f

Vikash Kumar

Jatinder Singh

Identifying the Most Remunerative Crop-Combination Regions

in Haryana: A Spatial-Temporal Analysis

NABARD RESEARCH STUDY-7

Report Identifying the Most Remunerative Crop-Combination

Regions in Haryana: A Spatial-Temporal Analysis

Dr. Vikash Kumar and Dr. Jatinder Singh Assistant Professors

Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID), Chandigarh

September, 2020

Supported by Department of Economic Analysis and Research (DEAR)

National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development (NABARD), Mumbai

Disclaimer: This study has been supported by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) under its Research and Development (R&D) Fund. The contents of this publication can be used for research and academic purposes only with due permission and acknowledgement. They should not be used for commercial purposes. NABARD does not hold any responsibility for the facts and figures contained in the book. The views are of the authors alone and should not be purported to be those of NABARD.

NABARD Research Study - 7

Research Team

Dr. Vikash Kumar (Principal Investigator)

Dr. Jatinder Singh (Co-Principal Investigator)

Dr. Sher Singh Sangwan (Consultant)

Mr. Harkanwaldeep Singh (Project Associate)

Mr. Sandeep Sharma (Field Investigator)

About NABARD Research Study Series

The NABARD Research Study Series has been started to enable wider dissemination of research conducted/sponsored by NABARD on the thrust areas of Agriculture and Rural Development among researchers and stakeholders. ‘Identifying the Most Remunerative Crop-Combinations Regions in Haryana: A Spatial- Temporal Analysis’ is the seventh in the series. This study looks at the changes in crop combinations in Haryana during 1990-91 to 2017-18 and studies the dynamics of changing cropping pattern with time series data on area and related independent variables especially in southern Haryana. It works out the most remunerative crop combinations in the districts of southern Haryana on the basis of cropping pattern adopted by their progressive farmers. Complete list of studies is given on the last page.

Contents Page Nos.

Acknowledgment

i

Executive Summary

ii-vi

Chapter I: Introduction

1-11

Chapter II: Sample Design and Methodology

12-19

Chapter III: Status and Trends of Agriculture in Haryana

20-38

Chapter IV: Social and Economic Profile of Sample Farmers

39-49

Chapter V: Emerging Cropping Pattern in Charkhi Dadri, Rewari, Bhiwani and Mahendragarh Districts of Haryana: Reflections from the Field

50-75

Chapter VI: Conclusion, Finding and Suggestions

76-83

References

84-88

Annexure

i

Acknowledgements

This study is an outcome of a collaborative effort between the Department of

Economic Analysis and Research (DEAR), National Bank for Agriculture and Rural

Development (NABARD), Mumbai and the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial

Development (CRRID), Chandigarh. On behalf of CRRID, we are thankful to the NABARD

Haryana Regional Office, Chandigarh for extending cordial support to us for carrying out

this study.

First and foremost, I extend my humble gratitude to Dr. Rashpal Malhotra, Executive

Vice Chairman, CRRID, for his constant encouragement and guidance. My sincere gratitude

is due also to Mr. Sunil Bansal, Director (Acting), CRRID, for his cooperation and

administrative support. Consultant of this study, Professor Sher Singh Sangwan guided us

with his insightful suggestions and comments throughout the course of this study.

The study would not have been possible without the support of the officials of the

NABARD Haryana Regional Office, Chandigarh, specially, Mr. Rajesh K Saini, AGM RO;

Mr. Jagdish Parihar, DDM, Rewari and his counterparts of Bhiwani and Mahendragarh.

The present study is a product of persistent team effort, motivation and support. We

are highly obliged to the farmers, implements traders, members of the village Panchayats,

local youths for their enthusiasm, hospitality and sparing out time to participate in the study.

The study has been benefited immensely with their participation, responses and insights.

The administrative staff members of the Institute deserve special thanks for their

constant support in handling financial and administrative activities. Last but not the least, my

heartiest gratitude and thankfulness are due to the Research Team of this study. The young

scholar and my colleague, Mr. Harkanwaldeep Singh, Research Associate, CRRID showed

his deep academic and professional commitment to help me complete this study on time. I

would fail from my duty if I do not acknowledge the contributions of Mr. Sandeep Sharma,

Field Investigator in effectively carrying out the arduous task in and off the field. It was a

pleasure working with them. We dedicate the report to the untiring farmers.

(Vikash Kumar and Jatinder Singh)

29 September, 2020

ii

Executive Summary

1. The study is concerned about identifying the most remunerative crop combinations in the

four southern districts of Charkhi Dadri, Rewari, Bhiwani and Mahendragarh of Haryana.

The specific objectives brought out for the study are as under:

i. To study the changes in crop combinations in Haryana during 1990-91 to 2017-

2018;

ii. To study the dynamics of changing cropping pattern with time series data on area

and the related independent variables especially in the southern Haryana;

iii. To work out the most remunerative crop combinations in the districts of southern

Haryana on the basis of cropping pattern adopted by their progressive famers.

2. At the foremost, it is to be noted that the study districts were totally dependent upon

rainfall till electrification in Haryana in 1970s. Thereafter, farmers started using

groundwater for irrigation through tube wells. Some crops like gram, Kharif pulses have

not responding well to tube-well while with support of irrigation, crops like cotton,

vegetables and even rice in some spots have competed with area under traditional

cropping of Bajra in Kharif season. In Rabi season, wheat has taken the area from gram in

1980s and 1990s but in the last 30 years after the groundwater level started receding,

farmers are shifting more area under mustard. Thus, the cropping pattern in south

Haryana is continuously undergoing change depending upon intensity of irrigation,

ensured prices, new varieties crops and their response to tube well water.

3. Data-Base of the study is the time series data of area, production and yield of major crops

in the state especially in the southern Haryana from 1990-91 to 2017-18. It was reinforced

with the primary data collected from the survey of 240 progressive farmers about the

crops cultivated, area allotted, their economics and their responses about the motivating

and dissuading factors in changing the crop pattern.

4. On the basis of secondary data, the dynamics of cropping pattern has been studied at

three points of time viz., 1990-93, 2009-12 and 2018-19 by using Weaver’s and

Raffiullah’s method. It is revealed that more area shifted under cotton, mustard and new

crop of rice in some spots. Some farmers in some pockets are also sifting towards

iii

vegetables. However, the broad crop combinations have remained unchanged in view of

soil and climatic conditions.

5. The social profile of 240 respondents’ revealed that the maximum 46.3 per cent of the

family heads are in the age group of 18 to 45 years, 28 per cent in the age group of 46 to

55 years and the remaining 2.7 per cent above 55 years. Education wise, about 25 per

cent are illiterate and primary and less than 7 per cent of selected farmers’ are graduate

and above. About 61 per cent families were having 5 or more members. Social category-

wise, 60.4 per cent of sample House Holds (HHs) were from general category, 23.3 per

cent were BCs, 13.3 per cent OBCs and just 3 per cent were SCs.

6. About 64 per cent of farmers are marginal and small famers with almost equal

distribution in the two categories. Another 25 per cent of respondents were medium

having 4 to 10 acres and 11 per cent farmers with above 10 acres of land. It was reported

that mostly farmers with larger holding applied any change in the existing crop

combinations or some of marginal farmers have shifted for their survival.

7. Detailed analysis of crop sown in Karif season by the sample farmers revealed as under.

i. Cotton is preferred by about 75 per cent farmers by allocating 49 per cent of their

acreage.

ii. Bajra is preferred by about 79 per cent farmers by allocating 32 per cent of their

acreage.

iii. Rice has emerged as 3rd main crop for 11 per cent farmers in 12 per cent of their

acreage, though; it was limited in some pockets of Bhiwani & Dadri where it

replaced Cotton & Bajra.

iv. Guar is 4th preferred crop by 15 per cent farmers in 4 per cent area. It is relatively

preferred more in Bhiwani and Charki Dadri. Jowar as fodder is the 5th preferred

crop by about 8 per cent farmers in 2 per cent of total acreage across all the districts.

v. Other crops like Arandi (Caster seeds) and Vegetables are sown by 2 to 3 per cent

farmers in less than 1 per cent of the total area.

iv

8. Detailed analysis of crop sown by sample farms during Rabi season revealed as under.

i. Wheat is 1st preferred by about 90 per cent farmers by allocating about 39 per cent

of their Rabi acreage and it is competing with Mustard which is the 2nd preferred

crop by about 77 per cent farmers who have allocated about 58 per cent of their

acreage.

ii. Vegetables have emerged as the 3rd crop for 7 per cent farmers in 4 per cent of

acreage.

iii. Barley and fodder are cultivated by 1 to 3 per cent farmers in less half per cent of

Rabi area.

9. The analysis at points 8 and 9 above brings out that it is not only the crop but percentage

of area allocated under it is important in deciding a remunerative crop combination.

