Published Online: June 18, 2016
Author Details
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This paper examines the development of agricultural sector along with the challenges faced by it in the recent past by assessing secondary data sources pertaining to the period 1991-2014. The objectives of the study are to address major challenges facing agricultural sector in the state and give policy recommendations to sustain the agrarian base in the state of Punjab. The results of the study highlight that agricultural sector in the state of Punjab has not witnessed any drastic change and remained highly favourable towards monoculture of wheat and paddy. The results of the study also points towards the rising challenges to the agricultural sector in the state in the form of poor diversification, rising cost of cultivation, loss of soil fertility, water table depletion etc. On the basis of the findings, the study suggests that there is an immediate need to diversify overall economic base of the state, instead of attempting it only in terms of crop diversification.
Keywords
Agrarian Crisis, Diversification, Infrastructural Development