PUNJAB

PATWARI
2021
AGRICULTURE
SCO 13-14-15, 2ND FLOOR
SECTOR 34-, CHANDIGARH
PH: 0172-4052124 | 9117-343434

WWW.GYANM.IN
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AGRICULTURE

GYANM SCO 13-15, 2nd Floor, Sector 34-A, Chandigarh, Ph: 0172-4052124, 91-17-34-34-34
 AGRICULTURE - INDEX

GYANM SCO 13-15, 2nd Floor, Sector 34-A, Chandigarh, Ph: 0172-4052124, 91-17-34-34-34
 AGRICULTURE - INDEX

CONTENT
Sr. No. Topic Page No.
1. INTRODUCTION 1
2. CROPS 4
▪ CLASSIFICATION
▪ KHARIF CROPS
▪ RABI CROPS
3. SOILS 13
4. AGRO FORESTRY 17
5. IRRIGATION SYSTEM 19
6. AGRO BASED INDUSTRY 24
7. FOOD PROCESSING 26
8. HARMFUL / FRIENDLY INSECTS AND ANIMALS 28
9. CONTRIBUTION OF AGRICULTURE IN ECONOMIC 38
DEVELOPMENT
10. INSTITUTIONS RELATED TO AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT 41
11. MISCELLANEOUS 43
12. FACTS & FIGURES 49
13. AGRICULTURE BYTES 53
14. MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS 57

GYANM SCO 13-15, 2nd Floor, Sector 34-A, Chandigarh, Ph: 0172-4052124, 91-17-34-34-34
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GYANM SCO 13-15, 2nd Floor, Sector 34-A, Chandigarh, Ph: 0172-4052124, 91-17-34-34-34
 AGRICULTURE – INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURE

CHAPTER – 1 cashews and spices. Further, India is also the highest

producer of milk in the world.
INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURE FARM SIZE
Indian agriculture is characterized by small and marginal
The term Agriculture is derived from two Latin words ager holdings. About 85% of the total cultivated land is
or ‘agri’ meaning soil and ‘cultura’ meaning cultivation. fragmented into less than 10-hectare land each. About
Agriculture is an applied science which encompasses all
60% of the farmland is less than 4 hectare in size.
aspects of crop production including horticulture,
0.1 Agricultural labourer is a person who has no land
livestock rearing, fisheries, forestry, etc. It is defined as holding. They derive more than 50% of income from
the art and science of producing crops and livestock for agricultural wages.
economic purposes. 0.2 Small farmers is one, who has land holding above One
According to Indian Council of Agricultural Research, hectare upto Two hectare (5 acres).
Agriculture means and includes production, processing, 0.3 Marginal farmers, a farmer with land holding One
marketing and utilisation of crops, livestock and fisheries hectare (2.5 acres) in un-irrigated area.
as also social and economic aspects of agricultural BUFFER STOCK
development. The idea behind maintaining the buffer stock is to meet
The term agriculture wherever used includes horticulture, exigencies of drought or crop failure. Since any shortage
fruit growing, seed growing, dairy farming and livestock in food supply can cause deep social upheavals, the
breeding and bee keeping, the use of land as grazing land, government has decided to keep a certain amount of food
meadow land, market gardens and nursery grounds, and as a buffer stock to ensure food grain supply to the poorer
the use of land for woodlands where that use ancillary to sections at subsidized rates.
the farming of land for agricultural purposes. NATIOAL FOOD SECURITY ACT
The act was introduced in the Parliament to provide the
BRANCHES OF AGRICULTURE households below poverty line foodgrain at Rs. 3 per kg
The common branches of agriculture are as follows: of rice, Rs. 2 per kg of wheat and Rs. 1 per kg of coarse
i. Agronomy: deals with the production of various crops grains and to general households not less than 3 kg of
including food crops, fodder crops, sugarcane, foodgrains per person per month at prices not exceeding
oilseeds etc. half of the MSP for wheat and coarse grains and derived
ii. Horticulture: Deals with production of fruits, MSP for rice.
vegetables, flowers, ornamental plants, spices,
condiments and beverages. MINIMUM SUPPORT PRICE AND FOODGRAIN
iii. Forestry: Deals with large scale cultivation of trees PROCUREMENT
for wood and timber etc. The main objectives of the food management policy are the
iv. Animal Husbandry: Deals with practice of breeding procurement of foodgrain from farmers at remunerative
and raising of livestock. prices, distribution to consumers, particularly the
v. Pisciculture: Deals with breeding and rearing of fish vulnerable sections at affordable prices, and maintenance
and sea food. of food buffers for food security and price stability. The
vi. Agricultural Engineering: Deals with farm instruments at the disposal of the government are the
machinery used in cultivation. MSP and central issue price (CIP).
vii. Food and Nutrition: Application of agricultural
The MSP for twenty-three crops is calculated and
produce in a better manner for value addition and
proposed by the CACP (Commission on Agriculture Costs
food preparation.
and Prices) to the Central Government. These prices are
then discussed and decided by the Cabinet Committee on
THE CURRENT SCENARIO
Economic Affairs. Although it is called Minimum Support
Price, but it is not mentioned in law that the government
OVERVIEW
will in fact purchase these items or ensure their
Agriculture not only contributes to the overall economic
procurement at the prescribed prices. Thus these are just
growth but also reduces poverty by providing employment
executive orders without the backing of any law.
and food security to the major population. Thus it is the
Recently, MSP has become the focus of farming
most inclusive growth sector of the Indian economy.
community after the government enacted three laws
related to agriculture permitting private players to enter
More than 60% of the Indian population is dependent on
the procurement of cereals and allowing them to purchase
agriculture. However the contribution of agriculture to the
the same directly from the farmers without the
GDP is declining and at present, it contributes about 18%
intervention of the Agriculture Produce Markets. The laws
of the GDP. During the past five years, the agriculture
related to contract farming and removal of ceiling for
sector has witnessed spectacular advances in the
storage has riled the farmers.
production and productivity of food grains, oilseeds,
commercial crops, fruits, vegetables, poultry and dairy. PRODUCTION IN INDIA
India is now the second largest producer of fruits and The total food grain production during the last few years
vegetables in addition to being the largest exporter of has been as under:

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 AGRICULTURE – INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURE

Year Production Year Production scheme is to provide adequate and timely credit to the
(in million (in million farmers under single window including the short term
tons) tonnes) credit needs and reasonable component for consumption
1951-52 52 2017-18 285.01 needs.
1961-62 82 2018-19 285.21
What is Agribusiness?
1971-72 108 2019-20 296.65 • An Agribusiness is a Line Of business (LOB) that
focuses on processing, warehousing, distribution,
WASTAGE OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE marketing and retailing of products used in farming.
It is estimated that every year, fruit and vegetable produce • The goal of agribusiness to improve operations in
worth Rs. 40,000-50,000 crore goes waste due to lack of order to keep prices reasonable.
facilities to preserve them. • Many agribusiness products and services feature
The government has taken up many initiatives to promote advance internet of things, technologies that help
the construction of cold chains and also approved FDI in farmers to raise live stock, grow produce, manage
multi-brand retail so that adequate capital is made machinery and process and ship product more
available to bring the produce ‘from farm to the fork’. efficiently.

ORGANIC FARMING FARMERS PRODUCERS ORGANIZATIONS (FPOs)

The usage of fertilizers and high yielding seeds has Group of producers, especially small & marginal famers,
increased the yield, but it has led to various problems like into producer organizations is the most effective path
soil degradation and high cost of cultivation. Excessive ways to address the many challenges of agriculture but
pesticide and insecticides and their intrusion into the food most importantly, improved access to investments,
chain has made the people think of their negative technology and inputs and markets. FPOs are farmers
ecological effects. organization for promotion of their common interest with
Therefore, it was felt that a new system of cultivation a long-term plan of action for collective growth. They are
should be adopted, which is eco friendly. required to be registered under Indian Companies Law
Organic farming prohibits the use of all synthetic inputs 1956.
and soil health is now the focus of the program. Organic BASICS
Farming is a system designed to produce crops by 1) It is formed by the group of producers for entire farm
methods and substances which maintain their integrity non - farm activities
until they reach the consumer. 2) It is a registered body and a legal entity
GENETIC ENGINEERING (GM CROPS) 3) The producers are share holders in the organizations
Genetic engineering is a laboratory technique used by 4) It deals with the business activities related to the
scientists to change the DNA of living organisms. The primary produce/products
scientists have been able to select the genes of their choice 5) It works for the benefit of the member producers
and insert them into the DNA of other living organisms. 6) A part of profit is shared among the producers.
For example, tomatoes are sensitive to frost, which 7) Rest of the surplus added to the its owned funds for
shortens their growing season. To counter it, the business expansion
scientists identified a particular gene resistant to cold and WTO
used genetic engineering to insert this 'anti-freeze' gene The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is the only global
into a tomato. It has enabled the farmers to extend the international organisation dealing with the rules of trade
tomato growing season. between nations. At its heart are the WTO agreements,
Similarly, the Indian farmers are using Bt Cotton seed negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world’s trading
these days. It is resistant to bollworm and has helped nations and ratified in their parliaments. The goal is to
them reap rich harvests. Bt stands for Bacillus. Bt cotton ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and
is the only transgenic crop approved for use in India till freely as possible. It was constituted on January 1,1995.
date. Its precursor was GATT (General Agreement on Trade &
The efforts to introduce Bt Brinjal had met with strong Tariff), which was dissolved after it came into being.
protests in India. The Supreme Court-appointed
Technical Expert Committee (TEC) had recommended a REGIONAL RURAL BANKS (RRBS)
10-year moratorium on all field trials of GM food crops. 1. Committee on Rural Banks headed by M.
Narasimhan (1975).
LEARNING AND TEACHING IN EXTENSION & 2. The RRBs came into existence as a result of the
COMMUNICATION measures taken under the 20- point economic
1. Extension is an educational process to bring about programme in 1975 by Mrs. Indira Gandhi.
desirable changes i. There were three RRBs in Punjab. Malwa Gramin
2. The essential role of an extension worker is to create Bank and Satluj Gramin Bank have been merged
effective learning situations. with Punjab Gramin Bank.
ii. RRB is mainly focused on credit and other
KISAN CREDIT CARD SCHEME facilities, especially to small and marginal
Kisan Credit Card Scheme was introduced in banks in farmers agricultural labourers, Artisans and
1998 and revised in 2004. The main objective of the Small entrepreneurs in the rural areas.

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GOVERNMENT SCHEMES IN AGRICULTURE i. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY):

It has been formulated with the vision of extending the
NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY MISSION (NFSM)
coverage of irrigation ‘Har Khet ko pani’ and improving
The NFSM, launched in 2007, is a crop development
water use efficiency ‘More crop per drop'. The programme
scheme of which aimed at additional production of 10, 8,
also targets the promotion of micro-irrigation in the form
and 2 million tons of rice, wheat, and pulses respectively
of sprinklers, rain-guns, drips, etc. Micro irrigation not
by the end of 2011-12.
only saves water but also reduces the use of fertilizers to
The Mission was continued during 12th Five Year Plan
a significant level.
with new targets of additional production of food grains of
ii. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY):
25 million tons of food grains comprising of 10 million
Under PKVY Organic farming is promoted through
tons rice, 8 million tons of wheat, 4 million tons of pulses
adoption of organic village by cluster approach. The
and 3 million tons of coarse cereals by the end of the Plan.
farmers are motivated to form clusters, will be provided
RASHTRIYA KRISHI VIKAS YOJANA Rs. 20,000 in three years for seed, harvesting and
The RKVY was launched in 2007-08 with an outlay of Rs. marketing.
25,000 crore during the 11th Plan to encourage the states iii. Soil Health Card: The government will issue soil
to enhance public investment to achieve 4 per cent growth health cards to farmers to create awareness about soil
rate in agriculture and allied sectors. fertility and steps required to increase its productivity.
iv. Rainfed Area Development under National Mission
MISSION FOR INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT OF for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA):
HORTICULTURE (MIDH) It focuses on Integrated Farming System for enhancing
Mission for integrated development of horticulture, it is productivity and minimizing risks associated with climatic
centrally sponsored scheme for the holistic growth of the variability.
horticulture sector covering fruits, vegetables, root and v. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY):
tuber crops - Mushrooms, Spices Flowers, Aromatic It aims to provide a solution at the lowest uniform
plants, coconut, cashew cocoa and bamboos. The major premium to the farmers across the country for loss or
objective is encouraging aggregation of farmers to damages against any unforeseen circumstances. It will
enhance horticulture and increase the income of the help the farmers stabilise their income.
farmers. vi. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture
NATIONAL MISSION FOR SUSTAINABALE (MIDH): It aims to improve the growth of the horticulture
AGRICULTURE sector covering fruits, vegetables, root & tuber crops,
The NMSA aims at enhancing food security and protection mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut,
of resources like land, water, biodiversity, and genetic cashew, cocoa and bamboo. Under MIDH, Government of
resources by developing strategies to make Indian India (GOI) contributes 60%, of total outlay for
agriculture more resilient to climate change. developmental programmes in all the states except states
in North East and Himalayas, 40% share is contributed
BGREI (Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India) by State Governments. In the case of North Eastern States
The first green revolution was successful in Punjab, and Himalayan States, GOI contributes 90%.
Haryana and western U.P. but other fertile areas like vii. National Agriculture Market scheme (e-NAM): It
Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal provides an online platform to the farmers and the traders
lagged in food grain production. The government has to buy and sell the agriculture products online.
initiated a scheme ‘Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern viii. National Mission on Oilseeds & Oil palm (NMOOP):
Regions’ and the results have been quite encouraging with India’s vegetable oil economy is world’s fourth largest after
the production in these states has registered a big jump. USA, China & Brazil. The oilseed accounts for 13% of the
SECOND GREEN REVOLUTION Gross Cropped Area, 3% of the Gross National Product
With the first green revolution, India was able to propel and 10% value of all agricultural commodities. The main
itself into the club of nations which were self-sufficient in objective of the mission is to increase the production of oil
food grains. But the gains made are petering out now. to meet the domestic demand.
What India needs now is a second green revolution so that In addition, the government regularly promotes through
the next phase of growth can be attained in future. Also Agri-Clinics Agri Fairs and exhibitions, Kisan SMS Portal
while the emphasis in the first green revolution was on etc and also provides Kisan Call Centres (KCCs) to assist
wheat and paddy, special attention is required on the and guide the farmers.
production of nutrition-rich crops like pulses, fruits and
vegetables. Indian agriculture should diversify from crop
farming to livestock, fisheries, poultry and horticulture,
besides focusing on productivity with adequate focus on
rain-fed areas.
The government had declared to take measures to double
the income of farmers by 2022. Apart from the above said
schemes it has introduced some new schemes as well as
has realigned the existing schemes.

These include implementation of schemes like,

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 AGRICULTURE – CROPS

CHAPTER – 2 CROP TYPES

CROPS 1.
2.
Cereals Wheat, Rice, Maize & Bajra
Pulse / Legume Gram, Urad
Crops
A plant cultivated commercially on a large scale is called
3. Oil Seeds Crops Sarson, Til, Groundnut,
a crop. Cereal, fruit and vegetable are the main crops of
Peanut, Castor, Rapeseed,
India. The persons who primarily perform these functions
Linseed, Sunflower
to produce these plants are known as farmers.
4. Forage Crops Barseem, Guar and Oat
CLASSIFICATION OF CROPS 5. Fibre Crops Sun hemp, Jute
6. Root Crops Cassava, Sweet, Potato,
Crops can be classified on the basis of usage, anatomy, Carrot
life cycle, areas where it grown. 7. Tuber Crops Potato, Turnip, Onion,
Garlic
On The Basis Of Seasons 8. Sugar Crops Sugarcane, Beet Root
9. Starch Crops Cassava, Guar
KHARIF CROPS: (ਸਾਉਣੀ) The crops grown during the 10. Medicinal Crops Mint, Amla, Aloe Vera, Tulsi,
monsoon season i.e. June – July – August e.g. Rice, Maize, Saffron, Vanilla
Cotton, Groundnut, Moong, Bajra, Urad, millets etc. 11. Spices & Ajwain, Saunf, Mulathi,
Condiments Chilli
RABI CROPS: (ਹਾੜ੍ਹੀ)The crops are grown during winter 12. Vegetable Crops Cauliflower
season i.e. October to December. e.g. Wheat, Barley, 13. Green Manure Dhaincha, Barseem, Guar
Gram, Oil seeds. Crops
14. Aromatic Plant Chameli, Geranium, Rose
ZAID CROPS: Crops grown in short summer season Crops
between Rabi & Kharif season i.e. February-March–April 15. Fruit Crops Apple, Mango, Banana
e.g. Musk Melon, Water-Melon, Gourds, Cucumber, Bitter 16. Flower Crops Gladioli, Carnation,
Gourd etc. Zaid word is derived from zayada (ਜ਼ਿਆਦਾ) in Zarbera, Lilly,
local language means ‘more’. Chrysanthemum, Rose

On The Basis Of Area

SOME IMPORTANT FACTS
TROPICAL AREA CROPS: The crops grown in warm and 1. Agriculture period in India is July 01 to June 30.
hot climate e.g. Rice, Sugarcane, Jowar etc. 2. Food Crops: Includes cereals such as Paddy, Wheat,
Pulses, Vegetables which are consumed
TEMPERATE AREA CROPS: The crops grown in a cool 3. Cash crops: Groundnuts, Mustard, Sunflower,
climate e.g. Wheat, Oats, Gram, Potato etc. Sugarcane, Cotton, Coffee, Tea
4. Plantation crops: Coconut, Arecanut, Oil palm,
On The Basis Of Life Cycle Cashew, Tea, Coffee and Rubber; the minor plantation
crops include Cocoa
ANNUALS: The crops whose life cycle is less than one year 5. Kharif season: June to November
are called annual crops. E.g.: wheat, paddy, barley. 6. Rabi season: October / December to May
BIENIALS: The crops which require two years to mature
and produce seed, like in the first year there is vegetative RABI CROPS
growth and in the second year is seed production; e.g.
sugarbeet. 1. CEREALS
PERENNIALS: Those plants which survive for more than ▪ Wheat
two years are called perennials. ▪ Barley
On The Basis Of Utility
2. PULSES OILSEEDS
CATCH CROP: A crop grown in the space between two ▪ Gram (Chickpea)
main crops or at a time when no main crops are being ▪ Lentil (Masar)
grown. Catch crop reaches maturity in a relatively short
time. It is often planted as a substitute for a crop that has 3. OILSEEDS
failed or at a time when the ground would ordinarily lie ▪ Raya
fallow as between the plantings of two staple crops. ▪ Gobhi Sarson
▪ Sunflower
Cash Crop: That is grown mainly to be sold, rather than
to be used by the farmers who grow it. 4. FODDERS
Plantation crop: Crops which are grown on large areas / ▪ Berseem
estate such as coffee, sugar, and tobacco are grown. ▪ Oats

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 AGRICULTURE – CROPS

Cereals Wheat can be harvested manually or by tractor-operated

vertical conveyer reaper windrowers. For threshing, use
a. WHEAT power thresher fitted with proper safety devices to prevent
Wheat is a major cereal crop of Punjab. It was grown on accidents. For good performance, operate these machines
an area of 35.20 lakh hectares during 2018-19 with at recommended cylinder speed for wheat and also
production of 182.62 lakh tonnes and average yield of observe safety precautions against accidents. The
51.88 quintals per hectare (21.0 quintals per acre). syndicator type (Toka type) can be used to thresh the
wheat crop with moisture content up to 20 per cent. For
Climatic Requirements: Wheat is a cool season crop. detailed information and instructions on the use of
Higher temperature during early phase of the crop results machines/ implements for various operations, see
in poor tillering and early heading. Higher temperature at Appendix III ‘Agricultural Engineering’.
grain filling stage leads to premature ripening and
reduction in grain weight. Storage
In case the grain contains more than 10 per cent
Soil Type: Wheat can be grown on all kind of soils, except moisture, it should be dried before storing, otherwise it
the highly deteriorated alkaline and water-logged soils. would be spoiled by moulds and excessive heat that
Durum wheat should preferably be sown on medium to develops during storage. Seed-cleaners-cum-graders may
fine textured soils. also be used at this stage if the produce is to be used as
seed. See Appendix V for the control of stored grain insect
SOWING PERIOD pests.
Time of Sowing: For securing the best grain yield, wheat
must be sown at the optimum time. First fortnight of b. BARLEY (ਜੌ)
November is the optimum sowing time of wheat crop.
However, sowing of long duration varieties can be Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is generally called “Jau”.
commenced from the fourth week of October to save these Climatic Requirements: Barley requires cool weather
from high temperature near maturity. Delayed sowing during early growth and warm and dry weather at
causes a gradual decline in the yield of wheat. A delay of maturity. Being drought resistant, barley suits to areas
one week from optimum sowing reduces wheat yield by with scanty rainfall.
about 150 kg per acre. Soil Type: Barley can be grown on well drained soils. It
can do well even in salt affected soils during the early
The following sowing period for different varieties may phases of the reclamation of these soils.
be observed: Rotations: Paddy-Barley, Kharif fodder-Barley, Cotton-
Sowing Period Varieties Barley and Bajra-Barley.
From the 4th week of October to 4th week of November Improved Varieties (irrigated conditions)
Unnat PBW 343, PBW 1 Zn, PBW 725, PBW 677, HD DWRB 123 (2019): Two rowed malt barley variety which
3086, WH 1105, HD 2967 and PBW 621(long varieties) matures in 141 days.
Yield is 19.4 quintals per acre. This variety is particularly
From the 2nd week of November to 4th week of November suitable for brewing industry.
Unnat PBW 550 PL 891 (2019): It is a two rowed hulless food barley variety.
It matures in 144 days.
From the 4th week of October to 1st week of November Yield is 16.8 quintals per acre.
WHD 943 and PDW 291 Usage: Hulless barley can be consumed as whole grain
cereal, barley flakes, barley flour, etc.
After 4th week of November Barley sattu can be used as energy drinks.
PBW 752 and PBW 658 Time of Sowing: Between October 15 to November 15.
Under rainfed conditions grow PBW 660 and PBW 644. Harvesting: The crop should be harvested immediately
after it ripens otherwise it might lodge and shatter grain
Do not grow durum wheat in light soils because of wind storms.
Seed Rate: For securing good yield, use seed-rate of 45 kg PULSES
per acre for Unnat PBW 550 and 40 kg for all other
varieties. The seed should be cleaned and graded
GRAM
thoroughly before sowing. It should be treated properly
Gram is an important rabi pulse crop of Punjab. Gram is
before sowing.
a winter season crop but severe cold and frost
are injurious to it. It is primarily a crop of low-rainfall
Harvesting and Threshing
areas, but gives good returns in irrigated conditions as
Harvest and thresh wheat as soon as fully ripe, to avoid
well.
grain shattering. Delayed harvesting results in high grain
losses. Combine harvesters are generally being used for
Soil Type: Gram grows best on well-drained, light to
simultaneous harvesting and threshing of wheat.
medium textured soils. Saline, alkaline or waterlogged
Stubbles can be bruised as fine wheat straw (turi) by
soils are not suitable for its cultivation.
using wheat straw combine. Straw recovery is about 60%.

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 AGRICULTURE – CROPS

Rotations: Gram in rotation with cereal crops helps in colour and light flecks. It has good culinary properties. Its
controlling soil-borne diseases. The common rotations average yield is 4.8 quintals per acre.
are: Chari/Bajra-Gram, Rice/Maize-Gram and Rice-
Gram-Summer Moong. LL 699 (2001): The plants are short, erect with profuse
branching. Its plants are dark green, bear high number of
Desi gram (Irrigated) pods and are early in flowering. It matures in 145 days.
It possesses good tolerance to pod borer. It has good
PBG 8 (2020): The plants are tall with semi-erect growth culinary properties. Average grain yield is 5 quintals per
habit. It has medium bold seeds with brownish colour and acre.
100-seed weight is 16.5 g. This variety is moderately
resistant to Botrytis grey mould and wilt. It matures in Time of Sowing: The crop may be sown in the second
about 158 days. Its average yield is 8.4 quintals per acre. fortnight of October in the sub-montane areas and from
PBG 7 (2014): The plants are tall, semierect. It has end of October to first week of November in other areas.
medium bold seeds with brownish colour and 100-seed Seed Rate: The optimum seed rate is 18 kg per acre for
weight of 16 g. This variety is moderately resistant to variety LL 1373 and 12-15 kg per acre for other varieties.
Ascochyta blight (Chanani) and fairly resistant to wilt and
dry root rot. It matures in about 159 days. Its average Harvesting: The crop should be harvested when the
yield is 8 quintals per acre. plants dry up and pods mature.

