In this essay we will discuss about some of the organizations which have been instrumental in uplifting agriculture in Punjab.
Essay on Agriculture in Punjab
Essay # 1. Department of Agriculture:
This department has a vital role to play in the advancement of agriculture. It acts as a link between the farmers and the agricultural scientists. It delivers important information to the farmers on scientific cultivation of crops, crop protection, agricultural mechanization, soil conservation techniques, conservation of natural resources, etc. The department organizes camps at village/block/district levels to transfer this information to farmers.
In addition to the camps, it also organizes exhibitions and demonstrations of recent technological advancements in agriculture It controls the quality of fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, weedicides etc. as a result of which only those products reach the farmer which go through the quality measures set up by this department. The department also hosts soil testing, seed testing and fertilizer testing laboratories.
It also supports Agmark laboratories for testing the quality of edible products such as honey, mustard, chilies, etc. The department oversees all agriculture related government schemes as well as financial assistance for agriculture related projects. The department works under the aegis of the Director, Agriculture. Who is assisted by Joint Directors of Agriculture?
Chief Agricultural Officer works at the District level and is assisted by Agriculture Officers, Agricultural Development Officers, Sub-Inspectors (Agriculture) and other officials. The Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) has also been set up to harmonize all agriculture related activities among various departments related to agricultural development and extension.
Essay # 2. Punjab Agricultural University:
This University came into being in 1962 and was established on the Model of American Land Grant Colleges. The university deals with agriculture and allied research, teaching and extension. It served a vital role in making India food rich and self-dependent, along with being a key factor in ushering in the Green Revolution in the country.
On account of the University’s excellent landmarks in agricultural research, teaching and extension, it was honored and credited as the topmost National Ranking Agricultural University in 1996 by the ICAR. For the detailed information about the University, PAU website i.e. www(dot)pau(dot)edu can be logged on.
Essay # 3. Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University:
This university came up in 2005; and is engaged in research, teaching and extension in rearing cattle, buffaloes, pigs, goats, sheep, rabbits, horses and fishes. The university houses a multispecialty 24 × 7 Hospital, catering to sick animals. Lakhs of people who bring along with their unwell and diseased animals have benefitted from the services of this hospital.
The university has four constituent colleges; Veterinary College, College of Dairy Science and Technology, College of Fisheries and Veterinary Polytechnic. Besides these, there are three Regional Research and Training Centres- Kaljharani (Bathinda), Booh (Taran Tarn) and Talwara (Hoshiarpur). ICAR has nominated Surgery and Gynaecology Department of the College of Veterinary Sciences as Super-specialty Training Centers.
The GADVASU is a competent institution as far as veterinary and animal husbandry is concerned; and their suggestions regarding the same are considered much valuable. More information about the university can be obtained by logging on to their official website www(dot)gadvasu(dot)in.
Essay # 4. Department of Horticulture:
Earlier, this department functioned under the Department of Agriculture; but in 1979-80, it came up as an independent department, catering to the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, flowers and mushrooms.
The chief objectives of this department are:
(i) Increasing/expanding area of cultivation for horticulture crops.
(ii) Transfer of technical know-how of horticulture crops to farmers.
(iii) Providing good quality seeds of vegetables, fruits and spawn.
(iv) Providing financial assistance for field demonstration of vegetable crops.
(v) Providing assistance pertaining to post harvest handling after picking vegetables and fruits; and their subsequent marketing.
The Director, Horticulture (Punjab) heads the department; who is assisted by Joint Director and at the District level, there is a Deputy Director and an Assistant Director (Horticulture). They are assisted by Horticulture Development Officer (HDO) and other staff. This department has been undertaking various activities under National Horticulture Mission (NHM) since 2005-06.
Under this mission, farmers are provided financial assistance as well as subsidy for making pack house, net house, poly house, for establishing ripening chambers for vegetables/fruits, constructing cold stores, processing units, recent marketing models etc. Support is also provided in the form of technical capacity building of the farmers.
Essay # 5. Animal Husbandry Department:
Livestock rearing plays a major role in the economic status of Punjab. It is not only an opportunity for self-employment, but also an additional business venture for small farmers and the economically weaker agricultural labour class.
To promote this asset, the Department of Animal Husbandry has been established with the following objectives:
(i) To organize timely vaccination and de-worming missions so as to secure animal health.
(ii) To promote fertility of animals and improve breeding amongst them.
