the area under cotton crop has

experienced low negative volume of change from 1985-86 to 2005-06.


Rests of the nine districts are included in this category namely,

Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar,

252

Ambala, Panchkula and Yamunanagar. Firstly these districts are not

traditionally cotton growing areas, secondly there was no land devoted under

cotton cultivation during 1985-86 and 2005-06, and thirdly in these districts,

cotton faces strong competition with rice, pulses, maize and oilseeds.

From the above discussion, one comes to know that climate and soils

play very important role for the cultivation of cotton. The areas with hot and

dry climate and sandy loam soils have experienced positive volume of change

in area under cotton cultivation whereas the areas with comparative high

rainfall, loamy to clayey soils, developed irrigation, etc. have recorded

negative volume of change or no change in cotton cultivation.


Oilseeds occupy 4.34 percent of the total cropped are during 1985-86

and 2005-06. It has increased to 5.58 per cent of the total cropped area. Thus

positive volume of change of 1.24 per cent is recorded during the study

period. Overall, study region has recorded positive volume of change, but

some areas have experienced negative volume of change and others have

positive volume change. Therefore to make a comparative study of the

changes in oilseeds cultivation, the derived changes are mapped in fig. 5.57

and table 5.10 which illustrate the following categories:


Eight, out of thirty-eight districts are included in this category. This

category comprises the southern districts of the study area. Topographically,

these areas are suitable for oilseeds, because of rugged topography with

sandy soil cover. Moreover, here the average annual rainfall in these areas is

also low as compared to other districts. Thus, in these conditions the

0 40

Kms


Fig. 5.57

1985-86 to 2005-06




- ve+ ve

< 1

> 1

< 1

> 1

Per Cent

253

cultivation of other crop is a difficult task. But, oilseeds crops respond well

even in these conditions. Due to these reasons the area under oilseeds

cultivation has increased in the districts of Gurgaon, Rewari, Mahendragarh,

Jhajjar, Bhiwani, Rohtak, Hisar and Sirsa of this category.


Only Hoshiarpur district form the category of low positive volume of

change. During this time period, the price of edible oils has increased very

high; its demand is also increased. Thus the cultivation of oilseeds is

beneficial for the farmers; owing to this reason, Hoshiarpur district has

experienced positive volume of change. Here irrigation is not well developed,

some farmers also cultivate sunflower. Due to the popularity of sunflower the

area under oilseeds has increased.


This category comprises 52.63 per cent of the total occurrences. It

covers Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Firozpur, Faridkot, Bathinda, Mansa,

Sangrur, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, S.A.S. Nagar, Nawanshahr, Jalandhar,

Kapurthala, Moga, Panchkula, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Fatehabad, Jind,

Panipat and Faridabad districts of the study region. In these districts, oilseeds

are replaced by vegetables, wheat and rice which have minimised the area

under oilseeds cultivation and consequently high negative volume of changes

in oilseeds is noted.


A negative volume of change of less than one per cent is recorded in

the districts of Muktsar, Ludhiana, Rupnagar, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal and

Sonipat. Firstly, these districts are not traditionally oilseeds growing areas and

254

secondly, oilseeds face strong competition with other crops especially from

wheat, rice and cotton. Owing to these reasons, the area under oilseeds

cultivation is declined.

From the above discussion, one comes to know that oilseeds

cultivation is important in the southern parts of the study region. In these

areas, cultivation of other crops is not successful as oilseeds because of

physical and climatic conditions are more favourable for oilseeds Cultivation.

On the other hand, the districts with flat land, fertile soils, and developed

irrigation facilities have experienced negative volume of change.


In sugarcane cultivation, no overall change is recorded during 1985-86

to 2005-06, which evident from data that area under sugarcane has remained

1.52 per cent of the total cropped area for 1985-86 as well as 2005-06.

Though no overall change is noticed in sugarcane cultivation yet on district

level some positive and negative changes have experienced. Thus the spatial

pattern of volume of change of sugarcane cultivation are shown in fig 5.58

and table 5.10 which depict the following categories:


Only eight districts namely S.A.S. Nagar, Ambala, Panchkula, Kaithal,

Jind, Panipat, Jhajjar and Gurgaon form this category. These districts have

experienced high negative volume of change due to stiff competition from

wheat and rice and poor marketing for sugarcane by sugar mills. But in case

of Jhajjar and Gurgaon districts, predominance of oilseeds as reason for

negative volume of change in sugarcane cultivation

0 40

Kms


Fig. 5.58

1985-86 to 2005-06



Region's Average = No Change

- ve+ ve

< 1

> 1

< 1

> 1

Per Cent

No Change

255


This category comprises 44.73 percent of the total occurrences and

covers a large part of the study region. Districts of Tarn Taran, Firozpur,

Moga, Bathinda, Patiala, Ludhiana, Sangrur, Mansa, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar,

Bhiwani, Mahendragarh, Rewari, Faridabad, Sonipat and Karnal form in this

category. In the districts of Tarn Taran, Moga, Bathinda, Patiala, Ludhiana,

Sangrur, Mansa, Sonipat and Karnal, the sugarcane crop faces strong

competition with other crops particularly wheat and rice because these areas

have flat land with fertile soils and developed agricultural infrastructure. While

in the districts of Bhiwani, Mahendragarh and Rewari, increase in oilseeds

cultivation is responsible for low negative volume of change in area under

sugarcane cultivation. Increase in area under cotton cultivation due to suitable

agro-climatic conditions in Sirsa, Fatehabad and Hisar districts is responsible

for low negative volume of change in area under sugarcane. Owing to all

these reasons a negative volume of change is recorded in area under

sugarcane cultivation.


This category comprises the districts of Hoshiarpur, Yamunanagar,

Kurukshetra and Rohtak. Increases in area under sugarcane cultivation has

registered in these districts because of the physiographic conditions of the

area which are suitable for sugar cultivation.


Seven out of thirty-eight districts cover this category namely,

Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Rupnagar and

Fatehgarh Sahib. The agro-climatic and socio-economic conditions are

256

favourable for sugarcane cultivation in these districts, which is one of the most

important reasons for positive volume of change.


Faridkot and Muktsar are the only districts comprise this category. In

these districts, a smaller part of cultivated land devoted under sugarcane

cultivation during 1985-86 and 2005-06. Only 0.22 per cent and 0.40 per cent

of the total cropped area is under sugarcane cultivation in Muktsar and

Faridkot respectively during 1985-86 and 2005-06. Thus no increase in area

under sugarcane cultivation is recorded during study period. This is the main

reason for no change.

It is concluded that the cultivation of sugarcane is declined in study

area. The area under sugarcane is increased in the districts lying along the

foothills zone where the physical conditions are suitable for its cultivation. But

the area under sugarcane cultivation is declined in the districts with flat land,

well developed agricultural infrastructure, etc. In these districts, sugarcane

crop face tough competition particularly from rice.


Vegetables cultivation has experienced overall negative volume of

change of 0.18 per cent during the study period. In 1985-86, area under its

cultivation was 1.45 per cent of the total cropped area which has declined to

1.27 per cent of the total cropped area in 2005-06. Though pulses have

experienced overall negative volume of change in the study region. Yet in

some districts vegetables cultivation has increased and in others have

decreased. Thus, the volume of change in vegetables is not uniform. These

changes are shown in fig. 5.59 and table 5.10.

0 40

Kms


Fig. 5.59

1985-86 to 2005-06



< 2


- ve+ ve

< 5

Per Cent

257

The study of fig. 5.59 shows that 24 out of 38 districts have

experienced a negative volume of change under vegetables cultivation which

vary between -0.08 per cent in Yamunanagar to -1.61 per cent in Hisar

district. This belt comprises 63.15 per cent of the total occurrences. Negative

volume of change has experienced in the districts where area under wheat,

rice, cotton and oilseeds has increased. Secondly, the districts with less

numbers of urban centres, lacking in proper market facilities or far away from

the cities have experienced negative volume of change. The districts of

Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Rupnagar, Firozpur, Faridkot, Muktsar,

Mansa, Sangrur, Yamunanagar, Kaithal, Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat, Rohtak,

Jhajjar, Gurgaon, Rewari, Mahendragarh, Bhiwani, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad

and Sirsa have experienced negative volume of change in area under

vegetables cultivation from 1985-86 to 2005-06.

The areas with favourable geo-climatic condition, proper marketing

facilities, demand of vegetables in rural and urban localities have experienced

positive volume of change. It includes districts of Kapurthala, Jalandhar,

Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur, S.A.S. Nagar, Ludhiana, Moga, Bathinda, Patiala,

Fatehgarh Sahib, Ambala, Panchkula, Faridabad and Kurukshetra.