10. The factors affecting area allocation under a crop are reported as under:

i. Procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP) by 85 per cent farmers, profitability

by 76 per cent, quality of soils by 58 per cent, assured irritation by 33 per cent, size

of farm by 32 per cent and supply of quality seeds by 26 per cent. Despite the region

being rainfed, annual rainfall did not seem to be an important factor (just 1 per

cent). It may be due to access to tube well irrigation by almost all sample farmers,

though, water availability is limited.

ii. The study also worked out, the yield, gross income, cost of cultivation and net

income along with their coefficient of variations of these variable. These were

worked out for all Kharif and Rabi crop of the selected districts.

11. On the basis of survey data, crop wise and season-wise area allocated and farmers

preferring each crop, average yield, the gross and net income of each crop and variation

in each of these variables across farmers in terms of coefficient of variation have been

worked out for total sample and also separately for each of selected district.

12. After trying different alternatives, area allocated under Cotton and Bajra crops in Kharif

was found more correlated with their gross income. Further, it was multiplied by

percentage of farmers preferring the crop. Accordingly, the Kharif area has been divided

among, Cotton, Bajra, Guar, Vegetables and other crops. Rice was just in some spots

v

especially in Bhiwani and hence not considered for the study area as whole. Similarly,

Rabi area was divided among Wheat, Mustard, Vegetables and fodder crops.

13. As an example, gross income of sample progressive farmers from 5 acre farm is Rs.

37310 as compared to Rs. 318702 of average farmer in selected district.( Taking yields

and by products as per survey results). All sample farmers have access to tube well

irrigation but the water is limited, hence, prudent farmers were rationalising their area

under Cotton & Vegetables in Kharif and Wheat and Vegetables in Rabi season. Even

caster seed is emerging as a profitable crop with less water requirement.

Policy Recommendations Highlights:

1. Southern Haryana is out of Paddy and Wheat rotation in the state and hence, procurement

of other crops sown in this less productive area viz., Cotton, Bajra, Mustard, Gram should

also be 100 per cent like that of Paddy and Wheat. At present only 25 per cent of these

crops are procured at MSP under price support scheme which is also not regular. Thus,

the remaining 75 per cent production is sold by losing about Rs. 700 to Rs. 1000 per

quintal in case of Mustard, Gram and Cotton, Bajra, etc. Total procurement at MSP will

minimise the Volatility of farmers’ income from pulses and oilseeds and in turn, instil

confidence among farmers to grow more of them.

2. To implement this, registration before sowing a crop can be an option so as to allocate the

area under different crops as per requirement of the state and country.

3. An Area Specific Agriculture Plan should be prepared to promote area specific cropping

and processing units in the state to mitigate the issues in procurement and MSP. The

collectivization of farmers either under Farmers/Producers Organization (FPOs) or co-

operatives of these can help in facing the competition from big players.

4. FPOs may be incentivised to increase the number of processing units for Mustard and

Cotton, since consumption of finished goods is a never ending process or enforce local

procurements in existing food processing units in the state.

5. Depletion of groundwater may be a big and serious problem in near future; therefore, an

Act should be brought by the state government to control the use of underground in the

vi

state especially in the southern Haryana. Paddy cultivation should be discouraged by

giving more inceptives to alternate crops.

6. More area can be brought under vegetables due to nearness to metro markets of Delhi and

Gurugram. Some transport aggregators can be supported through FPOs or individually to

ease the marketing by small producers.

7. Stray animals, mostly Neel Gai (blue bull) roam in herds and damage the crops. Crops

should be protected from getting damaged by these trespassing animals. Solar fencing

should be heavily subsidised like the state of Himachal Pradesh.

*****

1

Chapter I

Introduction

Indian farmers grow a wide variety of crops in different seasons like summer (April-

September), locally known as Kharif season, and winter (November-March) i.e. Rabi season

and some crops which are grown in a hot and dry weather but within a shorter duration of

April to July is locally known as Zaid season. The crops being produced in a region may

depend upon its soil types (fertility, etc.), climate (temperature, rainfall, etc.) and

moisture/irrigation level. For a single-cropped land there are a number of alternative crops

from which the crop to be cultivated in a year may be chosen. Similarly, there are many

different combinations of crops for double and triple-cropped lands. Different alternatives or

combinations give different outputs (Sarker et al., 1997). Multiple cropping reduces the risk

of crop damages too. It is well recognized that suitable cropping pattern has considerable

impact on the agricultural income of farmers (NABARD, 1997). Crop combinations are

important for increasing cropping Intensity (Jana, 2017). Over time, changing demands for

food and related products and need to conserve the natural resources can also affect crop

combinations in an area (Banik and Sharma, 2009). Crop combination is a dynamic concept.

Cropping patterns and crop associations change in space and time. Man, as a cultivator has

been trying, right from the beginning of plants domestication to optimize his agricultural

returns and to produce more for the growing pressure of population. For achieving this

objective, he has been adopting new agricultural practices, such as crop rotations and crop

combination throughout the agrarian history and is still persisting on new agricultural

technologies and methods in search of ideal crop combination for each of the agro climate

conditions. Now the farmers are growing a variety of crops with the intention to increase their

agricultural incomes and to dispose of the produce in markets to earn more profit.

The crop pattern changes, however, are the outcome of the interactive effect of many

factors which can be broadly categorised into the following five groups (Hazra, FAO):

a) Resource related factors covering irrigation, rainfall and soil fertility;

b) Technology related factors covering not only improved seeds, fertiliser and technologically

advanced farm implements but also those related to marketing, storage and processing;

c) Household related factors like farm-size, food and fodder requirement as well as

investment capacity;

2

d) Price related factors e.g., the minimum support prices and their procurement arrangements

and,

e) Institutional and infrastructure factors covering farm size, community traditions, special

government schemes and effective extension. After liberalization, even global policies are

affecting cropping patterns.

Although factors that influence the area allocation decision of farmers are all

important but each one may differ in terms of the relative importance both across farm groups

and resource regions (Sangwan, 1985). While factors such as food and fodder self-

sufficiency, farm size, and investment constraints are important in influencing the area

allocation pattern among smaller farms but large farmers with less resources constraints may

usually go more by economic considerations based on relative crop prices. Similarly,

economic factors play a relatively stronger role in influencing the crop pattern in areas with a

better irrigation and infrastructure potential. In such areas, ceteris paribus, commercialisation

and market networks may make the farmers more dynamic and highly responsive to

economic impulses.

It is well established that the relative importance of factors affecting cropping pattern

may change over time. From a much generalized perspective, farmers are increasingly

responsive to economic factors. This need not be surprising because irrigation expansion,

increasing expenditure on paid out costs and decreasing size of holdings have contributed to

minimizing the role of non-economic factors in crop choice of farmers. Moreover,

globalization of agriculture after the World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreements coming

into force is strengthening the role of price related economic incentives in determining crop

composition both at the micro and macro levels. In such a changing economic environment,

government price and trade policies will become more powerful instruments for directing

area allocation decisions of farmers, aligning thereby the crop pattern changes in line with

globally changing demand-supply conditions. Almost all cultivable land has been brought

under cultivation, hence, scope of area expansion is limited and further increases in

agricultural production and farmers’ income will depend upon changes in the cropping

pattern through crop diversification taking into consideration of new high yielding varieties,

technologies of cultivation, change in consumer taste and prices.

Crop diversification is among the foremost strategies adopted by farmers for

increasing their productivity per unit of area. On the eve of green revolution, Kanwar (1972)

estimated that the changing cropping pattern has made 8 percent contribution towards the

increase in agricultural production in India. In seventies, the focus was on increasing

3

production and hence decomposition increased agricultural production into area, yield, and

their interaction effect was carried out in a number of studies (Narain 1977, Sagar 1980,

Jamal and Zaman, 1992). It is also well established that farmers are ultimately interested in

maximizing their income with the limited area available with them and hence the price of the

crop in combination with its yield i.e., productivity of the crop is important in area allocation

behavior of the farmers under various individual crops (Sangwan 1985). Overtime the

contribution of area is lagging behind that of yield and prices after covering most of the

cultivable land.

The soil type and its moisture level at the time of sowing rabi and kharif crops used to

be the basis of cropping pattern under subsistence agriculture (Swaminathan et al 1970,

Bishnoi 1973). But during the green revolution and thereafter, the availability of irrigation

through surface and ground water, new variety of seeds and fertilizers, prices especially

minimum support prices thoroughly changed the cropping pattern (Sangwan, 1985; Mythili,

2006). Lately the factors like demand pattern & access to market, over-exploitation ground

water, mode of protected cultivation are also the emerging important in influencing the

acreage allocation behaviors’ of the farmers and the resultant cropping. Now along with

optimizing production per unit of area, a slogan of per drop more crops is budge word and a

dedicated 'Micro Irrigation Fund (MIF) of five thousand crore rupees has been set up with

NABARD under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (TOI, 2018). It is well established

that farmers allocate acreage under different crops taking into accounts changes in all the

above overtime (Sangwan, 1985, Mythili, 2006). A recent study in Haryana suggest that non-

price factors like irrigation and yield are dominating towards acreage response as compared

to price as in earlier studies (Kumar et. al. 2018). Even the risk due to price and yield has

emerged significant in crops like gram and mustard (ibid). The existing crop combinations at

any point of time emerge after taking into accounts changes in all the above variables.

