Agriculture in Himachal Pradesh is facing a serious crisis. Hundreds of acres of fertile agricultural land in Kangra district has not been cultivated due to rising cultivation cost, acute labour shortage and declining returns from traditional farming. Farmers in several parts of the district say that the rising cost of seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, irrigation and transportation have made farming economically unviable. Small and marginal farmers, who form the backbone of agriculture in the region, are finding it difficult to sustain cultivation amid shrinking profits and erratic weather conditions. The non-availability of agricultural labour is adding to their problems. Many farmers allege that labourers, who earlier worked in agricultural fields, are no longer willing to take up farm work.
Many farmers say that free ration schemes and other welfare measures have reduced dependence on seasonal agricultural work, leading to an acute shortage of workers during sowing and harvesting seasons. Though they are paid Rs 600 to Rs 700 per day, no labourer is available to work in farms.
As a consequence, large stretches of agriculture land are lying uncultivated in Kangra district. In many villages, once-productive paddy fields and terraced farms are gradually being abandoned. Farmers say that without labour support and proper incentives from the government, continuing agriculture has become increasingly difficult.
Another worrying trend is the growing sale of agricultural land for non-farm purposes. Farmers, unable to generate sustainable income from cultivation, are reportedly selling land for residential, commercial and tourism-related activities. Experts warn that unchecked conversion of fertile agricultural land can have long-term consequences for food security and the rural economy of the state.
Agriculture experts believe the situation requires urgent policy intervention of the state government. They stress the need for a comprehensive agricultural revival policy, including incentives for cultivation, mechanisation suited for hill farming, promotion of high-value crops, assured marketing facilities and measures to bring barren land back under cultivation.
Ashok Kumar Sarial, former Vice-Chancellor of CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, Palampur, warns that continued decline in agriculture can adversely impact Himachal Pradesh’s rural economy, where a large population still depends directly or indirectly on farming for livelihood. He says that immediate corrective measures are necessary to prevent further abandonment of agricultural land in the state.
Sarial says the Agriculture Department should come forward and assist farmers in the restoration of agriculture operations on abandoned land.