XI. Changes in Other Crops Cultivation (Fig. 5.60)

Other crops have very less area under its cultivation in the study region

during 1985-86 and 2005-06. Only 1.58 per cent of the total cropped area was

under other crops in 1985-86 which has declined to 1.97 per cent in 2005-06.

Thus a negative volume of change of 0.51 per cent is recorded under the

cultivation of other crops. Overall negative volume of change is recorded in

the study region in other crops cultivation, but some districts have

0 40

Kms


1985-86 to 2005-06

Fig. 5.60

Statistical Abstracts of Punjab and Haryana - 1986& 2006Source:

Per Cent

< 6

+ ve - ve


< 4

Source:

-0.52

258

experienced a positive volume of change also. The derived results are shown

in fig. 5.60 and table 5.10.

The areas in which wheat rice and cotton crops are predominant have

experienced negative volume of change in other crops. Negative volume of

change is found in the districts of Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran,

Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar, Ludhiana, Faridkot,

Muktsar, Moga, Bathinda, Sangrur, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ambala,

Panchkula, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal, Jhajjar, Faridabad,

Gurgaon, Rewari, Mahendragarh and Jind.

Whereas positive volume of change have experienced in the districts

where fruits and spices cultivation are well placed in the overall cropping

patterns because of suitability of physical environment and climatic conditions.

The districts of Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Firozpur, Mansa, Panipat, Sonipat,

Rohtak, Bhiwani, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa have experienced positive

volume of change in area under other crops.

Conclusion

The green revolution technology which was introduced during 1965-66

had almost completed its first phase but had not prevailed in all parts of the

study region and neither could achieve the climax. During 1985-86, it is

observed that expansion in irrigation, adoption of HYV of wheat and rice,

American cotton, etc was continuing. It is also concluded that increase in use

of agro-chemicals, agricultural machinery, development of agricultural

infrastructure is still increasing. Thus the changes in agricultural infrastructure,

HYVs of seeds, introduction of Kandi area development programme, etc. have

positive bearing on the cropping pattern of the study region. The followings

259

are the deduction in the cropping pattern of the study region. Owing to the

above mentioned factors, first of all it is found that cropping pattern has

witnessed a significant change and as a result wheat and rice crops have

emerged in the overall study region, but from regional point of view, it is

observed that along the Shiwaliks there is emergence of wheat, rice, maize

and fodder crops. In southwestern parts, wheat, cotton, rice and fodder crops

have emerged on the agricultural landscape, whereas the southern parts of

study region have wheat, bajra, oilseeds and fodder dominant cropping

pattern, while the central parts of the study region having gentle gradient,

fertile soil, well developed irrigation, well developed agricultural infrastructure,

etc and are having wheat and rice crop dominant cropping pattern. Wheat

cultivation during 1985-86 has increased from 36.90 per cent to 40.21 per

cent in 2005-06 and registered a positive volume of change of 3.31 per cent.

Thus, if one compared the changes with 1965-66 to 1985-86, will find that

changes in wheat cultivation was 13.92 per cent as compare to 1985-86 to

2005-06 change of 3.31 per cent which shows that the study region had

experienced significant change in wheat cultivation during 1965-66 to 1985-86

as compare to 1985-86 to 2005-06. Thus, in post green revolution period

wheat has experienced little change because; it had already achieved

remarkable percentage under its cultivation. Rice crop during 1985-86 to

2005-06 has increased its acreage from 15.30 per cent to 25.34 per cent.

Here also the Punjab’s share of rice crop has experienced higher change than

Haryana. In case of Punjab, it is 13.39 per cent whereas in Haryana it is 5.92.

It is also observed that the central parts of the study region have more than 40

per cent of the total cropped area under rice cultivation whereas the southern

260

parts are having less than 10 per cent in most of the districts. It is also

observed in case of rice cultivation that areas with fertile soils and well

developed irrigation have experienced high percentage under their cultivation

as well as high positive volume of change. In case of maize it is observed that

it has experienced positive volume of change of -1.87 per cent. Secondly, it is

also observed that this crop was having comfortable area in the northern parts

of the study region in 1985-86 but presently it is only confined to the districts

along the Shiwaliks because areas along the Shiwalik receive high rainfall as

compare to southern and central parts. But with the invasion of rice in maize

dominant area, rice has captured acreage from maize cultivation because of

the higher economic return in case of former. Bajra cultivation has lost area

during 1985-86 to 2005-06. It is also observed that bajra cultivation is mainly

confined to the southern parts of study region where it is still enjoying a

comfortable position but with increase in irrigational facilities, rice is making

advances in southern parts of the study region also and as a result bajra

cultivation is loosing area under its cultivation. Incase of cotton it is deduced

that during 1985-86 to 2005-06 its area has concentrated in western districts

of the study region including Firozpur, Faridkot, Muktsar, Bathinda, Mansa,

Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa. In all these districts, still its per cent share is over

20. It is also found that area under oilseeds cultivation has experienced 1.24 per

cent positive volume of change in the study region except the districts of Rohtak,

Jhajjar, Gurgaon, Rewari, Mahendragarh and Hisar. Where oilseeds have

experienced negative volume of change. These above mentioned districts have

experienced positive volume of change owing to geo-climatic conditions and lack

of adequate irrigational facilities. In case of pulses, it is concluded that these

261

had recorded negative volume of change in all districts of the study region.

Overall area under their cultivation has declined from 8.43 per cent to 1.48 per

cent. The major reasons for decline of area under pulses are increase in

irrigational facilities except southern parts, emergence of rice and wheat in

northern and central parts where as oilseeds in southern parts because the

economic return from oilseeds are higher than pulses. It is found that though

no change is recorded in sugarcane cultivation in 1985-86 to 2005-06, yet

small positive and negative changes are found in its cultivation in all the

districts. The major reason for static position of sugarcane cultivation is the

uncertainty of its marketing. During 1985-86 to 2005-06 the area under

vegetables has declined from 1.45 per cent to 1.27 per cent. In respect of

fodder cultivation, it has also declined from 14.61 per cent to 11.33 per cent

and registered a negative volume of change of 3.28 per cent. In case of other

crops, the area has also witnessed decline from 1.58 per cent to 1.07 per cent

in 1985-86 and 2005-06 respectively. It is concluded that only wheat and rice

crop have recorded positive volume of change and among wheat and rice,

rice is leading crop which has witnessed high changes under its cultivation,

the trend of rice is towards capturing more areas from other kharif crops

whereas wheat crop has achieved its climax. One can say that all these

changes in the cropping pattern in the study region are due to the developed

agricultural infrastructure awakened and progressive farmer, favourable

government polities, etc.

262

C. CHANGES IN CROPPING PATTERN: 1965-66 to 2005-06

During mid sixties Green Revolution technology had introduced in

Punjab-Haryana plains with the adoption of HYVs of wheat and rice. The

adoption and acclimatization of HYVs of wheat and rice required adequate

developed source of irrigation, heavy doses of chemical fertilizer and plant

protection measures. These were provided by the government with passage

of time. Process of green revaluation was further followed by tractorization,

sinking of tubewells and pumping sets, harvest combines consolidation of

land holding, land reforms, rural electrification, agricultural research and

extension services, well network of marketing system, price supporting policy

of some crops, liberal credit facilities, etc. All these introductions in agricultural

sector had helped the farmers to increase cultivated area, net sown area,

area sown more than once, changes in cropping pattern etc. Moreover the

short duration varieties of seeds of wheat and rice also have helped the

farmers to increase area under crops. Hence all these developments has

taken place in agricultural sector, which had become instrument made

farmers to cultivate those crops which fetch assured and higher economic

returns and easy marketing. But they had left those crops with uncertain and

low economic returns. In such scenario their choice fell on wheat during rabi

season and rice during kharif season. All this led to great ups and downs in

area under individual crops in the cropping pattern of the study region. These

ups and downs under individual crops are shown in table 5.9 which depict

changes in overall cropping pattern of Punjab-Haryana Plains during 1965-66

to 2005-06.

263

An in depth study of fig. 5.60 and table 5.9 show that the highest gainer

crop in respect of area under its cultivation is rice which has increased from

only 5.74 per cent of 25.34 per cent of the total cropped area and registered a

positive volume of change of 19.60 per cent. The second gainer crop in order

is wheat. It has increased from 22.98 per cent for 40.21 per cent of the total

cropped area during study period and has recorded positive volume of change

of 17.23 per cent. The looser crop of the study region is pulses which has

declined from 17.84 per cent to merely 1.48 per cent during 1965-66 to 2005-

06 and registered a negative volume of change of 16.34 per cent. It is very

interesting to note that the area from pulses has been snatched by wheat

cultivation, because major part of pulses was gram and its cultivation is done

during rabi season. The next crop in order which has experienced negative

volume of change is fodder. It had cultivated on 20.15 per cent of total

cropped area in 1965-66 but it comprised only 11.33 per cent of the total

cropped area in 2005-06 and recorded a negative volume of change 8.82 per

cent.

