Punjab, the land of five rivers, has progressed immensely as the ‘food bowl’ of the world after the introduction of Green Revolution in the 1960s. Use of high yielding variety of seeds, better irrigation facilities, chemical fertilizers, pesticides and modern machinery led to an exponential increase in the agricultural productivity. However, it has given birth to the looming environmental crisis in the state and the progress in agricultural production has now downsized and signs of stagnation are clearly visible.

Problems faced by Punjab Agriculture

The faulty cropping patterns and double monocropping has resulted in water use beyond its sustainability. Also, the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has added to the environmental degradation and made the soils of Panjab deficient in micronutrients in a period of 45 years. Ceiling on the pricing of agricultural products imposed by the Central government of India has restricted the planting of crops other than wheat and rice.  Pesticides are the chemicals used to control pests and includes a wide range of insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and rodenticides. It has some serious environmental problems and health issues associated with its usage. Moreover, studies in Panjab have shown the presence of pesticide residues in breast milk, milk from cattle, and in fruits and vegetables.

India started the planting of genetically modified (GM) crops in March 2002. In 2005, the north zone received an approval for planting Bt cotton. The farmers who have grown Bt cotton have noticed that the crop is not resistant to pests and they need to spray insecticides sold by the GM company. Rapeseed-mustard is one of the most important oilseeds and food crops in Punjab. An Indian company has developed a GM variety of mustard but this is going to be a sensitive issue as it contains a tobacco gene.

Green Revolution did wonders in making Punjab the “food Bowl” of the country. But, with time due to technical glitches and intensive farming practices,  agricultural growth is on the downside. The agriculture of Punjab is in a serious state and this problem needs to be addressed as early as possible.