Therefore, the remunerative crop combinations in a region cannot be taken as static for long

time and required to be reviewed and delineated from time to time. With these considerations,

the study has tried to identify the remunerative Crop-combinations in in Haryana in pre 1990s

and post 1990s periods in general and in recent the select four districts in particular. This

study aims to evaluate the remunerative crop combinations adopted by the progressive

farmers in the select districts of Charkhi Dadri, Rewari, Bhiwani and Mahendragarh in

Haryana.

4

Literature Review

Studies done in India

Agriculture holds the key to prosperity. Despite decline in the share of agriculture to about

one-fourth of Gross State Domestic Product, nearly two third of our population still depends

on this sector for their livelihood. In terms of area, agriculture has already reached at a

saturation level and almost all the available cultivable land in the state is under plough. Thus,

there is hardly any scope to bring more area under cultivation. The agriculture production can

only be increased through enhanced cropping intensity, change in cropping pattern,

improvement in seeds of high yielding varieties, better cultivation practices and post-harvest

technology etc., State Govt. is trying to re-orient agriculture in this direction through various

policy measures for increasing the production. Even the risk due to price and yield has

emerged significant in crops like gram and mustard (ibid). With increasing road net-work,

penetration of rural markets, development and spread of short duration and drought resistant

crop technologies (Bhalla & Gurmail, 1997), role of economic factors has increased. Of late,

high value crops such as fruits and vegetables have attracted the farmers and acreage under

these crops is increasing continuously.

A study by Institute of Economic Growth on agricultural diversification has brought

out that the share of livestock and fisheries in agriculture has increased overtime (Jha et. al.,

2005). During the reference period (1983, 2003 and 2006-07) of the study, there is an

increasing trend towards specialisation in agricultural production with a significant increase

share of fruits and vegetables in the Gross Cropped Area (GCA). The study specifically focus

on agriculture diversification trends in Haryana which are supportive to the diversification

trend at the all India level. The micro-level evidences suggest that the certain crops are more

remunerative in the given resource endowments and institutional framework. Farms in the

region are getting specialized under these crops and such specialization has not increased risk

on the farm too. A comprehensive study of area under Sorghum (Jowar) (Rao and Parveej,

2005) revealed that crops which are unable to compete in economics lose their area to the

competing crops.

An empirical study has examined relationship between crop diversification and risk

on the basis of all India data (Mukherjee, 2010) from 1995-96 to 2006-07 in 14 major states

of India. It has computed yield risk and price risk of each state using the Markowitz’s Mean-

variance theory and mapped it with the crop diversification for the corresponding states. Its

result shows that the diversifications in Indian states have not been able to reduce yield risk

and hence cannot be termed efficient in nature, though it has positive impact on income risk.

5

A study across states (Kalaiselvi, 2012) finds a mixed picture regarding the pattern of

diversification across the states. Some states exhibit more diversification but no direct link

between the number of crops and spread in the cropping pattern. In terms of relationship,

there was inverse and positive relationship of increasing spread of the cropping pattern with

income risk. But the macro area studies may iron out impact of changes in cropping pattern.

Basantaraya and G. Nancharaiahb (2017) have studied the extent and pattern of crop

diversification and its impact on farm income across all the districts of Odisha. Using the

NSSO data of 70th round, the study has found three highly diversified districts have

significantly higher average farm income than the moderately and least diversified districts.

The medium farmers are the most diversified category of farmers in two out of the three

highly diversified districts. The marginal farmers are the most diversified category of farmers

in one highly diversified district. On the basis of regression analysis, the study has found that

Scheduled Caste households in Odisha are less diversified in comparison to other households

with higher the extent of irrigated land.

A study by Ghosh (2011) examines cropping pattern changes in Indian agriculture

during the period 1970-71 to 2006-07 in terms of Herfindahl Index (HI) and substitution and

expansion effects. The concentration reveals that the cropping pattern in India in terms of

allocation of acreage is skewed towards cereal especially wheat and rice. However, a few

non-food cash crops such as cotton, sugarcane, oilseeds, and vegetables have also emerged

favourable among the farmers in recent years. Within the agriculture sector, diversification is

a shift from the traditional cropping pattern of less remunerative crops to high value added

diversified agriculture. In other words (IFPRI, 2007) diversification involves the changes in

the production portfolio from the low-value to high value commodities like vegetables, milk,

meat, eggs and fish based on the market demand that creates the new horizon for the rural

income source.

Sharma and Singh (2014) analyze prospects of diversification for the Punjab state

using 59th Round of NSSO unit-level data. The findings suggest that diversification has not

expedited due to lack of procurement at MSP of crops other than rice and wheat. Hence,

higher income is not assured for the diversified farm households. Even the intervention

approach of the State has not succeeded due to ineptness of Punjab Contract Farming Act

2013.

A review paper on Diversification of Agriculture (Deogharia, 2018) brings out that

diversification means not only to produce more than one crop, but to involve the entire rural

6

economy for broadening the income sources. The process involves not only the crops but

allied activities; new marketing and agro food based industrial activities (Goletti, 1999).

Madhu, Machender and Shashikala (2015) attempted to identify the crop combination

regions in Karimnagar district in Telangana state. The study applied Weaver’s Crop

combination techniques to compute crop combination regions. Farmers applied different

techniques of crop combination.

Prem kumar et. al. (2015) stated in their paper that there are different crop

combination used in Palakkad district of Kerala. The study reveals that the crops are mostly

adjusted to the irrigation facilities and soils of the district. Crop combination regions are

identified and represented with suitable cartographic technique. In the study, Weaver’s

(1954) minimum deviation method and Raffullah’s (1965) maximum positive deviation

method have been used to delineate the possible crop combinations during 2001 and 2011 in

Palakkad district.

Tiwari and Sharma (2013) describe about different crop combination in Eastern Uttar

Pradesh. A very simple technique of crop combination has been applied in this study to

compute and analyze crop combination regions at district level. Six crop combinations out of

eleven crops have been identified in this study. The main objective of the study is to delineate

and analyze crop combination regions in eastern Uttar Pradesh. The authors also discussed

the idea that the physical factors determine the shape of the area of crops, while the socio-

economic factors determine the extent. They further explain that government policies may

often directly or indirectly influences decision to select the crops to grow.

Andrabi (2019) discussed about the major crop combination in Kashmir Valley. He

studied the crop combination, cropping pattern and crop diversification in particular Region.

The crop combination of various districts of valley is closely influenced by the terrain, soil

and extreme climatic conditions. It has been calculated according to Weaver’s, method that

about 96 percent of the total cultivated land under food grain crops is dominated by rice and

maize.

Studies on Haryana

The present study is mandated by NABARD for Haryana especially for its southern

districts. Though, NABARD itself has studied Commercialization and Diversification of

Indian Agriculture across states in late nineties (Satyasai & Viswanathan, 1997) and a few

other studies of Haryana on cropping pattern are reviewed before specifying the objectives of

the study.

7

A compressive study to understand the dynamics of cropping pattern in Haryana was

published in mid-eighties (Sangwan, 1985). This empirical study is based upon state level

data of Haryana for the period 1960-61 to 1978-79. The study analyzed cropping pattern

changes in terms of responsiveness of acreage under 12 individual crops with respect to their

(i) relative farm harvest prices, (ii) relative yield of individual crops, (iii) total irrigated area

of the region, (iv) average rainfall received during critical periods of particular crop and (v)

risk arising from price and yield variations. The study has used Nerlove’s partial adjustment

and adaptive expectation model. Using least square regressions, the short and long run

elasticity were estimated for each crop with respect to the above specified variables. The

study throws up the following main results.

(a)The responsiveness of acreage to price was not only positive but significant for most of the

crops with higher values than earlier such studies. It implies more market oriented nature of

production over time.

(b) Impact of yield estimated in the study indicates those crops which have positively

responded to both price and yield have generally gained in their proportionate acreage.

Though, acreage under gram and mustard was positively and significantly associated with

price but insignificantly related with yield, therefore, lost acreage to other crops. Similar was

case with bajra, jowar, maizeand groundnut which lost their acreage to rice, cotton and wheat.

It may be interesting to re-examine these results after introduction of new varieties for crops

like bajra, maize, mustard, gram and their more procurement at the MSPs and above all

higher penetration of markets in agricultural production after 40 years.

A study in Haryana (Pinki, et al, 2013) has worked out Herfindahl Index of crop

diversification for all the districts of Haryana for the triennium ending 2010-11. Accordingly,

the most diversified districts are Hisar, Bhiwani, Jhajjar, Mewat, Sirsa, Mahendragarh and

Rewari. The study just gives status of crop diversification at point of time and does not

discuss the reason for variation across the districts.