(iii) To improve animal care and nutrition.
(iv) To provide extension services.
The Director, Animal Husbandry Department of Punjab heads this Department. He is assisted by three Joint Directors-related to Animal Husbandry, Regional Diseases Diagnostic Laboratory and Fodder Development. At the state level, there are Assistant Directors for poultry and Deputy Directors for lamb wool. At the District level, it is managed by Deputy Director, Veterinary Officers and Fodder Development Officers, etc.
Essay # 6. Department of Dairy Development:
This department has been given the responsibility of looking into the overall development of dairy sector in Punjab. The Department functions under the supervision of the Director, Dairy Development and assisted by the Joint Director. At the district level, the charge is with the Deputy Director, Dairy Development.
The development and extension work of dairy training and dairy farming are the responsibilities of this department; which efficiently runs eight Training and Extension Centres in Punjab. Trainings imparted at these centres include; Two Week Self-employment Training, Six-week Dairy Business, Two-Week Free S.C./Women Training and Two-week Dairy Producer Training.
Apart from these trainings, one day training camps are organized in villages to instruct the farmers about the benefits of dairy training and also to encourage them to adopt this occupation. In urban sectors, consumers are educated and informed about the quality testing measures of milk as well as the possibilities of adulteration in milk and the measures to check it.
The beneficiaries of these trainings are assisted in getting loans sanctioned from banks. They are also given the technical know- how of constructing sheds. Besides, they are given subsidies for their business venture in this field. They are provided assistance in the purchase of milch animals. Not only this, they are provided 75% of insurance money on a three year insurance policy obtained on their purchased milch animals.
The subsidy is also made available for the mechanization of dairy farms- such as on the purchase of milking machine, fodder harvester and fodder cutter. Subsidy is also provided for the purchase of Bulk Milk Cooler which is used to safeguard the quality of milk. New programmes have been designed and developed in order to produce milk products at the dairy farm level.
The facilities are also there for purchasing automatic dispensing machine for the direct sale of milk to consumers; purchase of Total Mix Ration wagon (TMR wagon); lending machines on rent; and establishing Dairy Service Centres. Detailed information about this department can be obtained from their official website www(dot)pddb(dot)in.
Essay # 7. Department of Fisheries:
It is one of the oldest departments of Punjab State. It is headed by the Asstt. Director, Fisheries at the district level; wherein the focus is on the care and maintenance of fishes in rivers, streams, lakes and notified water bodies. The Department earns revenue by lending these resources on rent/lease. Fishery is a good source of self-employment.
The Fish Farmers Development Agency was established in 1975 to promote fish farming in the state. Fish Breeding Farms also came into being to encourage this venture. Punjab witnessed a revolution in fish farming due to these constructive steps taken. Prior to the fish breeding farms establishment, fish farming was done by bringing seed fishes from rivers and then breeding them in Panchayati ponds.
Fish fanning has immense future possibilities and potentialities that is why the department is making concerted efforts to expand it. The fish fanning department imparts free five-day training every month, besides granting subsidies and providing other extension services to fish farmers.
Essay # 8. Soil and Water Conservation Department:
This department came into being in 1969 as an independent department. It was earlier a part of the Department of Agriculture. This department functions under the Chief Soil Conservator, Punjab. Government schemes are made available to farmers via Divisional Soil Conservation Officer at district level, Sub-Divisional Soil Conservation Officer at Tehsil level and Soil Conservation Officer at block level.
The department is concerned with activities like land leveling, contour bunding for cultivation on slopes, improvement of land affected with soil erosion, constructing check dams in Kandi area to tame excessive rain water, optimum utilization of conserved water, excavating existing ponds so as to make them viable for usage, laying of underground pipes for irrigation, boosting drip and fountain irrigation and encouraging diversification in farming. The department also helps in arresting the fall of underground water level by recharging the excessive rain water and roof water through recharging walls.
Essay # 9. Department of Co-Operation:
Co-operation may have been an integral part of our society since times immemorial, but it came to existence as an independent department only after the Punjab Co-operative Act which was passed in 1904. The department has played a pivotal role in the development of rural and agriculture sector.
The Co-operatives have played an integral part in the Green Revolution of the state by efficiently distributing seeds, fertilizers, agro-chemicals and by providing financial assistance in the form of loans. This department is diligently serving the cause of farming till date. Planned economic development in the rural sector is one of the chief responsibilities of this department.
