The Green Revolution in Punjab and Haryana has led to unintended consequences in the form of - Environmentally unsustainable Rice-Wheat cropping system (more than 80% of area) and decline in the annual growth rate of income levels to below 1% (National -3%). The agricultural income per hectare in Punjab is only around Rs 1.5 lakhs in comparison to other states Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu (Rs 2.25 lakhs). This is clearly on account of 3 reasons- Rising input costs, lower productivity and lower prices received by the farmers through the Rice-Wheat Cropping system.
Punjab and Haryana are blessed with better irrigation facilities (more than 90%), higher average land holding size (3.62 ha), higher fertiliser consumption (212 kgs/ha) accompanied by strong agricultural infrastructure. These opportunities have to be leveraged to address the second-generation problems caused by the Green Revolution and double the income level of the farmers.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF MONTEK SINGH AHLUWALIA COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY PUNJAB GOVERNMENT
- Reduce area under Paddy and diversify towards high-value crops such as fruits and vegetables (Dalwai Panel- Increase in agri. diversification by 1 ha leads to increase in income by Rs 1 lakh).
- Special package from the Centre to compensating any possible loss.
- Focus on Secondary Agriculture- Boost to Food Processing Industries, Employment, Forward-Backward Linkages, Reduce Post-harvest losses.
- Promote cultivation of Pulses and Oilseeds through guaranteed procurement under PM-AASHA.
- Rationalise subsidies and divert the savings towards diversification and improving the supply chain management.
The Government has to now focus on Rainbow revolution - horticulture, animal husbandry, poultry, fisheries, food grains etc. in these states.