Punjab Farming Needs Diversification for Future: Report

March 30, 2026

Chandigarh : Punjab’s traditional wheat-paddy farming cycle, once key to India’s food security, is now facing serious challenges. Shrinking landholdings, rising costs, depleting groundwater, and unpredictable weather have made monoculture less sustainable, especially for small farmers.

In response, institutions like Punjab Agricultural University and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) are encouraging farmers to adopt diversified and integrated farming practices.

Integrated Farming as a Solution
The new approach focuses on combining crops with allied activities such as dairy, poultry, goat rearing, fisheries, and beekeeping. This helps farmers create multiple income sources and reduces risks linked to market fluctuations.

A notable example is farmer Gurnam Singh from Gurdaspur, who transformed his two-acre farm into an integrated model. Starting with training at a KVK in 2016, he expanded into dairy farming, now managing 26 animals and producing over a quintal of milk daily. He also runs poultry and goat farming, ensuring steady income throughout the year.

Model for Sustainable Future
Singh’s farm works on an integrated system where waste is reused, costs are reduced, and productivity is improved. His efforts earned him the Progressive Farmer Award in 2023.

Experts say such models highlight that diversification is no longer optional but essential for Punjab’s farming future. Integrated farming offers a practical path for small farmers to achieve stable and sustainable livelihoods.