Bajra crop has also experienced significant negative volume of change

of 7.40 per cent. Decline in area under maize cultivation has also recorded

during 1965-66 to 1985-86. It had 5.18 per cent in 1965-66 and has 1.14 per

cent in 2005-06. Hence, it has experienced negative volume of change of 4.04

per cent. Leaving aside these crops there are other crops, in the study region

like cotton, sugarcane and other crops which have also recorded negative

volume of change, which is less than 1 per cent and is not of any significance.

Vegetables and oilseeds are other two crops which have experienced

insignificant positive volume of change that is less than 1 per cent. Thus, from

the preceeding discussion, it is observed that wheat and rice were the main

264

gainer crops whereas the pulses fodder, maize and bajra were the major

looser crop in the overall cropping pattern.

Hence, after discussing the changes in overall cropping pattern of the

study region, now it becomes imperative to discuss the changes and factors

responsible for changes in individual crops. These are discussion the

following pages.

Table 5. 11 Overall Changes in Cropping Pattern in Punjab-Haryana Plains

1965-66 to 2005-06 Per cent of TCA Sr.

No. Crop

1965-66 2005-06

Per Cent Change

1 Wheat 22.98 40.21 17.23 2 Rice 5.74 25.34 19.60 3 Fodder 20.15 11.33 -8.82 4 Maize 5.18 1.14 -4.04 5 Bajra 11.39 3.99 -7.40 6 Pulses 17.84 1.48 -16.34 7 Cotton 7.20 7.07 -0.13 8 Oilseeds 5.19 5.58 0.39 9 Sugarcane 1.85 1.52 -0.33

10 Vegetables 0.90 1.27 0.37 11 Others 1.59 1.07 -0.52

Source: Statistical Abstracts of Punjab and Haryana, 1966 and 2006

I. Changes in Wheat Cultivation (Fig. 5.62)

Wheat is a first ranking food grain crop of the study region. The area

under wheat cultivation has changed significantly from 1965-66 to 2005-06. A

positive volume of change of 17.23 per cent is recorded in area under wheat

cultivation from 1965-66 to 2005-06. 22.98 percent of the total cropped area

was under wheat cultivation in 1965-66 which is increased to 40.21 percent in

2005-06. These changes are shown in fig. 5.62 and table 5.12.


Pulses, -16.34

Rice, 19.6

Wheat, 17.23

Others, -0.52

Vegetables, 0.37

Cotton, -0.13

Oilseeds, 0.39

Sugarcane, -0.33

Fodder, -8.82

Maize, -4.04

Bajra, -7.4

Fig. 5.61

265


Districts Wheat Rice Maize Bajra Cotton Oil- seeds Pulses Sugar-

cane Other Vegetables Fodder

Gurdaspur 11.68 26.06 -9.14 -0.03 -0.14 -2.10 -5.99 0.22 -0.52 -0.25 -19.87

Amritsar 12.03 28.13 -7.26 -0.25 -3.88 -2.50 -8.10 -2.04 -0.35 0.76 -16.55

Tarn Taran 13.60 30.37 -7.64 -0.70 -4.53 -3.30 -7.73 -3.04 -0.38 0.03 -16.69

Kapurthala 11.36 32.36 -11.29 -0.20 -0.69 -0.42 -13.14 -1.68 3.91 3.81 -24.00

Jalandhar 10.11 25.75 -12.18 -0.10 -0.86 -0.59 -12.15 -1.02 4.11 3.69 -16.75

Nawanshahr 13.04 22.10 -8.89 -0.50 -0.40 -6.49 -7.34 0.50 0.19 0.24 -12.46

Hoshiarpur 7.62 12.29 -0.31 -0.80 -0.04 -3.30 -11.05 2.32 2.01 1.78 -10.52

Rupnagar 18.24 22.47 -6.60 -0.21 -0.78 -5.27 -9.83 -5.36 0.31 -0.92 -12.06

S.A.S. Nagar 11.90 17.87 -13.10 -0.70 -0.40 -3.51 -11.50 -4.93 0.27 -0.08 4.18

Ludhiana 12.13 33.37 -11.27 -1.12 -1.61 -1.97 -12.72 -4.67 0.73 0.93 -13.80

Firozpur 12.69 17.51 -2.60 -3.53 -9.68 -0.55 -10.98 -1.98 0.90 0.54 -2.31

Faridkot 15.45 32.19 -1.50 -3.10 -11.35 -1.70 -10.44 -1.10 -1.60 -0.86 -15.97

Muktsar 12.74 16.80 -1.20 -3.00 -0.33 -3.73 -10.33 -0.98 0.53 0.18 -10.69

Moga 16.02 40.00 -1.14 -2.30 -24.90 -2.13 -12.98 -0.20 -0.90 0.75 -12.23

Bathinda 23.28 16.52 -1.26 -3.02 17.06 -4.34 -28.41 -0.70 -0.10 2.35 -21.38

Mansa 25.23 18.12 -1.90 -8.62 17.73 -3.60 -29.58 -1.50 -0.11 -0.35 -15.43

Sangrur 13.15 37.25 -6.49 -6.07 -2.92 -3.36 -18.93 -0.29 -0.50 0.15 -11.99

Patiala 13.44 31.71 -7.03 -1.30 -1.25 -2.33 -18.09 -4.01 -0.80 -0.25 -10.08 Fatehgarh Sahib 13.48 34.40 -9.90 -0.09 -1.32 -2.98 -15.94 -4.35 -1.40 0.39 -12.29

Ambala 20.09 21.83 -10.41 -1.93 -0.20 -2.57 -18.31 5.49 -0.28 0.79 -14.50

Panchkula 18.74 5.71 7.16 -1.13 -0.10 -1.19 -14.88 0.92 -1.50 2.04 -15.76

Yamunanagar 16.67 19.97 -13.46 -0.43 -0.37 -2.57 -18.05 18.72 -1.10 0.63 -20.18

Kurukshetra 12.49 26.55 -4.97 -3.00 -2.20 -0.64 -16.29 3.66 -2.82 0.76 -13.54

Kaithal 19.35 27.37 -6.05 -3.00 -1.44 -1.53 -15.03 0.11 -3.35 -0.98 -15.49

Karnal 16.57 26.34 -6.02 -4.04 -1.05 -1.79 -16.01 2.03 0.00 0.23 -16.25

Panipat 20.16 25.71 -0.10 -11.42 -2.65 -0.92 -18.05 3.19 -0.70 0.63 -15.85

Sonipat 21.44 9.44 -0.04 -8.12 -1.07 0.48 -17.04 5.41 -1.45 -2.15 -6.90

Rohtak 15.19 5.66 -0.42 -13.21 5.67 5.26 -19.36 5.99 -0.84 -0.13 -3.80

Jhajjar 13.44 3.21 -0.39 -5.11 0.45 17.29 -22.44 0.91 -1.09 0.45 -6.72

Faridabad 31.87 5.96 -0.21 -19.26 -0.10 -4.18 -19.85 1.95 -1.34 -0.82 5.98

Gurgaon 24.31 2.04 -0.36 -5.62 -0.30 15.20 -25.50 -0.28 -1.40 -0.93 -7.16

Rewari 20.72 0.19 -0.26 -24.51 2.36 28.90 -20.16 -0.11 -1.25 0.12 -6.00

Mahendragarh 14.52 0.10 -0.60 -17.70 -0.85 29.62 -18.40 -0.55 -1.63 0.00 -4.72

Bhiwani 14.44 1.20 -0.20 -25.80 0.37 16.07 -12.24 -0.18 -1.31 0.20 7.44

Jind 27.90 20.89 -0.10 -12.87 4.66 0.57 -17.69 0.38 -1.82 0.22 -22.14

Hisar 22.96 4.47 -0.22 -14.61 12.46 -3.02 -18.23 -1.10 -1.63 -0.36 -0.72

Fatehabad 32.47 14.81 -0.07 -20.73 11.55 -4.25 -28.28 -1.69 -1.93 0.35 -2.24

Sirsa 27.58 6.57 -0.02 -21.02 15.97 -3.68 -25.69 -1.85 -2.01 -0.04 4.19

REGION 17.23 19.60 -4.04 -7.40 -0.13 0.39 -16.36 -0.33 -0.52 0.37 -8.82 Source: Statistical Abstracts of Punjab and Haryana – 1966 & 2006.