GPF 2 (1994): It has bold seeds and matures in about 170 OILSEEDS
days. Its average yield is 7.6 quintals per acre.
RAYA\GOBHI SARSON\ SUNFLOWER
Desi gram (Rainfed) RAPESEED AND MUSTARD
PDG 4 (2000): Its plants are erect with dark green foliage. Toria, gobhi sarson and African Sarson are sown
It bears long fruiting branches arising from the base. It exclusively under irrigated conditions, whereas Raya can
has bold seeds and matures in about 160 days. It is fairly be grown under both irrigated and rainfed conditions.
resistant to wilt, foot rot, root rot and Ascochyta blight. Its Taramira is grown as rainfed crop only.
average yield is 7.8 quintals per acre. The oilseeds are categorised by traders as Rapeseed and
Mustard.
Kabuli gram Rapeseed: Toria, Gobhi Sarson and Taramira are
L 552 (2011): It is early in flowering and matures in 157 categorised as rapeseed.
days. It is tall and erect variety. It has large pods and bold Mustard: Raya and African sarson are categorised as
seeds (33.6 g/100 seeds weight). The seeds are creamy mustard.
white in appearance with good culinary properties. Its
average yield is 7.3 quintals per acre. Climatic Requirements: The rapeseed and mustard
crops grow well in areas having 25 to 40 cm of rainfall.
Harvesting: Harvest when the pods mature and the Taramira is preferred in low-rainfall areas, whereas raya,
plants dry up. Harvest with a sickle. Do not uproot the gobhi sarson, African sarson and toria are grown in
plants and deprive the soil of the root residues. medium to high rainfall areas.
Soil Type: The rapeseed and mustard grow best on well-
LENTIL (ਮਸਰ) drained, light-to medium textured soils. Raya, gobhi
sarson and African sarson may be grown on all soil types,
It is hardy and can tolerate frost and severe winter. It can
toria should be grown preferably on loamy soils. Taramira
be grown with the moisture conserved in the soil during
does well on sandy and loamy-sand soils.
the rainy season.
Brassica varieties having less than 2% erucic acid in the
oil and less than 30 micro moles of glucosinolates per
gram defatted meal are known as Canola. It is one of
Improved Varieties
best oils for heart health, canola oil has less saturated fat
LL 1373 (2020): Its plants are short, erect with profuse
than any other oil.
branching and bear more number of pods. It has light
Time of Sowing: The optimum time of sowing for
green leaves, pink flowers, non-pigmented light green rapeseed and mustard is:
pods and rudimentary tendrils. It matures in 140 days. It
is resistant to rust and possesses good tolerance to pod Crop Sowing time
borer. Its seeds are bold and 100 seed weight is 3.5 g. It Toria First half of September
has good culinary properties. Its average yield is 5.1 Intercropping of Toria and Second to Third week of
quintals per acre. Gobhi Sarson September
Gobhi Sarson 10-30 October
LL 931 (2009): Its plants are short, erect with profuse
Raya and African Sarson Mid October to Mid
branching and bear more number of pods. It has dark
November
green leaves, pink flowers, non-pigmented green pods and
rudimentary tendrils. It matures in 146 days. It is fairly Gobhi Sarson and African November to Mid
resistant to rust and possesses good tolerance to pod Sarson by transplanting December
borer. Its seeds are medium bold with greyish brown Taramira Whole October

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 AGRICULTURE – CROPS

Varieties & Maturity Period Yield: 2.9 quintals per acre with 36.6 per cent oil content.
Toria Maturity: 150 days.
TL 17 (2011):
Yield: 5.2 quintals per acre. Its seeds contain 42.0% oil. SUNFLOWER
Maturity: 90 days The spring season is most suited for assured crop and
TL 15 (1978): Early maturity type, fits well in multiple high yields of sunflower. Availability of honey bees during
cropping systems. this season in abundance, also helps in good seed setting.
Yield: 4.5 quintals per acre. Its oil content is 41 per cent. Sunflower oil is very well suited for the manufacture of
Maturity: 88 days edible refined oil and vanaspati. Its oil can also be used
for making soap and a number of allied products.
Raya
RCH 1 (2019): It is the first canola quality (‘00’) hybrid of Soil Type: It requires well drained, medium textured soil.
raya in the country. It is recommended for general Avoid salt affected soils.
cultivation in south-western region (Bathinda, Faridkot, Rotations: Rice/Maize-Potato-Sunflower; Rice-Toria-
Ferozepur, Muktsar and Mansa) of Punjab under timely Sunflower; Cotton-Sunflower; Sugarcane-Sugarcane
sown irrigated conditions. ratoon-Sunflower and kharif Fodder-Toria-Sunflower.
Yield: 9.2 quintals per acre with 39.4 per cent oil content. Basmati-Sunflower is more productive and remunerative
Maturity: 152 days. as compared to prevalent Basmati-Wheat crop sequence.
PHR 126 (2019):
Yield: 9.1 quintals per acre with 40.2 per cent oil content. Hybrids
Maturity: 145 days. PSH 2080 (2019): It is a short duration medium tall hybrid
Giriraj (2017): recommended in irrigated conditions. with average plant height of 151 cm. The average seed
Yield: 7.7 quintals per acre, contains 40.3 per cent oil. yield of this hybrid is 9.8 quintals per acre. It matures in
Maturity: 144 days 97 days.
RLC 3 (2015): This is the first canola quality variety of raya PSH 1962 (2015): It is a short duration, medium tall
in the country. hybrid with average plant height of 165 cm. The average
Yield: 7.3 quintals per acre with 41.5 percent oil content. seed yield of this hybrid is 8.2 quintals per acre. It
Maturity: 145 days. matures in 99 days.
DK 3849 (2013): The average seed yield of this hybrid is
PBR 357 (2014): 8.4 quintals per acre and 100 seed weight is 4.5 g. The
general cultivation in the state under timely sown seeds of this hybrid contain about 34.5 per cent oil. It
irrigated conditions. matures in 102 days.
Yield: 8.5 quintals per acre. It contains 39.0 per cent oil Other varieties: PSH 996, PSH 569, PSH 118, SH 3322.
Maturity: 145 days. NSFH-1001: It is medium duration hybrid having high oil
content. Its seed size is small.
Gobhi Sarson ( matures in 145 to 162 days depending on
variety) Other hybrids in cultivation not tested by PAU are:
PGSH 1707 (2020): It is the canola quality (‘00’) hybrid of Pioneer 64 A 57, , Champ, Armony Gold
gobhi sarson.
GSC 7 (2014): This canola quality variety. Cultivation Time of Sowing: To realize high seed yield and to save
under timely sown irrigated conditions. irrigation water, the sowing of sunflower should be done
in January. However, if the planting is delayed till first
Yield: 8.9 quintals per acre. Oil 40.5% week of February, shorter duration hybrids (PSH 2080,
Maturity: 154 days PSH 1962, PSH 569 and PSH 996) should be preferred.
For further delay in the month of February adopt
African Sarson transplanting because direct seeding causes substantial
PC 6 (2016): This variety is the world’s first determinate reduction in seed yield.
oilseed Brassica variety. It is recommended for general
cultivation in the state under timely sown irrigated LINSEED
conditions. Linseed cultivation is mainly confined to Gurdaspur,
This medium tall variety is resistant to seed shattering Hoshiarpur and Rupnagar districts adjoining the main
and is suitable for combine linseed growing area of Himachal Pradesh.
harvesting. It is free from white rust and has better Climatic Requirements: It does well in high rainfall areas.
tolerance to Alternaria blight and mustard aphid. Its Soil Type: A well-drained, loamy to clay soil is suitable.
average yield is 7.7 quintals per acre with 40.1 per cent Rotation: Rice-Linseed.
oil. It matures in 157 days.
Improved Variety
Taramira
LC 2063 (2007): It is a tall variety with profuse branching
TMLC 2 (1990): This variety is recommended for
and blue flowers. It is tolerant to wilt, rust, Alternaria
cultivation in Bathinda, Sangrur, Ferozepur and Kandi
blight and moderately resistant to powdery mildew. It has
areas of Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Rupnagar and Shaheed
lustrous brown, bold seeds with 38.4 per cent oil content.
Bhagat Singh Nagar districts. It has longer main shoot
Its average yield is 4.9 quintals per acre. It matures in
length, more number of pods on main shoot and more
about 158 days.
number of seeds per pod.
GYANM SCO 13-15, 2nd Floor, Sector 34-A, Chandigarh, Ph: 0172-4052124, 91-17-34-34-34 7
 AGRICULTURE – CROPS

LC 2023 (1998): It is recommended for both rainfed and KHARIF CROPS

irrigated conditions. Its seed contains 37.4 per cent oil. Its
yield is about 4.5 q per acre. It matures in 158 and 163 1. CEREALS
days under rainfed and irrigated conditions, respectively. a. Paddy
Harvesting: The crop is ready for harvest in April. b. Maize
2. PULSES
FODDER i. Gram ( Chickpea)
ii. Lentil ( Masar)
BERSEEM 3. OILSEEDS
It is a highly nutritious and palatable fodder in repeated iii. Raya
cuttings from November to mid-June. iv. Gobhi Sarson
Climatic Requirements: Berseem needs mild temperature v. Sunflower
for germination and establishment. Its growth is restricted 4. FODDERS
during intensely cold or frosty weather. a. Berseem
Soil Type: It grows well on medium to heavy soils and b. Oats
withstands alkalinity.
Improved Varieties CEREALS
BL 43 (2017):
Yield: 390 quintals green fodder per acre up to first week RICE
of June and gives good seed yield. Cultivated on 31.03 lakh hectares in Punjab with total
BL 42 (2003): It supplies green fodder upto first week of production of 191.36 lakh tonnes (128.2 lakh tonnes of
June and yields about 440 quintals per acre of green rice) during 2018-19. Average yield of paddy was
fodder and has high seed yield. 61.67quintals per hectare (25.0 quintals per acre).
BL 10 (1983): Yields about 410 quintals per acre green
fodder. Its seed crop matures in the last week of June. Climatic Requirements
Time of Sowing: The last week of September to first week High temperature, high humidity, prolonged sunshine
of October is the best time of sowing. and assured water-supply. A temperature range of 20 to
Harvesting: First cutting is ready in about 50 days after 37.5oC is required for its optimum growth. The crop
sowing and subsequent 51 cuttings at 40 days intervals requires a higher temperature at tillering but temperature
during winter and 30 days intervals in spring, thus giving requirement for blossoming ranges between 26.5 and
4-6 cuttings in all. Harvesting of berseem can be done 29.5oC.
with scythe that saves 60% of labour.
Soil Type
OATS (ਜਵੀ) Grows well on soils with low permeability and over a wide
Fodder jawi range of soil reaction viz. pH 5 to 9. Generally, the loamy
It comes second after berseem from nutritional point. soils are the best for rice cultivation.
Climatic Requirements: Oats makes best growth in cool
and moist weather. High temperature at blossoming Rotations
increases the proportion of empty spike-lets and reduces Rice-Wheat / Berseem / Linseed / Gram / Barley, Rice-
the seed yield. Wheat / Summer Moong/Green manuring, Rice-Celery,
Soil Type: All types of soils, except the alkaline or water Rice-Potato/Peas-Celery, Rice-Potato-Potato/Summer
logged soils. Moong/ Sunflower/Celery/Wheat/Cucurbits, Rice-Toria-
Time of Sowing: Second week to last week of October. Sunflower, Rice-Gram-Summer Moong, Rice-Gobhi
Improved Varieties Sarson-Summer Moong, DSR-Potato-Mentha/Onion.
OL 14 (2020): It is a multicut variety for irrigated areas of
Punjab. Improved Varieties
Yield: about 307 quintals of green fodder per acre. Its seed PR 129 (2020): It is an improved version of PAU 201.
yield is 10.9 quintal per acre. Matures in around 138 days. Its’ average paddy yield is
OL 13 (2020): It is a single cut variety for irrigated areas 30.0 quintals per acre.
of Punjab. PR 128 (2020): It is also an improved version of PAU 201.
Yields: about 305 quintals of green fodder per acre. Its Matures in about 141 days after seeding. Average paddy
seed yield is 9.7 quintal per acre. yield is 30.5 quintals per acre.
OL 12 (2018): It is a single cut variety for irrigated areas HKR 47 (2020): It is a mid-early maturing variety. It takes
of Punjab. about 134 days to mature after
Yields: about 258 quintals of green fodder per acre. Its Seeding. Its’ average paddy yield is 29.5 quintals per acre.
seed yield is about 8.6 quintals per acre. PR 127 (2018): Matures in about 137 days after seeding.
Harvesting: The harvesting of single cut oats should be Its’ average paddy yield is 30.0 quintals per acre. Do not
done from boot to milk stage. Multi-cut oats take first cut grow this variety in alkali soils and under brackish water.
at 65-70 days after sowing and second cut at boot to milk PR 126 (2017): It is an early maturing rice variety. It
stage. matures in about 123 days after seeding. Its’ average
paddy yield is 30.0 quintals per acre. Transplant 25-30
days old nursery.

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 AGRICULTURE – CROPS

PR 124 (2015): It matures in about 135 days after Diseases

seeding. This variety is susceptible to brown leaf spot. For Foot rot : This disease is both seed and soil borne. The
its management use recommended fungicides. Its’ average infected seedlings turn pale yellow and become elongated.
paddy yield is 30.5 quintals per acre. Transplant 25-30 Later on these seedlings start drying from bottom and
days old nursery. these usually die.
PAU has warned that Pusa 44/Peeli Pusa and HKR 127
should not be grown because they consume more water Blast (Pyricularia grisea) : It is relatively more important
and are susceptible to bacteria blight. Also demand extra in Basmati varieties. This fungus causes spindle shaped
sprays lowering profits. spots with greyish centre and brown margin on the leaves
at maximum tillering stage.
Sowing:
Nursery Sowing: May 15 to 30 is optimum time for Bacterial blight: Punjab Basmati 5, 4, 3 and Pusa
nursery sowing. Basmati 1718 are resistant to most of the pathotypes of
Transplanting: Second fortnight of June. bacterial blight pathogen. Other practices to control the
Fertiliser: 50 kg nitrogen, 12 kg phosphorous, 12 kg disease are same as for rice.
potassium per acre.
Maize
Irrigation: Maize requires considerable moisture and warmth from
To keep the crop water ponded for two weeks after germination to flowering. The most suitable temperature
transplantation. Apply fertiliser after 2 days. Tensiometer for germination is 21oC and for growth is 32oC. Extremely
should be installed to check the soil moisture. Stop high temperature and low humidity during flowering may
irrigation fifteen days before harvesting. damage the foliage, dessicate the pollen and interfere with
proper pollination, resulting in poor grain setting. Fifty to
Basmati Rice seventy-five cm well-distributed rain is conducive for good
growth. Proper drainage of excess water during rains is
Climatic Requirements essential to get good yield.
basmati varieties require prolonged sunshine, high The average yield was 36.25 quintal per hectare (14.67
humidity and assured water supply. Basmati varieties quintal per acre).
with superior cooking and eating characteristics can be
produced if the crop matures in relatively cooler Varieties
temperature. The high temperature during grain filling Long Duration Varieties
period reduces the cooking and eating quality features.
JC 12: recommended for Kandi areas. Yield 18.2 quitals
Improved Varieties per acre. Matures in 99 days.
Panjab Basmati 5 (2017) PMH 11(2019): Matures 95 days and average yield is 22
Panjab Basmati 4 (2017) quintals per acre.
Panjab Basmati 3 (2017) PMH 1(2019): Matures 95 days and average yield is 21
CSR 30 quintals per acre.
Basmati 386, Basmati 370 Parbhat: Matures 95 days and average yield is 17.5
Pusa Basmati 1718 Pusa Basmati 1637, Pusa Basmati quintals per acre.
1121
Medium Duration Varieties
Sowing: Kesri (1992): Matures 85 days and average yield is 16
Nursery Sowing: Pusa Basmati 1509: second fortnight of quintals per acre.
June and for others it is first fortnight of June. Short Duration Hybrid
Transplanting: Pusa Basmati1509: second fortnight of
July and for others first fortnight of July. PMH 2 (2005): Matures 83 days and average yield is 18
quintals per acre.
Fertilizer Application Special Purpose Vaieties
Use organic and chemical fertilizers as under:
Punjab Sweet Corn 1: used for commercial purposes as
a) Organic Manures: Practice green manure before grain has high content of sugar. Matures in 95-100 days.
basmati. Do not apply urea if the field has been green Average yield 13 quintals per acre.
manured with 45-55 days old sunnhemp/dhaincha or
summer moong straw has been incorporated after picking Pearl Popcorn: High commercial value. Matures 88 days
of pods. and average yield is 12 quintals per acre.

b) Chemical Fertilizers: Apply fertilizers on soil test and Maize for Rainfed areas
crop rotation basis. Skip phosphorus application if the PMH 2, Parkash, Megha
recommended dose of phosphorus has been applied to the
proceeding wheat crop.

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 AGRICULTURE – CROPS

Climatic Requirements Cercospora leaf spot: It is caused by Cercospora cruenta

Maize requires considerable moisture and warmth from and C. canescens. The disease spots are circular, brown
germination to flowering. The most suitable temperature and necrotic which coalesce to cover bigger area and
for germination is 21oC and for growth is 32oC. Extremely cause defoliation.
high temperature and low humidity during flowering may Root rot: Root rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina
damage the foliage, dessicate the pollen and interfere with produces dark lesions on leaves, branches, stems and
proper pollination, resulting in poor grain setting. Fifty to roots.
seventy- five cm well-distributed rain is conducive for Anthracnose: It is caused by Colletotrichum
good growth. Proper drainage of excess water during rains lindemuthianum. Dark brown spots (horse shoe shaped)
is essential to get good yield. appear on the leaves and other parts of the plant.
Bacterial leaf spot: Bacterial leaf spots caused by
Soil Type Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli are circular to
Maize thrives better on well drained, sandy-loam to silty- irregular and brown.
loam soils. Web blight: It is caused by Rhizoctonia solani. It starts
Rotations from leaf margins or petioles or young branches.
Maize-Wheat / Barley / Potato / Berseem, Maize-Senji- Eventually, the tops of plants become blighted and
Sugarcane-Cotton, Maize-Wheat- Moong, Maize-Wheat- patches of such plants are conspicuosly seen in the field.
Green Manure, Maize-Potato/Toria-Sunflower, Maize- Mash
Potato- Wheat/Sunflower, Maize-Early Pea-Sunflower, Mash was grown on 2.0 thousand hectares and the total
Maize-Wheat-Cowpea (fodder), Maize- Raya/Gobhi production was 1.1 thousand tonnes in the Punjab state
Sarson, Maize-Potato-Summer Moong, Maize-Potato- during the year 2018-19. The average grain yield was 5.55
Mentha, Maize-Gobhi Sarson-Summer Moong quintals per hectare (2.25 quintals per acre).
Diseases Climate and Soil Requirements
Seed rot and seedling blight (Several fungi): Poor Mash thrives in a hot and humid season (July to October).
germination, unthrifty seedlings and seedling mortality However, short duration varieties (70 to 75 days) can be
are the symptoms. Use disease free seed. grown in the central and sub-montaneous tracts in
Maydis leaf blight (Drechslera maydis): This disease is summer (March to June). Mash can do well on all soils
characterized by the presence of spindle shaped, necrotic ranging from sandy loam to heavy clay except the saline-
to brown lesions on the leaves. alkaline or waterlogged soils. Its cultivation improves soil
fertility. The mash-wheat rotation is suitable for irrigated
Bacterial stalk rot (Dickeya zeae): Water soaking and areas.
rotting of basal stem especially the leaf sheaths followed
by rapid rotting of basal internodes. Improved Varieties
Mash 114 (2008) Mash 338 (1993
PULSES & OILSEEDS
PULSES Soybean
Moong Soybean is a high value crop with multiple food, feed and
Moong occupied 3.2 thousand hectares and the total industrial uses. Edible oil, soymilk and its products,
production was 2.7 thousand tonnes during 2018-19 in bakery products, antibiotics and fresh green beans are
Punjab. Its average yield was 8.34 quintals per hectare some of its major uses. Soybean has a potential to play an
(3.38 quintals per acre). important role in crop diversification in the state.

Climatic Requirements Climatic Requirements

It requires a hot climate. It requires a hot climate.

Soil Type Soil Type

A well-drained loamy to sandy loam soil is suitable. Soybean can be grown on a wide range of soils but thrives
Saline-alkaline or waterlogged soils are unsuitable. on fertile, non-saline/ alkaline and well-drained loamy
soils.
Improved Varieties
ML 2056 (2016): Its plants are erect and medium Rotations
statured (78 cm). Pod formation is profuse and each pod Soybean-Wheat/Barley, Soybean-Peas-Summer moong,
contains 11-12 seeds. It is tolerant to mungbean yellow Soybean-Gobhi sarson (Transplanted)
mosaic virus, cercospora leaf spot and bacterial leaf spot Improved Varieties
diseases. SL 958 (2014 SL 744 (2010 SL 525 (2003
ML 818 (2003): Its plants are erect and medium statured Method of Sowing: Sow the crop in good moisture
(75 cm). Each pod contains 10-11 seeds. conditions with a pre-sowing irrigation (Rauni) before the
It is tolerant to mungbean yellow mosaic virus, cercospora monsoon has set in. Heavy rains after sowing adversely
leaf spot and bacterial leaf spot diseases. affect soybean germination. Sow the seeds 2.5 to 5.0 cm
Diseases deep in lines 45 cm apart with a plant- to-plant spacing
Yellow mosaic virus : is a viral disease transmitted by of 4-5 cm. Soybean can also be sown with zero till drill
whitefly and is more severe on kharif moong without any tillage operation.

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 AGRICULTURE – CROPS

Mulching: The rows should be covered with wheat or The cotton picking period from mid-September to
paddy straw to ensure proper germination and seedling November must have bright sunny days to ensure a good
emergence. quality of the produce.
Intercropping: Soybean can be successfully intercropped Soil Type
with maize. Sow one line of soybean between two lines of Cotton can be successfully grown on all soils, except
maize sown at 60 cm. sandy, saline or waterlogged types. Proper drainage of
excess water during rains is essential.
Irrigation: If the rains are good and well distributed, there
may be no need of irrigation. Otherwise crop will require Rotations
3 or 4 irrigations. One irrigation at the time of pod-filling Cotton – Wheat / Barley, Cotton – Sunflower, Cotton –
is very useful. Senji / Barseem/ Oats, Cotton– Sunflower-Paddy-Wheat,
Cotton – Raya
Harvesting: Harvest the crop when most of the leaves fall-
off and the pods change colour. Do not delay harvesting Improved Varieties
otherwise the shattering of pods will take place. During Bt cotton variety
threshing, avoid severe beating or trampling as it reduces PAU Bt 1 Non-Bt cotton LHH 144 (1998)
the quality and germination capacity of the seeds. F 2228 (2015) F 2383 (2015 LH 2108 (2013
LH 2076 (2008)
Storage: The moisture content of grains should not
exceed 7 per cent. The grains should be stored in dry bins Irrigation and Drainage
or in bags kept on wooden racks. Cotton requires 4-6 irrigations depending upon the
seasonal rainfall. The first irrigation should be given 4 to
OILSEEDS 6 weeks after sowing and the subsequent ones at interval
Groundnut of two or three weeks. However on light soils or in crop
Groundnut was grown on 1.3 thousand hectares during sown on ridges, the first irrigation may be advanced, if
2018-19 in Punjab. Its production was 2.6 thousand necessary. Sowing cotton on ridges and irrigation in
tonnes with an average yield of 19.8 quintals per hectare furrows save considerable amount of water. Under poor
(8.01 quintals per acre). quality irrigation water conditions, give pre- sowing
irrigation with canal water and subsequent irrigations can
Climatic Requirements
be applied with poor quality tube well water in alternate
A well distributed rainfall of at least 50 cm during July,
furrows. In soils irrigated with saline water (EC upto 10
August and September is essential for successful
dS/m), application of 16 quintal per acre of rice-residue
cultivation of groundnut under rainfed conditions.
biochar reduces adverse affect of salinity and increases
Soil Type seed cotton yield.
A well-drained sandy soil overlaying a loamy sub-soil is The crop must not be allowed to suffer from water stress
considered ideal for the rainfed crop. Where irrigation during the flowering and fruiting stages, otherwise a lot of
facilities are available, loamy sand and loamy soil can also shedding of flowers and bolls will take place resulting in
be put under groundnut. low yield. Cotton during its early growth is very sensitive
to water stagnation. Therefore, drain out the stagnant
Rotation water if such a situation arises. To hasten boll opening,
Groundnut–Late Kharif Fodder / Gobhi sarson+Toria / give the last irrigation by the end of September.
Potato / Peas / Toria / Rabi crops, Groundnut-Peas-
Sunflower rotation can be taken up successfully where Diseases
irrigation facilities exist. Avoid sowing groundnut in the Leaf curl: Disease is caused by whitefly transmitted virus.
same field year after year, as this practice results in heavy The diseased plants become stunted and have twisted
build-up of soil-borne diseases. internodes. Leaves remain small, show cupping and
curling.
Improved Varieties 1. Parawilt: Parawilt is a physiological disorder and no
J 87 (2020) TG 37A (2018) SG 99 (2004) pathogen is involved. It generally occurs after
M 522 (1995) SG 84 (1986) droughts when the crop is heavily irrigated or there is
heavy rain. Plants show sudden drooping of leaves
COTTON, SUGARCANE & FODDER which ultimately get wilted but the root system
remains intact.
COTTON 2. Root rot: This disease is caused by Rhizoctonia solani
American cotton was grown on 2.63 lakh hectares in and R. bataticola. The main symptom are drying and
Punjab during 2018-19. The total production was 12.06 shedding of leaves leading to complete wilting and
lakh bales with an average yield of 7.79 quintals lint per death of the plant.
hectare (3.15 quintals lint per acre). 3. Bacterial blight: It is caused by Xanthomonas
Climatic Requirements axonopodis pv. malvacearum which survives in seed
and plant debris. Lesions on the leaves appear as
A daily minimum temperature of 16oC is required for
minute, water-soaked, angular spots, which
germination and 21oC to 27oC for proper crop growth. subsequently turn brown and then are transformed
During the fruiting phase, the day temperature ranging into black angular dead lesions on both sides of the
from 27oC to 32oC and cool nights are needed. leaf.
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 AGRICULTURE – CROPS

4. Leaf spots: Foliar leaf spots are caused by different Soil Type
fungi. Leaf spots caused by Myrothecium roridum Sorghum grows on all types of soils, but heavy soils are
appear on leaves, bracts as well as on bolls. more suitable. Adequate drainage should be provided.

SUGARCANE Improved Variety

Sugarcane occupied 96 thousand hectares in Punjab SL44 (1974): It is a sweet, juicy and thin-stemmed variety
during 2017-18. The average cane yield was 836 quintals suitable for cultivation in summer and kharif in the
per hectare (338 quintals per acre). The average sugar irrigated areas of Punjab. Its green and sweet fodder is
recovery was 9.78 per cent. relished by cattle. It has a high content of digestible dry
matter. It gives about 240 quintals green fodder per acre.
Climatic Requirements
Sugarcane is best suited to regions having tropical Multi-cut Sorghum
climate, but it can be grown successfully in sub-tropical Improved Varieties
areas also. In the Punjab, about 80 per cent of the total Punjab Sudax Chari 4 (2015)
growth of the crop takes place during July, August and Punjab Sudax Chari 1 (1991)
September owing to favourable temperature and
humidity. Time of Sowing: Last week of April to end of May.
Harvesting: The first cutting is ready in 55-65 days after
Soil Type sowing. Subsequently, cuttings can be taken after an
Sugarcane can be successfully grown on all types of soils interval of about 35-40 days.
ranging from sandy loam to clay loam. However, it thrives
best on well-drained loamy soils. Sugarcane is semi- Disease
tolerant to sodicity and salinity. Sustainable sugarcane Grain Smut: Control grain smut (Sphacelotheca sorghi) by
yields with assured levels of sugar recovery can be treating the seed with sulphur dust @ 4 g/kg seed before
successfully obtained in sodic and saline-sodic sowing.
soil/irrigation water conditions by adopting the following
practices: Bajra
Bajra (pearl millet), cultivated on 1.51 lakh hectares
• If the soil/irrigation water is sodic, apply gypsum @ (2018-19) is a hardy fodder crop and withstands adverse
50% of gypsum requirement on cumulative basis after agroclimatic conditions. It can grow in light soils with low
the harvest of the previous crop or well decomposed moisture. It can tolerate hot and dry weather.
farm yard manure @ 8 tons per acre before sowing. Rotations: Bajra-maize-berseem
Higher and complimentary benefits can be obtained if Improved Varieties/Hybrid
both gypsum and FYM are used simultaneously. PCB 165 (2020) PHBF 1 (2009) PCB 164 (2003)
• Do not apply gypsum if the soil/irrigation water is
saline or saline-sodic. Apply only FYM. Time of Sowing: Bajra can be sown from March to
August. The March-May sown crop is the main fodder
• Under saline water conditions in south-western
crop. It can be grown in mixture with cowpea.
districts of Punjab, CoJ 88 should be planted.
Land Preparation: Give 2 or 3 deep ploughings followed
Improved Varieties
by planking.
CoPb 92 (2017) Co 118 (2015)
CoJ 85 (2000) CoJ 64 (1975)
Irrigation: Two or three irrigations are usually sufficient.
CoJ 64 (1975)
In the hot season, however, more irrigations may be
required. Standing water is harmful, hence avoid water-
Irrigation: Apply first irrigation one month after planting,
logging. It is preferable to give frequent but light irrigation.
followed by three irrigations upto February and
subsequent irrigations as per the recommendations for
Harvesting: The crop should be harvested at ear-
the spring crop.
initiation or soon after the flag-leaf emergence (45-55 days
after sowing). In no case, it should be allowed to go beyond
FODDERS
50 per cent earing. At this stage, the crop has high
digestibility.
Sorghum
Sorghum (jowar) is a very important kharif fodder
cultivated on 2.72 lakh hectares (2018-19). It remains
green and palatable over a longer period than maize and
bajra fodders.

Climatic Requirements
Sorghum grows well in hot and dry climate. Increased
humidity enhances the incidence of the red leaf spot
disease.

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 AGRICULTURE – SOILS

CHAPTER – 3 The arrangement of

soil particles and
SOILS their aggregates into
certain defined
DEFINITION patterns is called
Soil is the natural body of organic and inorganic material Soil Structure.
found on the surface of earth. The upper layer of earth
meets the requirement for growth of crops is known as Chemical
soil. Properties of Soil
Every soil has
FUNCTION different chemical
It provides support to the plant and water and other properties such as
nutrients needed for growth. It supports the ecosystem for soil content, types of
growth of vegetation and provides solid surface for the salts present and
mankind to survive. soil reaction depending upon the salts present in it. The
soil may be categorised as alkaline or acidic depending
STRUCTURE OF SOIL upon the chemicals , which is measured by pH.
pH is a measure of how acidic/basic water is. The range
Basic Constituents of Soil goes from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. pH of less than 7
Soil is a mixture of organic matter, minerals, water and indicate acidity, whereas a pH of greater than 7 indicates
air. The quantity of minerals and organic matter in a a base. pH of 6.5 to 8.7 is considered normal for crop
particular soil remain almost stable but that of water and production.
air keep on interchanging. Acidic soils are mostly found in areas of heavy rainfall,
as the running water leaches considerable amount of
bases from the surface layer.

Soil pH Plant Growth

>8.3 Too alkaline for most plants
7.5 Iron availability becomes a problem on
alkaline soils
7.2
7.0 6.8 to 7.2 – near neutral
6.8 6.0 to 7.5 – acceptable for most plants
6.0
5.5 Reduced soil microbial activity
<4.6 Too acid for most plants

The soil consists of particles like sand, silt and clay, which
are grouped together. The type of soils at different places
vary on account their composition and the structure of
the soil particles.

