Agriculture
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Agriculture is the main occupation of the people of Himachal Pradesh and has an important place in the economy of the State. Himachal Pradesh is the only state in the country whose 89.96 percent of population (2011 census) lives in rural areas. Therefore dependency on Agriculture/ Horticulture is imminent as it provides direct employment to about 70 percent of total workers of the State.
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Agriculture is the premier source of State Income (GSDP). About 14 percent of the total GSDP comes from agriculture and its allied sectors. Out of the total geographical area of 55.67 lakh hectare the area of operational holdings is about 9.55 lakh hectares and is operated by 9.61lakh farmers. The average land holding size is about 1.00 hectare. Distribution of land holdings according to Agricultural Census 2010-11 shows that 87.95 percent of the total holdings are of Small and Marginal Farmers. About 11.71% of holdings are owned by Semi Medium and Medium farmers and only 0.34% by large farmers.
About 80 percent of the total cultivated area in the State is rainfed. Rice, Wheat and Maize are important cereal crops of the State. Groundnut, Soybean and Sunflower in Kharif and Rapeseed/ Mustard and Toria are important oilseed crops in the Rabi season. Urad, Bean, Moong, Rajmah in Kharif season and Gram Lentil in Rabi are the important pulse crops of the State. Agro-climatically the state can be divided into four zones viz.:
- Shivalik Hill Zone: Climate in this zone is Sub-Tropical consisting of foothills and valley area from 350 to 650 meters above mean sea level. It occupies about 35% of the geographical area and about 40% of the cultivated area of the State. The major crops grown in this Zone are Wheat, Maize, Paddy, Gram, Sugarcane, Mustard, Potato, Vegetables etc.
- Mid Hill Zone: This zone extends from 651 meters to 1,800 meters above mean sea level and has mild temperate climate. It occupies about 32% of the total geographical area and about 37% of the cultivated area of the State. The major crops are Wheat, Maize, Barley, Black Gram, Beans, Paddy etc. This zone has very good potential for the cultivation of cash crops like Off-Season Vegetables, Ginger and production of quality seeds of temperate vegetables like Cauliflower and root crops.
- High Hill Zone: It lies from 1,801 to 2,200 meters above sea level with humid temperate climate and alpine pastures. This zone covers about 35% of the geographical area and about 21% of the cultivated area of the State. The commonly grown crops are Wheat, Barley, Lesser Millets, Pseudo-cereals (Buckwheat and Amaranthus sps.), Maize and Potato etc. The area is ideally suited for production of quality seed Potato and temperate Vegetables. This zone possesses good pastures and meadows.
- Cold Dry Zone: It comprises of Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur Districts and Pangi Tehsil of Chamba District lying about 2,200 meters above mean sea level. It occupies about 8% of the geographical and 2% of the total cultivated area of the State. The major crops grown are Wheat, Barley, Pseudo-cereals like Buckwheat and Amaranthus sps.. It is ideally suited for the production of quality Seed Potato, temperate and European type of vegetables and their seeds, Seed Potato, Peas as green and seed purposes.
The State Government is laying emphasis on production of off-season vegetables, potato, ginger, pulses and oilseeds besides increasing production of cereal crops, through timely and adequate supply of inputs, demonstration and effective dissemination of improved farm technology, replacement of old variety seed, promoting integrated pest management, bringing more area under efficient use of water resources and implementation of Wasteland Development Projects.
Table- Agro-Ecological Zones of Himachal Pradesh
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Zone
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Area in Sq km [% of Total area]
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Elevation (M)
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Mean Annual temperature [C]
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Soil type
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Rainfall [mm]
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Important crops
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Sub Tropical Sub Montane & Low Hills
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Zone 1.1
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8201 [14.73%]
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240-1000
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15 to 23
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Sandy loams (Light Textured, Shallow)
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≤ 1500
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Wheat, Maize, Paddy, Pulses, Oilseeds, barley, Sugarcane, Potato, Watermelon & Vegetables
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Zone 1.2
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2059 [3.70%]
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240-1000
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18.6 - 21.9
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Loamy sand (medium in depth)
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>1500
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Wheat, paddy, Mize, Seed pot, Pulses, Oil seeds.
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Sub humid Mid hills
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Zone 2.1
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3770 [6.77%]
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1001-1500
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14.2 - 22.1
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Sandy Loam- Clay loam
(Acidic)
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≤ 1500
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Wheat, Paddy, Barley, Pulses, Oil seed, Off season vegetables.
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Zone 2.2
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894 [1.60%]
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1001-1500
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16.53 - 21.25
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Silt Loam- Loam
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> 1500
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Wheat, Paddy, Barley, Pulses, Oil seed, Off season vegetables in some parts
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Wet temperate high hills
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Zone 3.1
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8207 [14.74%]
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1501-2500
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9.1 - 20.6
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Mainly Loamy shallow, acidic
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≤ 1500
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Wheat, Barley, Maize, Millets, Pulses, Oilseeds.
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Zone 3.2
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1010 [1.81%]
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1501-3250
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15.4 - 20.5
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Sandy Loams shallow to Medium depth.
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> 1500
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Maize, Wheat, Pulses, Oilseeds.
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Dry temperate high hills
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Zone 4.1
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4616 [8.29%]
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2501- 3250
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9 - 20
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Sandy Loams (Shallow in depth )
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< 700
(Dry)
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Wheat, Potato, Barley, Buckwheat, Peas Minor Millets, Kuth & Temperate Vegetables, Hops, Cumin & Saffron.
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Zone 4.2
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7003 [12.58 %]
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3251- 4250
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8.8 – 19.9
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Sandy Loams
( Shallow )
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Dry/ snow
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Quality Potato seeds, Temperate & European type vegetables, Barley, Buckwheat.
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Zone 4.3
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19890 [35.74%]
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> 4250
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8.7- 19.7
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Sands & Pebbles
( Loose Textured)
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Dry/ Snow
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Buck wheat, Barley, Minor millets & Kala Zeera.
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During the last fifty years, the State has made tremendous progress in agriculture production. The production has increased manifold as is evidence from the information given below.
Total Foodgrains Production: Food grains production increased from 200 thousand tonnes in 1951-1952 to 1619.77 thousand tonnes (Estt.) in the Year 2014-2015.
Source: Directorate of Agriculture (http://www.hpagriculture.com)