© Kamla-Raj 2009 J Life Sci, 1(2): 107-113 (2009) Diversification through Vegetable Cultivation

ABSTRACT Crop diversification has been perceived as the only alternative to end the problems arising due to paddy-wheat rotation. The present study was aimed at quantifying the shift in area between the year 2002-2006 from paddy and wheat to other crops in general and to vegetables in particular. The data collected personally on a structured interview schedule from six agro-climatic zones of Punjab reveals that majority of the vegetable growers were growing vegetables in less than 3.5 acres of the land and the share of vegetable crops was maximum in the area under diversification. However, area under vegetable crops increased by 0.08 per cent and 2.66 per cent during and Rabi season respectively. With vegetable cultivation emerging as major alternative preferred by farmers, the extension personnel and the policy makers should address the problem areas in vegetable cultivation and its marketing. I