The size of these particles varies in different areas. Apart SOIL TYPES AND THEIR PROPERTIES
from size of the particles, the proportion of these particles Cultivated soils are classified according to their
may also be different in different places. This is characteristics and the crops grown. Soils are formed by
permanent feature of the soil in a given area and is known the weathering of rocks. The amount of sand and clay
as Soil Texture. These particles can be separated by the depends on the rock from which the soil particles have
mechanically by Hydrometric method. been formed.
Soil is classified into various types based on their
Soil texture of soil at a particular place is different at appearance and the proportion of size of soil particles:
different depths. a) Sandy Soils b) Clay Soils c) Loamy Soils

Soil Horizon: While the uppermost layer may be soft and a) SANDY SOILS: Made up of greater proportion of big
moist the layers underneath may be different on the basis particles. The pore size is greater than that of clayey
of colour, texture and chemical properties. soils which results in infiltration of more air and water.

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 AGRICULTURE – SOILS

They do not fit closely together and have large spaces Apart from cotton cultivation, these fertile soils are
filled with air. The water passes quickly through these suitable for growing cereals, oil seeds, citrus fruits
spaces. These soils are light, well aerated and dry. and vegetables, tobacco & sugarcane.
3. RED SOIL: Mainly formed from ancient crystalline
The soil when held in hand does not stick to hand. rocks like granite and are rich in minerals such as
If a ball of moist sand is squeezed,, it will break down very iron and magnesium. These are found in Tamil Nadu,
easily. Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Part of Maharashtra,
Chhattisgarh, parts of Odisha, Jharkhand and
b) CLAY SOILS: These soils are made up of a relatively Bundhelkhand.
high proportion of fine particles, having very small They are generally deficient in Nitrogen, humus and
space between two particles where water can be phosphorus but are rich in potash. They are most
trapped. The composition of fine particles in such soils suitable for Rice, Millets, tobacco & Vegetables,
is more than 40 percent. Those soils are called heavy groundnut and Potato.
soils which hold more water as compared to other 4. LATERITE SOILS: Found in areas with monsoon
soils. Water stagnation is main problem with these conditions where heavy rainfall and high temperature
kind of soils. is experienced with alternating wet and dry periods.
Ploughing of these soils is difficult. In low moisture, These are most suitable for growing Tea, Coffee,
the soil develops clods and after drying, cracks appear Rubber, cinchona and rice and millet cultivation.
on its surface. 5. FOREST & MOUNTAIN SOILS: Mainly found on the
Ball of moist clay soil can be easily made and it does hill slopes covered by forests. The formation of these
not break on squeezing. soils is mainly governed by the deposition of organic
matter derived from forest growth.
These soils are found in the valley basins of
Himalayan and peninsular regions. Tea, coffee,
spices, rice and tropical fruits are best grown in these
soils.
6. ARID & DESERT SOILS: A large part of the arid and
semi-arid region in Rajasthan and adjoining Punjab
and Haryana lying between the Indus and the
Aravalli’s receives less than 50 cm annual rainfall and
has desert-like conditions. The presence of nutrients
i.e. phosphates and nitrates make the soil rich
enough to grow different crops. These soils are best
for crops like wheat, bazra and guar.
c) LOAMY SOILS: Mixture of sand, clay and silt. It also 7. SALINE & ALKALINE SOILS: These soils are found
contains humus and is considered the best for growing in the drier parts of Bihar, UP, Haryana, Punjab,
crops. Its water percolation rate is between those of the Rajasthan and Maharashtra. These soils are generally
sandy soil and the dry soil. called Reh-Kallar, Usar etc. These soils are formed by
When rubbed between fingers, it feels like powder. transportation of solution by rivers and canals which
travels down to the sub soils of the plains. Due to
SOIL TYPES IN INDIA accumulation of salts, the soil becomes unfit for
Based on composition of soil structure and their utility, agriculture.
the soils are classified as under: 8. PEAT & MARSHY SOILS: They originate in the
humid regions due to the accumulation of large
1. ALLUVIAL SOILS: The largest and the most amounts of organic matter in the soil. They contain
important soil group in India. They are composed of considerable amounts of soluble salts and 10-40% of
sediments deposited by rivers and waves but are organic matter. Peat soils are found in Kottayam and
deficient in Nitrogen and humus. They can be found Alappuzha districts of Kerala where it is called Kari.
in the plains of Punjab to Assam and also in the Similarly, marshy soils which are high in vegetative
Valleys of Narmada and Tapi in MP and Gujarat, matter are found in Northern Bihar, Coastal parts of
Mahanadi in MP and Odisha, Godavari in AP and Odisha, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal and parts of UP.
Cauvery in Tamil Nadu. These soils are best for
growing rice, wheat, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, jute, SOILS OF PUNJAB
maize and vegetables.
2. BLACK SOIL: These soils were formed thousands of Following types of soil are found in different areas of
years ago by the solidification of lava spread over a Punjab
large area by volcanic acidity in the Deccan Plateau.
These are black in appearance and are ideal for cotton Forest Soils
crops due to the presence of Iron and Aluminium The rainfall in these area is above 100 cms and
compounds. They have a high capacity for moisture temperature is also temperate.
retention but lack in Phosphorus, nitrogen and Area: Parts of Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, SBS
organic matter. Nagar and Ropar.

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 AGRICULTURE – SOILS

Composition: It is stony and gravelly. Problem of soil Composition: The soils are overall grey colour which
erosion due to steep slopes and uneven surface. indicates its deficiency in organic matter. Nitrogen and
These soils are reddish brown to olive brown in Potash are not sufficient. pH value ranges between 7.8 to
colour. Mostly used for plantation and forestry. 8.5.
Wheat and Paddy are main produce. Excessive irrigation
Kandi Soils has resulted in some form of salinity.
Area: These soils are found in the areas of Pathankot
tehsil of Gurdaspur, larger parts of Hoshiarpur, SBS Sandy Soils
Nagar and Ropar districts. Like in forest soils, rainfall is These soils have developed under semi-arid & warm to hot
heavy in these areas. climatic conditions with rainfall ranging from 30cm to
Composition: These soils have a sandy, sandy loam, silt 50cm.
loam and clay- silt to gravelly texture. The texture
becomes coarser and rougher eastward the Shivaliks hills Area: These are arid soils of south-western and south
where gravel, pebbles and conglomerates predominates. central Punjab covering parts of Bathinda, Mansa,
These have been deposited by numerous choes coming southern parts of Ferozepur, Muktsar districts, larger
from Shivalik hills. The soils are badly eroded and less parts of Sangrur, south-central parts of Patiala district
productive and are suitable from dry farming. and some patches of Ludhiana district.

Flood Plain or Bet Soils Composition: The soils are yellowish to grey colour, the
Area: Flood Plain or Bet Soils are Khadar soils of the overall grey colure reflects the deficiency of organic
periodically flooded or old flood plain areas of various matter and also is poor in nitrogen, phosphorus and
rivers, streams or choes of the state. They are found in the potash.
form of elongated belts on the both side of the river
channel such as those of Satluj, Ravi, Beas and Ghaghar. The pH value ranges from 7.8 to 8.5.
Composition: Depending upon the source of alluvium, They have low to medium fertility but by artificial
the soils are calcareous or non-calcareous. irrigation they become much more productive and are
They are pale to yellowish brown in colour. The soils are capable of producing cotton, citrus, oilseeds, wheat,
well drained and very deep and they vary in texture and paddy and fodder crops.
these have generally a low and irregular organic matter.
These soils are suitable for the cultivation of paddy, Desert Soils
wheat, sugarcane and vegetables. These are sandy soils and cover around 11% of the total
area of Punjab. The average rainfall is up to 30 cm. This
Loamy Soils soil is dry and deficient in humus. It is poor in nitrogen,
It is the most important, fertile and productive soil group phosphorus and potassium.
of the state. These soils cover nearly 25% area of the state. Area: It covers south -western parts of the state in
The rainfall in these areas is Abohar, Zira area, parts of Muktsar Bathinda and Mansa
Area: Found in most of central part of the state covering district.
Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Tarntarn, Kapurthala, These soils have developed under arid and hot climate and
parts of SBS Nagar, Moga, parts of Bhatinda, Sangrur, thin cover or bush vegetation.
Barnala and Muktsar.
The soils become clayey towards northwest in Amritsar Composition:
and Gurdaspur districts The reaction is from normal to alkaline and pH value
Composition: These are deep and fine grained soils, which ranges from 7.5 to 8.5. the fertility with respect to plant
have developed under sub- moist and cool to warm nutrient is low to medium.
temperate climate.
These soils are intensively cultivated for wheat and paddy The soils are light in colour from yellow to light brown.
crops. These soils are suitable for the cultivation of cotton, moth,
citrus, wheat, bajra and other Kharif fodder. The soils
Sierozems suffer from wind erosion especially in the summers.
Sierozems are grey soils of semi-arid parts of Punjab with
an average annual rainfall from 50cm to 70cm, the Sodic and Saline Soils
general air temperature ranges from 24° C to 25° C and Salinity is the presence of high content of soluble salts
have grass and deciduous vegetation. (more than 0.2 percent) which make it difficult for the
Area: These soils cover nearly 25% area of the state. This plants to absorb water from saline soils. The salt moves
type of soil is found in: up and down in the soil along with soil water.
i. Eastern half of the Malwa plain in parts of
Ludhiana, Sangrur, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Areas: This type of soil is found parts of:
Faridkot districts. i. Fazilka, Ferozepur, Faridkot, Muktsar, Mansa and some
ii. Belt extending from Mukerian through Tanda to parts of Sangrur and Samana.
Nakodar of Doaba and Majha region. Areas along or across Bikaner canal, Abohar, Bathinda,
iii. Western parts of Kapurthala districts and Ghagghar and Kotla branches of Sirhind canal and
Tarntaran and Patti tehsils of Amritsar districts. Bhakra canal.

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 AGRICULTURE – SOILS

Composition: The pH value of these soils is generally surface. Mulches are used for various reasons but
7.3 to 8.5 and is neutral in reaction. Sodic soils have a water conservation and erosion control are the
higher percentage of sodium ( more than 15 %) salt and most important in dry regions e.g. crop residues
high pH value above 8.5 and strong alkaline reaction. leaves manures, straw, plastic films etc.
Saline soils of south-western Punjab are of recent origin (c) Management of Problematic Soils
resulting from surface flooding and or rise in the ground The fertility of the soils can be increased by
water. During summer period of excessive evaporation, following different methods for different soils.
salts accumulate at the surface.
Sandy Soils:
SOIL REGIONS OF PUNJAB i. Addition of green manure of dhaincha/
sunhemp.
Different types of soil is found in different areas of Punjab.
ii. Application of well decomposed organic material
Thus on the basis of soil texture, Punjab can be divided
viz farmyard manure, etc and by its proper
into three broad areas:
mixing with the soil
1. South Western Punjab: Covers Fazilka, Muktsar,
iii. Cultivation of leguminous crops
Bhatinda, Mansa and some parts of Ferozepur. Soil
iv. Proper levelling and small plot size improves
found in this area is mostly sandy. The soils are low
irrigation water efficiency
in nitrogen, phosphorous and potash. Earlier, soil
v. Adding clay soil or village pond soil
erosion was a problem of the area but now water
vi. Land can also be improved by removing the
logging has become main problem. Wheat, rice and
upper layer of sand with the help of tractor
cotton are the main crops. The soil is sandy to desert
operated scrapper,‘karaha’ (ਕੜਾਹਾ)
type.
2. Central Punjab: All central districts of Punjab viz. Clayey Soils:
Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur, Barnala Kapurthala, i. Application of green manure and organic
Jalandhar, Ropar, Tarntaran, Amritsar are covered material
under this zone. Texture of soil varies from sandy ii. Incorporation of crop residue
loam to clayey loam. Main crops are wheat, rice and iii. Ploughing the field at proper moisture content
vegetables. The soil is loamy to Seirozem. Some parts prevents formation of clods
along the Satluj and Beas have bet soils. iv. Proper drainage should be ensured to drain out
3. Eastern Punjab: Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur excessive water
and parts of Ropar. Soil erosion is a problem of the v. Rice cultivation should be preferred in these
area because of seasonal ‘choes’. Main crops are rice, areas.
maize and fruit crops. The soil is Forest to Kandi type. Acidic Soils
i. By addition of lime.
What is a Soil Health Card? ii. Application of press mud and saw dust
SHC is a printed report that a farmer will be handed over
for each of his holdings. It will contain the status of his
soil with respect to parameters essential for growth of Salt Affected Soils
crops. On the basis of this report, the SHC will also Some factors need to be considered before reclaiming
indicate fertilizer recommendations and soil amendment these areas. The factors are: Sub-soil water level,
required for the farm for better yield. Irrigation water quality, Availability of Canal water,
Presence of Hard pan in soil profile, Drainage conditions,
SOIL CONSERVATION degree of salinity and alkalinity.
SOIL CONSERVATION MEASURES Reclamation of Saline Soils: Filed should be
The preservation of soil against deterioration and loss by ploughed in flooded condition to help leaching of salt from
using it within its capabilities, and applying the upper layer of soil. Ploughing in flooded field is also called
conservation practices for its protection and ‘puddling’ (ਕੱ ਦੂ ਕਰਨਾ). If good quality water is not available,
improvement.
Different methods used for soil conservation are: the upper layer should be scrapped with scrapper(ਕੜਾਹਾ).
(a) CONTOUR CULTIVATION Reclamation of Alkaline Soils: Level the field and
Cultivation of crops along the contours of a slope. make bunds around it to prevent the flow of water
It has the following advantages: containing the salts to adjoining fields. Get the soil tested
(i) conservation of soil and water for quantity of gypsum to be required.
(ii) conservation of soil fertility Add gypsum and mix it thoroughly with the soil.
(iii) increase crop yield Irrigate the field to allow seepage of salt from surface.
(iv) much less power required Adding green manure, organic material and
(v) less wear and tear of implements dhaincha also increases the soil productivity.
Disadvantages: Doing contour farming on an undulating Reclamation of Water logged Soils: In areas where
land is tedious. the water level is high, the soil remains wet due to filling
(b) Mulching of soil and air pores with stagnant water. Such soils are
Mulch is any material applied on the soil surface called ‘water logged soils’. Such soils are found in Muktsar
to check evaporation and improve soil water. It is area and along river banks. Digging of wells and draining
defined as a natural or artificially applied layer of out water is helpful in such cases.
plant residues or other materials on the soil

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 AGRICULTURE – AGRO FORESTRY

CHAPTER - 4 shade on adjoining crops. It is an established fact that the

loss in crop yield is often compensated by the income
AGRO FORESTRY generated from harvesting trees at the end of rotation
period. Suitable farm-forestry tree species are:
Definition: It is a land management system where trees eucalyptus, Poplar, Subabul, Mulberry, Dek, Toon,
and crops are grown together along with rearing of Shisham (tahli), Sohanjana etc.
animals. It is done on the same farm/ land alternatively
and sequentially. 2. Block Plantation
This is a practice of growing trees in rectangular or square
At its simplest level, agroforestry is combining agriculture planting pattern throughout the field. Farmers having
(crops and livestock) with forestry (trees.) It’s a type of large land holding mostly adopt this arrangement of tree
intercropping where trees are grown on pastures or planting.
among crops to provide a number of benefits. Important tree species for block planting are: Poplar,
Agroforestry allows for sustainable, renewable, long-term Eucalyptus and dek.
forest management while also helping the environment, Many agricultural crops (wheat, potato, mustard,
creating more ecological diversity, as well as increasing berseem, turmeric, sugarcane, etc.) can be profitably
and diversifying income for farmers. raised intermixed with block plantations of trees.
Intercropping in Block Plantations:
Objective: The main objective of agro-forestry is to meet In the interspaces between the
the demand of farmer’s food, fuel, fodder, fibre and trees lines crops such as
fertilisers along with maintenance and amelioration of Sarson, Turnip, Mentha,
natural resources, i.e. land, water and air. Ginger, Fenugreek, Carrot,
Cabbage, Potato, Spinach and
A tree species is considered suitable for agroforestry if it Wheat etc. are grown.
is having majority of the following characteristics: Generally, big farmers adopt
i. fast growing nature, this type of agro-farming. This
ii. straight trunk, is another type of alley-cropping.
iii. clear bole,
iv. less branches, 3. Scattered Plantation
v. narrow crown, Sub-mountain region is having scattered trees on
vi. self pruning nature, farmland. The farmers retain the local trees like khair,
vii. positive effect of litter fall and its decomposition on kikar, dhak, shisham, mango, amla, phulai, beri on their
soil and with crops, fi elds wherever they happen to regenerate naturally.
viii. and good marketability. These plants provide fuel, fodder during lean period and
also help in soil and moisture conservation. In undulating
In particular, agroforestry is crucial to smallholder plain region, where permanent irrigation source is
farmers and other rural people because it can enhance available farmers also undertake block planting of poplar
their food supply, income and health. at wider spacing and inter-cultivate the agricultural
crops.
Benefits of Agroforestry
1. Increase in income of farmers. Suitable Trees for Different Regions of Punjab
2. Helps in environment stability
3. Helps in crop diversification i. Central Plain Region:
4. Increases the forest/tree cover Poplar, Eucalyptus and dek are grown as
intercrop.
Agroforestry Models
1. Boundary Plantation ii. Trees for problematic regions
2. Block Plantation
3. Scattered Plantation a. Sub-mountainous Zone:
The surface and the land being uneven and undulating,
1. Boundary Plantation there is a big problem of soil erosion. Irrigation is mainly
This practice is suitable to all categories of farmers rainfed as there is lack of irrigation facilities.
especially the small farmers who can grow trees and
supplement their agricultural income without sacrificing Main trees for this region are : Khair, Kikar, Ber, Toot,
any land from agricultural operations. These single or Nim, Mango, Dek, Kachnar, Bel, Amla, Phali, Tahli,
double rows of trees on field bunds and irrigation Suhanjana, Dek, Harar, Behra, Arjun etc.
channels grow quickly and flourish well as they get water Inwinter, to meet the shortage of fodder, Dhak, kachnar,
and fertilizer applied to crops and do not have any Beri, etc are chopped for use as fodder.
competition for light and crown development. Mango and Citrus is also grown along timber trees in
orchards. Jatropha, Karonda and Ipomea shrubs are also
Boundary row of trees should preferably be planted in grown along the boundaries to protect the trees from wild
north-south direction to minimize the adverse effect of life animals.

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 AGRICULTURE – AGRO FORESTRY

b. South-Western Region: DEK

In the south-western region of the state, there are some It is commonly planted on field boundaries. However,
areas which are either sand dunes, waterlogged, or salt during recent years farmers have started planting dek as
affected soils that need to be reclaimed and put under blocks in fields along with crops. It is fast growing and
profitable utilization. deciduous in nature and is viable options for introduction
Species that can be grown on these soils are listed below: of fast growing tree species on farmlands. It can be grown
on variety of soils ranging from light to heavy texture, even
a. Water-logged soils –Willows, safeda, jamun, bamboos, in alkaline or saline conditions.
kadam, sukhchain, arjun, etc. It is a winter deciduous tree; therefore almost all rabi
crops like wheat, mustard potato, barley, oats, berseem,
b. Saline and alkali soils - The factors responsible for the
etc. can be raised throughout whole rotation of the tree.
formation of such soils are: arid and semi-arid climate,
During initial 3-4 years, kharif crops such as sorghum,
hard impervious pan in sub-soil region, high water table,
bajra, moong, turmeric can be sown under dek.
impeded drainage and salt bearing substrate, excessive
canal irrigation, and use of saline and brackish water.
Intercropping - Intercropping gives additional economic
In saline soils (white kallar), remove salts from root zone benefit to farmers in addition to benefiting the trees. The
by leaching with canal water and trench/furrow planting growth of trees improves due to the fertilizers and
of jor-tor, jand, kikar, arjun, safeda etc. is recommended. irrigation applied to the crops. Those crops should be
selected which can tolerate the shade effect of trees.
In alkali/ sodic (black kallar) soils, apply gypsum, green
manuring and ponding with good quality water. Pit auger Other important trees suitable for agroforestry:
hole planting of jand, kikar, jor-tor, arjun, farmah, 1. Gmelina arborea (Goomar teak, White teak and local
sukhchain, safeda etc. is recommended on such soils. name Gamhar) is a fast growing deciduous tree with
a straight trunk that occurs naturally throughout
COMMERCIAL FORESTRY
greater part of India at an altitudes up to 1200
Poplar and Eucalyptus are mainly grown for commercial meters.
use. 2. Toona ciliata (Burma toon, Indian cedar, Indian
mahogany and local name Maha nim, Tun) is a large
POPLAR
deciduous tree. It grows well in moist localities up to
Usage: matchsticks, packing. It is more popular in bet
an altitude of 1500 m with mean annual rainfall of
areas. It is not successful in Kallar and waterlogged areas.
750-4000 mm.
Varieties: PL-2,PL-3, PL-4, PL-6, PL-7, L-47/88 and L-
3. Melia composita (Ghora nim and local name Burma
18/89
dek) is a fast growing deciduous tree. It grows well at
Planting: In months of January-February.
an altitude up to 1800 m and mean annual rainfall
750-2500 mm.
EUCALYPTUS
4. Dalbergia sissoo (Indian rosewood, Shisham and local
To be planted as clonal plants as seeds do not grow
name Tahli) is a medium to large sized deciduous tree.
uniformly. Fast growing and useful.
It is the state tree of Punjab. It can grow at an
Usage: Source of wood fibre for plywood, paper and other altitude up to 1500 m and mean annual rainfall 500-
timber based products. Farmers take poplar based 4500 mm. It grows well in a wide range of soil types,
agroforestry system as an economically viable option for from pure sand and gravel to rich alluvial soil of
crop diversification than the natural resource depleting riverbanks.
traditional wheat rice rotation. 5. Azadirachta indica (Indian Lilac and local name
Neem) is a fast-growing evergreen tree of mahogany
In addition to fast growing nature, its other qualities such family. It can grow at an altitude up to 1000 m with
as winter deciduous nature, straight bole, narrow crown, an annual rainfall 400–1200 mm. It thrives best on
compatibility with agricultural crops, amenability to well drained deep and sandy soils. Flowers appear
cultural and management practices have made this tree from March to May and fruits usually ripen during the
one of the best options for agroforestry. month of June and July. It is a good coppice tree
Poplar requires loam to sandy loam, deep fertile and well- species.
drained soil with neutral pH. It does not grow well on The tree and its leaves are known for their medicinal
saline, alkali, water logged and heavy clay soils. Frequent value.
irrigation is required for the optimum growth of trees. 6. Salix alba (White willow and local name Willow) is a
Varieties: medium to large-sized deciduous tree. It prefers moist
Central plain region: PL–1, PL–2, PL–3, PL–4, PL–5, L– or wet heavy soil in a sunny position but can also grow
47/88 and L–48/89. well on poorly-drained or intermittently flooded soils.
Semi-arid region: PL–3, PL–6, PL–7 and L–48/89. The flowers are produced in catkins in early spring
and fruits mature in mid-summer.
Planting in March- April and July-August.
Harvesting: For timber 13-15 years.; for pulp 6-8
years; for batten 4 to 6 years.
Plantation of trees in north-south direction.

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 AGRICULTURE – IRRIGATION SYSTEM

CHAPTER – 5 Extensive Irrigation and Exploitation of Groundwater

IRRIGATION SYSTEM
IRRIGATION
Irrigation is the controlled application of water for
agricultural purposes through man-made systems to
supply the water needs not satisfied by rainfall. Crop
irrigation is very important wherever and whenever crops
are grown. Irrigation ensures enough food production for
an ever-growing population.

WATER RESOURCES OF PUNJAB

Agriculture in Punjab has a very heavy requirement of

water and about 85 percent of the water resources in the
state are consumed by agriculture i.e. for irrigation
purposes. The major sources of irrigation in the state are
its extensive canal system and underground water drawn
out by tube wells.

The state surface water resources (three perennial rivers,

namely the Sutlej, Beas and Ravi, having water potential
of about 14.54 Million Acre Feet) are being fully utilized
through the well organised canal irrigation system in
sustaining the intensive agriculture practices.
The long canal network consists of six major canals: Punjab is a well irrigated state with majority of
i. Upper Bari Doab Canal; the cropped area under irrigation. The number of tube
ii. Bist Doab Canal; wells in the State has increased from 10.73 lac in 2000-
iii. Sirhind Canal; 01 to 14.76 lac in 2018-19. The tube wells operated on
iv. Bhakra Main Canal; electricity has increased from 7.88 lac to 13.36 lac during
v. Bikaner Canal and the same time period indicating reduction in diesel
vi. Ferozepur Canal Circle operated tube wells which is better for the environment,
however, excessive extraction of groundwater does not
These canals run for about 14.5 thousand km providing support sustainable agriculture practices.
irrigation to an area of 1.6 million ha. Most of the canal
irrigated area of Punjab lies in Upper Bari Doab (from Ravi This has caused the depletion of the underground water
river) and Malwa region which include the Sirhind, table. Groundwater extraction is more than
Bhakra and Bikaner canals from river Sutlej. 100 percent in Punjab implying that groundwater
consumption exceeds annual extractable sources.
During the year 2018-19, about
98.9 percent agricultural area of state was irrigated from Ministry of Jal Shakti (2019) Report on the Dynamic
canals and tube wells. The canal irrigated area in the state Ground water resources of India, 2017 reported
increased between 1980 to 1990 but a significant that Punjab groundwater resources showed, 80% of 138
reduction has been reported from 1990-91 to 2018- assessed blocks were ‘Over-exploited’, 2 blocks were
19. Whereas the area irrigated by centrifugal tube wells ‘Critical’, 5 were ‘Semi-Critical’, and 22 were ‘Safe’. It also
has increased during the same period i.e. from 2233 Th. highlighted that 95 percent of the water extracted in the
ha in 1990-91 to 2907 Th. ha in 2018-19. state was for irrigation purposes.

Net irrigated Area in Punjab (source-wise) Further, because of the declining water table, the
The State also has an 8 thousand km long drainage farmers are compelled to deepen their tube wells at their
network. The major seasonal drains of the state, Chitti own cost, as the ordinary tube wells become obsolete due
Bein, Kali Bein, Sakki and Kiran Nallah, etc. to their inability to draw underground water. Therefore,
Numerous choes of the sub-shiwaliks or the Kandi area farmers are increasingly shifting over to submersible
are the ephemeral drains. These drains help in quickly pumps. The submersible pumps are expected to raise the
dealing with heavy run off in monsoons and in preventing cost of cultivation and excessive use of groundwater. With
water logging. increasing costs of irrigation, the marginal farmers are
expected to be left vulnerable to the impacts of a declining
water table.

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 AGRICULTURE – IRRIGATION SYSTEM

The Government of Punjab is continuously taking steps to 3) Ring Basin irrigation: Suitable for orchids and other
give solution to above problem such as by promoting the high value crops where the size of the plot size is very
micro-irrigation system, including sprinkler and drip small. A variation in this method viz. ring and basin is
irrigation to make available the irrigation water to commonly used for irrigating fruit trees.
all farming systems in the state in a targeted manner

METHODS OF IRRIGATION

Irrigation of crops is essential to meet their water

requirement. The crops or the plants have to regularly and
properly irrigated for optimal production. Mainly following
methods of irrigation are used to irrigate the crops so that
water requirements are met at minimal cost:
A. Surface
B. Sub-surface
C. Sprinkler
D. Drip / Trickle

A) Surface irrigation: There are four variations i.e.

1) Flooding
2) Bed or Border method
3) Basin method (Ring and Basin)
4) Furrow method (Right & furrows, Broad
ridges)

1) Flooding: Opening a water channel in a plot or field so

that water can flow freely in all directions and corner the
surface of the land in a continuous sheet. It is the most
inefficient irrigation method as only 20% water is actually
used by plants, the rest being lost as a run–off, seepage,
and evaporation. Water distribution is very uneven and 4) Furrow Method: Row crops like potatoes, cotton, sugar
crop growth is not uniform. It is suitable for uneven land cane, vegetable etc can be irrigated using this method.
where the cost of leveling is high and where cheap and Water is allowed to flow in the furrows opened in crop
abundant water is available. rows. It is suitable for sloppy lands where the furrows are
made along the contours. It is relatively easy to install and
2) Border Strip Method (Sara and Flat beds): In this is inexpensive to maintain.
method, the field is levelled and divided into small beds
surrounded by bunds 15-30 cm high.