0 40

Kms


1965-66 to 2005-06

Fig. 5.62

Per Cent

Source:


< 15

15-20

Statistical Abstracts of Punjab and Haryana - 1966 & 2006

> 20

266


Twelve out of thirty-eight districts are fall in this category namely

Bathinda, Mansa, Ambala, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar, Jind, Panipat, Sonipat,

Rewari, Gurgaon and Faridabad. With the innovation of new farm techniques,

adoption of HYV's, use of agro-chemical, expansion in irrigational network etc.

and government has also introduced many policies in favour of farmers to

encourage them to devote maximum area under wheat cultivation.


Districts of Rupnagar, Faridkot, Moga, Panchkula, Yamunanagar,

Kaithal, Karnal and Rohtak form in this category. In the districts of Rupnagar,

Panchkula, Yamunanagar and Rohtak, physical factor such as hilly and

dissected topography choes infested area, sandy soils, etc. are the main

obstacles for the implementation of new farm technology. Owing to the

peculiar nature of its terrain, the change in area under wheat cultivation is

noted moderate in above mentioned districts. But in Karnal, Kaithal, Faridkot

and Moga, Predominance of wheat crop in 1965-66 is responsible for

moderate change in area under wheat cultivation.


This category comprise the districts of Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn

Taran, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur, S.A.S. Nagar,

Ludhiana, Firozpur, Muktsar, Sangrur, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Kurukshetra,

Jhajjar, Mahendragarh and Bhiwani. Most of the districts falls in this category

are traditionally wheat growing areas except, Mahendragarh and Bhiwani

districts. Wheat is one the most important crop during 1965-66 to 2005-06

because of the suitable physical and agro-climatic conditions. While,

267

Mahendragarh and Bhiwani districts are not traditionally wheat growing areas.

During 1965-66 very small part of cultivated area was under wheat cultivation

i.e. 2.01 percent and 1.16 percent of the total cropped area in Mahendragarh

and Bhiwani districts respectively. Unfavourable geo-climatic conditions are

the responsible for low positive volume of change in area under wheat

cultivation in Mahendragarh and Rewari districts.


Rice is now an important crop of study area. But in southern parts of

the study region rice cultivation is of less important as compared to rest of the

districts. It occupies 5.74 per cent and 25.34 per cent of the total cropped area

during 1965-66 and 2005-06 respectively. Thus, positive volume of change of

19.60 per cent is recorded. Table 5.12 is mapped with the following categories

to highlight the spatial changes in rice cultivation (fig. 5. 63).


It includes districts of Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Gurdaspur,

Jalandhar, Moga, Faridkot, Ludhiana, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Sangrur,

Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal and Panipat. The factors which are mainly

responsible for the prominent increase in area under rice cultivation is the

reclamation of by water logging land in Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran,

Jalandhar and Kapurthala districts. Rice is grown in rest of the districts

because of increase in irrigational facilities, development of irrigation

developed infrastructure, adoption of new high yielding variety of seeds of

rice, etc. Owing to all these reasons, above mentioned districts has registered

high positive volume of change in area under rice cultivation.

0 40

Kms


Fig. 5.63

1965-66 to 2005-06



< 15


15-25

> 25

Per Cent

268


Ten out of thirty eight districts comprise this category. These are

Nawanshahr, Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar, Firozpur, Muktsar, Bathinda, Mansa,

Ambala, Yamunanagar and Jind districts. The above mentioned districts are

not traditionally rice growing areas. In case of Nawanshahr, Rupnagar, S.A.S.

Nagar, Ambala and Yamunanagar districts the physical environment is not

more suitable for rice cultivation and secondly competition maize which crop

during 1965-66 in these district because of suitable geo-climatic condition for

its cultivation. In Firozpur, Bathinda, Mansa and Muktsar districts the

predominance of cotton crop is responsible for moderate positive volume of

change under rice cultivation while in Jind district, predominance of bajra

cultivation is responsible for moderate positive volume of change under rice

cultivation from 1965-66 to 2005-06 in this category.


This category covers the western southern and northeastern parts of

the study region. The districts of Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar, Bhiwani, Rewari,

Mahendragarh, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Jhajjar, Rohtak, Sonipat, Panchkula and

Hoshiarpur are included in this category. During 1965-66, in Sirsa, Fatehabad,

Hisar, Jind, Bhiwani, Jhajjar, Rohtak, Rewari, and Gurgaon districts the area

under rice cultivation was less than two percent of the total cropped area,

because the unfriendly physical environment for rice cultivation in these

districts. But In case of Sonipat and Panchkula districts, the area under rice

cultivation has registered low positive volume of change, because during

1965-66, 10.20 percent and 14.30 percent of the total cropped area was

under rice cultivation in Panchkula and Sonipat districts respectively. But with

269

the introduction of green revolution technology, expansion in irrigational

facilities, use of HYV seeds of rice and a little increase in area under rice is

found in 2005-06. All these reasons are responsible for low positive volume of

change in this category.


In overall cropping pattern, fodder was very important crop which had

ranked third. In 1965-66, it covered 20.15 per cent of the total cropped area.

But it has decreased to 11.33 per cent in 2005-06. Negative volume of change

of 8.82 per cent is recorded in the study region. Fig. 5.64 and table 5.12

illustrate the spatial changes in fodder cultivation. These changes are grouped

in three categories.


This category covers Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala,

Jalandhar, Faridkot, Bathinda, Mansa, Jind, Karnal, Panipat, Kaithal, Ambala,

Yamunanagar and Panchkula districts. During 1965-66, fodder was very

important crop and had a considerable area under its cultivation in the above

mentioned districts. The introduction of Green Revolution Technology and

development of agricultural infrastructure has resulted in to increase in area

under wheat and rice cultivation in Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran,

Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Faridkot, Panipat, Kaithal, Karnal, Ambala,

Yamunanagar and Panchkula districts. Owing to this, fodder cultivation has

experienced high negative volume of change, while in the districts of

Bathinda, Mansa and Jind increase in area under wheat, rice and cotton

cultivation is responsible for high negative volume change under fodder crops.

Moreover, developed irrigation has also helped to reduce area of fodder in

0 40

Kms


Fig. 5.64

1965-66 to 2005-06



< 8


- ve+ ve

8-14

> 14> 2

Per Cent

270

kharif season owing to improved seeds of jowar and fodder which yield high.

Secondly due to tractorization, draught live stocks has reduced. All this help to

reduce area under fodder cultivation.


The districts of Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar, Ludhiana,

Muktsar, Moga, Sangrur, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib and Kurukshetra are

included in this category. Increase in area under rice and wheat cultivation in

the above mentioned districts due to suitability of geo-climatic conditions are

the main reasons for moderate negative volume of change.

3. Low negative volume of change (< 8 per cent)

This category contains Fatehabad, Hisar, Mahendragarh, Rewari,

Gurgaon, Jhajjar, Rohtak Sonipat and Firozpur districts of the study region.

Thus, high per cent share under fodder cultivation was noted in 1965-66.

Though some developments have taken place in agricultural infrastructure,

yet area under fodder cultivation is quite high, because in these areas, rice

could not capture more area from fodder cultivation. Though area has

increased under oilseeds in some districts and cotton in others yet fodder

crops enjoying a comfortable position in these districts. Thus a negative

volume of change less than 8 per cent is recorded in the districts of

Fatehabad, Hisar, Mahendragarh, Rewari, Jhajjar and Rohtak. While in

Sonipat district wheat and rice cultivation has increased from 1965-66 to

2005-06. Due to all these reasons fodder cultivation has experienced a

negative volume of change.

271

4. Positive volume of change (> 2 percent)

S.A.S. Nagar, Sirsa, Bhiwani and Faridabad are the districts which

have experienced positive volume of change in fodder cultivations. During this

time period, milk plants are established in S.A.S. Nagar and Faridabad

districts. The demand of milk in urban centers has also encouraged the

farmers to increase area under fodder crops. Thus demand for fodder by dairy

owner is the major factor accounted for positive volume of change. The main

reason for positive volume of change in Sirsa and Bhiwani districts is the low

per cent share of fodder crops in 1965-66. To meet the needs of fodder,

farmers grow more fodder which resulted into positive volume of change.


Maize is one of the important food grain crops of the study region. It is

used both as food for human diet and as a fodder for animals. Its cultivation

had 5.18 per cent in 1965-66 which has declined to 1.14 per cent of the total

cropped area and registered 4.04 per cent negative volume of change. Fig.

