Agriculture
Gujarat is the main producer of tobacco, cotton and groundnut in the
country and provides inputs for important industries like textiles,
oil and soap. Other important cash crops are isabgol, paddy, wheat
and bajra. Forest species available in Gujarat are teak, khair, sadad,
haldariyo and manual bamboos.
Agriculture Projects & Initiatives
Agro Business Destination
Sardar Sarovar Project on Narmada
Krushi Mahotsav
Soil Health Card
Horticulture
Water Harvesting
Drip Irrigation
Water Shed Development
Animal husbandry
Village Pond, Check Dam, Boribandh dams (sand bag dams)
Guidance by APMC (Agricultural Product Marketing Committee)
Awakening the farmers
Agri Equipment Demonstration
Environmental Awareness
An Agri Factopedia
Leading as Second in ‘Green Revolution’ – Gujarat has achieved Agricultural
Growth table at 9.6% and have carved a niche in the field of Agricultural
Development in India. As of 2009, Gujarat’s agriculture growth rate
has been three times more than the national growth rate.
The department is confident to change the lives of farmers with
its Agriculture Policies and the unique Initiative of the ‘Krushi
Mahotsav’ in the State. In 2001, the State was on verge of less
water resources but today, it stand as World’s biggest water resource
Narmada Canal. Where the dust took to wind storm, there are green
fields and where the farmers tilled the land with 1-2 crops, they
have sort for 3-4 crops. Continuous hard work of seven years and
planned efforts of the Government have resulted in Green Revolution
taking shape in Gujarat.
Gujarat Agro vision 2010 envisages improving the quality of life
of the rural population, including those who are resource poor,
by widening their employment opportunities and increasing their
income. 63% of the population of Gujarat lives in rural areas and
depends for its livelihood on agriculture and the rural non-farm
sector that is interlinked with agriculture. The Government is sensitive
to the role of Agriculture in Economic development with a vision.
Greater wealth creation for farmers and farm labourers
Offer a sustainable increase in productivity
Ensures Food Security
Offer higher value addition to agricultural produce and exports
Conservation of Water resources through micro irrigation
The vision seeks to accelerate demand driven agricultural and agro
industrial growth in the new globalized agricultural environment.
The goal for Gujarat agriculture is to become a world-class producer
and supplier in the crops where it enjoys competitive advantage.
The government envisages Agriculture promotion through focused
agricultural research, and application of biotechnology, information
technology and ecotechnology. Conservation of soil, water and biodiversity
is the prime concerns to be environmentally sustainable. As a result,
a separate Department for ‘Climate Change’ is set up as a major
challenge to Humanity.
Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation (GAIC), which promotes agricultural
activities at the ground level and fosters the development of agro
industries in the state, is a manifest example of the forward-looking
policies of the state.
Agriculture is locomotive of our economy and a prosperous rural
economy based on agriculture will ultimately make the nation prosperous
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Agro Business Destination
The State government has a comprehensive Agri-Business Policy to
facilitate projects of value addition in center value chain from
farm to market, develop Agri Infrastructure, encourage research
and development, promote food safety management system at the farm
level and processing units. As Gujarat is an upcoming Agro business
destination, there are several investment opportunities in fisheries,
fruit and vegetables, animal husbandry, infrastructure and innovative
technologies sectors. The ‘Food and Agri Business’ Sector at the
Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2009 saw 190 MoUs with Investment upto Rs.35,
456 Crores and Job Opportunities leading to 3,88,761.
Sardar Sarovar Project on Narmada
World's Largest Irrigation Network made possible by the Sardar
Sarovar Project on Narmada with the Dam height raised from 90 meters
to 121.9 meters is the biggest project. The project has immense
contribution towards irrigation, hydropower and drinking water supply.
Krushi Mahotsav
The Taluka oriented Krushi Mahotsav see a new light in the direction
of Agriculture which is organized in 225 talukas for farmers. The
concept evolves the India’s first Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai
Patel’s pledge in Bardoli to bring prosperity to farmers.
