by D.S. Thakur
Professor of Agricultural Economics
Regional Research Station, Bajaura
The comparative production, economics of principal crops, improved
cropping systems and integrated holistic farming systems under
hi-tech agriculture in farmers' fields of the 100 sample farmers
of hills are given on the page Economy of
The crops have been raised with the recommended advanced package
of practices in particular the Organic Farming
System, supplemented with chemical fertilisers and pesticides
when unavoidable due to the scarcity of organic manures and pesticides.
It is noticed from Economy of Crops
Table that even in hills, foodgrain production and production
of other crops can be increased remarkably, i.e., 2-3 times by
the adoption of advanced hi-tech agriculture in the form of recommended
advanced package of practices.
The average foodgrain production of paddy, wheat and maize which
is only 14, 16, 18 quintals per hectare in Himachal Pradesh has
gone up to as high as 50, 40 and 41 quintals per hectare under
hi-tech agriculture. Similarly, the yield of vegetables and fruits
have also increased by 3 to 4 times as compared to existing average
yields of farmers. This has given a quantum jump in income of
farmers which is highest in case of tomato followed by cauliflower,
apple and other crops.