Border irrigation is a method of controlled surface

flooding. The field is divided into strips by parallel
border ridges, and each strip is irrigated separately.
Water is introduced at one end and progressively covers
the entire strip.

Border Strip Method

This method can be adapted to most soil textures except

sandy soils and is suitable for high value crops like wheat,
maize, cotton etc. It is more efficient in water usage and
ensures its uniform application.

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 AGRICULTURE – IRRIGATION SYSTEM

The losses by drip irrigation and evaporation are

minimized. A precise amount of water is applied to supply
the depleted soil moisture at frequent intervals for
optimum plant growth. The system enables the
application of water and fertilizer at an optimum rate to
the root system. The initial cost of the drip irrigation
system is a major limitation.

Merits
(i) Well suited to areas of acute water shortage.
(ii) Deep percolation, surface runoff, evaporation
losses are minimum.
(iii) Water is maintained at field capacity all through.
Furrow Irrigation (iv) Salt concentration is less even in salty soils due
to high moisture.
B) Sub Surface Method: Sub-surface or sub-
irrigation may be natural or artificial. Natural D) Sprinkler or Overhead irrigation
sub-surface irrigation is possible where water is Application of water to soil as spray or rain. It is
quite near the soil surface and can be easily taken particularly useful for sandy soils because they absorb
up by the plants for cultivation of vegetables. For water too fast. Soils that are too shallow, too steep or
example, cultivation of vegetables by farmer at rolling can be irrigated efficiently, using sprinklers.
Dal Lake, Sri Nagar in Kashmir. Water is allowed
into the series of ditches, which wets the root
zone.

Sprinkler Irrigation

a. Pipes are laid in the fields with nozzles and the water
is sprayed into air. It lands on plants or land surface
in a uniform pattern with rates lesser than the
infiltration rate of the soil.
b. This technique is very effective for areas with irregular
Sub Surface Irrigation topography.
c. This method can also be used to mitigate frost and
C) Drip or Trickle Irrigation: - high temperature.
d. It is very useful in sandy and undulated soil
The irrigation is provided ear the base of crops drop by
drop. Thus. irrigation is provided as per needs of the SOURCES OF WATER IRRIGATION
plant without any wastage.
Mango, lemon, pomegranate, kinnow, ber, guava, and Ground water source
vegetable like tomato, cauliflower, cucumber, brinjal,
chilly, capsicum etc. 1) By Canal
a. Seasonal Canal
This irrigation technique is very effective in areas where b. Regular Canal
water is highly deficit.
2) By Ponds
3) By Rivers
4) By Springs

Underground water sources

1) Well 2) Tubewell
3) Aquifer 4) Hydraulic pump

Drip irrigation

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 AGRICULTURE – IRRIGATION SYSTEM

Water logging (Sem): Water logging refers to the CAUSES OF WATER LOGGING
saturation of the soil with water. Soil may be regarded as (a) Natural
water logged when the water table of the ground water is (i) Poor natural drainage of the subsoil.
too high and conveniently permit an anticipated activity (ii) Submergence under floods.
like agriculture. Crop needs air to a greater or lesser depth (b) Artificial
in the soil. (i) High intensity of irrigated agriculture
irrespective of the soil and the subsoil.
Critical stages of Water Requirement for Important (ii) Heavy seepage of losses from unlined canals,
Crops distribution and farm watercourses
(iii) Enclosing irrigated fields with embankments
Wheat and chocking up natural drainage.
1) Crown root initiation stage (iv) Hydraulic pressures from upper saturated
2) Tillering stage areas at higher elevations.
3) Flowering stage (v) Non-maintenance of natural drainage or
4) Milking stage blocking of natural drainage.

Paddy DROUGHT (ਸੋਕਾ)

1) Tillering stage
2) Flowering stage The Indian Meteorological Department defines Drought as
3) Grain formation a situation in an area in a year when the annual rainfall
received is less than 75% of the normal.
Sugarcane Moderate Drought: If the deficit is between 26-50%
1) Tillering Severe Drought: If the deficit is moe than 50%
2) Grand growth phase
Agricultural Drought
Maize When the soil moisture is inadequate for healthy crop
1) Silking stages growth and causes extreme stress and wilting.
2) Milking stages It is the result of moisture deficit on account of non
availability of water in the soil.
Pulses
1) Shoot formation DROUGHT YEAR
2) Flowering A year is considered to be drought year, in case the area
affected by moderated and severe drought, is 20-40% of
Jowar the total area of the country and the seasonal rainfall
1) Flowering stage deficiency during the south –west monsoon season for the
country as a whole is at least 10% or more.
Mustard-Rapeseed When the drought affects more than 40% of the total area,
1) Shoot formation it is called as All India Severe Drought Year.
2) Flowering
WATERSHED MANAGEMENT
Potato
Early stage of tuber formation Watershed means an area of land where the runoff drains
to a common point i.e. in the river or water pool.
DRAINAGE Watershed may be defined as a natural unit of land where
the runoff collects and flows out of the area through a
Agricultural drainage is the removal of excess water called common outlet into a river or other water body.
free water or gravitational water from the surface or below It is a drainage base demarcated by ridges or gullies. The
the surface of the farm land to create favourable soil terms watershed, drainage area or catchment area are
conditions for plant growth. interchangeably used. Usually, the catchment area (water
collecting area) is larger but the area of the watershed is
WATER LOGGING (ਸੇਮ) comparatively smaller.
• Water logging refers to the situation of soil may be
regarded as water logged when it is nearly saturated WATER HARVESTING / RUNOFF CONCENTRATION /
with water much of the time such that its air phase is RAINFALL PRECIPITATION
restricted and anaerobic conditions prevail. In humid climates, the runoff usually occurs only when
• Water logging affects a number of biological and the rain falls on a saturated soil. Under semi-arid
chemical processes in plants and soils that can affect conditions, the total annual precipitation may not be
crop growth in the short and long term. Plants need sufficient, but most of the rain falls in a short period
oxygen for all division and uptake and transportation causing humid climate and resulting in runoff. In both
of nutrients. conditions, the excess rain water should be safely guided
and collected in nearby ponds for recycling in drier
periods for irrigation.

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 AGRICULTURE – IRRIGATION SYSTEM

RUNOFF Zero Trill Drill

That part of the precipitation which is not absorbed by the Sowing of wheat can be done by using this method to
soil but finds its way into the streams after meeting the save pre sowing irrigation.
persistent demands of evaporation including interception
and other losses. In other words, runoff is the excess Use of tensiometer in paddy
water from precipitation that moves out of field and finds After mulching, water should be kept standing in the
its way to rivers, lakes and oceans etc. field during first fifteen days/ Afterwards, water can be
applied at two days interval. Irrigation scheduling can
SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES be done by using tensiometer.
Soil and water conservation measures on the watershed
basis include all measures which are effective in Tensiometer: Glass tube inserted in the field. Irrigation
preventing or delaying the movement of soil and rock is applied when water level touches from green to yellow
particles. layer.
The emphasis is given on soil surveying, contour and
graded bunding, repairing of old bunds and dams, land Mulching
reclamation, digging of farm ponds etc.

CONSERVATION OF IRRIGATION WATER

Demand and supply should match for optimum

management of water resources.
Methods to save water Recharging excess runoff from
agricultural fields Selection of appropriate method
depending upon crop and soil type Less water consuming
crops, Adopting sprinkler and drip irrigation

Crop Diversification
Both wheat and rice require large amount of water.
Should grow crops that consume less amount of water like
– basmati, maize, cotton, oilseeds, and pulses.

Wheat can be replaced by barley, and oil seed crops

In crops like maize and sugarcane, mulching can be done
Modern Agricultural Machinery by using crop residue which results in reduction in evapo-
transpiration losses and results in water saving.

It can also be done by using polythene sheet.

Very useful for Capsicum and chilly.

Rainwater harvesting
Can be used to rejuvenate village ponds. Abandoned wells
and hand pumps can also be used for recharging.

Lining of Canals & Channels

Use of PVC pipe line system: Ten to twenty percent saving

Computerised Laser Leveler: It is used for land leveling

in precise manner. It results in 25 to 30 percent saving in
water. Yield is increased by 15 to 20 percent.

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 AGRICULTURE – AGRO BASED INDUSTRY

CHAPTER - 6 TYPES OF AGRO-BASED INDUSTRIES

AGRO-BASED INDUSTRY There are four types of agro-based industries.

Industries based on agricultural products are 1. Agro-produce Processing Units

called agro-based industries, e.g. sugar from sugarcane, They merely process the raw material so that it can be
bags made of jute, and clothes from cotton. preserved and transported at cheaper cost. No new
product is manufactured. Ex: Rice mills, Dal mills, etc.
Industries based on minerals are called mineral-based
industries, e.g. steel from iron ore. 2. Agro-produce Manufacturing Units
Manufacture entirely new products. Finished goods will be
The Agro-based industry is an enterprise that processes entirely different from its original raw material. Ex: Sugar
raw materials, containing ground and tree crops as well factories, bakery, solvent extraction units, textile mills,
as livestock. The degree of processing can differ etc.
tremendously, ranging from the cleaning and grading of
apples to the milling of rice, to the cooking, mixing, and 3. Agro-inputs Manufacturing Units
chemical alteration that makes a texturized vegetable Industrial units which produce goods either for
food. Agro-industries can be categorized according to the mechanization of agriculture or for increasing productivity
degree the raw material is transformed. come under this type. Ex: Agricultural implements, seed
industries, pumpset, fertilizer and pesticide units, etc.
AGRO-INDUSTRIES
4. Agro Service Centres
AGRO INDUSTRY SECTORS Agro service centres are workshops and service centres
Agro based industry refers to the subset of manufacturing which are engaged in repairing and servicing of pumpsets,
that processes raw material and immediate products diesel engines, tractors and all types of farm equipment.
derived from agricultural sector, agro based industry thus
means transforming products originating from agriculture AGRO INDUSTRIES
forestries and fisheries.
1. Agro-processing Units/ Complexes
1) Processing of agro based grains etc, rice shellers, dal These units are very popular and successful in rural
mills, solvent plants areas. There is ready availability of raw material
2) Processing of milk and milk products. required for processing. Examples are:
3) Extraction of juices from fruit plants. Mini Rice Mills, Flour Mills, Oil expeller, Grinder,
4) Meat and poultry processing Cotton ginning machine, Pulse cleaner and grader,
5) Establishment of mega food parks, and food parks Mini dal mill, Feed mill.
6) Cold chains
7) Cotton textiles, jute textiles and sugar industries. 2. Turmeric Processing Unit
It is a common household spice and has very high
Need for Agro based industry demand in foreign countries as well. It is used to
Punjab lacks natural resources like iron ore or coal etc. provide flavour, taste and colour to the food. It possess
which are considered basic raw material for industry. medicinal value and is also used in cosmetics and as
However, it can count on its agricultural inputs for dye for cotton clothes. Turmeric is obtained from
development and growth of industry in the state by rhizomes of the plant, which are washed, boiled, dried
adopting the right technology and entrepreneurship. Due and grinded and packed for final sale.
to lack of storage space and processing units, the post
harvest losses in agriculture are very high. Though in 3. Mentha Processing Unit
grains the loss is limited to around 10% but in case of Mentha oil is used in medicines, perfumes and
fruit and vegetable the loss is as high as 30 to 40%. The cosmetics. It is derived form the leaves of dried mentha
farmers need to take to crop diversification as well as leaves. De-oiled mentha leaves are used as fodder.
invest in agro-based industry to make the best use of the
agricultural produce to increase his income and 4. Jaggery Manufacturing
employment opportunities. Jaggery or gur is obtained from sugarcane and is
becoming very popular due to high content of
The advantage of agro-industry is that it will supplement potassium in it which improves metabolism and helps
the income of the small farmers with very little weight loss. It is also rich source of iron.
investment. These days farmers have taken to ‘gur
making’ / jaggery in a big way. Similarly, other products 5. Processing of Fenugreek, coriander, chilli, garlic,
like haldi, chilli etc need to be processed before they reach ginger and other agri-products.
the consumer and the small farmers can undertake these
activities to supplement their income.

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 AGRICULTURE – AGRO BASED INDUSTRY

6. Processing of Fruit & Vegetable Agri Clinics

In India more than 40% of vegetable and fruit They help farmer from time to time by providing them
production is lost due to non-availability of required information. They may also provide input
infrastructure and storage facilities. These industries services like seed, chemicals, fertilisers, etc.
are capital intensive.
INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR PROMOTION
7. Cotton ginning mills OF AGRO BASED INDUSTRIES
More than 80,000 crore of cotton is sown in India and
around six crore persons are involved in textile mills. Following Ministries & Departments at the Centre and
This makes cotton based industry one of the most State level are at present looking after development of agro
important sector of employment in India. based industries.

8. Jute Based industry Ministry of Agriculture: Deals with rice mills, oil mills,
Jute is an important crop in coastal areas of Bengal sugar mills, bakeries, cold storage, etc.
and is used to make sacks for storage of food grains.
Khadi and village industries board: Covers traditional
9. Allied Activities agro-based industries like “gur‟, handicrafts, khandasari,
Dairy farming etc.
It has become the most important component of
income for the farmers and accounts for around __ Agro-industries Development Corporation: In each
percent of GSDP of the state. After fulfilling the home state mainly supply agricultural machinery, inputs and
requirement, the farmer can sell the remaining milk to agricultural advisory services to farmers. Some
earn additional income. This is being achieved with the corporations have also undertaken certain manufacturing
help of cooperatives established in the villages, which activities in agro-industries sector.
procure milk from the farmers and either process it at
their centre or supply it to the milk plant. Small Industry Development Organization: Deals with
small agro-industries like hosiery, processing of food
Mushroom Cultivation products, beverages, food and fruit preservation,
These can be cultivated indoors and do not require agricultural implements, pesticide formulations, etc.
land for their growth. PAU has developed five varieties:
Winter Season: Button mushroom, Oyster
mushroom, Shiitake mushroom. September to March.
Summer Season: Milky mushroom and Paddy straw
mushroom. Period is April to August.

Bee keeping
Punjab is a leading producer of honey. This activity
does not interfere with any other agricultural activity.
It supports agriculture through pollination. Besides
honey it also yields bee-wax, bee-venom, bee-brood,
royal-jelly etc.

Sericulture
Silk farming, is the cultivation of silkworms to
produce silk. Bombyx mori is the most widely used
and intensively studied silkworm. The production of
silk generally involves two processes:
1. Care of the silkworm from the egg stage
through completion of the cocoon.
2. Production of mulberry trees that provide
leaves upon which the worms feed.

Vegetable Cultivation
Vegetable cultivation is very remunerative cash crop.
With the adoption of latest technology the farmer can
produce off-season vegetable, which fetches very good
price in the market. Farmers can use Green House
technology or Low tunnel technology to grow these
vegetable .

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 AGRICULTURE – FOOD PROCESSING

CHAPTER – 7 Chemical Pickling

The food is preserved in a by adding chemical agents that
FOOD PROCESSING destroys microorganisms and bacteria.

India is home to a large variety of vegetable and fruit. Their Freezing

production at 320 million tonnes in 2019-2020 has It is one of the common method used domestically to
surpassed that of cereals (296.65 million tonnes). The preserve a wide range of food products. Food
food production is expected to be 97.97 million tonnes temperatures are reduced to below 0°C to decrease the
and that of vegetable at around199 million tonne. The rest activity of harmful bacteria. The process can be used to
is contributed by floriculture, aromatic and medicinal preserve the majority of foods including fruits, vegetables,
plants, spices and plantations. After China, India is the meat, fish, and ready meals. Peas, Spinach etc.
largest producer of fruit and vegetable. Both these items
being highly perishable, more than 40% of this produce Pasteurisation
costing more than 44000 crores is lost due to lack of food Food is heated and then quickly cooled down to kill
processing i.e., proper cold chain storage infrastructure, microorganisms. For example, raw milk may contain
pre and post-harvest handling and management of harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. Boiling it
produce. At present only 2 percent of fruit and vegetable (at home) or pasteurising (on a large scale) is crucial to
are processed, which brings into focus the importance of ensure it is safe to consume.
food processing industry. Apart from dairy products, pasteurisation is widely used
in preservation of canned foods, juices and alcoholic
What is food processing? beverages.
Food processing is any method used to turn fresh foods
into food products. This can involve one or a combination Canning
of various processes including washing, chopping, The food is heated to a high temperature. This process is
pasteurising, freezing, fermenting, packaging, cooking called pasteurisation. Then, the food is packaged and
and many more. stored in an air-tight can. E.g. tomatoes.
Food processing also includes adding ingredients to food
to extend shelf life. Modified atmosphere packaging
In packaging, the air inside a package is substituted by a
Methods of food processing protective gas mix, often including oxygen, carbon dioxide
Food processing includes traditional (heat treatment, and nitrogen. They help to extend the shelf life of fresh
fermentation, pickling, smoking, drying, curing) and food products - usually of fruits, vegetables, meat and
modern methods (pasteurisation, ultra-heat treatment, meat products, and seafood.
high pressure processing, or modified atmosphere
packaging). Smoking
A process of heat and chemical treatment of food to help
Some of the common methods are: preserve it by exposing it to smoke from burning material
Drying/ Dehydration such as wood. Smoked foods usually include types of
It involves removal of water content to prolong the shelf meat, sausages, fish or cheese.
life of the food products. It is one of the traditional
techniques employed where the food particles are exposed Additives
to sunlight to dry them naturally. This process would They play an important role in preserving the freshness,
result in the evaporation of moisture content from food, safety, taste, appearance and texture of processed foods.
thus preventing microorganisms from invading the food. Food additives are added for particular purposes, whether
Moisture from food can also be removed by using cabinet to ensure food safety, or to maintain food quality during
dryers, spray driers, freeze dehydration, solar and sun the shelf-life of a product. For example, antioxidants
drying. Removal of water not only extends shelf life, it also prevent fats and oils from becoming rancid,
their reduces weight thus lowering the transportation while preservatives prevent or reduce the growth
cost. of microbes (e.g. mould on bread). Emulsifiers are used
for instance in improving the texture or stopping salad
Pickling dressings from separating into oil and water.
It is a process of preserving food in an edible and
antimicrobial liquid. Pickling could be categorized into two Consequences of Food Processing
types, namely fermentation and chemical pickling. Makes food edible
Fermentation Grain crops, for example wheat and corn, are not edible
In fermentation pickling, bacteria or microorganisms in their natural state. Processing techniques, such
present in a liquid produces organic agents which would as milling and grinding, turn them into flour, after which
act as preservation agents. they can be made into breads, cereals, pasta and other
Fermentation is notably used in the production of edible grain-based products. There are different types of
alcoholic beverages such as wine, beer, and cider, and in flours depending on the processing level, choose
the preservation of foods such as dry sausages, and wholegrain when possible. Common wheat is used for
yoghurt, but also for raising dough in bread production. flour making while durum wheat is used for products like
pasta.
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 AGRICULTURE – FOOD PROCESSING

Safety, shelf life, and preservation 3. Dairy Products

Processing improves or even ensures food safety by Milk is a unique food item for mankind having high
removing harmful microorganisms. The main methods are nutritive value. It supplies proteins, vitamins and
pasteurisation, air-tight packaging, and the use of minerals apart from lactose(sugar) and fat. Being
preservatives. easily digestible, it is very important for infants,
pregnant mothers, growing children, adults and
Nutritional quality patients. For vegetarians, its importance as source of
Food processing can affect the nutritional quality of foods proteins and minerals becomes even more vital.
in both ways: it can enhance it, for instance by adding
components that were not present, like vitamin D, or by Certain legal standards are supposed to be adhered to for
lowering fat, salt or sugar. It can also cause some fibre sale of milk, like: Cow milk should have 4% fat and 8.5%
and vitamins and minerals to be lost, for example SNF(solids not fat)
through excessive refining, heating or freezing.
Buffalo milk should have 6% fat and 9% SNF.
Convenience
Processing and packaging technologies provide a range of The legal standards for other milk fluids are as under:
convenient foods: ready meals, bagged salads, sliced and Milk Type Fat(%) SNF(%) Colour
canned fruits and vegetables that take little time to of Pouch
prepare. Toned Milk 3.0 8.5 Blue

Price Double Toned 1.5 9.0 Yellow

Food processing can decrease the cost of foods. The frozen Milk
vegetables have a similar nutritional value as fresh ones, Standardised 4.5 8.5 Green
but at a lower price, as they have already been prepared, Milk
do not contain inedible parts, can be bought in bulk, and
can last longer. The processing increases the shelf life of Different Milk Products: Paneer, Ghee, Butter, Khoya,
food, and decreases the amount of waste, reducing Ice-cream, Lassi, Dahi (curd), Sweets etc.
thereby the overall costs of food production.
4.Packaged Food
Major Categories of Food Processing in Punjab i. Procurement of raw material
1. Grain & Oilseed Processing ii. Processing Bakery & Confectionary Snacks, Namkeen
i. Wheat is processed into wheat flour. etc Papad
ii. It is used in making of biscuits and bread.
iii. Maize is used for making corn flakes etc. Poultry, Meat & Fish Processing
iv. Other grains are also processed and branded for a. In poultry, mostly the farms deal with broilers and on
sale. contract basis the same can be supplied to the big
processing industrial houses for further supply to
2. Fruit & Vegetable Processing retailers and big restaurant chains. In such cases to
Fruit and vegetable being perishable items require ensure the quality, the chicks are supplied by the
delicate handling. A big quantity of these are sold as processing houses along with the medicines so that
fresh in the market but their processing increases quality of the broilers is well maintained.
their shelf life and profitability. It requires proper b. Fish Farming is being taken up in Punjab in a big way.
procurement, Cold storage facilities and cold chains The farmers can grow carps and ‘pangas’ variety of
to preserve their quality. fish which gives good income. Patiala has emerged as
Some Fruit/Vegetable based products: the highest producer of fish in the state.
1. Lime/Lemon Syrup c. Meat processing has yet to pick up in the state. There
2. Mango Squash are no good quality slaughter houses in the state. It
3. Malta/Orange/Kinnow squash holds good scope.
4. Lime and barley Syrup
5. Tomato Juice
6. Lime/Lemon Pickle
7. Mango Pickle
8. Amla Pickle
9. Carrot Pickle
10. Lime, green chilli and ginger pickle
11. Tomato Pickle
12. Amla preserve

Canned vegetable is becoming popular these days.

Sugarcane is used for production of sugar and jaggery.

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 AGRICULTURE – HARMFUL, FRIENDLY INSECTS & ANIMALS

CHAPTER – 8 Blue jay, Owl, Cattle Egret and Hoopoe. A single pair of
House Sparrow feeds insects to its young ones about 250
HARMFUL, FRIENDLY INSECTS & times a day.

ANIMALS Predatory birds like owls, falcons, eagles, kites etc. eat a
large number of rats and mice. Because of these
BENEFICIAL AND HARMFUL ANIMALS IN reasons, these birds should not be killed or harmed. A
AGRICULTURE single owl normally eats 4-5 rats a day.

Animals are an important part of our ecosystem. Some 1. Blue Jay:

of them are useful and some are harmful to agriculture.
In this article some birds are mentioned which are Colour: rufous-brown breast and pale blue abdomen
useful to agriculture. Along with these, the management and is of Blue Rock Pigeon size.
methods to protect crops from some species of harmful
birds and rodents are also described. Food: Insects form its main diet. Nest: in cavities of the
trees.
BENEFICIAL ANIMALS
There are a number of animals that are reared by farmers 2. Red-wattled Lapwing:
and are highly beneficial to them economically, like cow, Colour: bronze brown from above and, white from below.
buffalo, etc. The animals are reared for milk (cow, buffalo, The head, breast and neck is black in colour.
goat), for use in transport (bullock horses, mules, camel), Food: mainly of insects and snails.
egg ( poultry) and for their meat as well. Chicken, fish, pig, Nest: on ground.
goat, sheep are the common animals reared by the
farmers for meat, which is very big source of protein. The Cattle Egret:
animals like sheep also provide fur and wool. Farming
animals is an old and respected business. It feeds people Colour: white with yellow beak.
and supplies products needed by the farmers.
Food: It is often found following ploughing tractor and
Dairy
eating insects.
Transport
Poultry Nest: in the form of colony on the trees.
Fishery
These topics have been dealt with separately under Spotted Owlet:
Animal Husbandry.
Colour: Grayish brown colour with white spots. The
Earthworms: The earthworm is one of the most important colour of its eyes is yellow.
creatures that lives to serve the farmers. The earthworm
plays an important role in making the soil fertile by Food: insects, mice and lizards. An owl eats three to four
circulating the soil underneath. Also upon death it turns rats every day.
as manure for the plants.
Vermicompost is one of the most beneficial organic Nest: in the cavities of the trees.
material for farmers and earthworms is the basic animal
used to convert the organic waste into manure.
Hoopoe: This bird has black and white strips on wings,
Snakes: Snakes eat away the rats and thus help the tail and upper part of the body. It has fan shaped crest
farmers. Most of the snakes are harmless and non- and long gently curved bill.
venomous.
Nest: It makes its nest in the cavities of the trees. Insects
USEFUL BIRDS form its main food.

Most of the birds are friends of farmers and are useful to

Drongo
agriculture in one way or the other. The home sparrow
feeds insects to its young ones. The friendly birds include Colour: It has a black plumage. It has a small white spot
Drongos, Myna, Lapwing, Blue Jay, Cattle egret, Hoopoe at the base of the bill gape (base of the bill), called a rictal
etc. The predatory birds like eagle, owl, kite falcon etc. eat spot.
a large number of rats and mice. Vultures are natural Has a forked tail. The mature bird size is around 28 cms.
cleaners as they eat away the dead animals which could Also called Kotwal for its boldness and attacks foxes and
have caused infection and spread of disease. However, jackals.
birds like parrot cause a great loss to the crop and fruit. Food: Feeds on insects, termites, bees, butterflies,
dragonflies and ants. But explores the possibility of
Birds which feed on insects are called insectivorous and preying small birds, reptiles or even bats.
which feed on rodents are called rodentivorous. Ninety Nest: Suspended in horizontal fork of trees
eight per cent of total bird species in India are useful to
agriculture. Some of these are Drongo, Lapwing, Myna,
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 AGRICULTURE – HARMFUL, FRIENDLY INSECTS & ANIMALS

Measures to protect birds in the surroundings are Bait placement and timings:
given below: 1. Baiting in May- June: During this period, the rat
a. Traditional trees like peepal, tahli, kikkar and toot burrows can easily be located in the fields. Close the
should be planted to provide natural habitat. burrows in the evening and on next day in new
b. Breeding facilities to birds should be provided by reopened burrows insert a paper containing 10 gm
installing wooden and earthen artificial nests on trees of zinc phosphide or bromadiolone bait about 6
and other suitable places. inches deep in each burrow.
2. During mid-February and beginning of March: It
HARMFUL ANIMALS is most suitable time for killing of rodents. Due to
cool weather before this time and due to milking
Rodents: Rats stage of crops after this time, rats do not eat bait.
Birds: Parrot
Mammals: Cattle, Neel gai, Swine, Deer, Elephant 3. Pre-baiting: Pre-baiting is essential for the use of
etc. zinc phosphide bait. For this place 1 kg of sorghum
or bajra or cracked wheat or their mixture smeared
Rodents with 20 gm of oil at 40 bait points for 2-3 days. Bait
Rats are the most important harmful animals. Apart from of 1kg is enough for two and half acres. After this in
causing loss to crops they spread rodent borne diseases. same manner baiting should be done with 10 gm of
Both also cause allergies and asthma in humans. bait at 40 baiting points in one acre.

