Dr. A.C. Sandil presented on strategies to enhance crop production and productivity in Himachal Pradesh. There are 4 agro-climatic zones in the state. The strategies included increasing coverage of high yielding varieties, ensuring quality inputs, focusing on rainfed areas, and public-private partnerships. The state aimed for over 4% overall crop growth and 8-10% growth in fruits and vegetables. Inputs were available and the NPK ratio was ideal. Investment in agriculture was 12% of the state plan, and irrigation coverage would increase by 90,000 hectares in 3 years. Crop diversification plans included 50,000 additional hectares of vegetables and 200,000 hectares of fruits. The market reforms act

1. PRESENTATION in National Conference on Agriculture for Kharif, 2006 by Dr.A.C.Sandil, Additional Director of Agriculture, Himachal Pradesh

2. Agro-Climatic Zones

3. Agro-Climatic Zones 2.60 39.34 Barley, Pseudo-Cereals, Temperate Vegetable Seeds, seed Potato, Off-Season Vegetables, Peas, Kala Zira etc. (iv) Cold Dry Zone (Above 2,200 m.a.s.l.) Dry Temperate (iii) High Hill Zone (1,801-2,200 m.a.s.l.) Humid Temperate (ii) Mid Hill Zone (651-1,800 m.a.s.l.) Temperate (i) Shivalik Hill Zone (350-650 m.a.s.l.) Sub Tropical Zones Wheat, Barley, Millets, Off-Season Vegetables, Seed Potato, Temperate Vegetables Seeds, Rajmash etc. Foodgrains, Pulses, Off-Season Vegetables. Ginger, Tea, Potato etc. Foodgrains, Oilseeds, Pulses, Seasonal Vegetables, Sugarcane etc. Potential 18.39 23.01 41.04 21.25 38.00 16.24 % Cropped Area % Geog. Area

4. Strategy for Enhancement of Crop Production/ Productivity  Increased area coverage under HYV/ Hybrids.  Ensuring timely supply of quality inputs.  Enhance productivity in rainfed areas, which is 80%.  Focussed extension on transfer of technology through Public Private Partnership/ ATMA.  Overall growth in production envisaged more than 4%.  Growth in fruits and vegetables 8-10%.

5. Availability of Inputs  Adequate availability.  Tie up made for shortages in zonal conferences.  NPK ratio nearly ideal i.e. 5:2:1  Major thrust on IPM, INM and Manuring.

6. Investment in Agriculture  12% of State Plan. Irrigation:  20% area under irrigation.  90,000 hectare additional area under irrigation in three years.  More emphasis on sprinkler irrigation and Rainwater Harvesting. Power:  State has surplus power.  Adequate availability to farmers.

7. Crop Diversification  50,000 hectare area to be diversified to vegetables up to X th Plan.  2,00,000 hectare area under fruits.  15,000 hectare area under spices like ginger, garlic, turmeric.  1,500 hectare area under Medicinal and Herbal Plants.

8. Agriculture Extension Network  60% posts of extension functionaries vacant.  Alternate extension system like;  ATMA in 7 Districts formed, SREP prepared.  Use of Kisan Call Centres.  Greater use of CSS Mass Media Support to Extension.  Extension through Women SHG’s, WUA’s, KVS, Farmers Club.

9. Market Reforms  State enacted new act “Himachal Pradesh Agriculture Horticulture Produce Marketing (Development & Regulation Act, 2005)”.  New Act is in line with model act and provides for;  Private/ Co-op Markets.  Direct Marketing.  Contract Farming.  Rationalisation of Market fee structure.

10. Risk Management  Maize, Rice, Wheat, Barley and Potato covered under NAIS.  ICICI Lombard is working on weather insurance for Apple, Tomato and Potato.  MIS for Fruits.

11. Thank You