Another study on cropping pattern in Haryana (Sihran and Meena, 2013) compares the

changes in cropping pattern and crop diversification at intervals of five years during the

period 1980-81 to 2006-07. The study shows that among Rabi crops, the area under wheat

increased in all time periods and it decreased under gram since 1980-81. In kharif crops, area

under rice and cotton increased while area under bajra, jowar, maize and groundnut declined

in all the time periods. This study finds that the degree of HI has continuously increased in all

districts (Diversification decreased) from first period to last period (2006-07) except Bhiwani

8

(and Charkhi Dadri) and Mahendragarh. However, the reasons for changes in cropping

pattern have not been discussed.

A study by MS Jaglan (2016) has also computed the district-wise HIs and Simpson

Indices for the periods 1990-93 and 2008-11. According to study, Bhiwani including Charkhi

Dadri is the only district where diversification increased during this period perhaps due to

introduction of cotton in Kharif season along with bajra after tube well irrigation. The other

districts showing less concentration are Mahendragarh, Hisar and Sirsa.

Two other Studies (Birthal et.al. 2013 & Dagar, et. al. 2018) on the basis of secondary

data from 2004-05 to 2011-12 reveal that in Haryana as whole, there is no major shift of

acreage under different group of crops during this period. A recent study in Haryana suggests

that non-price factors like irrigation and yield are dominating towards acreage response as

compared to price as in earlier studies (Kumar et al, 2018). Lately the factors like over-

exploitation ground water, mode of protected cultivation are also emerging as important

factors in influencing the acreage allocation behaviors’ of the farmers and the resultant

cropping. Therefore, the remunerative crop combinations in a region cannot be taken as static

for long time. In the study that authors attempted at analyzing crop ranking and to delineate

crop combination regions of Jagadhari Block of Yamunanagar District of Haryana. The crop

combination based on statistical technique is a significant device to assess dominating

position of crops in different parts of the area, and it helps in designating agricultural regions

of any areas.

Selection of Area of Study in Haryana

The four main geographic regions of the state are its Shivalik-Hills, Ghaggar-Yamuna

Plain, Semi-desert sandy plain and Aravali hills. Ghaggar-Yamuna Plain is the largest part of

the state with loamy soil which is more suitable for agriculture. The other regions are less

fertile with sandy dry & hilly topography. The rainfall occurs in the State during the months

of July–September with sporadic showers during December–January. The other seasons are

winter (November–March), summer (April–June) and rainy season (July–October). The

average rainfall varies between 160 to 751 mm with the maximum in Shivalik Hills to the

minimum in areas bordering Rajasthan. The State has extreme climate with temperature as

low as 50 C in winter and upto 470 C in summer. The soil-climatic zones (S-C) of Haryana

were demarcated by imposing tehsil-wise moisture indices on the soil-zones representing

sand, loamy sand, sandy loam and loam soils in study by Haryana Agricultural University

(Duggal, 1974). The broadly six S-C zones emerged with main crops as given in Table-1.1

9

Table: 1.1: Soil - Climatic Zones of Haryana on the Basis of Soil Moisture Index Soil-Climate Zone

Main Area Features The Main Crops in early Seventies In Kharif season In rabi season

1.Dry zone (driest areas)

Siwani, Loharu, Tosham, Sirsa and Dabawali

Least Irrigation facilities

Pearlmillets, cotton, moog, Guar

Gram, taramira/ mustard & barley

2. Semi-dry zone

Khol, Hisar, Salhawas, Hansi, Fatehabad, Bhiwani, and Beri.

Less Irrigation facilities

-do- and Maize in some areas

Gram, mustard & barley, raya

3.Slightly dry zone

Dadri I &11, Mahendragarh/ Narnaul, Nahar, Bawal, Jatusana, Rewari, Farukhnagar, Pataudi, Badrikri, Narwana, Dhakh, Tarkha, Jind, Jamni, Narnaund, Sampla, Jhajjar, Punhana, Gulah, Rajaund, Maham & Rohtak

Irrigation required for successful kharif cropping

Jowar, bajra, guar, Gram, mustard & barley, raya

4. Slightly moist zone

Safidon, Sonepat, Rai, Nuh, Palwal, Hattin, Hassenpur, Ferozpur, Jhirka, Asandh,' Puridri, Kaithal and Pehwa.

Kharif crops successful without moisture stress

Bajra, groundnut, maize, sugarcane

Wheat, green Gram, safflower cowpeas,fodder

5. Moist zone Ballabhgarh, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Panipat, Ambala, Karnal, Nilokheri, Thanesar, Ladwa. Shahabad & Barara.

Sugarcane, Maize, groundnut, bajra

Wheat, Gram, mustard, fodder cowpeas,

6. Wet zone Jagadhari, Chachhrauli, Dadupur, Kalka. Raipur, Rani and Chandigarh, Northern Raipur, Rani and Nariangarh

double cropping under rainfed conditions

Sugarcane, Maize, groundnut, bajra

Wheat, Gram, mustard, Fodder cowpeas,

Source: Various sources.

As per all India classification of agro climatic zones (ACZ) by erstwhile Planning

Commission in 1980s, Haryana falls under ACZ-VI which is called “Trans-Gangetic Plains

Region”. Within the State, there are two broad ACZs viz., the Eastern and Western. The

Eastern Zone consists of Faridabad, Palwal, Mewat, Gurgaon, Jhajjar, Rohtak, Sonipat, Jind,

Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Panipat, Yamunanagar and Ambala districts. The Western

Zone consists of Rewari, Mahendragarh, Charkhi Dadri, Bhiwani, Hisar, Fatehbad and Sirsa.

Panchkula district is in the foothills regions of Himachal Pradesh. But overtime with increase

in tube-well irrigation in all regions, there is blurring of S-C zones and synchronization in

cropping pattern across districts of Haryana. It is substantiated by the increasing value of

Herfindahl Index (HI) and decreasing value of Simpson Index (SI) during 1993-2011(Table-

1.2). It is to be noted that value of HI increases from 0 to 1 with increases in specialization

and it is exactly opposite in values of SI.

10

Table 1.2: Changes in Herfindahl and Simpson indices during 1990-93 & 2008-11 in

Haryana

Herfindahl Index Simpson Index District 1990-93 2008-11 Change 1990-93 2008-11 Change Ambala 0.21 0.34 0.13 0.24 0.17 -0.07 Panchkula NA 0.20 -0.01 NA 0.15 -0.09 Yamunangar 0.20 0.29 0.09 0.39 0.24 -0.15 Kurukshetra 0.32 0.35 0.03 0.19 0.15 -0.04 Kaithal 0.31 0.37 0.06 0.17 0.11 -0.06 Karnal 0.34 0.38 0.04 0.15 0.12 -0.03 Panipat 0.30 0.38 0.08 0.20 0.13 -0.07 Sonipat 0.25 0.31 0.06 0.25 0.13 -0.12 Rohtak 0.16 0.25 0.09 0.33 0.16 -0.17 Jhajjar NA 0.25 0.09 NA 0.19 -0.14 Faridabad 0.24 0.26 0.02 0.26 0.27 -0.01 Palwal NA 0.29 0.05 NA 0.24 -0.02 Gurgaon 0.19 0.29 0.10 0.33 0.20 -0.13 Mewat NA 0.23 0.04 NA 0.32 -0.01 Rewari 0.23 0.27 0.04 0.40 0.40 0.00 Mahendragarh 0.25 0.31 0.06 0.37 0.41 0.04 Bhiwani 0.19 0.15 -0.04 0.30 0.39 0.09 Jind 0.17 0.28 0.11 0.33 0.20 -0.13 Hisar 0.17 0.18 0.01 0.46 0.43 -0.03 Fatehabad NA 0.27 0.10 NA 0.33 -0.13 Sirsa 0.21 0.24 0.03 0.51 0.48 -0.03 Haryana 0.15 0.22 0.07 0.33 0.28 -0.05

Source: M S Jaglan, Department of Geography, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra

The Table -2 shows that except the less irrigated districts of Bhiwani, Mahendragarh

and Panchkula; all other districts have increased crop concentration during 1993-2011. State

has already exhausted its potential to increase area out of its total geographical area of 4421

million hectare (m ha). 3809 m ha (82.6%) is cultivable and out of that 3566 m ha (93.6%) is

net sown area with cropping intensity of 182.39%. Therefore, there are more possibility of

increasing farmers’ income through adoption of the most remunerative crop combinations

including vegetables and dairy especially in more diversified southern part of the state.

Objectives of the study

The specific objectives of the study are as under:

i. To study the changes in crop combinations in Haryana during 1990-91 to 2017-2018.

ii. To study the dynamics of changing cropping pattern with time series data on area and

the related independent variables especially in the southern Haryana.

11

iii. To work out the most remunerative crop combinations in the districts of southern

Haryana where cropping pattern has recorded higher changes during this period.

