Agriculture is the primary livelihood for 58% of the population. 54.6% of the total workforce is engaged in agricultural and allied sector activities (Census 2011) and accounts for 17.1% of the country’s Gross Value Added (GVA) for the year 2017-18.
The total geographical area of the country is 328.7 million hectares, of which 140.1 million hectares is the reported net sown area and 198.4 million hectares is the gross cropped area with a cropping intensity of 142%. The net area sown works out to be 43% of the total geographical area. The net irrigated area is 68.4 million hectares.
Total Food-grain production in the country is estimated at 284.83 million tonnes which is higher by 9.72 million tonnes than the previous record production of food-grain of 275.11. Total production of Rice during 2017-18 (as per 4th Advance Estimates) is estimated at record 112.91 million tonnes. Production of rice has increased by 3.21 million tonnes than the production of 109.70 million tonnes during 2016-17. It is also higher by 6.61 million tonnes than the five years’ average production of 106.29 million tonnes. Production of Wheat, estimated at record 99.70 million tonnes, is higher by 1.19 million tonnes as compared to wheat production of 98.51 million tonnes achieved during 2016- 17. Production of Nutri / Coarse Cereals estimated at record 46.99 million tonnes is higher than the average production by 5.29 million tonnes. Further, it is also higher by 3.22 million tonnes as compared to their production of 43.77 million tonnes achieved during 2016-17. Total Pulses production during 2017-18 (as per 4th Advance Estimates) is estimated at record 25.23 million tonnes which is higher by 2.10 million tonnes than the previous year’s production of 23.13 million tonnes. Moreover, the production of pulses during 2017-18 is higher by 6.39 million tonnes than the Five years’ average production of 18.84 million tonnes.
Himachal Pradesh has a total population of 6.8 million as per the 2011 census. Agriculture contributes over 45% to the net state domestic product. Agriculture is the main occupation of the people of Himachal Pradesh and has an important place in the economy of the State. Himachal Pradesh is the only State in the country whose 89.96 per cent population (Census 2011) lives in rural areas. Agriculture/ Horticulture is ominent as it provides direct employment to about 62 per cent of total workers of the State. About 10 per cent of the total GSDP comes from agriculture and its allied sectors. Out of the total geographical area of State (55.67 lakh hectare) the area of operational holdings is about 9.55 lakh hectares and is operated by 9.61 lakh farmers. About 80 percent of the total cultivated area in the State is rain-fed. Agro-climatically the State can be divided into four zones viz.:- • Sub Tropical, sub-mountain and low hills. • Sub Temperate, Sub humid mid hills. • Wet Temperate high hills. • Dry Temperate high hills and cold deserts. Himachal as a whole is divided into four cultivable zones depending on various factors such as rainfall, soil conditions, water resources and atmospheric properties. Depending on the above we will be touching upon the cultivable crops, vegetables and more according to the season now. Following this we will be detailing more on the second cultivable list of crops and varieties depending on seasons and zones.
Thapasu motivates each one to start something in house for growing produces which could be as minuscule as possible. Herbs are easily cultivable on house terraces, even small veggies that can be harvested for self. Before you start hoarding of produces and essentials, remember the government has mandated that the essentials will remain in supply all through these tough times. Sharing of resources and keeping yourself aware that the produces need to last in the stores for certain period of time and serve many individuals is a prime act of need for the society you live in. The industry definitely sees the near future as one of the tough times considering the supply side deformities. That said – today’s agriculture situation stresses its emphasis on considering the nation on total lockdown and yet the farming industry needs to go on to bridge the gap of supplies to parts of the country. And for addressing the same issue – the government has taken mandate decision in keeping the seeds, agri-produce mandi’s and traditional produces to keep going. Check out our next blog spot that will address and point out information on the present details and should we worry about food in these COVID-19 times? References – http://himachalservices.nic.in/economics/ecosurvey/en/agriculture_and_horticulture.html http://agricoop.nic.in/sites/default/files/AR_2018-19_Final_for_Print.pdf https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/india-has-enough-food-to-feed-poor-if-theres-a-prolonged-coronavirus-shutdown/articleshow/74789498.cms?from=mdr https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/panorama/india-has-enough-food-stocks-to-tide-over-coronavirus-crisis-815502.html