Beneficiary schemes for the ruralizes run by this department are as follows:
(i) Providing short and medium term loans to farmers for agricultural production through Primary Agricultural Co-operative Societies (PACSs) at village level.
(ii) Providing self-employment opportunities to rural women under the Mai Bhago Woman Empowerment Scheme.
(iii) Providing free medical aid to members of Multipurpose Primary Cooperative Societies under Bhai Ghania Health Scheme.
(iv) Establishing Agro Service Centres for farmers through Primary Agricultural Multipurpose Co-operative Societies.
(v) Supplying essential domestic items/products to the rural sector through Co-operative Societies.
(vi) Arranging marketing facilities for agricultural produce under Co-operative Marketing Societies.
(vii) Providing seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, etc. at subsidized rates to farmers through MARKFED and also facilitate the processing and marketing of agricultural produce.
(viii) Procuring milk from rural area through Milk-fed and improvise its marketing and processing in the urban sector.
Apart from these, some co-operative organizations are engaged in specialized tasks for not only the rural sector, but also other sectors of the society, such as:
(i) Punjab State Co-operative Bank, Chandigarh and Central Cooperative Banks at the District level provide short and medium term loans for agricultural purposes as well as to other sections of the society. The above mentioned PACSs at the village level are also a part of this organizational structure.
(ii) Punjab State Co-operative Agricultural Development Bank, Chandigarh and Primary Agricultural Development Banks provide medium/long term loans to farmers for farm mechanization and farm development, etc.
Essay # 10. PUNSEED and PAGREXCO:
PUNSEED (Punjab State Seed Corporation Limited):
Punjab State Seeds Corporation Limited started operating from 1976 with the objective to provide better quality seeds at reasonable price to farmers and develop seed production infrastructure that is able to respond rapidly to the fast changing demand of seeds with least costs. It produces certified seed in large quantities and also motivates the farmers to do the same and become a part of seed-production programme. It also deals in buying-selling of seeds.
Punjab Agri Export Corporation Ltd. (PAGREXCO):
It is a joint venture of the Punjab Agro Industries Corporation and Punjab Mandi Board. Mainly, it deals with establishing an infra-structure for the export of fresh and processed fruits, vegetables and flowers, and other agricultural products.
Punjab Khadi and Gram Udyog Board:
This was set up in 1958. It is a semi-government organization, dealing in providing all support for the promotion of rural industrialization to create employment.
Essay # 11. Punjab Agro-Industries Corporation Limited (PAIC):
This organization of the Punjab Govt. came into being in 1966 with the main objective of bringing diversity in farming through processing and marketing of agricultural produce and contract farming. It is also actively instrumental in promoting agro-based industries.
Punjab Agro Food grain Corporation (PAFC) came up as a subsidiary branch of PAIC in 2002. This organization works under the aegis of Food Corporation of India (FCI) and is associated with the procurement of wheat-rice from the farmers of the state.
Essay # 12. Punjab State Farmers Commission:
The economy of Punjab has witnessed a continuous boost from 1950- 1990. This growth was a result of an increase in the agricultural produce. However, since 1990, the rate of economic growth has declined sharply due to a fall in the agricultural income.
This phenomenon also led to a series of serious crisis such as over exploitation of natural resources and ecological imbalance. This adversely affected the sustainability of agriculture. Considering this situation, Punjab Govt. constituted the Punjab State Farmers Commission under the chairmanship of Dr. G.S. Kalkat in 2005.
The Financial Commissioner (Development), Punjab; along with the Vice-Chancellors of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana are its official members. The progressive farmers of Punjab/agricultural scientists are also the members of this Commission.
This Commission has the following tasks to undertake:
(i) To examine and review the status of agriculture and allied sectors in the state and that of rural infrastructure.
(ii) To suggest measures of economically viable and ecologically sustainable agriculture development.
(iii) Formulating medium and long term policies for ushering farm diversity in direct relation to the fast occurring changes at the national and international levels in view of the World Trade Agreement.
(iv) To examine the potential of employment in agriculture and allied sectors and to promote non-farm activities through the creation of fundamental infrastructure.
(v) To guide in the development and implementation of cost effective post-harvest technologies to increase the agricultural production.
(vi) To provide financial help for conducting research on the contentious issues like rural indebtedness, suicides in the rural area, and rural employment. Then to formulate policies and make recommendations on the basis of the results of these studies.