Crop combination in play an important role in the development of agriculture sector.

Crop combination is needed in agriculture production as well as for to get more profit. The

review of above studies show that there has been continuous change in the cropping pattern

in India especially in the state of Haryana after green revolution. The important factors

influencing cropping pattern relate to price, yield, irrigation, risks due to price and yield,

penetration of market network, farm-size, limitation of irrigation, and government Policies of

procurement, etc. With these considerations, the study has been undertaken to receive and

analyse responses of farmers of various levels supplemented by the most recent data

available. Besides, attempt has been made to suggest the remunerative Crop-Combinations

for less developed districts of Bhiwani, Rewari, Mahendragarh and Charkhi Dadri on the

basis of primary data emanated from the field.

12

Chapter II

Sample Design and Methodology

This chapter aims at providing discussion on the selection of sample, collection of

primary and secondarydata and methods used for data analysis. The systematic and scientific

collection of data and analysis of data is a key to get meaningful conclusion as well as

generalization of the findings of the study. As discussed in the preceding chapter, the focus of the

study is confined to four southern districts of Haryana, namely, Charkhi Dadri, Rewari, Bhiwani

and Mahendragarh.

The first part of this chapter outlines the general methodologyfor delineating crop

combination, its relevance for the present studyand reasons for selection of the sampled districts.

The second section discusses about the process of selection of villagesfor primary survey. The

third part analyses the selection of respondents. Methods used for analysis are discussed in detail

in the final section.

Methodology for Delineating Crop Combination

Crops are generally grown in combinations (Weaver, 1954). The study of crop

combination ofany region gives us the relative position of crops at regional level. As discussed

earlier, the pattern of crop combination in a region emerges due to various price and non-prices

factors. Such analysis would minimize the chances of oversimplified generalisation (Ali, 1978).

Crop combination study can be greatly helpful for regional agricultural planning and optimizing

income of farmers.

A number of quantitative and qualitative methods have been used for computing crop

combination regions. In quantitative method, crops are arranged or ranked in hierarchical order

and then crop combinations are determined. Quantitative techniques are more precise, accurate

and scientific than qualitative methods. First attempt for delineation of agricultural regions was

made by Weaver in 1954 for Middle West Region in the United States. In Weaver's method the

crop combination is measured by calculating the deviation of real percentages of crops

13

(occupying more than 1 percent of the cropped area) against a theoretical standard. The

theoretical curve for the standard measurement was employed as follows:

Monoculture = 100 percent of the total harvested crop land in one crop

2- Crop combination = 50 percent in each of two crops

3- Crop combination = 33.33 percent in each of three crops

4- Crop combination = 25 percent in each of four crops

5- Crop combination = 20 percent in each of five crops

10- Crop combination = 10 percent in each of ten crops.

He used the following standard deviation method to measure the minimum deviation:

Where‘d’ is the difference between the actual crop percentage in given areal unit and

theoretical distribution as per the ‘n’ number of crops, though Weaver found that instead of

absolute, relative values were significant and actual formula used was without square root. Later

on, Thomas in 1963 modified Weaver’s formula by including all crops with zero percent

theoretical values in each to the crop studies combination in Wales but its results were not

different than obtained by Weaver’s method. Coppock (1964) also modified Weaver’s method

wherein he considered the rank in recognizing the leading crops. The Weaver’s technique was

substantially modified by Doi in 1959 where he supplied one sheet of table which required only

the summing up of actual percentages under different crops instead of finding differences

between actual percentage and theoretical distribution. Further, Rafiullah (1965) modified

Weaver’s method and introduced a new method known as “Maximum Positive Deviation

Method” by applying same statistical procedure with altogether different format. The modified

formula of Rafiullah is as under:

=∑ −

14

Whereas: D= Deviation; D2p = positive differences; D2n = Negative differences from the

medial value and N= Number of crops.

As suggested by Weaver most of the studies have ignored the under root sign to save on

calculations and the formula used in the following form:

d = ΣD2p – D

2n

N2

The statistical technique adopted by Rafiullah is more accurate and rational and therefore

it is quite popular for delineation of crop combination regions. According to this method,

percentages of area for all crops are arranged in descending order. The crops having area less

than certain percent (say 2%) may be omitted from the calculation and maximum positive

deviation of variance may be calculated from theoretical curve for the standard measurement as

given earlier. This method has been applied in many studies in India especially Haryana. The

present study is about ascertaining the most preferred and remunerative crop combinations

chosen by the farmers rather than simply analyzing geographical spread of more than one crops

in significant proportion in a given area in particular season.

In this study focus is socio-economic reasons on crop combination in southern Haryana

where cropping pattern has witnessed rapid changes in last three decades or so.

Area of the Study

According to a study in Haryana (Chander, 2017) for the period 2009-12, the district wise major

crop combinations revealed were as shown in the Table-2.1

Table-2.1: Crop Combination Pattern in Haryana (2009-12)

Number

of

Crops

Name of crop

combinations

Districts Number

of

Districts 2 Rice and Wheat Ambala, Yamunanagar,Kurukshetra, Kaithal,

Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat,Rohtak,Faridabad,Palwal

and Jind

11

2 Wheat and cotton Hisar and Sirsa 2 2 Wheat and Bajra Jhajhar and Gurgoan 2

15

2 Bajra, Mustard Mahendergarh 1 3 Mustard, Bajra, Rewari and Nuh (Mewat) 2 3 Wheat, Cotton, Rice Fatehabad 1 3 Bajra,Wheat, Mustard Bhiwani 1 3 Wheat, Rice, Maize Panchkula 1 3 Wheat, Rice, Bajra Haryana as a whole 21

Source: Subash Chander (2017), Note: new district of Charkha Dadari is included in Bhiwani.

In the three districts of Sonipat, Kaithal and Hisar, it was found that there were no

competing crops more remunerative than rice and wheat. Similarly, Hisar, Sirsa, Fatehabad

district are well known for their wheat and cotton/rice combination. Panchkula has economic

advantage of Rice and Wheat combination that is well established (Sangwan and Gagan, 2015

and Kumar et al, 2018). Panchkula has its own constraints of hill trains and rain based farming.

But the cropping pattern in districts of Bhiwani, Mahendergarh, Rewari, Gurugram (earlier

known as Gurgaon), Jhajhar and Nuh (earlier known as Mewat) has under gone rapid changes

since 1980s due to tube well irrigation but with limitation of limited water availability and poor

sandy soil. Though, wheat and mustard are dominating in the Rabi season but Kharif crops in

these districts are changing from bajra/pulses to cotton during the Period 1991-92 to 2008-09

(Ramphal, 2012). Further, the districts of Gurugram and Jhajhar are undergoing rapid

urbanization. Mewat district had to be excluded due to non-availability of time data from 1990

due to its creation in 2005. Therefore, dynamics of cropping pattern has been studied for

southern districts of Charkhi Dadri, Rewari, Bhiwani and Mahendragarh visa-a-vis the rest of

Haryana. These districts have some agro climatic similarities too in terms of rainfall, soil quality,

temperature, etc. It is to be noted that all these districts have the much lower per capita income

than the average of the state.

Study Approach

The changes in cropping pattern in these districts versus the rest of Haryana have been studied

from 1990 till date with secondary data. The dynamics of cropping in these districts has been

studied in terms of price, yield, risks due to price and yield, irrigated area, rainfall, etc with the

Nerlovian type model applying with least square method (Sangwan 1985).The primary data have

been collected to find out most remunerative crop combinations along with allied activities.

16

Data Source

The study is based on both secondary and primary data. The secondary data have been

collected from various publications of Haryana government including Statistical Abstract of

Haryana, reports of Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of Haryana,

etc. Besides collecting information on various welfare schemes announced by the government of

Haryana, the information on crops grown in Haryana, production food and non-food grain crops,

yield of various crops, etc. Using this information, it is possible to analyse the changes in

cropping pattern across districts.

Primary information was collected from progressive farmers of four districts of Charkhi

Dadri, Rewari, Bhiwani and Mahendragarh in southern Haryana. To collect the relevant

information, structure questionnaire was prepared and pre-testing was done before staring full-

fledged survey. Broadly, the information was collected on four sub-themes. First part of the

questionnaire aimed at collecting information related to the background of selected farm

households. It includes information related to family details, land ownership of household,

occupation of the household, etc. Second part of the questionnaire deals with assets of

households including debt and liabilities. Third part tries to collected information related to

cropping pattern adopted by the farmers in different seasons (Kharif, Rabi and Ziad). Further,

efforts were made to understanding the changes in the cropping pattern and factors responsible

behind the change in cropping pattern. To decide about the more remunerative crop

combinations, information related to various components of costs (ploughing, seed, usage of

fertilizers and pesticides, etc.), acreage, production and yield were also collected from

respondents. In the last part of the questionnaire, general information related to marketing,

storage and retention, crop insurance, awareness of sampled farmers related to different schemes

were collected. Further, we also collected information on various constraints faced by farmers

for adoption of new crop combination and the possible suggestions to overcome such constraints.

