Agriculture

Department Of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Punjab

The Geographical area of the District is 2.64 Lac ha out of which 2.17 lac ha is cultivated area. and 97% of the cropped area is irrigated. District comprises 5 Tehsil 9 blocks and 776 villages. According to 2010-11 Census, district has 70705 farming families. Wheat and paddy is the major crop of the district. Sugarcane, maize, pulses, oil seed crops, vegetables and fruits are also grown in the district.

Area Average Yield and Production of major crops are as follows

*Area: Hectares Yield:Kg/Ha Production:Tons

Schemes and activities for Farmers

Training Camp:-

To impart crop production techniques of different crops and schemes, training camps are organized at district, block and village level during Rabi and Kharif season in every year under different schemes.

Quality control:-

To make available quality inputs like seed fertilizer and pesticides registered dealers are checks and raids are conducted. Samples of seed fertilizers and pesticides are drawn to know the quality of the input being sold to farmers. After getting the reports of sub standard samples action is taken under the different acts and orders. Seed samples from farmers are also received and get it tested to make him aware the quality of the seed farmer use at his own. Farmer stored Seed is tested from the seed laboratories and report is given to him.

Soil testing:-

District has 4 soil testing laboratories at block Ajnala, Baba Bakala, Amritsar and Jandiala Guru where soil samples of farmers are tested. They are advised to use fertilizers in their fields according to the recommendation taking into consideration the nutrient level of their fields is that the cost of production does not exceed the limits. Besides this in reclamation schemes Gypsum is supplied to farmers according to their demand based on soil testing. This is supplied by government on subsidy basis. This is used to reclaim soils where kallar is found.

Seed village schemes:-

Under this scheme villages are selected and farmers from the selected villages are given certified seeds. Training camps are conducted in the selected villages and they are technically trained to produce good quality seed to be used for the next season.

Sub-Mission on Agricultural Extension and technology(ATMA)

Sub-Mission on Agricultural Extension will focus on awareness creation and enhanced use of appropriate technologies in agriculture & allied sectors under the umbrella of Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA). The aim of the Mission is to restructure & strengthen agricultural extension to enable delivery of appropriate technology and improved agronomic practices to the farmers. This is envisaged to be achieved by a judicious mix of extensive physical outreach & interactive methods of information dissemination, use of ICT, popularisation of modern and appropriate technologies, capacity building and institution strengthening to promote mechanisation, availability of quality seeds, plant protection etc. and encourage the aggregation of farmers into Interest Groups (FIGs) to form Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).

National mission for oil seed and oil palm.

To promote area under mini kits of oil seed crops and inputs are supplied to farmers. Demonstration plots are given to farmers, training camps are conducted to impart technical knowhow.

National Food Security Mission (wheat and pulses)

Under this the objective of this mission is to increase area expansion and productivity enhancement in a sustainable manner in the district. Promotion and extension of improved technologies ie seed integrated nutrient management etc. For more detail visit national food security mission guidelines. Certified seeds are made available to farmers and subsidy is transferred in their account.

Crop Diversification

Under crop diversification area under maize and basmati area is promoted. Farmers are given to maize seed to replace area under paddy to basmati to save ground water. Training and exposure visit is conducted to achieve the target.

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana was initiated in 2007 as an umbrella scheme for ensuring holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors by allowing states to choose their own agriculture and allied sector development activities as per the district/state agriculture plan. Under RKVY residue management and crop diversification plan innovative agriculture machinery is given to farmers. The subsidy amount is transferred to farmer account. Under sub mission on agriculture mechanization (SMAM) farm machinery banks are promoted so that farmer get machinery on custom hiring basis from the machinery bank centers.

Tube well section

Irrigation boring is done using Rig machines at government rate that are very less as compared to the rates of private boring companies. Technical information is also provided to farmer regarding the old as well as new bore for irrigation purposes.

Sugarcane section

Sugarcane section is responsible for implementation the Punjab sugarcane (Regulation Of Purchase And Supply) Act 1953 And Rules 1958, Sugarcane Control Order 1966. The cooperative sugar mills Ajnala, Batala and Rana Sugar Mill Butter Seviyan falls under the jurisdiction of Assistant Cane Development Officer. Farmers are imparted technical knowledge and good quality seed by this section. Farmers are also guided regarding the insect pest management as per the surveillance. During cane crushing season checking of payment, weighing, yard, and sugarcane calendar checking is done. To address the farmer’s problems meeting of grievances and red ressal committee meetings are conducted monthly. Demonstrations are conducted and farmers training are arranged for Gur making.