Agricultural Growth in Irrigated Punjab: Some Issues and Policies

Abstract

This paper focuses on some of the major policy issues for accelerating a sustainable and equitable agricultural growth process in Punjab in the next five to ten years. There are numerous policy issues given the multiple and competing interests of the many stakeholders. The policy issues analysed in this paper are limited to the productivity and quality of land and water resources; production and distribution of seeds; transfer and adoption of productivity-enhancing and profitable technology that protects the environment and quality of the resource base; and market structures (supply chains) and government regulations for markets of fruits and vegetables and livestock and products. Based on the analysis, the paper concludes with several suggestions for further research and changes in public policy.