'Punjab must focus on R&D, extension & training services, post-harvest management'

In order to push diversification in agriculture sector, Punjab must focus on research & development, extension & training services, post-harvest management, distribution & marketing channels, etc, according to a study conducted by Indian School of Business (ISB), Mohali. Currently, cropping pattern in the state is dominated by wheat and paddy.

The Punjab Mandi Board entrusted the institute to undertake a research study analysing the potential of increase in the production of selected five commodities namely kinnow, maize, turmeric, moong and wood, as mentioned in the Agriculture Policy for Punjab-2013 (Draft) in terms of their existing markets and the potential to expand in the wake of proposed area expansion under alternate crops.

The study was also intended to critically analyse the diversification strategy recommended by the Draft Policy and to enhance an understanding of how the government can best implement it. Earlier, Punjab government also demanded Rs 5,000 crore in 12th five year Plan for crop diversification in the state and asked the Centre to prepare a roadmap to bring the state out of wheat-paddy cultivation.

According to the study, currently, the agricultural supply chain of kinnow, maize, turmeric, moong and wood is highly fragmented and inefficient due to low research & development, extension and training services, poor infrastructure for post-harvest management, underdeveloped distribution & marketing channels for farmers in having a direct access with the potential buyers.

Besides this, for long-gestation commodities like wood and kinnow funding is a problem. So, the need of the hour is to address these problems to give fillip to diversification plan.

The deteriorating agricultural health of India's granary on account of depleting water table and loss of soil fertility owing to the dominance of rice-wheat cropping system has stressed upon the need for immediate policy intervention.

The diversification drive initiated by the Punjab government in terms of the Agriculture Policy for Punjab (Draft) is envisaged as a necessary step in order to shift the land presently under rice and wheat to environment friendly Kharif and Rabicrops.

However, the success of the proposed policy initiative will not only be realised by achieving environmental sustainability but also by an increase and greater stability in farm incomes.

Therefore, a major step in this direction has been taken by the Punjab government to shift a major chunk (almost 40 per cent) of its cultivable area under paddy to maize, oilseeds, pulses, fruit and vegetables over five-seven years. The roadmap chalked out as regards diversification aims at diverting 12 lakh hectares (ha) of the area under paddy by bringing 4 lakh ha under maize, 2 lakh ha under cotton, 2 lakh ha under basmati, 1.7 lakh ha under sugarcane and 80,000 ha under fruit and vegetables. The recommendations of Committee for Formulation of Agriculture Policy for Punjab in March 2013 named as Agriculture Policy for Punjab-2013 (APP-2013 Draft) has proposed alternate crop choices.