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It stretches over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and the Ganganagar District of Rajasthan. The climate has the semi-arid characteristics with July’s mean
monthly temperature between 25°C and 35°C and that of January between 10°C and 20° C. The average annual rainfall varies between 65 cm and 125 cm. The soil is alluvial which is highly productive. Apart from the canals, there are lakhs of tube wells and pumping sets installed by the cultivators and the governments. The intensity of agriculture (165 per cent) is the highest in the country.
Wheat, rice, sugarcane, cotton, maize, gram, millets, pulses, oilseeds, and orchards are the main crops. The farmers of this region are most innovative and progressive. The High Yielding Varieties of rice and wheat were adopted first by the farmers of this region which led to Green Revolution. At present contract farming has been starter! by the corporate sector in some of the districts of this region.
Development of saline and alkaline patches, water logging, and soil erosion are the main problems of the region.
Agriculturally, this is the most developed part of the country. Agriculture may be made more productive and sustainable if the following steps are taken:
(i) Less area be devoted to rice as it is depleting the underground water table and the fertility of soil. Nearly 5 per cent of the rice and wheat area may be diverted to pulses, oilseeds, maize, fodder, vegetables, flowers, and orchards.
(ii) Pests and disease resistant seeds of rice and wheat need to be developed.
(iii) Horticulture should be promoted.
(iv) Emphasis should be made on the cultivation of vegetables.
(v) High quaEty fodder crops should be developed.
(vi) Steps should be taken for the diversification of agriculture.