5.65 and table 5.12 portray the following categories of change in maize

cultivation. This change was not uniform in all the districts. It was recorded

lowest of 0.02 per cent in case of Sirsa district and highest of 13.46 per cent in

Yamunanagar district. Basically, these changes are the result of expansion in

irrigation facilities, HYV’s of rice, etc. Leaving aside these factors, maize was

predominant crop of northern and north-eastern parts of the study region,

because in these areas the topography, soils, climatic conditions, etc were

suitable for its cultivation. Whereas in rest of the study region there were not

ideal growing condition for its cultivation, because these areas were hot and dry

sandy loam to sandy sails etc. Thus more negative changes are experienced in

0 40

Kms

Fig. 5.65

1965-66 to 2005-06




< 1


- ve+ ve

1-5

> 5> 1

Per Cent

272

northern and north-eastern parts, where its proportion was quite high. Thus to

study the spatial patterns of change in maize cultivation and factors responsible

for them a detailed analysis is made with the help of fig. 5.58 and table 5.12

which grouped the whole study region in to three categories.


High negative volume change is experienced by Gurdaspur, Amritsar,

Tarn Taran, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala,

Sangrur, Nawanshahr, S.A.S. Nagar, Rupnagar, Ambala, Kaithal, Karnal and

Yamunanagar districts. During this time period, there is marked increase in

irrigation, adoption of HYV’s of rice, levelling of land etc. In such situation,

farmers prefer rice to maze because rice fetches assured and high economic

return as compare to maize and as a result this category has experienced

high negative volume of change.


Moderate negative volume change is found in the western parts of the

study region including the districts of Firozpur, Faridkot, Moga, Bathinda,

Mansa Muktsar and Kurukshetra. These districts are not traditionally maize

growing areas of the study region. During 1965-66, small proportion of total

cropped area was under its cultivation. In 2005-06 maize replaced by rice due

to development of irrigational facilities.


This category comprises the districts of Mahendragarh, Rohtak, Jhajjar,

Gurgaon, Faridabad, Rewari, Hisar, Bhiwani, Fatehabad, Jind, Sirsa, Panipat,

Sonipat and Hoshiarpur. All the districts falling in this category except

Hoshiarpur do not have favourable physical environment for maize cultivation

273

and secondly due to the emergence of rice in case of Panipat, Sonipat and

Jind, districts, Cotton cultivation in Sirsa, Kaithal, Fatehgarh, oilseeds in

Jhajjar, Gurgaon, Mahendragarh and Rewari districts etc. are responsible for

low negative volume of change, secondly, for low negative volume of change

in all these districts, area under maize cultivation was less than 1 per cent in

1965-66 and again in 2005-06, these districts are having less than 1 per cent

which consequently led to low negative volume of change. Whereas in

respect of Hoshiarpur district, though the socio-economic development has

taken place yet still farmers preferred maize cultivation because most of the

land has either steep gradient or slightly steep gradient of land which is

suitable for maize cultivation supplement by comparatively high rainfall during

summer months i.e. in 1965-66 area under maize was 18.80 per cent which

remained 18.49 in 2005-06 also and registered a low negative volume of

change of 0.31 per cent.


There is only one district in the study region named Panchkula which

has experienced positive volume of change. Area under its cultivation was

13.70 per cent which has increased to 20.86 per cent in 2005-06 and

registered a positive volume of change of 7.16 per cent. The reason for

positive change in Panchkula district are hilly and piedmont topography, high

rainfall, demand of maize for poultry and animal feed, low extent of irrigation,

etc. unsuitable geo-climatic conditions for rice cultivation has also encouraged

the farmers to increase area under maize cultivation. Due to all these

reasons, Panchkula has experienced 7.16 per cent volume of change during

1965-66 to 2005-06.

274


Bajra cultivation was an important crop of kharif season of the study

region. 11.39 per cent of the total cropped area was under its cultivation in

1965-66 when it has declined to 3.99 per cent in 2005-06 and recorded

negative volume of change of 7.40 per cent from 1965-66 to 2005-06. Figure

5.66 is mapped to highlight the changes in bajra cultivation which exhibits the

following three categories.


This category is found in the western and southern parts of the study

region including Sirsa, Fatehabad, Jind, Hisar, Bhiwani, Mahendragarh,

Rewari, Faridabad, Rohtak and Panipat districts. Though, these districts were

traditionally bajra growing areas of the study region, but from 1965-66 to

2005-06 significant changes observed in the cropping pattern of these districts

owing to the introduction of Green Revolution technology, development of

agricultural infrastructure, etc. Due to all these reasons, area under bajra

cultivation has shifted to cotton in Sirsa, Fatehabad and Hisar districts; and to

oilseeds in Bhiwani, Mahendragarh and Rewari districts; and to rice and

cotton cultivation in Jind district. Due to all this, high negative volume of

change is noted in area under bajra cultivation in this category.


Only five districts namely Sangrur, Mansa, Sonipat, Jhajjar and

Gurgaon districts comprise the category of moderate negative volume of

change. Increase in area under rice cultivation, because of its assured higher

economic returns in the districts of Sangrur and Mansa minimise the area

under bajra cultivation. But in case of Sonipat district, increases in area under

0 40

Kms

Fig. 5.66

1965-66 to 2005-06



Per Cent

> 10

5-10

- ve


< 5


275

rice and sugarcane cultivation are responsible for moderate negative volume

of change in bajra. While in Jhajjar and Gurgaon districts, bajra is replaced by

oilseeds cultivation because in these two districts irrigation could not

developed and farmers only have shifted oilseeds which require less water

and not rice or cotton whose water requirement are high. Due to all this, the

category has witnessed moderate negative volume of change.


This category covers large part of the study region. The districts of

Bathinda, Muktsar, Firozpur, Faridkot, Moga, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Tarn

Taran, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh

Sahib, Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar, Patiala, Panchkula, Ambala, Yamunanagar,

Kurukshetra, Kaithal and Karnal from this category. The districts included in

this category are not traditionally bajra growing areas, because most of the

districts have flat land, well developed agricultural infrastructure with fertile

soils, developed irrigational network, etc. Thus, a very small proportion of

arable land was under bajra cultivation in 1965-66, which is replaced by rice

cultivation in 2005-06. It is also observed that there is no area under bajra

cultivation in the districts of Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala,

Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar, Ludhiana,

Firozpur, Faridkot, Muktsar, Moga, Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib during 2005-

06. Due to all these reasons, the area under bajra cultivation has experienced

low negative volume of change.


Pulses were very important crop in the overall cropping pattern of

Punjab Haryana Plains during 1965-66. It occupied 17.84 per cent of the total

0 40

Kms


Fig. 5.67

1965-66 to 2005-06



< 14


- ve

14-20

> 20

Per Cent

276

cropped area in 1965-66 which had declined to 1.48 per cent of the total

cropped area in 2005-06. A negative volume of change of 16.36 per cent is

recorded in the study region. The changes in pulses cultivation are shown in

fig. 5.67 and table 5.12 which highlight the following categories.


Two different belts of this category of high negative volume of change

are found in the study region. First belt is lying in the western parts of the

study region including the districts of Bathinda, Mansa, Sirsa and Fatehabad.

In these districts, increase in area under wheat, rice and cotton cultivation due

to the development of agricultural infrastructure, expansion in irrigational

facilities etc. are responsible for negative volume of change in pulses

cultivation. The second belt covers the southern parts of the study region

including Jhajjar, Rewari and Gurgaon districts. The increase in area under

wheat and oilseeds cultivation in above mentioned districts are responsible for

decline in area under pulses in this belt.


Sixteen out of thirty-eight districts are included in this category namely,

Sangrur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, Panchkula, Ambala, Yamunanagar,

Kurukshetra, Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat, Kaithal, Rohtak, Mahendragarh, Hisar,

Jind and Faridabad. Due to development in agricultural infrastructure with the

ushering of green revolution technology, the area under wheat, rice and

sugarcane has increased at the cost of pulses which bring a moderate

negative volume of change in area under pulses cultivation in the above

mentioned districts.

277


This category covers large parts of the study region and contains, the

districts of Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur Ludhiana Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala,

Jalandhar, Firozpur, Muktsar, Faridkot, Moga, Nawanshahr, Rupnagar, S.A.S.

Nagar and Bhiwani. Pulses are facing lot of competition with other crops in

rabi and kharif season. Farmers also prefer to grow wheat in rabi season and

rice, oilseeds and cotton in kharif season in place of pulses.


During the study period cotton registered negative volume of change of

0.13 per cent in the study region in 1965-66, the area under cotton cultivation

was 7.20percent of the total cropped area which has declined to 7.07 percent

of the total cropped area in 2005-06. Overall it is a negative change but there

are some districts which have experienced positive volume of change else.

Thus, to highlight the spatial pattern of changes in cotton, fig. 5.68 and table

5.12 are prepared which illustrate the following categories.


Only six districts are included in this category namely, Bathinda, Mansa

Hisar, Rohtak, Sirsa and Fatehabad. Traditionally, these are cotton growing

areas because of hot and dry climatic condition and loamy sand soils. Rice is

not responding well in such conditions during Kharif season as cotton. Good

climatic conditions supplemented by developed irrigation are the main

reasons for high positive change in cotton cultivation.


