Logo

Synopsis Agricultural diversification as a strategy to achieve important development goals has received increased attention of policy makers in the country during the recent years. The strategy envisages changes in production activities of farm sector, to adjust to changes in economic environment and to face the challenges of persistent unemployment and natural resources degradation. The broad objectives of this strategy are to raise per capita income through opening of avenues for productive employment in farm and non-farm sectors, and to make the economic growth broad based and sustainable in the long run. The success of the policy for agricultural diversification requires identification of suitable region specific diversification alternatives, creation of physical and institutional infrastructure facilities, and implementation of appropriate intervention strategies. Against this backdrop the book explores the potentials and prospects of agricultural diversification in the agriculturally advanced Green Revolution region with focus on the state of Punjab which has attained highest level of agricultural growth and development in the country. Agricultural diversification acquires special significance in this region because of the ecological and environmental problems and strain on natural resources associated with the green revolution technology, and difficulty in sustaining growth in output and income. Time series and cross section data are used to draw inferences regarding the role of the state policy and development of infrastructure like irrigation facilities, roads, markets, institutions etc., in promoting agricultural diversification. The study further examines the implications of agricultural diversification for income, employment, natural resources and ecology. The grassroots level impulses of agricultural ecology. The grassroots level impulses of agricultural diversification have been examined by carrying out a micro level investigation in Ludhiana district, which is relatively more advanced in agricultural production and dairy development among all districts of Punjab.