These cause more damage at seedling and ripening Precautions during baiting process:
stages of the crops. The average damage to sprouting 1. Keep the rodenticides and poison baits away from
and ripening wheat crop have been recorded to be the reach of children, domestic animals, pets and
2.9% and 4.5 % respectively. This damage is 1.1% at birds.
ripening stage of pea crop and 10.7% at the sprouting 2. Mixing of rodenticides should be done with a stick,
winter maize crop. The rodent damage to the maturing spade or wearing rubber gloves. Save the mouth,
wheat crop fields adjoining to sugarcane fields, canals eyes or skin from the rodenticides touch.
and roads may be up to 25 per cent. Some important 3. Household utensils should never be used for
species of rodents and their management methods are preparation of poison bait.
mentioned here. 4. Use polythene bags for storage and carrying the
poison bait. Bury them after use.
Deer and Neel-gai, cattle, swine, elephants etc. may
5. Collect and burry the left over poison bait and dead
damage and eat a farmer's crop.
rats from the fields.
Important species of Rats and Mice: 6. Zinc phosphide is toxic and there is no antidote for
it. In case of accidental ingestion induce vomiting by
There are 8 important species of rodents and mice in inserting fingers in the throat and then rush to the
Punjab. doctor. Vitamin K is the antidote for bromadiolone
i. Indian mole rat, and can be given to the patient under medical
ii. Soft furred field rat, supervision.
iii. Indian bush rat,
iv. Indian gerbil, Environmental control: Weeds, grasses and bushes
v. Short-tailed mole rat, should be removed as these provide shelter and food to
vi. House mouse, rodents. Highly infested bunds, water channels and field
vii. Field mouse, pavements should be periodically rebuilt to destroy
viii. and the brown spiny mouse. permanent rat burrows.
Of these, the Indian mole rat is predominant in paddy
wheat and sugarcane growing areas. Bet areas have Biological Control: Owls, kites, hawks, falcons, eagles,
predominant populations of the Indian mole rat while snakes, cats, mongoose, jackals and monitor lizards are
the kandi region (district Hoshiarpur) has the Indian the natural predators of rats and mice. These should be
gerbil and Indian bush rat. protected.

Methods of rodent control: Integrated approach: No single method is 100%

effective in controlling rats. Therefore adopt an
Mechanical control integrated approach by carrying out different methods
Killing: During the irrigation of vacant harvested fields at different stages of the crop. The left over surviving rats
rats coming out of flooded burrows should be killed with after zinc phosphide baiting should be tackled with
sticks. bromadiolone. Zinc phosphide baiting should be carried
Trapping: By use of traps out in the crop field after a gap of at least two months.

Method of baiting: Zinc phosphide and bromodiolone Village level Campaign: For better results in control of
are being used for baiting for rodents. rats, village level anti-rat campaigns should be
organized. The campaign should be carried out both in
cultivated and uncultivated areas at the same time.
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 AGRICULTURE – HARMFUL, FRIENDLY INSECTS & ANIMALS

Harmful Birds INSECT PESTS AND DISEASES OF CROPS

Out of 300 species of birds of Punjab, only a few cause The green revolution has been a boon to the farmers as it
damage to crops, fruits, to grains in godown, in shellers not only increased the food production but increased their
and in grain markets. Rose-ringed Parakeet is one such income as well. But the introduction of new varieties
bird that is not beneficial to agriculture. It is the most increased brought with it the menace of pests and
harmful bird. It causes damage to almost all grain and diseases of crops. The new varieties were found to be more
fruit crops. It is exclusively harmful to sunflower crop. vulnerable to disease and attack by the pests. This
Doves, Pigeons and Weaver birds damage rice in godown necessitates the need for protection of crops from insect
and shellers, worth crores of rupees. pest and diseases to protect the crop yields. Despite a
sound crop protection technology, about thirty three
Management methods:
percent crop yield is reduced by insect pest and diseases
every year. These diseases have created famine like
Mechanical Methods
situation arises in the past due to failure of plant
1. False gun shots: Make false gun shots at different
protection technology.
intervals to scare the birds.
2. Use scare crow: Fixing the scare crow i.e. a discarded
The brown spot disease of paddy caused famine in Bengal
earthen pot painted to look like human head
during 1943 and American bollworm of cotton almost
supported with wooden sticks and clothed in human
destroyed the crop completely in Punjab during 1996-
dress. Position, direction and the dress of the scare
2002.
crow should be changed at least at ten day's interval.
The height of the scare crow should be one meter
INSECT PESTS OF CROPS
above from the crop height.
3. Hanging of dummies of crow: Parakeet is the main
Mainly four kinds of insect pests attack our food crops.
pest bird of oilseed crops. Hanging of dummy crow
These insects possess the characteristic of adapting to
on a stick in the crop damage area should be done.
different kind of food and environment.
Crows and Mynas will leave that place, even
parakeets will also not visit that area. Sucking insect pests: These insect pests suck sap from
The height of stick should be at least one meter leaves and result in loss of chlorophyll and other vital
above from the crop height and its position should nutrients from plants. Consequently the plants become
be changed after a gap of seven days. pale, stunted and photosynthesis process is affected. The
4. Use of automatic bird scarer machine: The birds common examples of sucking pests are aphids, jassids
can be scared by use of automatic bird scarers and whitefly and mealy bug.
by shifting their position periodically. Their noise
should be supplemented with actual gun fires. Table: Sucking insect pests of major crops:
The other simplest method is the use of rope crackers. Sr. Insects Crops Image
It involves tying of sets of small fire crackers at the No.
distance of 6-8 inches apart and igniting it from the 1 Jassids Cotton, Okra,
lower end. The noise and the smoke caused by the fire Maize, Rice,
crackers at different intervals scares the birds. Mango etc.
Cultural practices:
1. The traditional practice of planting 2-3 border rows of
less costly crops like millet, dhaincha equally 2 Aphids Wheat,
preferred by birds will reduce the bird pressure to the oilseeds,
inside sown cash crops particularly sunflower and peach and
maize etc. Cole crops
Moreover, planting of these crops also act as physical
barriers/wind breakers and help in preventing
lodging of crop during stormy/rainy days. 3 White Cotton,
2. As far as possible, sowing of maize and sunflower crop fly pulses,
should be avoided at sites most frequently visited by tomato,
birds or where there are more resting sites like trees, papaya etc.
electric wires, building etc.
3. To prevent parakeet damage in sunflower and maize 4 Mealy Cotton,
crops sowing should be done in bigger area (at least bug mango,
2-3 acres). Parakeets avoid feeding/venturing in the papaya and
core of the field, so it helps in lessening bird damage citrus crops
pressure.

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 AGRICULTURE – HARMFUL, FRIENDLY INSECTS & ANIMALS

2. Fruit and shoot borers: These insect-pests enter and The larvae emerging from these eggs feed inside the grains
feed within different plant parts. The detailed information and then converts into pupa within the grain and emerge
of these insects is as under: as adult.
Shoot borers:
Part Affected: Make holes in shoot/stem of plant and Beetles:(Khapra) It is one of the most destructive pest of
make dead hearts. stored grains. These have yellow hairy growth on the body.
Symptoms: Plant dries up and dies.
Crops Affected: Rice and sugarcane stem borers, pink
stem borer and maize shoot fly etc.
Fruit borers:
Part Affected: Destroy maturing fruits, vegetables and
bolls of plants by feeding inside them .
Symptoms: Symptoms of damage can be identified from
the excreta of plants. Normally it is found in crevices of the walls and destroys
Crops Affected: Cotton bollworms, Brinjal fruit and shoot the grains by its excreta. Khapra beetle feeds on stored
borer etc. grain while Rust Red beetle feeds on broken grain.

3. Leaf feeders: These insect reduce the photosynthesis Pulse Beetle: (Dhora) It feeds on stored pulse and lays
process of plant by feeding on leaves. Generally they feed eggs on stored pulse.
on the leaves in following two ways:
a. Leaf cutting insect: These insects start feeding from
the margins of leaves and moves towards the midrib of
leaves e. g. Armyworm, Grey weevil, Red pumpkin beetle
etc. Leaf cutting grey weevil
b. Leaf mining insect: These insects feed on the green
matter between the upper and lower epidermis of the leaf.
e.g. Hadda beetle, Cabbage butterfly etc.
4. Root feeding insect pests: These insects feed on the
underground plant parts such as roots, lower portion of
stem and kill them. e.g. termites, white grub etc. They feed
on a number of crops.

INSECTS CAUSING DAMAGE TO Moong and chicken pea-dhora are most damaging.
STORED GRAIN
CROP DISEASES
Grain Moths: Angoumois grain moth lays eggs on ear-
head of the crop in the field. Its population increases after The crops suffer from various kinds of fungal, bacterial
threshing and storage of grains. and viral diseases at different stage of crop growth. The
diseases of crop spread from one place to other by seed,
soil, air and heavy rains.
Fungal diseases of crops: Generally, you must have seen
cottony fungal growth on stale bread at your home. The
fungus produces different kinds of poison and enzymes
within the plant by entering through different plant parts.
Fungus is of different kinds and these effects the plants
in different ways. Various kinds of fungal diseases are as
under given in the Table:
The larvae grow out of the eggs it lays on the surface of Fungal diseases of different crops
the stored grains and feed on its internal parts making
them hollow from inside. S.No. Disease Symptoms of Disease Crop
1. Blight Water soaked spots are seen on Rice, Potatoes,
Grain Weevils: Among weevils, rice weevil is most leaves and stem. White fungus moong and
important. It lays eggs within the grains. can be seen on under surface of cruciferous crops
leaves
2. Seed Rot The seed rots within the soil Maize, Rice and
different vegetables
3. Smut The seeds get turned into Wheat, Rice etc.
black powder

4. White White powder like growth Ber, Peas etc

Rust appears
on different plant parts

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Seed Rot Disease Integrated management of insect-pests and diseases:

Bacterial diseases of crops: Like human bacterial The major plant protection practices includes use of
disease viz. Tuberculosis, typhoid, Plants also suffer from chemical insecticides, resistant varieties, natural
different bacterial diseases. The bacteria damage the enemies, cultural control such as changes in time of
plants by entering through natural openings or cut plant sowing and irrigation and mechanical control. The
parts. The main bacterial diseases are as under: environment friendly, pesticide free, socially and
economically beneficial production of food requires
a. Blight: The disease occurs on rice, the major Kharif integrated use these techniques. Integrated pest
crop of Punjab . Yellow green stripes appear on the management can be divided into two parts.
margins of leaves in this disease.
Preventative measure:
b. Stem rot and leaf spot diseases: The water soaked
spots appears on plant parts in this disease.
o Selection of crop variety resistant to attack of insect-
pests and diseases.
Viral diseases of crops: In human being, viruses cause
o Seed treatment with insecticides and fungicides.
dangerous diseases like AIDS. Insect pest spread different
o Judicious and need based use of fertilizer,
insecticides
viral diseases of plants e.g. white fly spread leaf curl
disease. These diseases are more dangerous than other
o By exposing the fields to sunlight
diseases due to difficulty in their management. Symptoms
o By removing weeds from fields, bunds and nearby
areas
of these diseases are given below in the table and figures.
Curative measures:
Table: Viral diseases of plants and their symptoms. o Correct identification of insect pest and disease to
S. Disease Symptoms Crop identify the pest management techniques accordingly.
No. • By uprooting and destroying the infected plant in
1. Leaf The leaves Cotton, Papaya, Chili initial stages
curl bend inwards and Tomatoes etc. • Use the recommended dose of insecticides/
disease from corners fungicides.
of leaves . • Select insecticide according to nature of insect,
symptoms and cause of disease.
2. Mosaic Irregular Moong, Okra, Papaya • Timely and judicious application of
disease yellow and and Potato etc. insecticides/pesticides
green bands • Natural enemies and other micro-organism can also
appear on be used for control of insect pest
the leaves.
Transgenic are the most recent method of pest
management. Bt cotton is a transgenic crop and has
played an important role in the management of insect
pests of cotton. In this method, the required genes are
transferred from different organism to crops for insect
pest management.

USEFUL ANIMALS
(ANIMAL HUSBANDRY)

ROLE OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

Though agriculture is the most conspicuous occupation
Yellow vein in Bindi crop of Indians, animal husbandry is an important source of
income for a majority as it is the most suitable for the
ecosystem, their life style as well as it provides additional
source of income for the family.

CATTLE REARING
Livestock are valuable assets for the rural poor and are
critical in supporting their livelihoods, particularly during
unfavourable times. High quality semen and other
facilities provided by the new technology have helped the
farmers to start cattle-rearing in a scientific way. Cattle
are reared not only for milk but also for providing meat for
the consumers which is a very good source of protein.

Leaf Curl in Cotton

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DAIRY FARMING Heat Cycle : When the animal is ready to be pregnant

India ranks first globally in milk production, which went again is called heat cycle. In case of a buffalo, it lasts for
up from 17 million tons in 1950- to 163.7 million tonnes about 12 to 24 hours during which it has either to be
in 2016-17. mated or artificially inseminated.

As per NDDB, Punjab is one of the leading producer of Breed Improvement of Buffaloes and Cows
milk in the country, with availability of 1181 gm of milk For economical dairy farming the animals must have the
per day per person as compared to 394 per day per person following qualities:
for India as of 2018-19. The lowest availability of milk is
in Diu and Daman with per capita availability at 11 grams Quality parameter Buffalo Cow
per day only. Daily milk requirement of milk per person is
305 days lactation milk yield 2500 4000
250 gram.
(kg)
Late Dr. Kurien Verghese is credited with the success of Peak yield (kg) 12-13 19-20
Operation Flood associated with the increase in milk Age at first calving (months) 36 30
production. He is also known as White Revolution. Service period (months) 2-4 2-4
Dry off period before calving 2 2
Dairy Research Centre (of ICAR), Karnal (months)
The Research centre is responsible for artificial
insemination, pregnancy diagnosis, reproductive health
Selection of Bull: The result of cross breeding is visible
and maintaining reproductive efficiency of the NDRI herd
after 5-7 years when the next generation starts giving milk
consisting of Cattle and buffalo. It supplies frozen semen
after calving. Care should be taken to avoid breeding by
(0.25ml French Mini Straws) for sale from the list of bulls.
keeping the name or number of bull and their genetic
The frozen semen is supplied on first come first serve
potential.
basis.
Selection of bull is very important for quality of animal.
WHAT IS A BREED
It is a group of one species of animals, which have the
Plains: In plains, crossbreeding is advocated with
same descent, characteristics and similar body shape,
Holsteinv-Friesian. It gives more milk yield.
size and structure.
Sub-Mountainous Areas: Jersey is used as it is short
statured and there is shortage of fodder in that area. It
Major Milk Yielding Breeds in India :
has more fat percentage in milk.
Cow : Hariana, Sahiwal, , Tharparkar, Kankrej, Mewati, ,
Gir, Kangayam,
Selection of Dairy Animals
Buffalo : Murrah and Nill Ravi .
The animals should be purchased after ensuring milking
Goat : Sirohi, Marwari, Beetal,
it at least three times. The animals should have the
Sheep : Mecheri, Chennai red, Neelgiri
following characteristics:
COWS
Skin: Thin
Indian Breeds : Gir, Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, Tharparkar, Shape: triangular when seen from top, front and hind
Kankrej are some of the high milk yielding varieties of side.
Indian cattle.
Udder: Should not have nay lump. These should shrink
Imported Breeds : Holstein, Friesian, Jersey, Swiss after milking.
breeds have been imported from abroad and are now
Animals should be purchased in second or third lactation
widely reared in India.
and it is better if it has female calf.
Advantages of cattle rearing
Improved breeds : Some breeds have been developed by
– It is the source of milk
cross mating the two desired breeds. The cross between
– Provides fuel for cooking Sahiwal and Freisian is named as Friewal.
– Used for farming
– Used for transportation Indigenous Breeds of Cows:
– Provides meat i. Hariana
Lactation Period : It is the period of milk production a. Origin: Rohtak, Hisar, Gurgaon and Karnal
between the birth of a young one and the next pregnancy. districts.
Usually it lasts for around 260 to 300 days for murrah b. Colour: White to light grey
buffalo. c. Size: Medium, Long length and long legs
d. Body: Compact with tight skin
Dry Period : The period when the animal stops giving e. Utility: Both male and female are useful. Female
milk. It lasts upto the delivery or calving i.e. giving birth give more milk and male are strong bullocks
to calf. In case of buffalo it may last from 60 to 100 days. f. Average Lactation Milk Yield: 1000 kilogram with
4% fat.
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ii. Sahiwal BUFFALOES

a. Origin: Native of Montgomery now in Pakistan.
Also foundin Ferozepur,Fazilka, Amritsar and Indian buffalo is the best in the world. There are around
Tarntaran districts. fifteen breeds of buffaloes in India.
b. Colour: Light red to red colour Important breeds are :
c. Size: Medium to large
d. Body: Loose skin, short legs and voluminous i. Murrah
dewlap. Short hor and large udders a. Origin: Rohtak
e. Utility: best mulch breed. Male are slow for work b. Colour: Jet black but the switch of the tail may be
and lethargic. white.
f. Yield: Average lactation milk yield is 1800 kilogram c. Body: Horn are tightly curled. Neck and head are
with 5% fat. slim. Udder large and long teats.
iii. Red Sindhi d. Average Lactation Milk Yield: 1700-1800
a. Origin: Sindh Pakistan kilogram with 7% fat
b. Colour: Dark red
c. Size: medium size and are docile in nature. ii. Nilli Ravi
d. Body: Compact body, loose skin and short legs a. Origin: Montgomery in Pakistan, also known as
e. Utility: have good yield of milk ‘panj-kaliani’.
f. Average Lactation Milk Yield: Around 1800 b. Colour: Black with white forehead, white legs
kilogram below knees and white tail.
iv. Tharparkar c. Body: Horn are short, curled. Eyes are blue and
a. Origin: Sindh Pakistan, Kutch Gujarat, Jodhpur, stature is medium.
Jaipur (Rajasthan) d. Average Lactation Milk Yield: 1600-1800
b. Colour: White or greyish colour kilogram.
c. Size: Compact body, broad forehead,
d. Body: Short legs and large udder Other breeds are Pandharpuri, Jaffrabadi, Mehsana,
e. Utility: Dual purpose, both for milk and use as Surti, Banni apart from Gir, Toda. Godavari is a cross of
bullock local breed found in Godavari delta belt with Murrah.
f. Average Lactation Milk Yield: 1400 kilogram
Exotic Breeds of Cows: iii. Pandharpuri
i. Holstein-Friesian a. Origin: Kolhapur, Solapur districts in south
a. Origin: Native of Holland, but now dominant in Maharashtra.
almost all the countries. b. Colour: varies from light black to deep black.
b. Colour: Dark and white, but red and white also c. Body: Medium sized animal having long narrow
available face, very prominent and straight nasal bone,
c. Size: Long Body with large udder. comparatively narrow frontal bone and long
d. Body: Heavy and highest milk yield. compact body. Typical characteristic of this breed
e. Utility: Good milk yield is its horns which are very long, curved backward,
f. Average Lactation Milk Yield: 5500-6000 upward and usually twisted outwards.
kilograms with 3.5-4% fat
ii. Jersey iv. Jaffarabadi
a. Origin: Breed of Jersey Island of England, Second a. Origin: Massive animals found in their pure form
most popular breed in the world in Gir forests. The breeding tract of this breed is
b. Colour: Brown to brownish red colour (fawn) Kutch, and Jamnagar districts of Gujarat.
c. Size: Short statured b. Colour: Is usually black
d. Body: carry long, straight top lines, c. Body: Head and neck are massive. The forehead
e. Utility: Milk yielding variety, protein and calcium is very prominent, wide with a slight depression
rich, creamy milk in the middle. The horns are heavy, inclined to
f. Average Lactation Milk Yield: 3000-5000 droop at each side of the neck and then turning
kilogram with 5% fat up at point, but less tightly curved than in
Murrah (drooping horns).
New Breeds developed by NDRI
(National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal) Milk Yield: The average milk yield is 1000 to 1200
kg. These animals are mostly maintined by traditional
By crossing, high yielding milch breeds of cattle i.e., breeders called Maldharis, who are nomads. The bullocks
Holstein-Friesian and Brown Swiss with indigenous are heavy and used for ploughing and carting.
breeds i.e., Tharparker and Sahiwal, NDRI has developed
two starins of crossbred cattle named as Karan-Fries and v. Surti
Karan Swiss. These cross bred animals are high milk a. Origin: Kaira and Baroda district of Gujarat.
producers and well adapted to our climatic conditions. b. Colour: Varies from rusty brown to silver-grey. Skin
is black or brown. It has two white collars, one round
the jaw and the other at the brisket.

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c. Body: Well shaped and medium sized; the barrel is Feeding of Cows and Buffaloes:
wedge shaped. The head is long with prominent eyes. Feed components of animals : Energy, protein, minerals
The horns are sickle shaped, moderately long and and vitamins They meet their energy requirement from
flat. carbohydrates, protein and fats. Plant cellulose and
d. Milk Yield: 900 to 1300 kg. Fat percentage 8-12% starch, which is supplied through fodder and
concentrated feed are the main source of carbohydrates.
vi. Mehsana An average cow or buffalo with 400 kg weight require 35
a. Origin: Mehsana town in Gujarat and adjoining kilogram of green fodder (berseem, lucerne, maize, bajra,
Maharastra state. Evolved out of crossbreeding of sorghum) for their daily requirement. Two to three
Surti and Murrah kilogram of ‘hay’ should be added to in lush green
b. Colour: Mostly black; a few animals are black-brown berseem. Good quality green fodder and balanced ration
in colour. is required to be given to the animal of milk production.
c. Body: Longer than Murrah. Head is longer and
heavier. The horns usually are less curved at the end
compared to Murrah breed but are longer and could
be of irregular shape.
d. Milk Yield: 1200-1500 kg.
vii. Godavari
a. Origin: Result of crossing of native buffaloes with
Murrah bulls. The home tract is Godavari and
Krishna delta area.
b. Colour: The colour is predominantly black with a
sparse coat of coarse brown hair.
c. Body: Medium stature with compact body.
d. Milk Yield: Reputed for high fat with daily average
milk yield of 5-8 litres and lactation yield of 1200-
1500 litres.
viii. Bhadawari
a. Origin: Agra and Etawah district of Uttar Pradesh
and Gwalior district of Madhya Pradesh.
b. Colour: Light or copper coloured is a peculiarity
of this breed. Eye lids are generally copper or light
brown colour.
c. Body: Medium size and wedge shaped. The head
is comparatively small, the legs are short and
stout, and the hooves are black. The hind
quarters are uniform and higher than the
forequarter. Horns are black, curling slightly
outward,
d. Milk Yield: 800 to 100 kg. Fat content is 6 to 12.5
per cent.
ix. Nagpuri (Or) Ellichpuri
a. Origin: Nagpur, Akola and Amrawati districts of
Maharashtra. This is also called as Elitchpuri or
Barari.
b. Colour: Black coloured animal with white patches
on face, legs and tail.
c. Body: The face is long and thin. The neck is
somewhat long. The horns are long, flat and curved,
bending backward on each side of the back almost
to shoulder.
d. Milk Yield: 700-1200 kg per lactation.

x. Toda
a. Origin: Toda of Nilgiris of south India.
b. Colour: Generally fawn at birth. In adult the
predominate coat colours are fawn and ash-grey.
c. Body: have long body, deep and broad chest, and
short and strong legs. The head is heavy with horns
set well apart, curving inward outward and
forward. Thick hair coat all over the body. Mehsana
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 AGRICULTURE – HARMFUL, FRIENDLY INSECTS & ANIMALS

Breeds of pig
Local indigenous breeds have poor growth rate and
produce less number of piglets while exotic breeds grow
at much faster rate and produce more number of piglets.
There are mainly two exotic breeds.

White Yorkshire: Main characters of this breed are

medium in size, white colour, long body and erected ears.
Animals of this breed can easily be reared in Punjab. This
POULTRY breed is very popular in North India.
The poultry sector covers a range of farming systems from Landrace: Animals are of white colour and have long body
highly industrialized and export-oriented at one end to and drooping ears. It is native of Denmark. Its meat has
backyard, small and marginal models, addressing less fat and is known as lean meat.
livelihood issues at the other end. The per capita
availability was around 53 eggs per year in the year 2010- When man started rearing animals for milk and meat for
11. his requirement, then these included sheep and goat also.
These animals can meet their nutritional requirement
The exports of poultry products were valued at Rs. 372 from green fodder and thus require less concentrate feed.
crore in 2009- 10 as per the Agricultural and Processed Concentrate feed is required only in case of shortage of
Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). fodder. Every family member can play an important role
for successful sheep and goat rearing. Goat is known as
Poultry includes all type of birds e.g. chicken, turkey, poor man’s cow. Goat milk is very valuable for patients
ducks, geese, Japanese quails, emu, etc. In Punjab, and old persons.
mostly hens are reared for commercial purpose.
BREEDS OF GOAT
Breeds of hen
i. Sutlej Layer: Punjab Layer-1 and Punjab Layer 2 are Indigenous breeds:
two types of this breed. Sutlej Layer gives about 255-
265 eggs annually. Average egg weight is 55 gm. Hen Beetal: Animals of this breed are found in Gurdaspur,
Amritsar, Tarntaran and Ferozepur districts of Punjab. Its
starts laying eggs at the age of 160 days. It is the
colour is black- brownish with white spots. It has convex
number one breed in egg laying. forehead and long, drooping and twisted ears. Its udder is
ii. IBL-80 Broiler: This breed is reared for meat large. Its first kidding occurs at the age of 1 ½ years.
purpose. It attains a body weight of 1350-1450 gm at
the age of 6 weeks. Jamnapari: Animals of this breed of goat are very
iii. White Leghorn: It is an exotic breed of layer. Its beautiful and are found in Western Uttar Pradesh. Its
colour is white and light brown. It has light brown spots
colour is white and gives white eggs. It gives 220-250
on face and head, has long, flat and drooping ears and
eggs annually. Due to small size, its feed consumption convex nose. It has long body and long legs.
is also less.
iv. Rhode Island Red: It is also an exotic breed of layer. Exotic breeds
Its colour is red. It gives about 180 eggs annually. Egg Saanen, Alpine and Boer are the exotic breeds of goat
colour is brown. It consumes more feed than White which produce more milk than local breeds. Saanen goat
Leghorn as it is heavier in weight. It is dual purpose is also known as milk queen. It is the largest breed of goat
in the world.
breed and can be used for meat purpose also.
v. White Plymouth Rock: It is an exotic breed used for BREEDS OF SHEEP
meat purpose. Its colour is white. It consumes more
feed and gives about 140 eggs annually. Its chicks Merino and Corridale are the exotic breeds of sheep. These
attain a body weight of 1 kg at the age of two months. breeds produce more quantity of good quality wool than
local breeds. Exotic breeds are used for improvement of
PIG, SHEEP, GOAT AND RABBIT REARING local breeds.
Ram: Male Sheep Buck Goat: Male
Pig, sheep, goat and rabbit rearing is undertaken by
farmers to augment their farm income. RABBIT REARING
Rabbits are reared for wool and meat production. These
Piggery animals require less space for rearing. They use feed very
Pigs reproduce at a very rapid pace and their marketing efficiently. Female can become pregnant at the age of 5-9
is relatively easy. Pig produces more meat by eating less months for the first time. Rabbit can produce kitten for 6-
and cheap feed. Hence, piggery can be adopted with small 7 times in a year and every time, produces 5-7 young ones
investment to earn more profit. (kids). Average age of rabbit is 5 years. Rabbit farming can
be started with few animals and expanded.

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 AGRICULTURE – HARMFUL, FRIENDLY INSECTS & ANIMALS

Breeds of rabbit
Wool type: Russian Angora, British Angora, German
Angora.

Meat type: Soviet Chinchilla, Grey Giant, Newzealand

White, White Giant.

All these breeds are exotic. At 3 months of age, body

weight of rabbit is 1-1.5 kg. Its meat is a lean meat having
less fat.

FISHERIES

Fishing, aquaculture and other allied activities are a

source of livelihood for over 14.5 crore people and a major
foreign exchange earner. India ranks second in
aquaculture and third in fisheries production.

Fisheries contributes to 1.07% of the Total GDP of India.

About 8,118 km of coastline gives the geographical basis
for the development of marine fisheries in India.
Commercial fisheries include wild fisheries and fish
farms, both in fresh water and the oceans

Fishery is an important agriculture related subsidiary

occupation and is more profitable than agriculture. Fish
can be reared in low lying and water logged areas by using
crop residues and waste of farm animals, pigs and
poultry.