The category of low positive volume of change contains Jind, Jhajjar,

Rewari and Bhiwani districts of the study region. These areas have dry and

0 40

Kms



+ ve

> 5

Per Cent

Fig. 5.68

1965-66 to 2005-06



< 5

< 1

- ve

1-5

> 5

278

hot climatic condition, sandy loam soil, supplemented with low irrigational

facilities, etc. In these conditions cotton crop respond well and consequently

farmers prefer to grow cotton. In such above mentioned conditions, oilseeds

also respond well and all this resulted in low positive volume of change under

cotton cultivation.


High negative volume of change is recorded in Firozpur, Faridkot and

Moga districts. In these districts most of the area is devoted under rice

cultivation. Due to development of agricultural infrastructure and rise in sub-

soil water table, excessive canal irrigation, adoption of HYV’s of rice which

yield high economic return as compare to cotton. Because of these reasons,

cotton cultivation has suffered setback and lost area to rice. Thus resulted to

decline in area and experienced high negative volume of change during the

study period.


Moderate volume of negative change is observed in the districts of

Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ludhiana, Sangrur, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib,

Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal, Panipat and Sonipat. These are not traditionally

cotton growing areas. Its cultivation suffered with the ushering of Green

Revolution because rice has snatched area from cotton cultivation. These are

the main reasons for moderate negative volume of change in this category.


Rests of the districts have experienced low negative volume of change

in area under cotton cultivation. These are the districts of Gurdaspur,

Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar, Nawanshahr, Jalandhar, Muktsar,

279

Kapurthala Ambala, Panchkula, Yamunanagar, Faridabad, Gurgaon and

Mahendragarh. In these districts except Muktsar, cotton was cultivated for

domestic use and a little area was covered by this crop in 1965-66. Secondly,

rice has emerged as major kharif crop except Gurgaon, Faridabad and

Mahendragarh districts. In case of Muktsar District, the emergence of rice and

secondly, the high per cent share under cotton in 1965-66 are responsible for

low negative volume of change in area under cotton cultivation. Thus low

negative volume of change is experienced in this category.


In the study region 5.19 per cent of the total cropped area was under

oilseeds in 1965-66 and 5.58 per cent of the total cropped area is under

oilseeds in 2005-06. A positive volume of change of 0.39 per cent is recorded

in the study area from 1965-66 to 2005-06. Fig. 5.69 and table 5.12 are

prepared which show the following categories.


Only Six districts are included in this category namely Bhiwani,

Mahendragarh, Rewari, Gurgaon, Rohtak and Jhajjar. In this category,

Mahendragarh district recorded highest change of 29.62 per cent of oilseeds

cultivation and minimum of 5.26 per cent in Rohtak district. From geo-climatic

and soils point of view, these districts are much suitable for oilseeds

cultivation. Most of the area is covered by sandy soils with low rainfall and

high temperature. In these conditions, oilseeds respond well as compare to

other crops. Thus, these reasons are responsible for high positive volume of

change in oilseeds cultivation.

0 40

Kms


Fig. 5.69

1965-66 to 2005-06




- ve+ ve

< 2

> 2

< 2

> 2

Per Cent

280


Only Jind and Sonipat districts fall in this category. These districts are

not traditionally oilseeds growing areas of the study region. During 1965-66,

area under oilseeds cultivation was 1.50 per cent in Sonipat district which has

increased to 1.98 per cent in 2005-06. While 2.20 per cent of the total cropped

area was under oilseeds cultivation in Jind district in 1965-66 which has

increased to 2.77 per cent in 2005-06. From these figures, it is evident that

oilseeds are not very important crop in above mentioned districts. Here, it is

cultivated for domestic purpose which is main reason for low positive volume

of change.


This category is found in two different belts. One comprises the districts

of Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Muktsar, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr,

Rupnagar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, S.A.S. Nagar, Ambala and

Yamunanagar. Traditionally these are not oilseeds growing areas of the study

region. During 1965-66, wheat, rice, fodder and maize were the dominant

crops in these districts and some area was under oilseeds cultivation, but with

the ushering of Green Revolution to wheat and rice crops. Due to all these

reasons, high negative volume of change in area under oilseeds cultivation is

noted. Second belt contain the districts of Moga, Muktsar, Bathinda, Mansa,

Sangrur, Faridabad, Sirsa, Fatehabad and Hisar. Here, oilseeds cultivation is

replaced by cotton and wheat in the districts of Bathinda, Mansa, Sirsa,

Fatehabad and Hisar, while in Moga, Sangrur and Muktsar districts, increase

in area under wheat and rice cultivation is responsible for high negative

volume of change in area under oilseeds cultivation.

281


This category covers the districts of Firozpur, Kapurthala, Jalandhar,

Ludhiana, Panchkula, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal and Panipat. Traditionally,

these districts are not oilseeds growing areas of the study region.

Predominance of cotton and wheat crops in Firozpur and Faridkot districts,

wheat, maize and fodder in Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Panchkula

districts, wheat and rice in Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal and Panipat districts,

wheat are the main reasons responsible for low negative volume of change in

this category.


Sugarcane cultivation has experienced overall negative volume of

change during the study period. It has declined from 1.85 per cent of total

cropped area in 1965-66 to 1.52 per cent of the total cropped area and in

2005-06 and noted negative volume of change of 0.33 per cent. Though,

sugar cane has recorded overall negative volume change under its cultivation,

yet some areas have experienced significant positive increase, whereas in

others, it has seen declined. All these changes are mapped in figure 5.70 for

knowing the spatial changes in its cultivation. This figure highlights the

following three categories


The districts of Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Firozpur, Faridkot, Kapurthala,

Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, S.A.S. Nagar, Rupnagar,

Mansa, Sirsa, Fatehabad and Hisar form this category. Here sugarcane is

replaced by rice crop because the rice give higher and assured marketing

economic returns as compare to sugarcane crop. Secondly, sugarcane

0 40

Kms


Fig. 5.70

1965-66 to 2005-06




- ve+ ve

< 1

> 1

< 1

> 1

Per Cent

282

crop needs more care as compare to rice. Thus, farmers of these areas

have increased a large proportion of cultivated land under rice cultivation

except Sirsa, Fatehabad and Hisar, where sugarcane is replaced by

cotton cultivation. Owing to all these reasons, this category has

experienced high negative volume of change.


It is found in two separate belts. One covers southern parts of the

study region namely Bhiwani, Mahendragarh, Rewari and Gurgaon

districts and other contains Muktsar, Bathinda, Moga and Sangrur

districts. In both belts, it is found that amount of rainfall is very low and

temperature is high, soils very from sandy to sandy loam, etc. Such

geographical conditions are not favourable for sugarcane crop, because,

it is mainly a crop of high temperature and high rainfall areas. All these

reasons are responsible for the small proportion of land under

sugarcane.


This category confined to north-eastern and south-eastern parts of

the study region. The districts of Hoshiarpur, Ambala, Yamunanagar,

Kurukshetra, Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat, Faridabad and Rohtak form this

category. The climatic conditions of these districts are highly suitable for

sugarcane cultivation. The average annual rainfall is also high to fulfill the

water requirement of sugarcane, silty-clay two loamy soils, sugarcane

mills etc. Owing to all these reasons, the positive volume of change is

experienced in these categories.

283


This category is well scattered in the study region. The districts of

Gurdaspur, Nawanshahr, Panchkula, Kaithal, Jhajjar and Jind comprise this

category. These areas have good number of sugar mills and comparatively

favourable physical environment. In Jind and Kaithal districts developed

irrigation, availability of proper market, demand of sugar mills, etc; secondly,

sugarcane is cultivated for domestic purposes to make Jaggery. Owing to all

these factors this category has low positive volume of change.


Vegetables covered 0.90 per cent of the total cropped area in 1965-66,

whereas area under its cultivation is 1.27 per cent of the total cropped area in

2005-06 which led to positive volume of change of 0.37 per cent in study

region. The derived results are shown in fig. 5.71 and table 5.12 which

highlight the following points.

Firstly, Gurdaspur, Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar, Faridkot, Mansa, Patiala,

Sonipat, Kaithal, Rohtak, Faridabad, Gurgaon, Hisar and Sirsa districts have

experienced negative volume of change in area under vegetable cultivation.

Secondly, rest of the districts have experienced positive volume of

change in area under vegetable cultivation. These are Amritsar, Tarn Taran,

Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Firozpur,

Muktsar, Moga, Bathinda, Sangrur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ambala, Panchkula,

Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Panipat, Jhajjar, Rewari, Bhiwani, Jind

and Fatehabad districts. Whereas area under vegetables in Mahendragarh

remain same in 1965-66 and 2005-06 which resulted in no change.

