• General Scenario and Current Trend : The total geographical area of the State is 55.67 lakh ha, and Net Sown Area is 5.49 lakh ha. Cultivable waste land area is 1.22 lakh ha. Average holding size is 1.1 ha. Total 9.14 lakh holdings are cultivated by 8.63 lakh farmers out of which 85% are small and marginal farmers.

    Average annual rainfall is 1150 mm and 18.8% of the area is irrigated.

    The soil are typical hill soil like fine loamy, coarse loamy, sandy skeletal, loamy skeletal and fragmental. Soil erosion, water erosion, stoniness and flooding are other factors affecting soil health. The state has achieved SRR only in soyabean (Kharif). SMR in paddy, urd and soyabean and VRR in paddy, urd, moong, gram, wheat, mustard, linseeds are required to be achieved.

    As per 3rd Advance Estimates of 2008-09, productivity of rice in the state is 1410 kg/ha, wheat 1653 kg/ha, bajra 524 kg/ha, maize 2023 kg/ha, gram 1096 kg/ha, total pulses 1105 kg/ha, total oilseed 515 kg/ha.

    2.02 lakh ha is used for horticulture activities and fruit productivity is 3.5 MT/ha. 0.63 lakh ha land is under vegetable cultivation and vegitable productivity is 18.1 MT/ha. 1.9% of country?s nut production comes from the state. 29.61% apple, 0.6% litchi, 7.9% peas of country?s total production comes from Himachal Pradesh.

    69% of state workforce is dependent on agriculture and allied sector and the sector contributes approx 20% to the State GSDP.



  • Strength: 10 agro climatic zones, rich bio-diversity, good average rainfall, climatic zones suitable for variety of horticulture products, high maize productivity through rainfed.

  • Limitation: Hilly terrain, limited irrigation facility, 39% of geographical area is in dry temperate zone, low SRR and VRR, limitation of soil health.

  • Public Investment : H.P. is one of the few states which have continuously spent about 10% of the State Plan resources in agriculture and allied sector to increase production and productivity in the recent years. During 2005-06 out of Rs.1676.18 cr State Plan, agriculture and allied sector share was Rs.185.34 cr (11.06%), in 2006-07 it was Rs.199 cr (10.13%) out of Rs. 1963.60 cr State Plan, in 2007-08 it was Rs.213.75 cr (10.50%) out of Rs.2035.89 cr State Plan and in 2008-09, Rs.276.97 cr (10.93%) out of Rs.2534.69 cr State Plan was the allocation for the sector.

    Through its major flagship programmes,Government of India provided Rs.24.00 cr under TMNE (Horticulture), Rs.22.14 cr under MMA, Rs.1.0 cr under ISOPOM, Rs.16.17 cr under RKVY, Rs.3.72 cr under ATMA, during 2007-08.

    During 2008-09 Rs.15.11 cr under RKVY, Rs.10 cr under ISOPOM, Rs.25.85 cr under MMA, Rs.3.36 cr under ATMA, Rs.21.00 cr under TMNE (Horticulture).

    Thus, in last two years of the 11th Plan Period, through state resources Rs.490.72 cr was invested in agriculture and allied sector and GOI provided approx 140 cr for the sector.











STATE HAS AGREED TO PREPARE TIME BOUND ACTION PLAN FOR THE STRATEGY AND RECOMMENDATION..