Breeds of fish for farming:

Indian : Katla, Rohu and Mrigal
Exotic: Common carp, Silver carp and Grass carp

Selection of site for pond:

Select clayey land for making fish pond as it results in less
seepage of pond water. In case of light soils, puddling may
be done. Pond should be near to the water source so that
water can easily be filled in the pond as and when
required. If canal water is to be used, then wire mesh
should be put at the mouth of inlet to prevent entry of
carnivorous fish (which eat fish) in the fish pond.

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 AGRICULTURE – CONTRIBUTION OF AGRICULTURE IN ECONOMY

CHAPTER – 9 led to increase in yield and

total overall produce of Who coined the term
CONTRIBUTION OF AGRICULTURE cereal in the country and is Green Revolution?
aptly called ‘green William S. Gaud, the
TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT revolution’. Within a few administrator of USAID (US
years, the country became Agency for International
Indian economy at the time of independence was an self-sufficient in meeting Development)
agriculture economy constituting around fifty percent food requirement of the Father of Green
of GDP of the country. More than eighty percent of its nation. Later, dwarf Revolution:
population was dependent on it. With the growth of varieties of paddy Dr. Normaun Borlaugh
industry and services, the share of agriculture in the developed by International
GDP of the country has come down to around 17%. Rice Research Institute, Manila (Philippines) were also
However, the share of population dependent on introduced. It proved to be miracle rice and their
agriculture is still around fifty percent which is not a production increased manifold in a few years.
good sign for economy. Still around sixty five percent of
Indian population lives in villages and is in one way or India’s agricultural production which was only
the other still dependent or attached to agriculture. The around 51 million tonnes in 1951, increased to around
dependence on agriculture leads to seasonal 200 million tonnes in the year 2000. In 2019-20, total
unemployment and disguised unemployment. agricultural production in India was around 295.67
million tonnes.
Though the share of agriculture in the economy has
reduced considerably but it fulfils the basic need of Production of Food-grains (India)
society in providing food to the mankind.
Year Food- Rice Wheat
Sectoral Growth Rate, Share & Employment in Punjab grains
GSVA 1950-1951 50.82 20.58 6.46

Share in Growth Share in 1960-1961 82.02 34.58 11.00

GSVA Rate Employment 2000-2001 196.81 84.98 69.68
2019-20 2019-20 2017-18 2010-2011 244.49 95.98 86.87
Agr. & 28.1 2.3 26.0 2019-2020 295.67 117.94 107.18
Allied
Industry 25.2 4.0 33.1 (million tonnes)
Services 46.7 7.0 40.9
The wheat production of Punjab in 1960-61 which was
Developments since 1947 1742 thousand metric tonnes has gone up to 18262
Role and Usage of Agriculture thousand tonnes in 2018-19.
Industries Associated with Agriculture
Allied agricultural Activities and their role in economy Agricultural Production -Punjab

Developments since 1947 (in thousand metric tonnes)

The British were hardly concerned with the development Crop 2017- 18 2018- 19
of the nation. The population of the country was (R) (P)
increasing but there was no substantial increase in the Rice 13377 12822
agricultural production. By the year 1965, India was faced Wheat 17830 18262
with serious food shortage and was being tagged as a Maize / Barley 427 / 30 396 / 27
‘begging bowl’. The food was imported from US under PL-
Total Cereals 31666 31507
480 programme which was laced with many conditions.
Oilseed 60 59.6
Dr. C. Subramaniam, the then Union Minister of Sugar-cane 8078 7774
Agriculture (1964-66) laid the foundation of Green Cotton* 1284 1223
Revolution in India with the active support of Dr. M.S. *1000 Bales, R-Revised, P-Provisional
Swaminathan, the legendary agriculture scientist. ( Dr. C. (Source: Economic Survey of Punjab, 2019-20)
Subramaniam was honoured with Bhart-Ratna and M.
S. Swaminathan (former Director General of ICAR) with Negative Side of Green Revolution
Padma Vibhushan for their contribution in bringing in Most of the states having adopted the usage of hybrid
green revolution in India.) seeds, fertilisers and pesticides have on one side
With the help of. Dr. Norman Borlaug (known as Father of increased the production, but have brought with it the
Green Revolution in the world and awarded Nobel Prize negative face of Green Revolution in the form of
for Peace in 1970), they imported high variety hybrid degradation of soil, over-usage of water, fertilisers and
wheat seeds. They provided hybrid variety of wheat seed insecticides/pesticides.
to farmers where Punjab was able to take the lead. This
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 AGRICULTURE – CONTRIBUTION OF AGRICULTURE IN ECONOMY

Contribution to GSDP & Employment in Economy of Here agriculture contributes around 28 percent to GSDP
Punjab and provides employment to 26% of workers aged 15 and
Agriculture contributes around 28.1% of the total GSDP above.
of the state and around 26% of the workforce is engaged
agriculture. The ratio of GSDP to workforce engaged in This can be explained by high level mechanisation.
agriculture is at quite variance with that of all India figure, Punjab has a tractor for every 8.71 hectare of cultivable
where the agriculture GDP of agriculture is only 17% but land in comparison to national average of one tractor per
workforce engaged is 44%. This is explained by the 62 hectare.
adoption of high mechanisation in Punjab. It should also
be noted that rank of farmers of Punjab state is at the top Cropping Intensity: With multiple sowing on same land,
in among all farmers in the country. the cropping intensity has already reached its peak at 190
percent. (the number of times the land is used for
Contribution to the Central Pool: Punjab has been a cultivation is called cropping intensity)
major contributor of food-grains to the central pool. In
2018-19, it contributed 25% of rice and 35% of wheat of Land Use pattern: More than 83 percent of land is used
the total procurement made by the government agencies. for cultivation with hardly any scope for any further
Other Usage of Agriculture: is also important for addition.
the industrial development of a country. Many basic
industries get raw material from agriculture, for example Cropping Pattern: Most of the cultivated area is used for
cotton for textile industry, sugarcane for sugar industry, food-grain cultivation, especially rice and wheat. In 2018-
jute for jute industry etc. Many small and cottage 19, approximately 93% of the total cultivated land was
industries like rice-shellers, oil mills etc. too depend on used for cultivation of food grains which include cereals
agriculture for the supply of raw material. Moreover, the and pulses. Cotton was cultivated on 5.1% of the total
industrial sector gets market for its produce in cultivated land and sugarcane and fruits were each grown
agricultural sector. The marketing of tractors, agricultural on approximately 1% of the total cultivated area,
machinery, fertilizers etc. which are produced in respectively.
industries depends upon agricultural growth and income Due to the assured income from the production of wheat
of farmers. Therefore, it can be said that industrial sector and rice, their share in the total cropped area has
grows with the growth and development of agriculture. increased over the years. Area under paddy in 1960 was
The development of these two sectors led to the economic only 4.8% which has now increased to 39.6%, while for
development of the country. wheat the area has increased from 27.3% to 44.9%. But
this pattern of wheat and paddy cycle is becoming
Sub-Sectors of Agriculture: unviable because of depleting groundwater table and
In 2019-20, agriculture and allied sectors contributed increase in cost of cultivation due to higher price of
28.1% of Punjab’s GSVA. In 2018-19, the sector grew at pesticides and fertilisers.
rate of 2.3% and the trend is likely to repeat for 2019-20.
Animal Husbandry (Livestock)
Crop Husbandry (Crop As per Livestock census 2019, Punjab has 1.3% of the
Farming): Crop According to another study total livestock of the country. 57.4% of these are buffaloes,
husbandry contributes by PAU, recently published in while the ratio of crossbred cattle is around 29.3%.
The Hindu, Punjab is going
around 15% of state through ‘de-peasantisation’,
Punjab accounts for 2.1% of total poultry in the country.
GSVA and over half of as more and more peasants In Punjab, livestock is a promising sector of Agriculture
agriculture GSVA. This are moving away from and Allied activities. More than 90% of income from
is expected to shrink in agriculture. This study shows
animal husbandry is contributed by milk production.
future. Also, the scope that in 1987 of the hundred
families in village, 88 percent Other subsectors include poultry, fisheries, shrimp and
for growth is negligible
were completely dependent goat rearing. However, due to scarcity of land, scope for
now as state has almost
on agriculture, while 12 these sectors is very limited in Punjab.
used the whole of
percent were mixed
available land. Of late, Contribution to GSDP & Employment: The sector is the
households with at least one
this sector is on the member engaged in non-farm second largest contributor to agricultural GSVA.
wane and the sectors like activity. However, the According to Economic Survey of Punjab 2019, the
live stock are making proportion of solely expected share livestock rearing is going to be over
major contribution to ‘agriculture labour 36.93% in 2019-20.
this sector. households’ has declined
from 88% to just 7% in 2018- Milk Production: Milk is a primary product of animal
a. Contribution to 10 while for mixed husbandry and is also a major food supplement. Though
households, this increased India has the largest number of cattle in the world, the
GSDP & Employment:
from 12% in 1987-88 to 37% per capita availability of milk is as low as 394 gm. per
As compared to the rest in 2018-19.
of country, where the person per day. However, in Punjab, it is 1181 gms per
contribution of person(2019). It implies that increase in milk production
agriculture in GDP is around 16% but the persons has a huge potential for growth and becoming a source of
employed are 44.14%, the data for Punjab is more even. additional income for farmers, especially small and
marginal farmers.
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 AGRICULTURE – CONTRIBUTION OF AGRICULTURE IN ECONOMY

Apart from milk, poultry, its by-product eggs, meat, Marketing

piggery, goat rearing for milk and meat etc. have a very a. Mandi System: Punjab State Agricultural Marketing
good potential to add to the income of farmers. Board is a corporate body established in 1961, under the
Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets Act, 1961 with an
Horticulture The production of objective to control and supervise the marketing network
Area under horticulture horticulture in India has of sale, purchase, storage and processing of agricultural
has increased over the surpassed that of food grains produce. This is being handled by Punjab Mandi Board.
years and the agro- as it reached 320.5 million
tonnes in 2019-2020,
climatic zones are Punjab Mandi Board: Established as a autonomous board
making India the second
favourable for growth of largest producer of fruit and by Punjab government. It is responsible for Mandis and
Kinnow, Guava, Pear, vegetable in the world, after Market Committees are established at different places
Litchi, Mango, and Peach. China. with the primary object to establish modern markets for
a. Estates- Citrus, efficient marketing of agricultural produce by providing
Grape, Litchi (not added here) modern facilities in the mandis to farmers.
• Five Citrus estates have been established at
Bhunga (Hoshiarpur), Abohar, Tahlian walan Largest Grain Market: Khanna, in Ludhiana district is
Jattan (Fazilka),. Badal (Muktsar Sahib) and the largest grain market in Asia. Other important Centres
Ferozepur. are Jagraon, and Mandi Ahmedgarh, Sangrur. ( Sangrur
b. State government initiatives is the largest foodgrain producing district in the state).
The state is taking initiative to promote horticulture
as there is need to diversify the cropping pattern in e-NAM: The government of India launched a new
agriculture away from the current cereal-centric programme called e-NAM in 2016 to digitally link all
focus to high value and commercial horticultural existing mandis on a common online market platform,
crops. Also the income derived from horticulture with the aim of providing facility to farmers as well
per hectare of land is generally higher than in traders, to sell their agriculture produce across the
cereals and pulses. country. The idea was to have ‘one nation- one market’
o College of Horticulture at Gurdaspur is being set up for agriculture commodities.
to promote it.
o Post Graduate Horticulture Institute for Research It involves the registration of the produce on the portal by
at Attari is to be set up on 100 acre land. It will be the seller/ farmer which calls forth a price quote from the
set up by Indian Council of Agricultural research in buyer interested to purchase it. Once the trade match
collaboration with Punjab government. takes place, and the produce is quality checked, an online
payment is made to the seller, and the produce delivered
Recent Developments to the buyer. The market also provides access to a larger
Agriculture at Crossroads: Though agriculture is still the national market for commission agents to make
main pillar of the economy of the state but of late it is secondary trades.
becoming unsustainable because of over exploitation of
the resources. 19 mandis in Punjab have been linked to the portal.
Apart from this, country’s dependency for food grains on Punjab has permitted sale of seven commodities on the
Punjab is on the decline. The states like Madhya Pradesh platform. These include basmati rice, maize, potato,
and U.P. are chasing Punjab at its heels and are making kinnow, cotton, peas (green) and moong dal
large contribution to Central Pool for Public Distribution
System under National Food Security Act. In 2020,
Punjab for the first time has been surpassed by Madhya
Pradesh in contribution of wheat to the central pool.
What needs to be done:
i. Crop diversification
This is needed in the backdrop of over-dependence
on rice and wheat and the seemingly flattening yield
of these crops, even though Punjab still records the
highest yields in the country. Additionally, paddy
cultivation is water intensive. Combined with the
availability of free power, it has caused over-
exploitation of Punjab’s ground water resources.
Horticulture, as well as pulses and oilseeds can act
as alternative avenues for diversification.
ii. Move to ‘allied sectors’
The livestock sector has been a source of promise,
largely on the back of robust growth in recent years.
This sector is also less vulnerable to the vagaries of
climate. The potential of poultry, beekeeping,
floriculture, pisciculture needs to be explored.

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 AGRICULTURE – INSTITUTES RELATED TO AGRICULTURE DEV.

CHAPTER – 10 5. G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology

G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology,
INSTITUTES RELATED TO also known as Pantnagar University, is the first
agricultural university of India. It was inaugurated
AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT by Jawahar Lal Nehru on 17 November 1960 as the "Uttar
Pradesh Agricultural University" (UPAU). Later the name
IMPORTANT AGRICULTURE INSTITUTES IN INDIA was changed to "Govind Ballabh Pant University of
Agriculture and Technology" in 1972.
Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI): 6. Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences
University
commonly known as the Pusa Institute is India's national Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences
Institute for agricultural research, education. University is a veterinary university in Ludhiana
Punjab. It was a part of Punjab Agricultural
1. The name Pusa Institute is derived from the fact that University and was established on 9 August 2005 to serve
the institute was originally located in Pusa Bihar as the society by promoting the livestock production, health
the Imperial Institute of Agricultural Research in and prevention of diseases through integrated teaching
1911. It was then renamed as the Imperial Agricultural and extension programs.
Research Institute in 1919. it was relocated to Delhi in Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture
1936, The current institute in Delhi is financed and and Forestry
administered by the ICAR. Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture
and Forestry (YSP UHF), known by the abbreviation Dr.
2. Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry,
Sciences is a state university located in district Solan, Himachal
Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary & Animal Pradesh, India. It has exclusive mandate of education,
Sciences (LUVAS) is a university located research and extension in horticulture and forestry.
in Hisar, Haryana. It is named after the freedom
fighter Lala Lajpat Rai. 7. Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi
Vishvavidyalaya
3. The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi
Situated in Ludhiana, it is the largest agriculture Vishvavidyalaya, also known as CSK Himachal Pradesh
university in Asia. Agricultural University (CSK HPKV),
It was established in 1962 and is the nation's third-oldest formerly Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, is
agricultural university, after Govind Ballabh Pant an agricultural university at Palampur in
University of Agriculture & the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It was established
Technology, Pantnagar and Orissa University of on 1 November 1978 as an expansion of the existing
Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneshwar College of Agriculture established in May 1966. Hill
It was formally inaugurated by the then Prime Minister of agriculture is the focus of this university. The university
India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, on July 8, 1963. PAU is accredited by the Indian Council of Agricultural
pioneered the Green Revolution in India in the 1960s. It Research
was bifurcated in 2005 with the formation of Guru Angad
Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences 8. University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore
University (GADVASU). University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore (UAS
Bangalore) is located in Bengaluru, India. It was
4. Indian Council of Agricultural Research established in 1964 as UAS Bangalore by a legislative act.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is
an autonomous body responsible for co-ordinating 9. National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) Karnal
agricultural education and research in India. It reports to National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal was
the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, originally started as Imperial Institute of Animal
Ministry of Agriculture.[2] The Union Minister of Husbandry and Dairying in 1923 at Bangalore. It was
Agriculture serves as its president.[3][4] It is the largest expanded and renamed as Imperial Dairy Institute in
1936 and was known as National Dairy Research Institute
network of agricultural research and education institutes
after independence in 1947. Subsequently, in 1955, NDRI
in the world headquarters was shifted to Karnal. Facilities at
Bangalore were retained to function as a Regional Station
to serve the Southern States.

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 AGRICULTURE – INSTITUTES RELATED TO AGRICULTURE DEV.

10. Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology,

Bhubaneswar
This University is located in Bhubaneswar, India. It was
established in 1961 as Agriculture and Veterinary College
in 1961. It is a second oldest agriculture university in
India.

Magazine Published by
Kheti ICAR
ICAR Reporter ICAR
ICAR Indian Horticulture ICAR
ICAR News ICAR
Agriculture world Krishi Jagran
Phal Phool ICAR
Krishi Chayanika ICAR
Shetkari Marathi Maharashtra State Govt.
Agriculture Department
Kreeshi Panan Mitra Maharashtra State
Agricultural Marketing
Board
Annadata Eenadu Group
Pasumai Vikatan Vikatan Publication
Valarun Velanmai Tamil Nadu Agriculture
University
Kerala Karshankan ICAR
Krishi Bndhu Krishak Bandhu
Krishi Mitra Maharashtra State
Agriculture Market
Kheti Ni Vat Agriculture talk India
Krushi Vigyan Krushi Vigyan
Kurukshetra Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting, Govt. of
India
Progressive Farming Punjab Agriculture
(Monthly in English) University, Ludhiana
ਚੰ ਗੀ ਖੇਤੀ
Indian Farmers' Digest G. B Pant Nagar University
Kisan Bharti G. B Pant Nagar University

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 AGRICULTURE – MISCELLANEOUS

CHAPTER -11 • Cross pollination is the process, wherein the pollen

grains of a flower are transferred to the stigma of
MISCELLANEOUS another flower.
Some of the key outcomes of the 20th Livestock
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT INDIAN
Census is summarised below:
AGRICULTURE
• Total area of India – 32,87,263 km2; only 2.4% of
• The total Livestock population is 535.78 million in the
country showing an increase of 4.6% over Livestock
world’s area of 135.79 million Sq. Km.
Census2012
• Arable land in India - 159 million hectares (11.3% of
the world) • Total Bovine population (Cattle, Buffalo, Mithun and
• It provides shelter to nearly 17.5% of humans and Yak) is 302.79 Million in 2019 which shows an
14% of the world’s cattle increase of 1.0% over the previous census.
• India is the 7th largest country in the world. • The total number of cattle in the country is 192.49
• India lies entirely in the northern hemisphere. million in 2019 showing an increase of 0.8 % over
• India’s mainland extends between latitudes 84’ and previous Census.
376’ north; longitudes 687’ and 9725’ east. India’s • The Female Cattle (Cows population) is 145.12
length – about 3,214 km (North to South) between million, increased by 18.0% over the previous census
extreme latitudes; breadth – about 2,933 km (East to (2012).
West) between extreme longitudes. • The total buffaloes in the country is 109.85 Million
• Per capita per day milk availability in India is 394g showing an increase of about 1.0% over previous
(2019), in Punjab per capita availability is 1181 g/ per Census.
day. • The total milch animals (in-milk and dry) in cows and
• High Yielding Varieties (HYV’s) Programme - started buffaloes is 125.34 Million, an increase of 6.0 % over
in 1966. the previous census.
• Father of India’s Green Revolution in Agriculture – Dr. • In 20th Livestock Census, 35.94%-Cattle, 27.80%-
M.S. Swaminathan – Ex-DG- ICAR Goat, 20.45%-Buffaloes, 13.87%-Sheep, 1.69%-Pigs.
• This revolution started from 1966 & continued up to • Mithun, Yaks, Horses, Ponies, Mules, Donkeys and
1976-77 in wheat and rice. Camels taken together contribute 0.23% of the total
• Nobel Peace Prize (1970) for ‘Green Revolution’ livestock.
awarded to U.S. Scientist Nobel Laureate Dr. Norman
SEED DEFINITION
Borlaug)
• Father of White Revolution – Dr. Verghese Kurien, • Seed may be defined as fertile ovular consisting of
First – Director Chairman, NDDB, Anand (Gujarat) intact embryo, stored food and seed coat which is
visible and has the capacity to germinate.
• First Director General (DG) of ICAR – Dr. B.P. Pal
(Benjamin Peary Pal) • The term seed is also used for any propagating
material, often called as seedlings, tubers, bulbs
• AGMARK – According to the Agriculture Production
rhizomes, roots cutting and all types of grafts and
Act, 1937 – AGMARK is used as a National Mark for
other vegetative parts, tissue culture generate
quality and purity of Agriculture and Animal
material etc.
products.
• Seed means any type of living embryo or propagate
• The Seed Act, 1966 has been modified into Seeds Act,
used for sowing, or planting that is able to regenerate
2004.
and gives rise to an agriculture plant i.e. true to its
• National flower – Lotus (Nelumbo nucipera)
type.
• Bonsai i.e. miniature tress in pots have 5-20 cm
height. GERMINATION
• The optimum time for planting a lawn is February- Germination means the capacity of a seed to produce
March and July – August. normal sprouts within a period fixed for each crop under
• Radish, Tomato and Chilli are rich in Vitamin C. optimum field conditions.
• Chilli is pungent-tasting due the active Capsaicin FACTORS AFFECTING GERMINATION
alkaloid. Quality soil and seeds are the two most important farming
• The red colour of tomato is due to Lycopin. inputs. High yield and good produce is achieved only
• Cardamom is called Queen of Spices. when soil and seeds are used wisely. So it is necessary to
• Carrot, bitter gourd, onion and tomato are the best test the soil and the seeds to find out what needs to be
sources of iron. added for optimum output.
• Heart rot disease in sugar beet is caused due to boron
deficiency. The following factors have profound effect on germination
• The potato tuber contains Vitamin B and Vitamin C. of seeds:
• Potato is called a wholesome food. 1. Capacity of the seed to germinate
• The principles of genetics was explained by Mendel. 2. Moisture
• Charles Darwin gave the Theory of Natural Selection. 3. Temperature
• The mating or hybridization between individuals from 4. Oxygen supply
the pedigree of a parent is called ‘Inbreeding’.
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SEED DORMANCY COMPOST

Dormancy is the arrested development and reversible rest Composting is the process of reducing vegetable and
period of a seed or any vegetative part. animal refuse (rural or urban) except dung to a quickly
usable condition for improving and maintaining soil
SEED MOISTURE
fertility. The decomposed material is called compost,
The water content in a seed is called seed moisture.
which looks like well- decomposed cattle manure. It is
Germination occurs when seed moisture is above 40-60
more powdery and lighter in colour. The compost made
percent.
from town refuse like night soil, street sweepings and
The moisture determination in seed is done by
dustbin refuse is called Town compost (1.4%N, 1% P205
I. Traditional bite test
1.4% K2O).
II. Electric moisture meters
III. Infrared Moisture meters
GREEN MANURE
Green, un-decomposed plant material used as manure is
BREEDER SEED
called green manure. It is obtained in two ways:
A seed which is the result of hybridization, selection and
mutation. It has all the desired genetic characters 100%
I. By growing green manure crops in the field and
purity and is called breeder or nucleus seed.
incorporating it in the green stage in the same field.
It is called green manuring.
FERTILIZERS
II. Green leaf manuring is the application of green
Fertilizer is an organic/inorganic material of natural or
leaves and twigs of trees, shrubs and herbs
synthetic origin which is added to a soil to supply one or
collected from elsewhere especially wasteland fields,
more plant nutrients essential for plant growth. Fertilizers
bunds and forests. Forest tree leaves are the main
are responsible for 40% to 60% of average crop yields. So
sources for green leaf manure e.g. neem, mahua,
they are essential for high yield harvest.
etc.
The fertilizers are organic, when these are derived from
the natural available resources. However, with the
ADVANTAGES OF ORGANIC FERTILIZERS
advances in science, the fields are sprayed with nutrients
1. Improve the structure of the soil.
which are synthetically produced; these are called
2. Retain soil moisture.
inorganic fertilizers.
3. Release nitrogen slowly and consistently.
4. Do not burn the plants like chemical fertilizers do.
A. ORGANIC FERTILIZERS
5. Less prone to leaching.
These are safe and are easily available e.g. Manure,
6. Increase nutrient availability.
Slurry, worm castings, peat moss, sea wood and sewage.
Vegetation material called mulch, such as bay, peat moss,
DISADVANTAGES OF ORGANIC FERTILIZERS
leaves, grass, bark, wood chips, seed hulls and corn
1. These are contaminated with pathogens because they
husks all help to aerate the soils, insulate the ground
contain animal and plant faeces.
against temperature change, and add the required
2. The composition of organic fertilizers is variable. Thus
nutrients.
it becomes dilute and an inaccurate source of
Humus is a complex and rather resistant mixture of nutrients as compared to inorganic fertilizers.
brown or dark brown, amorphous, colloidal substances 3. These fertilizers do not meet all the requirements of the
modified from the original tissues or synthesized by farmers.
various soil organisms. Fulvic acid, humic acid and
humin - all come under humus. Humus is always in a B. INORGANIC FERTILIZERS
dynamic condition. Inorganic/chemical fertilizers are primarily derived from
chemical compounds like Ammonium Nitrate, Ammonium
FARM YARD MANURE (FYM) Phosphates and Potassium Chloride, Chilean sodium
A decomposed mixture of dung and urine of farm animals nitrate, mined rock phosphate and limestones.
along with litter and left over material from roughages or
fodder is fed to the cattle. The manure prepared from this ADVANTAGES OF INORGANIC FERTILIZERS
mixture is a very good source of nutrients for the soil. FYM 1. Higher and accurate amount of nitrogen
contains O.5% N, 0.2% P205 and O.5% K20. Urine promotes protein and chlorophyll activity and
contains 1% N &l, 35% K20. The N present in the urine is encourages the growth of stems and leaves.
mostly in the form of urea. 2. More phosphorus results in more flowers, larger
The manure is prepared by making a heap of the fruits, and healthier roots and tubers.
mixture up to a height of 45-60 cm above the ground level, 3. Potash fosters protein development, thick stems
dome-shaped and plastered with cow dung earth slurry. and leaves.
The manure becomes ready for use in about 4 - 5 months 4. Rapid release of nitrogen.
after plastering. Chemical preservatives are used to
reduce losses and enrich the FYM e.g. gypsum, kainite,
and superphosphate. Gypsum absorbs urine and
prevents volatilization loss of urea and also adds Ca and
S. Superphosphate also acts similarly and increases the
'P' content. Bacteria play an active role in decomposition.
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DISADVANTAGES OF INORGANIC FERTILIZERS Major Fruits and Vegetables grown in the State of
1. Inorganic fertilizers, if used carelessly, can Punjab
damage the crop. Fruits Vegetables
2. Excessive use can distort the quality of soil- Kinnow Potato
leading to cadmium poising. Sweet Orange Onion
3. Strict watering schedules have to be adopted to Lime Lemon Tomato
retain the soil moisture. Mango Garlic
4. They contain potassium and phosphorus which Litchi Brinjal
come from mines or saline lakes. Thus they use Guava Cauliflower
up the limited natural resources. Pear Cabbage
Peach Okra
ROLE OF SOIL TESTING Plumb Chilies
Mostly the farmers are ignorant and find it difficult to Grapes Peas
know which fertilizer would match his soil. For this he Bar Muskmelon - Watermelon
must know the requirement of his crops and the Amla Vine crop
characteristics of the soil. Banana Root crops

The idea of soil testing is to provide right information to

FRUIT-GROWING STATES OF INDIA
farmer for economic use of fertilizer based on type of soil.
Need of each crop is different and is dependent on the type
TEMPERATE FRUITS – J & K, Kangra Valley (Punjab),
of crop being grown. In some cases excessive use of
Nahan (Himachal Pradesh) and Kumaon Hills
fertilizer may infact reduce the productivity. Soil testing is
(Uttaranchal)
essential and is the first step in obtaining high yields and
maximum returns from the money invested in fertilizers. TROPICAL FRUITS – Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal,
Maharashtra, Odisha, AP, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala
7
HORTICULTURE SUBTROPICAL FRUITS – Plains of Punjab and Uttar
India has a great potential in horticultural crops, which Pradesh, North Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan,
include fruits, vegetables, spices, flowers, and Assam
plantations. The area under horticulture is around 20 GROWTH REGULATORS FOR FRUITS & VEGETABLES:
million hectares. India is the second largest producer of - Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinins
both fruits and vegetables in the world. It occupies the
first position in the production of cauliflower, the second GROWTH INHIBITORS
in onion, and the third in cabbage. Those substances which check the growth of plants e.g.
Abscisic Acid, (ABA), Phenoles, Malic Hydrozoide (MH),
PLANTATION ‘CCC’ (Cycocel), B-9, Phosphon-D etc.
Tea, coffee, and natural rubber are the main plantation MISSION FOR INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT OF
crops in India which contribute to Indian exports in a HORTICULTURE (MIDH)
considerable manner. India is the largest producer and Horticulture mission 2022, the Prime Minister has set a
consumer of tea in the world. It contributes 4% to the target before the nation to double the income of the
global coffee production and enjoys a niche market in both farmers by the year 2022.
arabica and robusta coffees. In rubber too, it ranks third
in production and fourth in the consumption of natural FLORICULTURE
rubber in the world. Loose flowers: Flowers which are harvested from the base
of flowers without their stems / branches, e.g. marigold,
HORTICULTURE (FRUITS, FLOWERS & VEGETABLES) chrysanthemum, rose, jasmine. These are used for
making garland, worshiping and decoration.
• Horticulture – Originates from Latin words Hortus and Cut Flowers: Flowers which are marketed along with their
Coleur or ‘culture’, meaning garden and cultivation, stems. They are used for making flower arrangements and
respectively. gifts. E.g. gladiolus, chrysanthemum, gerbera, rose and
• Lilium (Lily).
• Branches of Horticulture
Olericulture – Vegetable Science REVENUE TERMINOLOGY
Pomology – Fruit Science
Floriculture – Flower Science The land holding record is a very important functional
Fruits and Vegetables Preservation duty of a Patwari or the revenue officers, as the land is a
valuable asset and has always been a source of conflict
between the two claimants. It is required that every person
should be aware of the exact measure of land held by him
and the same should be legally recognized in the records
of the government.