0 40

Kms


Fig. 5.71

1965-66 to 2005-06



< 4


- ve+ ve

< 4

Per Cent

284

XI. Changes in Other Crops Cultivation (Fig. 5.72)

Other crops occupied 1.59 per cent of the total cropped area under its

cultivation in 1965-66 which has declined to 1.07 per cent in 2005-06. Thus,

negative volume of change of 0.52 per cent is recorded in the study region.

Other crops have witnessed overall negative volume of change in area under

their cultivation. But some areas have experienced positive volume of change,

whereas others negative volume of change. These changes are shown in fig.

5.72 and table 5.12 and are discussed in the following paragraphs.

Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Faridkot, Moga, Bathinda, Mansa,

Sangrur, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ambala, Panchkula, Yamunanagar,

Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Panipat, Sonipat, Rohtak, Jhajjar, Faridabad, Gurgaon,

Rewari, Mahendragarh, Bhiwani, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa districts

have experienced negative volume of change in area under other crops.

But districts of Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur,

Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar, Ludhiana, Firozpur and Muktsar have experienced

positive volume of change in area under cultivation in other crops. Here fruit

cultivation due to suitable agro-climatic conditions and socio-economic factors

are responsible for positive volume of change in area under other crops.

Districts of Karnal had 3 per cent of its total cropped area under other crops in

1965-66 which is remain same in 2005-06. Thus no change is recorded in

district Karnal in area under other crops.

Conclusion

Cropping pattern of Punjab-Haryana plains has been transformed from

highly subsistence, diversified, largely rainfed to highly commercialized,

specialized and largely irrigated. All this is the result of drastic changes in

0 40

Kms


1985-86 to 2005-06

Fig. 5.72


Per Cent

< 4

+ ve - ve


< 4

Source:

285

methods of cultivation, increase in extent of irrigation, adoption of HYV’s, use

of agro-chemicals, mechanization, development of village link roads, rural

electrification, liberal credit facilities to farmers, agricultural research and

extension education, minimum support price for selected crops, easy and

assured marketing, liberal government policies, etc. All these factors have

combinedly affected the cropping pattern. With the above mentioned

developments, farmers have become choosy in selecting a crop for its

cultivation, they have selected those crops which fetch higher and assured

economic returns for them but they have left those crops which did not fetch

assured and higher economic returns to them. As a result wheat and rice

have emerged as first and second ranking crops in the overall cropping

pattern, whereas wheat in rabi season and rice in kharif season are

enjoyment first ranking crops while pulses, fodder, bajra and maize are the

major looser crops. Wheat and rice have experienced 17.23 and 19.60 per

cent positive volume of change respectively. Whereas negative volume of

change of 16.35 per cent, 8.82 per cent, 7.40 per cent and 4.04 per cent in

pulses, fodder, bajra and maize respectively have registered. All these shows

that presently Punjab-Haryana plains are having a highly specialized cropping

pattern which is dominated by wheat and rice crops followed by fodder, cotton

and oilseeds, but oilseeds and cotton are having regional significance,

because these crops are not having comfortable position in all parts of the

study region except southern and western parts. A review of table 5.12

reveals that wheat has experienced positive volume of change in all the

districts of the study region and it ranges between 7.62 per cent in Hoshiarpur

district to 32.47 per cent in Fatehabad district. It is also found that except

286

Hoshiarpur district, all the districts of the study region have experienced more

than 10 per cent of positive volume of change in wheat cultivation which is

largely the result of HYV’s of wheat, use of chemical fertilizers and irrigational

facilities etc. As a result, farmers have left pulses cultivation especially in rabi

season where gram was predominant pulse crop. Though rice is having

second rank in the overall cropping pattern of the study region, yet it has

experienced highest positive volume of change of 19.60 per cent during 1965-

66 to 2005-06. It is also observed that rice cultivation has experienced more

than 20 per cent of positive volume of change in central parts of the study

region. Whereas its change is insignificant especially in southern parts where

irrigational facilities are not developed and rainfall is very low. It is also found

that pulses are the biggest looser in area under their cultivation with a

negative volume of change of 16.34 per cent. Pulses have experienced

negative volume of change in all districts of the study region. The southern

and western parts are the big losers as compare to northern parts of the study

region. A negative volume of change of 0.13 per cent is recorded in cotton

cultivation during the study period. The western parts have experienced

positive volume of change in cotton cultivation especially in districts of

Bathinda, Mansa, Rohtak, Hisar, Faridabad, Sirsa, Mahendragarh, whereas

the rest of the districts have witnessed negative volume of change. Cotton

cultivation has been concentrated in western parts of the study region

including the districts of Bathinda, Mansa, Faridabad, Hisar and Fatehabad. It

is also observed that maize cultivation has noted negative volume of change

of 4.04 per cent. Except Panchkula district all districts of the study region have

negative volume of change. Major looser districts are lying in northern and

287

eastern parts of the study region. In case of bajra cultivation study region was

recorded 7.40 per cent negative volume of change. The major affected areas

are lying in southern and western parts of the study region. Oilseeds

cultivation has registered a very insignificant increase of 0.39 per cent. It is

also noted that oilseeds have registered comfortable positive volume of

change in the district of Jhajjar, Gurgaon, Rewari and Bhiwani. In case of

sugarcane the study region has registered a negative volume of change of

0.33 per cent during the study period. Though some districts have registered

positive volume of change yet overall sugarcane has suffered loss in area

under its cultivation. A positive volume of change of 0.37 per cent is observed

in vegetables cultivation. It is also noted that the cultivation of other crops like

barley, spices, fruits, etc. have also lost area under their cultivation and

recorded negative volume of change of -0.52 per cent.

Thus, from the above facts the present researcher has concluded that

with the revolutionary changes in infrastructure and technology, the cropping

pattern in respect of overall as well as individual crops have undergone

drastic changes. As a result wheat and rice have emerged the

unchallengeable crops in the study region, whereas the pulses, bajra, maize

and fodder are major looser crops in respect of area. All these have led to the

transformation of the cropping pattern of the region from highly diversified to

highly specialized.

288

Conclusion of the Chapter

This chapter deals with spatio-temporal variations in cropping pattern

of 1965-66, 1985-86 and 2005-06. In 1965-66, it is recorded that wheat was

the leading crop with 22.98 per cent area followed by fodder crops, pulses,

bajra, maize, oilseeds, rice, sugarcane, others and vegetables with per cent

share of 20.15 per cent, 17.84 per cent, 11.39 per cent, 7.20 per cent, 5.74

per cent, 5.19 per cent, 5.18 per cent, 1.85 per cent, 1.59 per cent and 0.90

per cent respectively. But in 1985-86, the over all cropping pattern of the

Punjab- Haryana plain had wheat, rice and fodder as leading crops with 36.90

per cent 15.30 per cent and 14.61 per cent of the total cropped area

respectively. Next in order were pulses, bajra, cotton oil seeds, maize, others,

sugarcane and vegetable crops which had 8.43 per cent, 6.81 per cent, 6.04

per cent, 4.34 per cent, 3.01 per cent, 1.58 per cent, 1.52 per cent and 1.45

per cent of the total cropped area respectively. Where as the cropping pattern

in 2005 – 06 for the study region is having wheat of 40.21 per cent, rice of

25.34 per cent, fodder with 11.33 per cent, cotton with 7.07 per cent, oil seeds

with 5.58 per cent, bajra with 3.99 per cent, sugarcane with 1.52 per cent,

pulse with 1.48 per cent, vegetables with 0.27, maize with 1.14 per cent, and

others with 1.07 per cent. It is also observed that in 1965-66, the spatial

variation, in wheat cultivation was varying between 1.16 per cent in Bhiwani

district to 33.90 per cent in Gurdaspur district of the total cropped area. It

shows great variations in its distribution. It is also found that southern and

southwestern districts were having low proportion of wheat cultivation,

whereas northern and central districts were having high per cent share in

wheat cultivation in 1965-66. there were only ten districts in the study region

289

which had more than 10 per cent of the total cropped area under rice

cultivation. Again, it was negligible in southern and western parts of the study

area. High percent share in case of maize was observed along the Shiwalik

hills, whereas bajra was predominant in southern districts of the study region,

cotton was only significant in the western districts of the study region, oilseeds