Selection of Villages and Respondents

Selection of villages was initially based on information received from the list of

progressive farmers published by the Haryana Kisan Ayog (HKA) (renamed as Haryana

Agricultural Costs and Prices Commission (HACPC), Panchkula) in 2015. It was not viable to

17

completely dependent on this list as many farmers could not be listed in this list as also many

farmers might have started sowing new crops after 2015. Hence, two criteria were adopted for

final selection of villages and the respondents. First, we used information to identify those

villages having highest number of progressive farmers as per the list of HACPC. Secondly,

interaction with official and elected representatives of different villages informed us about

villages wherein farmers were adopting new crop combinations in the recent years.

Table 2.1: Number of Progressive Farmers of Haryana

Districts

Crop

Producer

Baagvani Mushroom Dairy Fishery Bee

Keeping

Mixed

Agriculture

Faridabad 55 7 5 NA 10 NA 59 Hisar 5 24 1 19 NA NA 16 Bhiwani 32 19 1 11 20 2 37 Gurgaon 16 21 1 39 2 13 21 Karnal 57 5 0 38 12 8 33 Sonipat 35 7 20 6 18 1 47 Jind 47 6 1 25 18 3 18 Sirsa 17 29 1 2 15 4 14 Yamunanagar 63 27 14 5 20 1 15 Panipat 67 82 11 5 17 NA 10 Ambala 16 6 3 6 16 29 29 Mewat 13 10 NA 3 16 NA 12 Kaithal 38 6 1 5 18 1 80 Rohtak 77 28 3 4 17 3 28 Palwal 10 6 0 20 NA NA 5 Kurukshetra 74 5 3 28 20 5 33 Jhajjar 45 1 NA 3 18 1 55 Fatehabad 59 5 1 15 19 1 54 Mahendragarh 46 30 NA 12 16 4 2 Rewari 12 68 NA 5 16 NA 15 Panchkula 19 NA NA 0 3 NA 14 Charkhi Dadri NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Source: Haryana Agricultural Costs and Prices Commission (HACPC), Panchkula), 2015

Farmers are doing agricultural and allied activities like dairy, pig farming, floricultures,

vegetables cultivation along with field crops like cereals, pulses and oilseeds, etc. In fact, allied

activities are increasing due to decrease in size of holding.

18

Size and Selection of the Sample

In each of selected districts, 60 farmers were interviewed randomly drawing from as

many villages as possible to gather information from widest possible geographical area of the

district. All categories of land holdings i.e. small and marginal below 5 acres, middle farmers 5

to 10 acres and above 10 acres were covered.Thus a total sample of 240 farmers was interviewed

throughmulti stage stratified random and snowball sampling method. The farmers were

canvassed to the structured questionnaires to collect data related to area operated, cropping

pattern, economics of the crops cultivated, activities allied to agriculture, etc. The information

related economics of crops and allied activities were asked from the sampled respondents in

detail.A total of 27 villages were visited for field survey from the four selected districts. Informal

interactions and interviews were also conducted to a number of officials like Deputy Directors

(Agriculture), livestock, horticulture, representatives if NABARD, members of Village

Panchayat, farmers’ Associations, Farm Entrepreneurs, Academicians, Trader, etc. District wise

and village wise break up Sample is given in Table 2.3

Table 2.3: Village wise Sample of farmers from the selected districts

Charkhi Dadri Rewari Bhiwani Mahendragarh Village Number Village Number Village Number Village Number Fatehgarh 15 Bhohriawas 8 Chaang 13 Bassai 5 Gothra 28 Dhiwana 14 Devsar 18 Bhagdana 2 Santokhpur 17 Gudiani 10 DhaniHarsukh 15 Bhasena 1 Khaleta 13 Dinod 12 Chaamdhera 10 Lohana 15 Haripur 1 Jhhajiawas 2 Kaluwas 1 Dhongachakk 3 Jant 6 Lawan 13 Majrakalan 1 Majra Khurd 6 Nimbi 4 Pali 6 Satnali 1 Total 60 60 60 60 Source: Field survey

19

It is important to mention that adoption of systematic procedure in advance to select final

respondents was not possible. First, information on the universe of study was not available from

any secondary sources. Farmers those are growing new or more remunerative crops were not

accurately and comprehensively recorded in any government or non-government documents.

Second, some of the farmers who tried to grow new crops in the past and now shifted back to old

crops due to various reasons are part of directory published by HKACPC, Panchkula in 2015.

In such scenario, adopting snowball sampling technique was deemed most appropriate. It

is a non-probability sampling technique in which a chain link of respondents is formed for

inclusion in the sample. Using this technique, we reached to the final set of respondents. Table

2.3shows the distribution of respondents from selected villages. In Charkhi Dadri, we selected 28

farmers from Gothra village and 15 from Fatehgarh village and 17 from Santokhpur village. The

team widened the number of representative villages in Mahendragarh, hence we visited 13

villages to get 60 respondents who have either tried to grow new crops or are presently sowing

new crops.

Analysis of Primary Data

The analysis of primary data have been done using both quantitative and qualitative

methods. After coding the primary data, respondents/farmers with similar combinations of crops

and allied activities were clubbed together and their economics were worked out to understand a

number of alternative crop/activity combinations under different conditions like irrigation

facilities, availability of family labour, holding size, etc. Tabulation, graphical presentation and

regressions have been used wherever required.

20

Chapter III

Status and Trends of Agriculture in Haryana

Introduction

Haryana, as a State, emerged on the political map of India on 1 November 1966. The

region has been playing a vital role in the economic growth and agricultural development of

the country and farmers prosperity in the country. Along with Punjab and Uttar Pradesh,

Haryana championed the Green Revolution and focused on high yield cropping system thus

helping India to overcome the acute food deficit from mid-1960s onwards. Introduction of

high end technology, improved socio-economic infrastructure, adequate geo-climatic

conditions, high yield crop varieties (HYV), research and development complemented with

unswerving state intervention pushed Haryana towards agricultural prosperity. After its

creation, the state achieved remarkable success in per hectare production and helped India in

achieving self-sufficiency in food grains especially in rice/paddy1 and wheat. At present more

than 80 per cent of the total land in the state is under sustained agriculture of which nearly 83

per cent land is sown more than once. The contribution of the primary sector stood at 17 per

cent of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) in 2015-16 and is expected to grow further

in 2016-17 (Indian Council of Agricultural Research 2017, Statistical Abstract of Haryana

2015-16). Within the primary sector, the share of crops (excluding livestock, fishing, forestry

and aquaculture etc.) is 55 percent and it constitutes only10 per cent of the total GSDP.

The major crops grown in the state are wheat, rice, sugarcane, cotton, oilseeds, gram,

barley, corn/maize, millets, fruits and vegetables. However, in last three decades or so state

agriculture has witnessed a multi-fold shift of acreage under paddy and wheat. The

production of paddy has increased by 10.44 per cent during the period 2010-11 (3,628 units2)

and 2014-15 (4007 units). Between 2009-10 (1206.4 units3) and 2014-15 (1277.9 units), total

area cropped under rice increased by 5.9 per cent. During the same period production of

wheat grew by 5.64. per cent4 (Statistical Abstract Haryana, 2010-11 & 2015-16).

Availability of high yielding seeds, chemical fertilizers, well connected irrigation facilities,

improved road networks, opening of new markets and relatively secured per acre yield

1 Paddy and rice have been used interchangeably across the successive chapters of this report. 2 Thousand tonnes. 3 Thousand hectares. 4 2488 thousand tonnes in 2009-10 as compared to 2628 thousand tonnes in 2014-15.

21

andprocurement at the minimum support price (MSP) have promoted crop specialization to a

significant level (Tuteja 2015).

However, the mounting specialization of paddy and wheat has shown adverse impact

on soil health and future agricultural output (Ghuman and Sharma 2016).Environmentalists

and agriculture experts warn of grave consequences in the coming times, if the practice of

cultivating paddy and wheat specialization persists in the state. Studies confirm that persistent

and repeated mono-cropping leads to soil degradation and subsequent loss in its retention

capacity (Gill 2016, Ghuman 2017). Also, rice and wheat monopoly has reduced the

leguminous pulses from the state agriculture scene. The increasing replacement of traditional

crops such as maize, jowar and bajra not only disturbed the dietary habits in rural areas, but

also raised economic constraints on poor and marginalised people by abstaining them from

obtaining affordable sources of nutrition. The unabated use of pesticides and fertilisers has

been causing serious health problems to the farmers and consumers as well.