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 AGRICULTURE – MISCELLANEOUS

COMMON TERMS FARAD JAMABANDI (ਫ਼ਰਦ ਜਮਾਂਬੰ ਦੀ)

This document is a record of areas called Khasra/Khata
Khasra A field is a parcel of land to which a and field No., containing the name of the owner /
Number or separate number is assigned in the cultivator. From its scrutiny, details of total land of the
Field Number map. Usually, any parcel of land in land owner, the name of the cultivator and mortgagee’s
or Survey one spot in the occupation of one name along with the interest in the property is
Number or person/ persons jointly and held established. It gives the information as to whose name the
Kila Number under one title, should be treated as land stands and what happened afterwards the Fard can
a single field. be seen on website of Punjab land record society.
Shajra The map showing the position of
Kistwar every field of each village is known Khasra Girdawari (ਖਸਰਾ ਗਿਰਦਾਵਰੀ)
(Latha) as Shajra Kistwar.
This document contains the detail about each piece of
Khatauni The number of the holding (Khata)
land, name of the owner and cultivator of land, crops
Number of the person responsible for the
grown in Rabi and Kharif seasons and also the source of
cultivation.
irrigation. It is prepared biannually. Sometimes, the
Khatauni A statement of proprietors and record of the jamabandi may have difference with that of
tenants holding with the details of the Girdawari Register. For example, land may be shown
the fields and a note of the rent paid in the record of jamabandi as unirrigated but in the
by each tenant. girdawri as irrigated because the farmer may have
Khewat The number of the owner’s holding. installed the tubewell lateron.
Number
Khewat A share/portion of an estate held by Aks Latha (Shajra / KIshtawar) (Shajra / Kishtawar)
a land owner or by two or more land This is the map of the village on field wise basis after
owners, showing the area and actual measurements. Normally this is revised after every
revenue of each proprietor’s four years but can be delayed under unavoidable
holdings. circumstances or the reasons. The original copy of this
Jamabandi The list of holdings cultivated by map may be with the Patwari or the Lambardar. The word
owners/ tenants at will, with the Latha is used to denote that the map is prepared on the
fields in each and the sum payable latha cloth or it may be pasted on the latha cloth. Any
as rent or revenue. change in the land would be indicated on the map itself.
Khasra A register, showing for each field, its All the fields on the map are numbered. These numbers
number in the maps, the area, the appear in Jamabandi and other revenue records.
soil or class of land, the owner and
the person who cultivates it. Mutation Register
Khasra The register where crop data is It is a book maintained by the Patwari to record the
Girdawari maintained by patwari or the change in ownership or otherwise forward it for
register of crop inspection. ratification by Kanoongo or Tehsildar.
Shajra Nasb Genealogical tree of the land owner. In the mutation register all changes which take
Chak Bandi Amalgamation and redistribution of place in any property are recorded. Such changes cannot
land to reduce the number of plots be effected without entering into the mutation register.
in the holdings. However, mutation does not pass any transfer authority
Banjar Gadim Land which has remained unsown to the transfrees. It is simply an entry to show that
for eight successive harvests. something (transaction) has taken place. But still getting
Banjar jadid Land which remained unsown for mutation is of utmost importance. The mutation is
four successive harvests. prepared in two copies, one is retained with the Tehsildar
Headquarters & one copy is with the Patwari. Initially the
A village’s common land is called ‘Shamlat’.
reference of Mutation number is entered in the remarks
column of the Jamabandi in pencil and lateron
LAND REVENUE RECORD
confirmation by Tehsildar is made in red ink. Therefore,
remarks column of Jamabandi indicate the change in
To know the exact location of the land and its complete
ownership/charge of land.
record, every tehsil or taluka is divided into few revenue
estates. PATWARI is the in-charge of each such area and
Fard Badar (ਫ਼ਰਦ ਬਦਰ)
maintains certain important registers called the 'revenue
documents' which are mentioned herein below: Any clerical omission or commission, which might have
1) Field book been occurred during the preparation of Jamabandi can
2) Jamabandi (Record of rights) only be rectified by preparing Fard Badar. In the Fard
3) Kharsa girdauri (Harvest inspection register) report of Kanoongo or Patwari final order of the authority
4) Mutation register (Intakal register) is taken and the same is noted in red ink in the
5) Akas/Latha/ Shajra/ Kishtawar (Village Map) Jamabandi register.
6) Fard Bedar
7) Parcha Registry

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 AGRICULTURE – MISCELLANEOUS

Types of Mutation (ਇੰਤਕਾਲ) The agricultural land is measured into two main systems,
one the bighas and biswas and the other is kanals and
1) Bai (ਬੈਂ) Sale of land
marlas system. The former is called as Biswasi and the
2) Rehan (ਰਹਿਣ) Mortgage of land latter is called Sarsahi.
3) Ad Rehan (ਆੜ ਰਹਿਣ) Mortgage without possession
Measurement of Bighas (Biswasi)
4) Hiba (ਹਿਬਾ) Gift 20 biswasis = 1 biswa
5) Fak-ul-Rehan (ਫਕ - ਉਲ - ਰਹਿਣ) To redeem the mortgaged 20 biswas = 1 bigha
4 bigha 16 biswas = 1 acre
land
6) Tamleek (ਤਮਲੀਕ) To divide land among sons
Measurement in Kanals (Sarasahi)
during the life of the father 2 sarsahi = 1 marla
7) Tabdeel (ਤਬਦੀਲ) Any change in ownership on 20 marlas = 1 kanal
court order. 8 kanal = 1 acre
8) Warast (ਹਿਰਾਸਤ) Division of land after the death of
The Kila system is measured with the
the father 1 karam = 66” or 5.5 feet
9) Takseem (ਤਕਸੀਮ) To divide 1 kila = 96 biswa

Sale/Purchse/ Gift
Baya (ਬਾਇਆ) The person who sells his land REVENUE AUTHORITIES
Mushtri (ਮੁਸ਼ਤਰੀ) The person who purchases the Patwari: For a village/group of villages
land
Wahib/Mahub (ਿਾਹਿਬ ਮਿੂਬ) The person who gives the Kanungo: The patwaris work under him.
property in the gift.
Naib Tahsildar: To assist the tehsildar at the tehsil level
Kinds of land
Tehsildar: Revenue officer for a tehsil
Abpas (ਆਬਪਾਸ) Irrigated Land
Gherabpass ਗੈਰ (ਆਬਪਾਸ) Unirrigated land Deputy Collector: Overall in charge of revenue functions
Majrooa (ਮਜਰੂਆ) Cultivable land for a district
Ghermumkin (ਗ਼ੈਰਮੁਮਹਕਨ) Not covered under Patwaris, Kanugos and Lambardars are called Village
cultivated area comes Officers.
under road, or the
dwellings The Periodical record is prepared once in every Four years.
Banjar Jadid (ਬੰ ਜਰ ਜਦੀਦ) Such lands which were
Khewat is the name of list of owner’s holding.
taken up for cultivation
but are temporarily out
Khatauni is prepared by patwari.
of cultivation for a period
not less than one year or
Record of Khatauni is kept under the custody of Halqa
more than 5 years
patwari.
Banjar Kadim (ਬੰ ਜਰ ਕਦੀਮ) Such land which were
taken as cultivable but A person liable for an arrear of Land Revenue is called
not taken for cultivation Defaulter.
for more than five years
and is occupied with A piece of cloth on which the village map is drawn showing
shrubs and jungles the position and boundaries of every field is known as
Shajra Parcha.
Measurements of land
Normally, the total revenue state is divided into rectangles Lal Kitab is prepared for each Estate. Village note book is
and each rectangle into 25 sub-rectangle known as Killa also known as Lal Kitab.
numbers.
Khatauni register is used for all persons cultivating or
Every bigger rectangle is numbered and run continuously otherwise occupying land in a village. It contains entries
from one onward for the whole village. regarding Ownership, Cultivation and Various rights in
The killas are numbered from 1 – 25 and repeated land.
in every rectangle. The number of the bigger rectangle is
written in red ink and the small rectangle in black ink. On
the boundary of the village, the rectangle may not be in
shape or regular but the number continues.
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 AGRICULTURE – MISCELLANEOUS

PATWARI prepared by the patwari for every village immediately after

The number of patwari circles into which each tehsil is the kharif girdawari. And the patwari must, if necessary,
divided is regulated by the Financial Commissioner and correct the bachh paper at the second harvest of the year
the limits of each circle are fixed by the Commissioner. A to make it agree with the events occurring since its
patwari is appointed to each circle, and for special preparation.
reasons, an assistant patwari may also be there, with the The patwar is bound to supply to every owner and
consent of the Financial Commissioner. cultivator, on demand, a parcha book, containing a copy
of the jamabandi entries in which the applicant is
PATWARI - GENERAL DUTIES
interested and printed receipts.
As part of job, a patwari is supposed to
i. conduct surveys
MUTATION
ii. make field inspections
The change in ownership i.e. sale or any event which leads
iii. make a record of crops
to a change in land ownership e.g. mortgage, is required
iv. revise maps/ reports on mutations, partitions, rent,
to be put down in the official records, is called mutation.
takavi, or other circumstances of his circle as ordered
It is a general notice to the public of land ownership. The
by the revenue officers.
patwari is the record keeper of the land register and is
He must also give such assistance as may be required for
supposed to provide the public with the information on
relief in agricultural distress, or in elections. Such orders
land ownership.
are issued through the kanungo, to whom he is a
The official document of land ownership is called fard
subordinate. Besides, he has to render all possible
nakal and the government has started providing the
assistance to the village postman, while he spends the
public with its computerized copy.
night in the village in safeguarding the cash and other
All mutations of the rights of ownership including
valuables he carries.
voluntary partitions, shall be entered by the patwari in
He is also required to keep a record of the pensioners’
the register when they are reported to him by the
deaths and to inform the higher authorities. He is also
transferee, as required by Section 34 of the Land Revenue
given certain duties with regard to irrigation of the area
Act, if not so reported, as soon as they appear to have been
and to keep a record thereof.
acted upon.
When he enters a mutation affecting the shajra nasb the
REPORT ON CALAMITY OR DISEASE
patwari shall write in pencil the number of the mutation
It is the patwari’s duty to submit at once a report in
against the entry. If and when the mutation is sanctioned,
writing regarding:
he will amend the shajra nasb in red ink in line with the
(a) The outbreak of plague, cholera, small pox or any
mutation order.
other epidemic disease
The field kanungo must attest, by personal examination,
(b) Calamities affecting crops including crop pests
every entry made by the patwari in the counterfoil and the
(c) The our break of any epidemic among livestock
foil, noting briefly that he has done so. He should mention
The patwari should give a confidential report to
the date below the report. He must sign the entries on
the Excise Inspector concerned or the Sub
both the counterfoil and the foil.
Inspector of the Police Station concerned
regarding any illicit distillation or sale of liquor in
DUTIES OF THE DISTRICT KANUNGO
his circle.
The District Kanungo shall receive in the Deputy
Commissioner's office all returns and records due from
Patwaris’ diary (ROZNAMCHA) He keeps up a diary and
the tehsil offices related to the work of kanungos and
a work-book. The first part of the diary, which is renewed
patwaris, submitting them to the Deputy Commissioner,
annually, should contain a record of all facts of
or the officer in charge.
importance regarding the cultivation of the land, the state
He shall issue all orders passed in regarding this work. He
of the crops, the condition and relations of landowners
shall prepare all statistical statements related to his
and tenants, and the interests of government.
department required by the Deputy Commissioner.
The entries should be made on the day on which
the events come to the notice of the patwari. At the end of
REGISTER MAINTAINED BY KANUNGO
each sambat month of careful general note on the crops
The registers of revenue-free tenures (Muafi and Jagir
and the cattle of the circle should be added.
registers) should be maintained by the district Kanungo,
Orders received by the patwari from kanungo or
but in some districts, owing to the large number of muafis
from any revenue officer should also be entered in part 1
and jagirs, these registers are under the charge of a muafi
of the diary. Where, however an order consists of directors
or Jagir Moharrir, who works the District Kanungo and not
of a general nature it should be inserted in part ii which
under any other official.
is not renewed every year. The diary, like all other revenue
He keeps for each assessment circle, for each tehsil, and
record, is kept by the agricultural year beginning on 16th
for the entire district, note books in the same form as
bhadon, corresponding to the 1st September.
prescribed for office kanungos at tehsils, any other
registers prescribed by the Financial Commissioner and
REVENUE COLLECTIONS
also all statistical returns furnished to the Deputy
The patwari prepares each year a bachh paper showing
Commissioner by the Kanungo and patwari agency.
the demands due from each contributor to the village
bachh. In all other villages, the bachh papers must be
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 AGRICULTURE – FACTS & FIGURES

Livestock Population - Major Species

CHAPTER – 12 Category Population (In million) 2019
FACTS & FIGURES Cattle 192.49
Buffalo 109.85
CROP TYPES Sheep 74.26
Goat 148.88
1. Cereals Wheat, Rice, Maize & Bajra Pig 9.06
2. Pulse / Legume Gram, Urad Mithun 0.38
Crops Yak 0.06
3. Oil Seeds Crops Sarson, Til, Groundnut, Peanut, Horses & Ponics 0.34
Castor, Rapeseed, Linseed, Mule 0.08
Sunflower Donkey 0.12
4. Forage Crops Barseem, Guar and Oat Camel 0.25
5. Fibre Crops Sun hemp, Jute Total Livestock 535.78
6. Root Crops Cassava, Sweet, Potato, Carrot
7. Tuber Crops Potato, Turnip, Onion, Garlic REVOLUTIONS IN AGRICULTURE SECTOR & RELATED FIELDS
8. Sugar Crops Sugarcane, Beet Root Revolution Related Sector
9. Starch Crops Cassava, Guar • Green Revolution Foodgrain Production
10. Medicinal Crops Mint, Amla, Aloe Vera, Tulsi, (1966-67) (especially Wheat / Rice)
Saffron, Vanilla • White Revolution Milk Production
11. Spices & Ajwain, Saunf, Mulathi, Chilli • Yellow Revolution Oilseed Production
Condiments • Grey Revolution Fertilizer Production
12. Vegetable Crops Cauliflower • Blue Revolution Fish Production
13. Green Manure Dhaincha, Barseem, Guar • Red Revolution Meat / Tomato Production
Crops
• Round Revolution Potato Production
14. Aromatic Plant Chameli, Geranium, Rose
• Silver Revolution Egg Production / Poultry
Crops
15. Fruit Crops Apple, Mango, Banana • Pink Revolution Prawn Fish Production
16. Flower Crops Gladioli, Carnation, Zarbera, • Golden Revolution Fruit Production (Apple)
Lilly, Chrysanthemum, Rose • Brown Revolution Non-Conventional Energy
Sources
SOME IMPORTANT FACTS
NEED FOR REVOLUTIONS IN FUTURE IN INDIA
1. Agriculture period in India is July 01 to June 30.
2. Food Crops: Includes cereals such as paddy, wheat, pulses, • Black Revolution Bio-diesel Production for self
sufficiency in Petroleum & Mineral
vegetables which are consumed
Oil.
3. Cash crops: Groundnuts, mustard, sunflower, sugarcane,
cotton, coffee, tea • Food – Chain Mandate is to double the average
Revolution income of Indian farmers.
4. Plantation crops: Coconut, arecanut, oil palm, cashew, tea,
coffee and rubber; the minor plantation crops include cocoa
4. Catch crop: Crop grown between rabi and kharif DISEASES DUE TO
5. Kharif season June to November • Cotton (Black arm) Due to bacteria
6. Rabi season November / December to May • Groundnut (Tikka) Due to fungus
• Maize (Charcol rot) Due to fungus (Mecrophomina
CLASSIFICATIONS OF CROPPING SYSTEM: phaseolli)
Based on climate different crops are sown in different areas at the • Rice
same time. (Khaira) Zn
(Blast) Due to fungus
Cropping season Major crops cultivated (Leaf Brown) Due to fungus
Northern States Southern States • Pearl millet – (Ergot & Due to fungus
Kharif Rice, Cotton, Bajra, Rice, Maize, Ragi, Smut)
June-September Maize, Jowar, Tur Jowar, Groundnut • Sugarcane – (Red rot) Due to fungus
Rabi Wheat, Gram, Rice, Maize, Ragi • Sorghum – (Poisoning) HCN (Hydro Cynic Acid /
October-March Rapeseeds and Groundnut, Jowar Prussic Acid / Dhurin /
Mustard, Barley Oxalates)
Zaid Vegetables, Fruits, Rice, Vegetables,
April-June Fodder Fodder DISEASES OF FARM ANIMALS

Weeds & Pests Animal Symptoms Animal Control

Affected Area Weed Diseases Affected
Food & Mouth Blisters in Cattle Isolation,
Total root parasite Orobanche (Virus) mucous lining Killing, burying
of mouth chronic animals
Total stem parasite Cuscuta and vaccination
Semi root parasite Stiga Rinderpest High fever, Cattle Regular
(Virus) weakness, sheep & vaccination,
Semi stem parasite Loranthus choking of goat allowing only
breath, healthy animals

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 AGRICULTURE – FACTS & FIGURES

diarrhea, in the herd, showing the area and revenue of each

formation of Restriction of proprietor’s holdings.
lesions with animals Jamabandi The list of holdings cultivated by owners/
discharge tenants at will, with the fields in each and
Newcastle Sneezing, Fowl Vaccination, the sum payable as rent or revenue.
(Virus) coughing, good sanitation
Khasra A register, showing for each field, its
diarrhea, and disinfection
number in the maps, the area, the soil or
paralysis and of houses
muscular class of land, the owner and the person
tumor who cultivates it.
Anthrax High fever, Cattle, Isolation of sick Khasra The register where crop data is
(Bacteria) stupor sheep, animals, proper Girdawari maintained by patwari or the register of
staggering and goats and sanitation and crop inspection.
sudden death pigs giving of clean Shajra Nasb Genealogical tree of the land owner.
water
Chak Bandi Amalgamation and redistribution of land
Brucellosis High fever, Swine Isolation of sick to reduce the number of plots in the
(Bacteria) diarrhea, animals, proper
holdings.
wobbling gait, sanitation and
arthritis and giving of clean Banjar Gadim Land which has remained unsown for
death water eight successive harvests.
Tuberculosis Constant Cattle, Good Banjar jadid Land which remained unsown for four
(Bacteria) coughing, loss poultry sanitation, successive harvests.
of weight and and pigs isolation, and A village’s common land is called ‘Shamlat’.
sudden death vaccination
Aspergilosis Mouldy Farms Good sanitation INSTITUTIONS IMPARTING EDUCATION
(Fungi) appearance, animals and use of IN AGRICULTURE
feeds on food and man fungal spray
saprophytically
Name About Location Magazine
Trypansomiasis Intermittent Domestic Drugs like (If Available)
(Protozoa) fever, anaemia animals trypanosomide,
Central Agri-horticulture, Port Blair, Agro-forestry
and loss of and man clearing of bush
Agricultural livestock and Andaman Newsletter
weight around
Research fisheries and Nicobar
livestock
Institute Islands
Central Arid Multidisciplinary Jodhpur, Newsletter
Major Fruits and Vegetables grown in the State of Punjab Zone research Rajasthan
Research
Fruits Vegetables Institute
Kinnow Potato Central Cotton Nagpur, Indian
Sweet Orange Onion Institute for Maharashtra Cotton
Lime Lemon Tomato Cotton Farmers
Mango Garlic Research
Litchi Brinjal Central Cotton Mumbai, Newsletter
Guava Cauliflower Institute for Maharashtra
Research on
Pear Cabbage
Cotton
Peach Okra
Technology
Plumb Chilies कृ षि अषिय ांषिकी
Central Modernization of Bhopal,
Grapes Peas Institute of Agriculture Madhya दर्प ण
Bar Muskmelon - Watermelon Agricultural Pradesh
Amla Vine crop Engineering
Banana Root crops Central Improvement of Bikaner, –
Institute for Horticultural Rajasthan
COMMON TERMS Arid crops
Horticulture
Khasra Number A field is a parcel of land to which a Central Buffaloes Hissar, Nili-Ravi
or Field Number separate number is assigned in the map. Institute for Haryana Buffalo
or Survey Usually, any parcel of land in one spot in Research on
Number or Kila the occupation of one person/ persons Buffaloes
Number jointly and held under one title, should be G.B.Pant Agriculture Pantnagar, Indian
University Uttarakhand Farmers'
treated as a single field.
Digest,
Shajra Kistwar The map showing the position of every field Kisan Bharti
(Latha) of each village is known as Shajra Kistwar. (Hindi)
Khatauni The number of the holding (Khata) of the National Dairy Farming Karnal, Dairy
Number person responsible for the cultivation. Dairy Haryan Samachar
Khatauni A statement of proprietors and tenants Research
holding with the details of the fields and a Institute
note of the rent paid by each tenant. Central Agriculture Ludhiana, CIPHET
Khewat Number The number of the owner’s holding. Institute of Punjab News
Khewat A share/portion of an estate held by a land Post Harvest
owner or by two or more land owners, Engineering
& Technology

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 AGRICULTURE – FACTS & FIGURES

Guru Angad Veterinary Ludhiana, Infectious National Equines Hissar, श षलहोि

Dev Punjab Animal Research Haryana
Veterinary Diseases, Centre on
and Animal Karap Equines
Sciences Machhi Palan National Pests New Delhi –
University
Research
Central Potato Shimla, Newsletter
Centre for
Potato Himachal
Integrated
Research Pradesh
Institute Pest
Central Rice Rice Cuttack, Newsletter
Management
Research Orissa National Mushroom Solan, White
Institute Research Himachal Button
Central Soil Soil Salinity Karnal, Krishi Kiran Centre for Pradesh Mushroom
Salinity Haryana Mushroom Cultivation
Research National Weed Madhya Alien
Institute Research Pradesh invasive
Indian Agriculture New Delhi IARI News Centre for weeds,
Agricultural Weed Medicinal
Research Science weeds, Weed
Institute Management
Indian Agriculture / New Delhi IARI C.S.A. Agriculture Kanpur Krishak
Agricultural Computer Newsletter University of Bharati
Statistics Application
Agriculture Magazine
Research
&
Institute
Technology
Indian Horticultural Bangalore, Arpan
Institute of Karnataka CCS Agriculture Hisaar Haryana
Horticultural Haryana Kheti
Research Agriculture
Indian Soil Bhopal, Takneek Ek University
Institute of Madhya Drishti Mein, Punjab Agriculture Ludhiana ਚੰ ਗੀ ਖੇਤੀ,
Soil Science Pradesh Mitti Agriculture Progressive
Parikshan : University Farming
Kyo, Kab aur
Kaise
Indian Sugarcane Lucknow, Forty Five Some Other Publications
Institute of Uttar Years of Publication Published by
Sugarcane Pradesh AICRP on Indian Farming ICAR
Research Sugarcane Indian Horticulture ICAR
Indian Vegetable crops Varanasi, Vegetable Kheti Sandesh PAU, Ludhiana
Institute of Uttar Newsletter
Kheti Bulletin (Agriculture PAU, Ludhiana
Vegetable Pradesh
Bulletin)
Research
National Animal Karnal, Yak
Bureau of Haryana Production, • Krishi Jagran (Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Punjabi & English)
Animal Animal • Kheti Ni Vat • Modern Kheti
Genetic Genetic • Krishak Jagat
Resources Resources of • Kheti Duniya (Punjabi & Hindi Magazine)
India Cattle • Agriculture Today • Changi Kheti (Punjabi News)
and Buffalo
National Fish Lucknow, मत्स्य लोक VARIETIES OF CROPS GROWN IN PUNJAB
Bureau of Uttar
Fish Genetic Pradesh Wheat Rice Maize Gram
Resources
HD 2967 PR124 Winter I, jl!lpsG5
National Plants New Delhi –
PBW 621 PR123 Buland GPF2
Bureau of
Plant Genetic PBW 550 PR122 Partap 1 jPBG1
Resources DBW17 PR121 Kharlf / POG4
PBW502 PR118 Spring/Summer Gram
TL 2908 PR116 i) Long (Kabuli)
(Triticale) Basmati duration BG 1053
/I) Late Rice Punjab PMH1 Lentil U931
National Agricultural New Delhi – sown Basmati2 Parbhat lL 699
Centre for Economics PBW509 Pusa ii) Medium ll147
Agricultural PBW373 Basmati duration Field Pea
Economics TL 1210 1121 Kesri Field
& Policy (Triticale) Super iii) Short PG3
Research Rainfed Basmati duration
National Agroforestry Jhansi, Agroforestry PBW527 Basmati 386 Parkash
Research Uttar Newsletter PBW175 Pusa Megha
Centre for Pradesh कृ षिव नीकी सम च र
Basmati1 Punjab Sathi 1
Agroforestry र्ि
Basmati 370

GYANM SCO 13-15, 2nd Floor, Sector 34-A, Chandigarh, Ph: 0172-4052124, 91-17-34-34-34 51
 AGRICULTURE – FACTS & FIGURES