were important in southern districts. Pulses were also having 17.84 per cent

of total cropped area under their cultivation, but their share was noted over 20

per cent in southern and western districts. Fodder was also an important crop

of the study region because majority of the district were having more than 20

per cent area under their cultivation. Sugarcane, vegetables, and other crops

were having less than 2 per cent area under their cultivation. It is also

observed that sugarcane was having more area under its cultivation in Punjab

than Haryana. Overall cropping pattern of 1965-66 was recorded highly

diversified. No crop had registered over 40 per cent area under its cultivation

in any district of the study region whereas during 1985-86 wheat crop had

captured overall 36.90 per cent of the total cropped area. But 18 districts had

recorded more than 40 per cent of the total cropped area. Whereas in

southern and south-western districts area under wheat cultivation was below

30 per cent. It was recorded lowest of 0.85 per cent in Bhiwani district. It was

very interesting to note that rice had emerged second ranking crop in overall

cropping pattern with 15.30 per cent of total cropped area. It was emerged as

a major kharif crop in central parts of the study region whereas in southern

and western parts, its share is less than 10 per cent. The third crop in ranking

order was recorded fodder with 14.61 per cent of total cropped area. Again, its

per cent strength was high that is over 15 per cent in Northern and Southern

290

parts, while central parts were having low fodder cultivation. Pulses were

ranked fourth with 8.43 per cent area under its cultivation. Its cultivation was

predominant in Southern and Western districts, where the geo-climatic

conditions were highly suitable for pulses cultivation. Bajra with 6.81 per cent

was largely confined to 10 districts, due to emergence of rice and

consequently area under its cultivation had reduced to 1 per cent. Oilseeds

were having 7th position in the overall cropping pattern with 4.34 per cent area

though oilseeds were grown throughout the study region yet their

predominance was confined to Southern districts. Sugarcane from spatial

point of view was a significant crop with over 3 per cent area in the districts of

Gurdaspur, S.A.S. Nagar, Ambala, Panchkula, Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat and

Jhajjar. In respect of vegetables it is found that their cultivation had reduced

ranging between 1.02 per cent in Jalandhar district and 2.01 per cent in

Hoshiarpur district which shows vegetables were not having a predominant

place in the cropping pattern of any district of the study region. Other crops,

which include barley, jower, fruits, etc., were having only 1.58 per cent of the

total cropped area. Their spatial distribution was also almost uniform from

areal strength. In 2005-06, wheat and rice crops have emerged as main crops

in majority districts of the study region. Expect 9 districts, wheat is having

more than 40 per cent of the total cropped area and has emerged undisputed

leading crop of the study region and follow by rice with 25 per cent. Rice has

also more than 40 per cent area in 10 districts of the study region. It is also

worth noting that rice cultivation is insignificant in southern and south-western

districts where its share is less than 10 per cent. Moreover, it is insignificant in

case of Gurgaon, Jhajjar, Rohtak, Rewari, Mahendragarh, Hisar, Bhiwani and

291

Sirsa district with less than 7 per cent. Maize is only confined to the areas

lying along the Shiwalik hills which covers the district of Hoshiarpur,

Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar and Panchkula whereas bajra is predominant in

Southern and south-western districts like Rohtak, Jhajjar, Gurgaon, Rewari,

Mahendragarh, Bhiwani and Hisar. All these districts have more than 10 per

cent of the total cropped area. Cotton was significant crop in the districts of

Firozpur, Faridkot, Muktsar, Bathinda, Mahendragarh, Faridabad, Jind, Hisar,

Fatehabad and Sirsa, whereas it ranges between 0.28 per cent in Faridkot

district to 28.49 per cent in Sirsa district. Oilseeds have registered their

predominance in districts of Jhajjar, Gurgaon, Rewari, Mahendragarh,

Bhiwani, Hisar and Sirsa where their share between 12.12 per cent in Sirsa

district to 40.23 per cent in Mahendragarh district, which shows that oilseeds

are favourate crop in arid parts of the study region where irrigation facilities

are inadequate. Pulses have recorded only 1.48 per cent of the total cropped

area. Their cultivation was only predominant in the districts of Rohtak and

Bhiwani where these are having more than 5 per cent area. Most of the

districts have recorded less than 1 per cent area under pulses, which shows

that in major parts of the study region, irrigation facilities are well developed.

Though Sugarcane has 1.52 per cent of the total cropped area under its

cultivation, yet it is very significant crop in the districts of Gurdaspur,

Hoshiarpur, Yamunanagar, Nawanshahr, Jind, Sonipat and Rohtak, where it

ranges between 4.0 per cent in Nawanshahr district to 18.92 per cent in

Yamunanagar district. In the remaining districts, the cultivation of sugarcane is

insignificant. Vegetables have emerged significant crop in case of Kapurthala

and Jalandhar districts where more than 5 per cent area under their cultivation

292

is recorded. More than 15 per cent of the total districts are having less than 1

per cent of area under its cultivation. All this shows that introduction of green

revolution technology and developments in agricultural infrastructure have led

to the cultivation of few crops by the farmers. In central parts of the study

region, the choice of farmers has fallen on wheat and rice while during rabi

and kharif season respectively cotton cultivation has confined to western

districts of the study region which has sandy soil, low rainfall, saline and

alkaline sub-soil water and developed canal irrigation. But maize is dominant

in comparatively high rainfall areas along the Shiwalik foothills. Whereas the

cultivation of bajra and oilseeds are having comfortable position in southern

part of the study region which is arid zone with less irrigational facilities and

less developed agricultural infrastructure.

Due to the adoption of Green Revolution technology in mid sixties,

development of agricultural infrastructure, organizational reforms, government

policy etc. have affected the changes in cropping pattern of the study region

during the present investigation period. It is observed that area under wheat

cultivation had increased drastically from 22.98 per cent in 1965-66 to 36.90

per cent in 1985-86 and has further increased to 40.21 per cent in 2005-06. In

case of rice cultivation, area under rice cultivation was 5.74 per cent, 15.30

per cent and 25.34 per cent in 1965-66, 1985-86 and 2005-06 respectively

and recorded positive volume of change of 9.56 per cent during 1965-66 to

1985-86 and 10.04 per cent during 1985-86 to 2005-06. In this way, rice has

experienced overall positive volume of change of 19.60 per cent during 1965-

66 to 2005-06. Fodder cultivation had 20.15 per cent area under its cultivation

in 1965-66 which had decreased to 14.61 per cent in 1985-86 and recorded a

293

negative volume of change of 5.54 percent. Further it has been decreased to

11.33 per cent in 2005-06 and registered negative volume of change of 3.28

per cent from 1985-86 to 2005-06. Whereas an overall negative volume of

change of 8.82 per cent is recorded during 1965-66 to 2005-06. While the

cotton cultivation had recorded declined from 7.20 percent to 6.04 per cent

during 1965-66 to 1985-86 and registered a negative volume of change of

1.16 percent. But cotton has experienced increase from 6.04 per cent to 7.07

percent from 1985-86 to 2005-06, and noted positive volume of change of

1.03 per cent. Overall negative volume of change of 0.13 percent is recorded

during 1965-66 to 2005-06. The cultivation of maize crop has also

experienced negative volume of change during the study period. It had

declined from 5.18 per cent in 1965-66 to 3.01 per cent in 1985-86 and

recorded 2.17 per cent of negative volume of change. It has further declined

from 3.01 per cent to 1.14 per cent during 1985-86 to 2005-06 and noted 1.87

per cent negative volume of change. But overall negative volume of change of

4.04 per cent has experienced during study period. Next crop is bajra which

had covered 11.39 per cent in 1965-66 and 6.81 per cent during 1985-86 and

recorded negative volume of change of 4.58 per cent. It has further declined

to 3.99 per cent in 2005-06. But it has experienced overall negative volume of

change of 7.40 per cent. Next significant decline from 17.54 per cent to 8.43

per cent during 1965-66 to 1985-86 was recorded under pulses cultivation

with negative volume of change of 9.11 per cent. While pulses have

experienced negative volume of change of 6.95 per cent during 1985-86 to

2005-06. Overall negative volume of change of 16.06 per cent is recorded.

Oilseeds had declined from 5.19 per cent to 4.34 per cent and noted negative

294

volume of change of 0.85 per cent during 1965-66 to 1985-86. Its cultivation

has experienced increase in 2005-06 and consequently positive volume of

change of 1.24 per cent is noted from 1985-86 to 2005-06. Whereas overall

positive volume of change of 0.39 per cent in oilseeds cultivation is recorded

during the 1965-66 to 2005-06. Sugarcane cultivation in the study region has

also experienced overall negative volume of change of 0.33 per cent, but

during 1965-66 to 1985-86 the decline was 0.33 per cent whereas no change

is noticed under its cultivation during 1985-86 to 2005-06. The area under

vegetables in the study region had increased from 0.90 per cent to 1.45 per

cent but further it has declined to 1.27 per cent during 1965-66 to 1985-86

and 1985-86 to 2005-06 respectively. Thus, an overall positive volume of

change of 0.37 per cent is recorded. Therefore, it is found that wheat and rice

crops are the major gainers where as bajra, pulse, maize and sugarcane are

the major looser crops.

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