(vii) To suggest a structure wherein farmers’ societies or rural co-operative societies may buy heavy equipment and lumpy farm machinery on a large scale and rent it out to fellow farmers, so that individual farmer is not required to make heavy investment on the same.
(viii) To understand the demands and problems of different farm organizations and their representatives and then framing policies for their solutions.
Essay # 13. IFFCO, KRIBCO and NFL:
Indian Fanners Fertilizer Co-operative Ltd., Krishak Bharti Co-operative Ltd. and National Fertilizer Ltd. are the chief organizations engaged in the production and distribution of fertilizers. IFFCO has the unique reputation of being the largest co-operative in the world since 1967. NFL which was established in 1974 as a central public sector organization dealing with urea.
KRIBCO came up in 1980 mainly deals in the production of urea. All these three organizations are not only concerned with the marketing of fertilizers but also with transfer of latest agricultural technologies to the farmers through extension activities, thereby helping in the betterment of farmers’ economic status. These organizations also offer free services to the farmers for testing their soil and water.
Essay # 14. Food Corporation of India (FCI):
Keeping in mind the interests of the farmers and to provide them reasonable prices for their produce, the FCI came into being under the Food Corporation Act, 1964. The food grains procured through this agency is further distributed in the country through Public Distribution System. This corporation is also responsible for maintaining a buffer stock to ensure food security of the nation. It also helps to stabilize the prices of agricultural produce.
Essay # 15. National Seeds Corporation (NSC):
This organization was set up in 1963 with a view to produce certified seed. It functions under the Union Ministry of Agriculture. Currently, it is producing seeds of at least 600 varieties of 60 crops. The NSC has implemented stringent quality control measures through its five testing laboratories in order to supervise seed quality. Apart from this, this organization also looks after distribution of seeds, their marketing and tissue culture of crops. It also imparts training to state level seed production companies.
Essay # 16. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR):
It is an autonomous body of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education of the Union Ministry of Agriculture. Working since 1929, it has its main office in Delhi. It is an esteemed organization which manages and provides directions to the research, extension and teaching and also maintains a mutual balance among all these components in the country.
Approximately 100 institutions across the country and 55 state agricultural universities are linked/associated with it. The major objectives of ICAR are to conduct research in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, animal husbandry, fisheries, home science as well as planning the dissemination of their technologies. ICAR aims at boosting and encouraging agricultural research and extension at large.
Essay # 17. National Bank of Agricultural and Rural Development (NABARD):
This organization was set up in 1982 under the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). It is one of the chief organs of RBI and is primarily associated with sanctioning agricultural and rural development loans. Its headquarters are in Mumbai while it’s Regional and Sub-offices function in almost all the state capitals and major cities.
It is mainly concerned with overall rural development which includes – promoting agriculture, small scale industries, domestic and rural business ventures, handloom and other rural economic activities. Besides, it is instrumental in providing loans to scheduled castes, commercial bank, State Land Development Bank, Regional Rural Bank etc.
The NABARD also maintains mutual harmony among all these organizations, besides keeping a watchful observation on their working. It acts as a regulator for all these banks. It assists the state governments to achieve their proposed loan targets for agricultural and rural development.
Essay # 18. Agriculture Related Other International Organizations:
(i) World Trade Organization (WTO):
The General Agreements on Tariff and Trade (GATT) was established in 1948 for the smooth functioning of international trade and also to take care of any difficulties that arise in the same. Earlier, agricultural trade was not included in the purview of this organization, but since 1995, agricultural trade, textile or cloth industry, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and services, too have come under its ambit and GATT was changed to World Trade Organization (WTO). It started with merely 23 members, which has now grown to 160.
The major objectives of WTO are:
(a) Removing restrictions/lifting bans on the sale of agricultural produce.
(b) To reduce or abolish the agricultural subsidies given to farmers.
(c) Reducing tariffs on the sale of agricultural produce.
(d) Reduction in agricultural export subsidies.
(e) Patenting varieties of crops and trees similar to industrial goods.
(f) To abolish fixed export quota system and draft a working export policy regarding the same.
(ii) Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO):
This United Nations Organization was established in 1943 to eliminate hunger and starvation from the face of this earth. Its headquarters are situated in Rome (Italy). Its chief mission is to ensure food security to each individual in the world. Apart from this, its aim is also to ensure sustainable maintenance of natural resources for prosperity.