Increase in production of non-food commodities does not increase proportionately to

the overall increase in agricultural production. Keeping in view of the ever increasing crop

specialisation in the state, the Government of India and Government of Haryana have been

endeavouring in the recent years to provide food security through ecologically sustainable

and economically viable diversification of agriculture and promotion of scientific planning

and cropping pattern to improve the yield per hectare by better and integrated crop

management. The intensity of diversity is reflected by the number of crops produced in a

state as well as by the aggregate level of spread or concentration. At the individual level

combination of agricultural crops is supposed to increase the income level, at the regional

level it is expected to mitigate negative externalities associated with mono-cropping, as well

as at the national level it is perceived to help gain self-sufficiency in variety of agricultural

produce.State-wise pattern of diversity on the basis of a 30 Crops Index reveal that most of

the states in the northern region fall under the category of states producing less number of

crops and hence are less diverse. Haryana falls in the category of moderately diversified

cropping state with 15 points (Kumar, 2017).

In recent years, Haryana has introduced a number of progressive agricultural schemes

to boost sustainable growth in agriculture. These schemes - are being implemented by the

state directly or in collaboration with the Central government. Major thrust of these schemes

and policies are to make agricultural production more sustainable, remunerative and climate

resilient by promoting location specific integrated/composite farming. For instance, the

22

objective of a Scheme for Promotion of Crop Diversification is to promote the alternate crops

like summer moong, sunflower and maize in order to reduce wheat and paddy crop rotation.

Agricultural policy is a very important phenomenon especially the intervention

through market to improve or stabilize the economic conditions (Hansen, 2016). The State of

Haryana attaches high priority to formulate and implement farmers' friendly policies and

schemes. The State has successfully implemented national schemes such as Rashtriya Krishi

Vikas Yojana (RKVY), which was designed to give flexibility to spend more on agriculture

on the basis of State plan. Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize

(ISOPOM) and the National Food Security Mission (NFSM Rice, NFSM-Wheat and NFSM-

Pulses) have also been effectively implemented to increase production of rice, wheat,

oilseeds and pulses through area expansion and productivity enhancement in a sustainable

manner. The State has formulated its draft State Water Policy (2018) to address major issues

relating to the water sector. Schemes for enhancing productivity of degraded lands in the

catchment of Flood Prone River and Scheme for Reclamation of Alkali Soils (USAR land)

are beingundertaken since 1980s. Integrated Wasteland Development Programmes, governed

by the common guidelines issued by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of

India for Watersheds and Horticulture Mission, have been implemented. The reforms in

making easy credit availability to farmers have been brought out and Kisan Credit Cards

(KCC) are being issued. In Haryana, wheat, paddy, barley, gram, bajra and mustard are

covered.

In early 2016, Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare Department Haryana, under the

aegis of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) notified 10 crops to be insured under

Prime Minister Crop Insurance Plan. Cotton, paddy, bajra and maize during Kharif and

wheat, barley, mustard, gram during Rabi 2016-17 have been notified under the plan (Kumar,

2017).

23

Agro-Climatic Zones of Haryana

Source: Haryana State Agricultural Policy 2014:3 (CharkhiDadri was carved out Bhiwani as the 22nd district of Haryana on 01 December 2016 is not shown).

On the basis of prominent ecology and suitable cropping pattern, Haryana KisanAyog

(Haryana Farmers Commission), Government of Haryana, has classified the State into three

major agro eco-zones/agro-climatic zones. Zone-I comprises Ambala, Panchkula,

Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Panipat, Karnal and Sonipat; Zone-II covers district

Rohtak, Faridabad, Palwal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa. Zone-III comprises of the

Districts of Jhajjar, Gurugram, Nuh (Mewat), Rewari, Mahendragarh and Bhiwani and

Charkhi Dadri. Zone-I and II are adequately equipped with agricultural infrastructure and

irrigation facilities and ideal for growing wheat, paddy, pulses, cotton and sugarcane as well

as for raising dairy cows, buffaloes and poultry. However, Kandi area in these zones have

serious problem of soil and water erosion and hence they are suitable for agro-forestry and

agro-horticulture systems. Zone -III has arid climate andit covers about 29 per cent of the

state area. The main crops of the region areBajra, cotton, gour in Kharif and wheat, mustard,

rapeseed in rabi and it is also suitable for vegetables and arid-horticulture/forestry. The

24

region has good climate for dairy animals, sheep and goat rearing. (Haryana State

Agricultural Policy 2014: 2-3).

Cropping Pattern in Haryana

Crop combination planning is related to many factors such as the types of lands, yield

rates, weather conditions, irrigation and its intensity, dietry habits, facility of procurement by

government, availability of capital and labour, etc. Some of these factors are quantifiable but

the factors like rainfall, weather, floods, cyclones, and other natural calamities are difficult to

predict. Accordinly, different alternatives or combinations are adopted which give different

outputs. (Sarkar, Talukdar & Haque, 1997).

Haryana was among the leading states of the green revolution (1966-80). Since then

acreage under wheat and rice has continuously increased whereas pulses and oilseeds have

registered a fall in their acreage. This trend was expedited due to the flat rate subsidized

electricity for tube-wells, increasing and assured (Sangwan 1985, Ghuman 2017, Shah and

Chowdhury 2017). The trend is well reflected in the Table 3.1

Table-3.1: Total Cropped Area (000 hectares) Year Rice Wheat Maize Barley Bajra Oilseeds Cotton Pulses 1966-67 192 743 87 182 893 212 183 1150 1970-71 269.2 1129.3 114.4 108.6 879.6 142.6 193.4 1158.9 1975-76 303.5 1226 138.7 177.1 1005.6 153.5 255 1193.9 1980-81 483.9 1479 71.3 124.5 870.3 311.2 316.2 794.8 1985-86 584 1701.3 54.9 87.7 649.5 380.1 344.1 846.3 1990-91 661.2 1850.1 34.8 50.5 608.6 488.5 490.6 742 1995-96 830 1972.1 26 40.6 575.2 611.0 651.8 449.8 2000-01 1054 2354.8 15.4 44.1 608.3 414 555.4 157 2005-06 1046.6 2302.7 17.5 28.2 631 735.8 583.8 195.3 2006-07 1042 2377.1 13.4 37.7 619 616.2 527.7 169.3 2007-08 1072.5 2460.7 13.8 39.5 628 511.3 482.5 172 2008-09 1211.2 2461.4 11.8 53 612.9 527.6 456.1 184.1 2009-10 1206.4 2487.7 12.2 42.1 583.8 523 505.1 131.6 2010-11 1243.3 2504 9.6 37.3 659.6 521 493.3 175.6 2011-12 1234.1 2531.3 11 41.2 576.2 754.8 601.8 123 2012-13 1206.3 2496.9 9.9 47.7 410.7 567.6 592.6 75.3 2013-14 1244.6 2499.1 8.5 38.6 403.6 548.5 567.8 105.3 2014-15 1277.9 2628.1 8.8 35.3 393.8 495.4 647.2 83.8 2015-16 1353.1 2575.6 6.1 28.9 369.9 526.8 615.2 63.3 2016-17 1385.2 2564.0 6.2 20.0 467.1 523.0 571.2 67.5 2017-18 (P) 1422.0 2530.5 6.4 20.2 449.3 559.6 668.5 56.6

(Source: Statistical Abstract of Haryana, various years. P= Provisional)

25

Figure: 3.1

The table no. 3.1 shows that between 1966-67 to 2017-18, paddy, wheat, oilseeds and

cotton have recorded a positive growth with an addition of 3742 thousand hectares under

cultivation whereas 1793 thousand hectares of land previously cropped under maize, barley,

bajra and pulses has been reduced. Therefore, total cropped area and overall production of

various crops in Haryana reflect consistent expansion and dominance of paddy and wheat in

the state. On the other hand, barley, bajra, oilseeds, maize, cotton and pulses have witnessed

drastic downfall in the overall production and total area cropped throughout the last forty

nine years. Any crop failure (low yield or flat market prices) disturbs the input-output ratio

thus pressurizing the farmers to opt for climate resistant crops. Inherent risk factors such as

poor monsoons, pest attack, inappropriate procurement and price shock restrain farmers of

the state to switch from paddy and wheat to alternative crops.

The traditional crops such as maize, barley, bajra and pulses form 7.92% of the total

cropped area. With the introduction of high yield crops, mechanization of agriculture,

fertilizers and improved irrigation the yield of paddy and wheat has multiplied manifold

during the past 48 years. The trends in yields of major crops are discussd ahead. Due to

increase of yield and area of paddy and wheat; there is a surge of 947% in their overall

production in the state and an overall decline of 32% has been recorded in the production of

maize, barley, bajra and pulses between 1966-67 and 2017-18 (Table 3.2).