Durum Aromatic Special International Bio-Diversity Day 22nd May

Wheat rice Purpose Pearl World Environmental Day 5th June
WHD943 Punjab Popcorn Rose Day 25th June
PDW291 Mehak 1 National Nutrition Week 1st – 7th September
World Coconut Day 2nd September
Cotton Pumpkin Day 29th September
American cotton, World Animal Day 2nd October
Bt hybrids: RCH 650, NCS 855, Ankur 3028, MRC 7017 World food day 16th October
Non-Bt hybrids: LHH 144,
Kisan Diwas 23rd December (Ch. Charan Singh
Varieties - LH 2108 Birthday)
National Consumers Rights Day 24th December
Desl Cotton
PAU626H,
Varieties: FDK 124, LD 694 ENGLISH AND COMMON NAMES OF THE VEGETABLES
Sugarcane English Name Common Name English Name Common Name
Early season: CoJ85, Co,J83 | Mid-season: CoPb 91, CoJ88 | Bitter Ground Karela Okra Bhindi
Late maturing: CoJ89 Sponge Ground Kali Tori Sweet Pepper Shimla Mirch
Bottle Ground Ghia Kadoo Tomato Tamatar
Bajra PHBF FBC 16
Squash Melon Tinda Garlic Lassan
1
Summer Squash Chappan Kadoo French Bena Phallian
Arhar PAU88 A1201 AL15
1 Muskmelon Kharbuza Potato Aloo
SOYABEA 11S17 Ta525 st295 Watermelon Tarbooz Cowpeas Lobia
NS 44 Brinjal Baingan Radish Mooli
Summer SML83 SMS66 Chilli Mirch Turnip Shalgum
moong 2 8 Cucumber Kheera Pea Matar
KHARIF PAU91 ML818 Cauliflower Phulgobhi Coriander Dhania
MOONG 1 Cabbage Bandgobhi Carrot Gajar
SUMMER Mash Mash Mash
MASH 1008 414 218 DISEASES OF FARM ANIMALS
KHARIF Mash Mash Mash
Animal Diseases Symptoms Animal Control
MASH 114 338 = 1-1
Affected
Lantil U931 IL699 11147
Food & Mouth Blisters in mucous Cattle Isolation, Killing,
Field Pea ea48 pg3
(Virus) lining of mouth burying chronic
Raya RLC1 PBR210 PBR9 PBR91 RLM619
animals and
7
vaccination
Oil Seeds Torla TL17 PBT3 TL-15
7 Rinderpest (Virus) High fever, Cattle Regular vaccination,
Sunflowe PSH56 PSFH11 SH33 GKSFH20 Jawalamu
weakness, choking sheep & allowing only
r 9 8 22 02 khi of breath, diarrhea, goat healthy animals in
Groundn SG99 SG84
formation of lesions the herd, Restriction
ut with discharge of animals
Seasame RT346 TTC289 Pb. Til Newcastle (Virus) Sneezing, coughing, Fowl Vaccination, good
No. 1 diarrhea, paralysis sanitation and
Guara 80 and muscular tumor disinfection of
Cowpea CL367 Cowpea houses
88 Anthrax (Bacteria) High fever, stupor Cattle, Isolation of sick
Oats OL9 Kent staggering and sheep, animals, proper
Lucerne Lucern LL sudden death goats and sanitation and giving
e No.9 Compos pigs of clean water
ite 5 Brucellosis High fever, diarrhea, Swine Isolation of sick
Sunnham PAU16 Narendr (Bacteria) wobbling gait, animals, proper
p 91 a Sanai arthritis and death sanitation and giving
-1 of clean water
Berseem PL42 BL10 PL1 Shaftal- Tuberculosis Constant coughing, Cattle, Good sanitation,
69 (Bacteria) loss of weight and poultry and isolation, and
Rye Punjab Grass Senjl Senji YSL 106 sudden death pigs vaccination
Grass Rye No. 1 Safed 76 Aspergilosis (Fungi) Mouldy appearance, Farms Good sanitation and
Kharif J1006 feeds on food animals and use of fungal spray
Forage saprophytically man
Sorghum SL 44 Punjab Trypansomiasis Intermittent fever, Domestic Drugs like
Sudax (Protozoa) anaemia and loss of animals and trypanosomide,
weight man clearing of bush
IMPORTANT DAYS & DATES around livestock
World Watershed Day 2nd February
National Science Day 28th February
World Forestry day 21st March
World Water Day 22nd March (by UNO)
World Earth Day 22nd April
International Labour Day 1st May

GYANM SCO 13-15, 2nd Floor, Sector 34-A, Chandigarh, Ph: 0172-4052124, 91-17-34-34-34 52
 AGRICULTURE – BYTES

CHAPTER – 13 27. Which is the largest Co-operative organization in

the world? IFFCO-Indian Farmers Fertilizer Co-
AGRICULTURE BYTES operative Ltd.
28. Which organization was created in 1966 with the
1. PAU established close ties with CIMMYT for main objective of bringing diversity in farming
improvement of wheat varieties. What is full form of through processing and marketing of agriculture
CIMMYT: International Wheat and Maize produce? PAIC – Punjab Agro Industries
Development Centre Mexico Corporation
2. Which wheat varieties made significant 29. GPF 2, PBG 1, PDG 4 and PDG 3 are varieties of:
contribution in Green Revolution: Kalyan Sona and Desi Gram
WL 711 30. The type of Gobhi Sarson which has less erucic acid
3. Which rice variety made significant contribution in in oil is called: Canola
Green Revolution: PR 106 31. Which type of trees are found in south west region
4. _________ introduced Italian honey bees in the of Punjab? Kikar, Tahli, Nim, Jamun, Toot
country for the first time: Punjab Agriculture 32. Which trees are used for fodder in kandi area?
University Kachnar, Beri, Dhak
5. For which crop the first ever hybrid was developed 33. Mentha oil is used in the: Medicines, Perfumes
in India: Pearl Milet (H.B.-1) and Cosmetics
6. Which climate is required during early stage of 34. Rodenticides mainly used for killing: Rats
growth of wheat plants: Cool Climate 35. _____ climate is most useful for growth of
7. The major insect pests of wheat are: Termite, Sugarcane: Tropical
Aphid, Gram Pod Borer 36. What is the India’s rank in Milk production in the
8. The major disease of wheat are: Leaf rust, yellow world? 1st
or stripe rust, loose smut, yellow ear rot, Karnal 37. Indigenous breeds of cows are: Hariana, Sahiwal,
bunt Red Sindhi, Tharparkar
9. Which state is the largest producer of pulse in India: 38. Exotic breeds of cows are: Holstein Friesian,
Rajasthan Jersey
10. Gram and Lentil are major pulse crops of Punjab of: 39. ________ is a cross breed of Tharparker and Holstein
Rabi Season Friesian: Karan Fries
11. Which crop is known as King of Fodders: Berseem 40. Surti, Nili Rabi, Murrah, Jafarabadi are varieties of
12. Which is the best time of sowing of Barley: 15 which animal: Buffalo
October – 15 November 41. Which breed of buffalo has very long horn?
13. Which is the optimum sowing time of Desi gram Pandharpuri
under rainfed conditions: October 10 – October 25 42. The crop which is grown in between two main crops
14. Sowing time of gram under irrigated condition is: is known as: Catch crop
October 25 – November 10 43. How much contribution of foodgrain was made by
15. Parakeet is a bird which is _____ to the agriculture? Punjab to the central pool in 2018-19: Rice 25%,
Harmful Wheat 35%
16. Owl is a bird which is ______ for agriculture? Useful 44. Which state has overtaken Punjab in making
17. ______ (bird) normally eats 4-5 rats every day? Owl maximum contribution of wheat to the central pool
18. _______ method of irrigation is useful for crops like in 2020: Madhya Pradesh
cotton, potatoes, etc.: Furrow 45. What is the contribution of Agriculture in the total
19. Border method of irrigation is not suitable for _____ GSDP of Punjab: 28% approx.
soils? Sandy Soils 46. Who coined the term green revolution: William S.
20. Which method of irrigation is suitable for undulated Gaud
areas? Sprinkler 47. What is the contribution of agriculture and allied
21. The study of fruit science is known as: Pomology activities in the GDP of the India? 17% approx.
22. The method used by farmer to prepare the soil for 48. Pusa has warned that Pusa 44/Peeli Pusa and HKR
seed germination and growth of crop is known as: 127 should not be grown because: They consume
Tillage more water and are susceptible to bacterial
23. Which organization was created to remove hunger blight.
and starvation in the world? Food and Agricultural 49. Punjab Basmati 5, Punjab Basmati 4, CSR 30,
Organization? Basmati 370 are improved varieties of: Basmati
24. Which organization was created in 1995 for smooth Rice
functioning of international trade? World Trade 50. ________ is recommended to sow wheat in combine
Organization harvested paddy field without any straw burning:
25. Which organization was created 1963 to produce Happy Seeder
certified seeds? National Seed Corporation 51. If pH of soil is high ______ is applied for rice
26. Which organization is associated in procurement cultivation: Gypsum
and distribution of foodgrains through Public 52. Which type of soil is not good for growth of cotton?
Distribution System in India? Food Corporation of Saline or waterlogged types
India 53. The most harmful insect which attacks cotton in
Punjab? Bollworm
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 AGRICULTURE – BYTES

54. In May 2020 a swarm of locusts affected large 79. Acid rain (acid precipitation) water contains nitric
number of districts in Rajasthan and destroying the and ________ acids. (sulphuric)
crops. Locusts a type of_________: Grasshopper 80. The planting of a desired crop among the native
55. What is Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)? A trees (plants) without their complete removal has
method of chemical free agriculture based on been termed as ________ system: (Mixed tree crop)
traditional Indian practices 81. Sowing time of Lentil (Masar) is: 2nd fortnight of
56. Raya is a variety of ________ grown in medium and October
high rainfall areas: Oilseed 82. __________ occurs for the most part in regions of arid
57. The main objective of agro forestry is: To meet the or semi-arid climate. (saline soil)
demand of farmers, food, fuel, fodder alongwith 83. ________ methods of irrigation should be favoured,
maintenance of natural resources if salinity constitutes a serious problem. (Flooding)
58. Which is a toll-free number, where the farmer can 84. When trees and crops are grown together on the
call to seek information about agriculture: 1551 same farm, it is known as: Agroforestry
59. Which flower is known as the king of flowers: Rose 85. ___________ sector covers fruits, vegetables, root
60. Central Potato Research Institute is situated at: and tuber crops mushrooms, spices, flowers,
Shimla aromatic plants, etc.: (Horticulture)
61. Central Food Technology Research Institute 86. Drip or trickle method of irrigation is the most
situated at which place: Mysore ________ of all the methods. (efficient)
62. Central Institute for Sub-tropical Horticulture is 87. Drainage in ________ is the process of removal of
situated at: Lucknow excess water from soil. (agriculture)
63. Central Arid Zone Research Institute located at 88. Sugar beets are very salt-tolerant during later
which place: Jodhpur growth stages, but are extremely sensitive during
64. Forest Research Institute is situated at: Dehradun ________. (germination)
65. When soil is ploughed and cultivated, the natural 89. ________ is not merely growing crops, but it is more
state of the upper 12-18 cm is modified and this a form of applied ecology. (Agriculture)
manipulated portion is referred to as ________ 90. Well drained volcanic soil are ________ than other
(Surface soil or Top Soil) types of soils. (more fertile)
66. The arrangement of sand, silt and clay particles 91. Both runoff and soil erosion depend upon :
within the soil is termed as ________, while their Steepness of a slope
relative amounts as soil texture. (Soil Structure) 92. _________ is a better method of irrigation on sloping
67. A ________ is often a continuation of a flood plain fields. (Sprinkler irrigation)
(its front) and is clayey in nature and likely to be 93. The potential crop-producing capability of a given
swampy as well. (Delta) area is mainly dependent on _________ and soil
68. Vegetative cover reduces the natural soil _______, conditions. (climatic)
thereby slowing down the rate of mineral soil 94. The ideal conditions for dew formation are calm
removal. (Erosion rates) weather_________ during the day, low temperature
69. Which is the largest cooperative institute in the at night and greater amount of water vapour in the
world: IFFCO atmosphere. (warm temperature)
70. Which organization was setup in 1963 to produce 95. The average rainfall is equal to the __________ over
certified seeds: National Seeds Corporation a given period divided by the total number of
71. Covering the soil surface with organic residues to hours/rainy days. (total rainfall)
keep surface soil cooler and prevent evaporation of 96. Saline – alkali soils are formed as a result of the
water from soil is called _________ (Mulching) combine process of ____ and alkalization:
72. Nematodes, commonly called ________ are found in (Salinisation)
almost all soils.(Roundworms) 97. The largest producer of milk in the world is : India
73. Among all the carbon products, _________ is by far 98. The green revolution in India started with which
the most abundant and most important for plants crop: Wheat
(Carbon dioxide) 99. Atmospheric moisture is measured with the
74. Surface runoff water from heavily fertilized lands _________. (hygrometer)
may contain levels ________ toxic to livestock. 100. The major pest of cotton is: Bollworm
(Nitrates) 101. The water requirement of wheat increases from 30%
75. Inclusion of a close-growing forage crop in rotation to 100% due to ________ infection. ( leaf rust)
with crops helps to control both ________ and 102. The term _________ refers to a deficiency of soil
runoff. (Erosion) moisture, which produces water deficits in the
76. ________ are used to control runoff of the water. plant, sufficient to cause a reduction in growth.
(Bench terraces) (drought)
77. The technique used by scientists to change the DNA 103. Wind speed is measures by the _________.
of plants with the purpose of improving the (anemometer)
production is known as: (Genetic Engineering) 104. Of the world’s sugar production, approximately 60
78. ________ commonly carry significant quantities of percent comes from _________ and 40 percent from
inorganic and organic chemicals that can have sugar beet. (sugarcane)
harmful environmental effects. (Sewage sludges) 105. _________ is the world’s largest producer of sugar
cane. (Brazil)
GYANM SCO 13-15, 2nd Floor, Sector 34-A, Chandigarh, Ph: 0172-4052124, 91-17-34-34-34 54
 AGRICULTURE – BYTES

106. A rice plant can transport _________ from the leaves 129. Which Act has been amended to exclude Bamboo
to the roots and thus lives in a normally aquatic from the definition of a tree: (Indian Forest Act,
environment. (oxygen) 1927)
107. _________ is planted in September and October and 130. Excessive nitrogen fertilization _________ the sugar
is harvested the following year in early summer. content in sugar beet. (reduces)
(Winter wheat) 131. Fertilization helps to offset soil conditions that
108. _________ means direct or indirect changes (usually _________ the movement of nutrient ions to roots.
but not always brought about by man) in one or (retard)
more components of the ecosystem which are 132. The finer the texture of the soil, the less rapid will
harmful to the system or at least undesirable to be the movement of _________. (soil moisture)
humans. (Pollution ) 133. In _________, crop residues are allowed to remain on
109. Among the pesticides, _________ used to control the soil surface rather than being worked into the
mosquitoes and agri-pests has become the most soil. (zero tillage)
serious pollutant of soil and water. (DDT) 134. The physical nature of loose, coarse accumulations
110. The maximum permitted limit of chromium in of _________ is also not ideal for rapid turnover of
_________, as recommended by the WHO, is 0.05 organic materials and release of nitrogen and
mg/litre. (drinking water) sulphur. (crop debris/residues)
111. Copper sulphate mixed with calcium carbonate is 135. The term ferti-herbicide, ferti-insecticide and ferti-
one of the commonest fungicides known as fungicide respectively refer to the fertilizers
_________ (bordeaux mixture) containing a herbicide, insecticide and a _________.
112. _________ is among the most dominant air pollutant (fungicide)
of the present day industrialized world. (Sulphate) 136. Lime is seldom needed in those areas where rainfall
113. Besides bacteria, viruses and fungi, a large variety is low and _________ is minimal. (leaching)
of _________ are also found in polluted waters and 137. _________ weeds need some stimuli from their host
cause disease among humans and animals. plants for germination. (Parasitic)
(nematodes) 138. Sowing of seeds in furrows at a predetermined
114. Several gases naturally present in the atmosphere distance and depth in soil is called ______. (drilling)
absorb radiating infra-red heat waves and reflect 139. Growing of two/more crops in alternate rows in the
them back to the earth’ surface causing (air) same field during the same period is known as .
warming known as _________. (greenhouse effect) (Inter-cropping)
115. _____________ is considered as the natural sink for 140. Classification of insects and rules of their
carbon monoxide pollution. (Vegetation) nomenclature comes under the branch:
116. The primary pathway of CO2 entry in the plant body (Taxonomy)
is through _________. (stomata) 141. _________ refers to the seed or the propagating
117. Approximately _________ per cent of the earth’s material directly controlled by the originating or
surface is covered by submerged soils or sediments. sponsoring plant. (Breeder’s seed)
(72) 142. A certified seed is the seed certified by the
118. In Northern India, the damage from flooding is certification agency under Section 8 of the
counteracted by increased soil fertility as a result of _________. (Seed Act)
_________. (deposition of silt) 143. The minimum genetic purity of certified seed
119. In a flooded soil, the _________ between the soil and should be : 99 per cent
air is drastically reduced. (gas exchange) 144. The minimum genetic purity of foundation seed
120. Which plant / tree grown in the non-forest areas should be : as against 99.5 per cent
has been excluded from the definition of tree: 145. ‘Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research’ is located
(Bamboo) in : (Lucknow)
121. When an acidic soil in flooded, its pH increases 146. The saturation of soil with water, when the ground
whereas the opposite happens in _________. water level is to high is known as: (Water logging)
(alkaline soils) 147. Phalaris minor is a: weed
122. Flooding _________ a soil’s capacity to fix nitrogen 148. Phalaris minor came to India with: Imported
biologically. (increases) wheat
123. The most conspicuous chemical change that takes 149. Long term agricultural credit is provided by : Land
place when a soil is flooded is the reduction in development Bank
_________. (iron) 150. Wind speed is measures by the: Anemometer
124. Flooding increases the availability of _________ but 151. Soybean grows well in _________ and moist climate.
decreases that of zinc and copper. (phosphorus) warm
125. Saline soils contains sufficient salts in the _________ 152. Central Dryland Research Institute is located in:
to interfere with plant growth. (root zone ) Jodhpur
126. Mostly, root growth and function are dependent on 153. Punjab Selection, PUSA Red, and Arka Kalyan are
_________ respiration. (aerobic) the varieties of _____ onion. Red
127. In soils flooded for long periods, _________ soil 154. Garlic is supposed to have originated from Central
microorganism may produce toxins. (anaerobic) Asia and ____ regions: Mediterranean
128. Trees are injured much more by _________ water 155. ‘Ganga 101’ and ‘Ranjit Deccan’ are the varieties of:
than by flowing water. (standing) Maize
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 AGRICULTURE – BYTES

156. Ring budding is practiced with jujube and peach on 182. Carrot is an excellent source of vitamin ___ and is
_________ . (Commercial lines) rich in sugar. (A and iron)
157. Which type of soil is found on the largest part in 183. Main crop of potato in Hills of Himalayan region
India: (Alluvial soil) (India) is planted in ____. (March-April)
158. Art and knowledge of growing flowers is known as: 184. The method used by farmers to prepare soil for seed
Floriculture germination is known as: (Tillage)
159. The animal disease characterized by blisters in 185. Which breed of goat is called ‘Milk queen’ of goat
mouth udder, testis, toes and above hoofs is known world? Saanen
as: (Foot & Mouth Disease) 186. First Agriculture in India is: G. B. Pant Nagar
160. Pasteurisation of milk process was firstly known by: University
(Louis Pasteur) 187. Headquarters of ICAR – Indian Council of
161. ____ is the mass slaughter of domestic poultry birds Agriculture Research situated at: New Delhi
such as chickens and ducks to check the spread of 188. Punjab Agriculture university was established in
bird flu: Culling year: 1962
162. In carnation, rooted ____ have been found to give 189. Removal of access water from the field is known as:
better results (cuttings) Drainage
163. Mostly, root, growth and function are dependent on 190. Karan Swiss is a cross breed of Sahiwal cow with:
_________ respiration: (Aerobic) Swiss Bull (Developed by NDRI, Karnal)
164. The northern slope of the Himalayas drain into 191. Most popular buffalo species of Punjab are: Murrah
Indus, Sutlej and Brahmaputra, while the southern and Nili Ravi
slopes drain into the mighty ___________ (Ganga 192. Buffalo meat is known as: Beef
system) 193. The meat of pig is known as: Pork
165. The Central AGMARK lab is located at: (Nagpur) 194. Haryana is dual purpose breed of: Cow
166. The large _____ plain between Himalayas in north 195. Indian Veterinary Institute is situated at:
arid peninsula plateau in south and extending Izzatnagar, Uttar Pradesh
through whole of India support a major part of 196. Which breed of goat is better for milk production:
country’s population. (Indo-Gangetic) Jamunapari
167. _______ and its tributaries drain the heavy rainfall 197. The origin place of Holesien Friezen Cow: Holland
areas of the India lying in the eastern and north 198. Which animal is known as poor mans cow: Goat
eastern regions (Brahmaputra) 199. The total foodgrain production during the year
168. Study of active physical events and analytic study 2019-20 was: 296.65 million tonnes
of equipment of atmosphere, including forecasts of 200. Progressive Farming (ਚੰ ਗੀ ਖੇਤੀ) magazine is
weather, is called: (Meteorology) published by: Punjab Agriculture University,
169. __________ is the temperature, on which, the Ludhiana
amount of present water vapours in any volume of
air, are enough to saturate of similar volume air:
(Dew Point)
170. National Bank for Agricultural and Rural
Development (NBARD) came into existence on:
(July 12, 1982, Head Office Mumbai)
171. _________ is formed, when air masses of high
moisture content close to the surface are cooled:
(Fog)
172. Water infiltrates into soil and spreads laterally in
____ methods of irrigation. (Furrow)
173. When relative humidity in atmosphere is below 70%
and dust particles are dried, it is called: (Haze)
174. When rain-drops fall on the ground, after having
very old and converted into ice in the sky, is called
as: (Hail)
175. ___________ is the first hybrid cross between Wheat
(Triticum aestivum) x Rye (Secale cereal): (Triticale)
176. Kallar soils are reclaimed by addition of: Gypsum
177. Vitamin A is abundantly found in _____ vegetables.
(Leafy)
178. Making of pickle is a form of: Food Processing
179. Ganga, Kaveri and Yamuna are ____ of cabbage.
(hybrids)
180. Central Rice Research institute is located at:
(Cuttack)
181. Cucumber (kheera) is one of the oldest ___ vegetable
crops having its origin probably in India.
(Cultivated)
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 AGRICULTURE – FACTS & FIGURES

CHAPTER – 14 b) 1st week of Sept to 1st Week of October

c) 1st week of April to 1st Week of May
MULTPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS d) 4th week of July to 4th Week of August
16) HD 2967, PBW 621 are the improved varieties of
1) What is planting time of Poplar trees in Punjab? a) Maize b) Wheat
a) March- April b) January – Febraury c) Paddy d) Barley
c) October – November d) June – July 17) Durum wheat flour is used for
2) The major problem in the Kandi region is a) Bread Making b) Pizza Making
a) soil erosion b) undulated area c) Pasta making d) Chapati making
c) both of these d) None of these 18) PL 807, VJM 201, PL 426 are improved varities
3) Which are the major rabi oilseed crop in Punjab? of
a) Sunflower and Gobhi Sarson a) Gram b) Maize
b) Castor and Soyabeen c) Barley d) Paddy
c) Niger and Linseed 19) Which of the following crop is used as a cereal
d) Groundnut and Sesame and for extraction of oil?
4) The largest producer of rice in India is a) Soybean b) Toria
a) Punjab b) West Bengal c) Berseen d) Maize
c) Uttar Pradesh d) Andhra Pradesh 20) Indian Veterinary Research Institute is
5) The optimum time of nursery sowing of paddy situated as
is a)Mathura b)Izzatnagar
a) Oct 1 – Oct 15 b) Nov 30 – Dec 10 c)Hisar d)Awikanagar
c) June 1-15 d) May 15-30 21) National Research centre on Camel is located
6) The major grass weeds of paddy are: at
a) Swank and mothas b) Ghrilla and Sanni a) Bikaner b) Bengaluru
c) Cuscuta d) Chatri c)Hydrabad d)Karnal
7) Deforestation has an alarming affect on 22) Any method used to turn fresh food into food
a) Weed Control b) Soil Erosion product is known as
c) Pest Control d)None of these a) Food Processing b) Food Farming
8) Study of soil is known as c) Agro Industry d) None of these
a) Pedology b) Paedology 23) Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes are
c) Geology d) Morphology situated at
9) What is the percentage of Nitrogen present in a) Izzatnagar b) Hisar
the air? c) Mathura d) Bhopal
a) 79.2%% b) 69.2% 24) International Livestock Research Institute is
c) 89.2% d) 59.2% located is
10) The oxygen percentage in the soil air is a) Lima b) Nairobi
a) 0.03 b) 20.6 c)Manila d) Bogor
c) 79.0 d) 25.9 25) For how many days paddy field should remain
11) Central Soil Salinity Research Institute is flooded after transplanting?
located at a) 2 weeks b) 1 week
a) Jodhpur b) Karnal c) 1 month d) No flooding required
c) Dehradun d) Hyderabad 26) Which instrument is used for scheduling
12) Which of th following method is used to irrigate irrigation in paddy?
the fields by application of water as spray or a) Hydrometer b) Anemometer
rain? c) Tensionmeter d) Hygrometer
a) Border Method b) Basin irrigation 27) What is the effect of mulching?
c) Sprinkler irrigation d) Drip irrigation a) Reduces nitrogen requirment of the plant
13) Bet areas (Soil) are found in which areas of b) Results in reduction of evapo-transpiration
Punjab? c) Reduces fertility of soils
a) sub mountaneous areas d) It kills important micro organism in the soils
b) along the major rivers 28) Which of the following crops can replace wheat
c) south west of Punjab as it requires lesser water?
d) North of Punjab a) Barley b) Maize
14) Which of the following areas of Punjab has the c) Sugarcane d) Mung
maximum rainfall? 29) Which crops are used for fixation of atmospheric
a) Sub mountaneous areas nitrogen into soil?
b) South West of Punjab a) Paddy b) Pea
c) Central plains c) Wheat d) Mustard
d) None of these 30) Contour farming is practiced in
15) Sowing of wheat is done in which period in a) Hilly areas b) Plains
Punjab c) Deserts d) Bet Areas
a) 4th week of October to 4th Week of Novmber

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 AGRICULTURE – FACTS & FIGURES

31) Food Security Act was enacted in the year? 49) Soils with high ph are generally deficient in
a) 2015 b) 2013 a)Zn and Mn b)Cu and Mo
c) 2012 d) 2010 c)Zn and Fe d)Ca and Mg
32) Cattle belong to the phylum 50) The capacity of soil to be moulded when wet
a) Chordata b) Molusca i.e.,to change shape in response to stress and to
c) Both a and b d) None of these maintain that shape when the stress removed is
33) Buffalo meat is known as termed
a) Veal b) Pork a)Consistence b) Cementation
c) Buffen d) Beef c) Plasticity d) Stickness
34) The highest number of buffaloes are found is
a) India b) Sri Lanka ANSWER KEY
c) Norway c) China
35) Origin of marino sheep is Q. A. Q. A. Q. A. Q. A. Q. A.
a)Spain b)France 1 B 2 C 3 A 4 B 5 D
c)India d)China 6 A 7 B 8 A 9 A 10 B
36) Which is the largest producer of coffee in the 11 B 12 C 13 B 14 A 15 A
world?
16 B 17 C 18 C 19 A 20 B
a) India b) Brazil
21 A 22 A 23 B 24 B 25 A
c) China d) Vietnam
26 C 27 B 28 A 29 B 30 A
37) Which one of the following is a Rabi Crop?
a) Gram b) Rice 31 B 32 A 33 D 34 A 35 A
c) Groundnut d) Cotton 36 B 37 A 38 D 39 C 40 C
38) Which of the following is not breed of buffalo? 41 D 42 C 43 A 44 C 45 B
a) Murrah b) Jafarabadi 46 A 47 B 48 A 49 D 50 C
c) Nagpuri d) Jersey
39) Which of the following is a breed of goat?
a) Kashmiri b) Gaddi
c) Jamnapari d) Chamba
40) Bhadawari breed of buffalo has its origin in
a) North East b)Gujarat
c) UP d)South India
41) Which animal is know as poormans cow?
a) Rabbit b) Sheep
c)Buffalo d) Goat
42) The breed of buffalo, which is considered best
breed of world?
a)Mehrana b)Jafrabadi
c)Murrah d)None of these
43) Which breed of goat is called ‘Milk queen’ of
goat world?
a)Saanen b)Alpine
c)Jamunapuri b)Togggenberg
44) Soil formation is
a) A slow process b) A fast process
c) A slow and continious process
d) An indigeneous process
45) Which one of the following describes a system
of agriculture where a single crop is grown on a
large area?
a) Shifting Agriculture b) Plantation agricuture
c) Horticulture d) Intensive Agriculture
46) A soil having ph 6.0 is called
a) Acidic Acid b)Alkaline Soil
c) Saline Soil d)Normal Soil
47) CaCO3 (lime) is added to reclaim of
a)Alkaline Soil b) Acidic Soil
c)Saline Soil d) Laterite Soil
48) The vertical section of soil, which shows
different layers, is called
a)Soil Horizon b) Soil Profile
c)Soil Pedone d)None of these

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