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

MAJOR CROPS (AREA WISE)Rice Wheat Maize Barley Bajra Oilseeds Cotton Pulses

26

Table- 3.2: Total Production (000 Tonnes) Year Rice Wheat Maize Barley Bajra Oilseeds Cotton Pulses 1966-67 223 1059 86 239 373 92 287 563 1970-71 460 2342 130 124 826 99 373 832 1975-76 625 2428 171 221 608 79 465 952 1980-81 1259 3490 81 181 474 188 643 503 1985-86 1633 5260 64 160 315 288 745 687 1990-91 1834 6436 49 107 526 638 1155 542 1995-96 1847 7291 48 100 409 783 1284 4511 2000-01 2695 9669 34 118 656 563 1383 100 2005-06 3194 8853 36 79 706 822 1502 112 2006-07 3375 10059 30 115 1021 821 1805 136 2007-08 3606 10232 37 120 1156 617 1882 101 2008-09 3299 11360 25 185 1087 911 1862 178 2009-10 3628 10488 26 137 930 862 1918 97 2010-11 3465 11578 19 130 1183 965 1747 153 2011-12 3757 13119 30 149 1175 546 2621 107 2012-13 3941 11117 26 167 791 970 2378 286 2013-14 4041 11800 24 151 829 899 2025 91 2014-15 4007 10707 18 105 670 740 1943 55 2015-16 4144 11351 18 99 651 852 995 35 2016-17 4453 12384 26 73 964 985 2041 162 2017-18 4880 12263 19 69 721 1135 1626 1328 (Source: Statistical Abstract of Haryana of various years)

It may be noticed that price of pulses in India is vulnerable and volatile. In case of a

crop failure, the prices shoot up while during a good harvest the prices land a touchdown. In

Haryana ‘the acreage under gram and rapeseed/mustard seed is positively and significantly

associated with price but insignificantly related with yield and perhaps this explains the

paradox of increasing prices but declining proportionate areas under pulses and oilseeds in

the cropping pattern’. The market factors (natural/manmade) have functioned to control the

flow of pulses (Sangwan 1985: 184, Ghosh 2017).

The variability in yield of groundnut, rapeseed/mustard seed and jowar, has affected

their total area under. In both the cases farmers are not able to reap the best out of growing

pulses and have thus shifted to other crops. The irregularities in output and lack of safety nets

hinder farmers to deflect wheat and rice rotation. It is thus required to stabilize the price and

gradually increase the yield with suitable seed varieties of groundnut, rapeseed/mustard seed

and jowar.

27

Trends in Yields of Major Crops Table- 3.3: Yield per hectare in 000 tonnes

Year Rice Wheat Maize Barley Bajra Oilseeds Cotton Pulses

1966-67 1.2 1.4 1.0 1.3 0.4 0.4 1.6 0.5

1970-71 1.7 2.1 1.1 1.1 0.9 0.7 1.9 0.7

1975-76 2.1 2.0 1.2 1.2 0.6 0.5 1.8 0.8

1980-81 2.6 2.4 1.1 1.5 0.5 0.6 2.0 0.6

1985-86 2.8 3.1 1.2 1.8 0.5 0.8 2.2 0.8

1990-91 2.8 3.5 1.4 2.1 0.9 1.3 2.4 0.7

1995-96 2.2 3.7 1.8 2.5 0.7 1.3 2.0 1.0

2000-01 2.6 4.1 2.2 2.7 1.1 1.4 2.5 0.6

2005-06 3.1 3.8 2.1 2.8 1.1 1.1 2.6 0.6

2006-07 3.2 4.2 2.2 3.1 1.6 1.3 3.4 0.8

2007-08 3.4 4.2 2.7 3.0 1.8 1.2 3.9 0.6

2008-09 2.7 4.6 2.1 3.5 1.8 1.7 4.1 1.0

2009-10 3.0 4.2 2.1 3.3 1.6 1.6 3.8 0.7

2010-11 2.8 4.6 2.0 3.5 1.8 1.9 3.5 0.9

2011-12 3.0 5.2 2.7 3.6 2.0 0.7 4.4 0.9

2012-13 3.3 4.5 2.6 3.5 1.9 1.7 4.0 3.8

2013-14 3.2 4.7 2.8 3.9 2.1 1.6 3.6 0.9

2014-15 3.1 4.1 2.0 3.0 1.7 1.5 3.0 0.7

2015-16 3.1 4.4 3.0 3.4 1.8 1.6 1.6 0.5

2016-17 3.2 4.8 4.2 3.7 2.1 1.9 3.6 2.4

2017-18 3.4 4.8 3.0 3.4 1.6 2.0 2.4 2.3

(Source: Statistical Abstract of Haryana of various years)

28

Figure: 3.2

Crop-wise Variation in Total Cropped Area and Production in Haryana

Primary Vertical Axis denotes 000 hectares Secondary Vertical Axis Denotes 000 tonnes

Figure: 3.3

0.01.02.03.04.05.06.0

1966

-67

1970

-71

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-76

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-81

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-17

2017

-18

Total Yield of Major Crops (in 000 tonnes)

Rice Wheat Maize Barley

Bajra Oilseeds Cotton Pulses

0.00.51.01.52.02.53.03.54.0

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

1966

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-18

(P)

Rice

Rice Area (000 hectares) Rice Production (000 tonnes)

Rice Yield (000 tonnes)

29

Figure: 3.4

Figure: 3.5

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

02000400060008000

100001200014000

1966

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-18

(P)

Wheat

Wheat Area (000 hectares) Wheat Production (000 tonnes)

Wheat Yield (000 tonnes)

0.00.51.01.52.02.53.03.54.04.5

020406080

100120140160180

1966

-67

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-18

(P)

Maize

Area (000 hectares) Production (000 tonnes) Yield (000 tonnes)

30

Figure: 3.6

Figure: 3.7

0.00.51.01.52.02.53.03.54.04.5

0

50

100

150

200

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30019

66-6

7

1970

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(P)

Barley

Area (000 hectares) Production (000 tonnes) Yield (000 tonnes)

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

0

200

400

600

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1400

1966

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(P)

Bajra

Area (000 hectares) Production (000 tonnes) Yield (000 tonnes)

31

Figure: 3.8

Figure: 3.9

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

0

200

400

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120019

66-6

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(P)

Oilseeds

Area (000 hectares) Production (000 tonnes) Yield (000 tonnes)

0.00.51.01.52.02.53.03.54.04.55.0

0

500

1000

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3000

1966

-67

1970

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-18

(P)

Cotton

Area (000 hectares) Production (000 tonnes) Yield (000 tonnes)

32

Figure: 3.10

(Source: Statistical Abstract of Haryana 1966-2018)

The paradigm shift to rice and wheat specialization has helped India secure self-

sufficiency in food production and also making her a major global leader in grain export.

However, constant mono-cropping degrade the overall soil fertility; and thus affecting the

yield quality of other crops as well. A recent report by Ministry of Finance reveals that in

2014-15 and 2015-16, India faced a ‘pulses crises’, the productivity of the pulses dropped

due to weak monsoons, causing a sudden surge in the demands and inflation in consumer

price. ‘High prices in the pre-Kharif sowing period and a good monsoon led to a sharp

increase in acreage under pulses. In anticipation of this positive supply shock (in India and

overseas where too supply has surged), prices started plummeting. The report recommends

appropriate and immediate increase in MSP for pulses to ensure sustainable and long term

benefits to farmers and the consumers. Crop diversification is a possible breakthrough to

overcome the plummeting agricultural economy and help soil retain its fertility (Ministry of

Finance, 2016).

The implications of such fluctuation are dire for farmers and their livelihoods because

in Haryana total cropped area under pulses in 2010-11 was 175.6 thousand hectares and

production was 153.1 thousand tonnes. On a declining trend total area cropped under pulses

and production stood at 123 thousand hectares and 107 thousand tonnes respectively. The

0.00.51.01.52.02.53.03.54.0

0

200

400

600

800

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1200

140019

66-6

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1970

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2017

-18

(P)

Pulses

Area (000 hectares) Production (000 tonnes) Yield (000 tonnes)

33

acreage further slipped in 2012-13 to 75.3 thousand hectares but production rose to 285.6

thousand tonnes. In 2013-14 the acreage again rose to 105.3 thousand hectares with lowest

ever production of 90.9 thousand tonnes (Statistical Abstract of Haryana, 2014-15: 226-27).

Horticulture The acreage under horticulture has continuously increased specially since 1980s when

production surpassed area due to higher productivity (Table 3.4)

Table – 3.4: Trend of Horticulture crops in Haryana

Years Area (hectares) Production (Tones) 1966-67 19170 162887 1970-71 35054 289073 1975-76 54418 434992 1980-81 63220 680050 1985-86 70809 657437 1990-91 68050 902907 1995-96 115760 1568015 2000-01 181115 2491035 2005-06 277479 3298089 2006-07 328601 3712724 2007-08 326296 3622575 2008-09 355515 4264844 2009-10 364375 4457585 2010-11 415930 5149290 2011-12 429968 5711597 2012-13 436549 5696662 2013-14 450605 6295025 2014-15 439605 6144328 2015-16 490700 7050568 2016-17 490144 7097846 2017-2018 528598 7657849 (Source: Horticulture Department Haryana, www.hortiharayna.gov.in )

One of reasons for higher growth under horticulture especially under fruits may be

less water requirement than wheat an