The Krushi Mahotsav campaign which is being held since 2006, covered
18,600 villages in June 2009, with 230 ‘Krushi Raths’ (vans) reaching
to farmers with Researchers, Scientists, experts, Agriculture officers
and Ministers, interacting and providing information and counselling
on soil health, organic farming, technology and inputs, irrigation,
etc., besides infusing a new spirit of change and mass mobilisation.
The Government has set up four agro-climate zones and starting institutes
for research and education in the field of agro technology. An innovative
concept of ‘Animal Hostel’ is proposed on experimental basis through
public participation.
Soil Health Card
Gujarat is a first state who issues Soil Health Card scheme for
every land to farmers. Farmer can verify the soil specimen through
scientists who examine the mineral composition in the soil. Based
on the report, they can provides the fertilizer with appropriate
mineral percentage. This helped in soil enrichment and also reduced
the erosion of the land in great extent. Gujarat farmers who used
to grow 1-2 crops can now grow 3-4 with increase in profit.
Horticulture
Gujarat State Horticulture Mission (GSHM) a registered society has
been set up for implementation of NHM in the state. The State has
strong cooperative credit & marketing structure, alongwith 213
cold storages having 9.50 lakh mt. storage capacity About 42 fruit
& vegetable co-operative marketing societies and 197 Agriculture
Produce Market Committees ( APMCs) dealing with selling & buying
of horticulture produce in the State. The area & production
of horticulture crop was 5.89 lakh ha ( 5 % of total cropped area)
& 59.49 lakh tons in 1998-1999 which increased up to 12.46 lakh
ha. (9.70 % of total cropped area) & 144.74 lakh tons respectively
in 2007-08.
Agriculture Export Zone for dehydrated onion & zone for fruits
- vegetables has been established, which will be the back bone to
boost horticultural development in the state. There is ample potential
to export various horticultural produce to other countries. The
mangoes among the many fruits, many vegetables and spices are exported.
Gujarat is one the major banana growing states and ranks 2nd in
Exports of Bananas in India with Exports of 1430 Tonnes to Middle
East in April-June 2009.
Water Harvesting
3 Lac ground water harvesting structures have been constructed in
the state in last 5 years which has increased the ground water level
throughout the state and increased the Agriculture income by four
times. There are Complete medium, small and planned irrigation projects.
Narmada water distribution system is planned for water harvesting.
There is increase area under irrigation based on land ownership.
More small Check Dams are constructed for water conservation. Spread
and extension of drip and sprinkler irrigation system is implemented.
Drip Irrigation
Many villages in Gujarat have adopted 100% drip and sprinkler irrigation
systems to water crops. In June 2009, more than 93,000 farmers in
Gujarat have adopted drip irrigation for their total 1.51 lakh hectare
land.. Drip Irrigation system and inter-linking of 21 rivers of
the state for conservation of water has made it possible for record
Sugarcane cultivation in the state.
GGRC is aimed to promote Micro Irrigation System (MIS) to the farmers
of Gujarat as an implementing agency on behalf of Government of
Gujarat (GoG) and Government of India (GoI) to bring 2nd Green Revolution
in consonance with the Agriculture policy of Gujarat Vision 2010
so as to save water and energy, besides multiple benefits to improve
Agricultural productivity and farmer’s prosperity at large.
The GAIC and APMC adopts various programs and schemes for the Agriculture
and Horticulture segment for investments and other processing subsidies
in the Food Processing Sector. Agri implement service help is provided
by the government for open pipelines and purchase of Tractors, etc.
Bio gas subsidies are offered with loan application.
Water Shed Development
It aims at increasing soil and moisture conservation and productivity
of the degraded land, and thereby increase the income of people.
The programs seek to promote the overall development of the project
area while maintaining a special focus on the weaker sections. With
the implementation of the watershed programs, several outcomes have
been expected with increase in healthy living lifestyles with better
income, education and resources.
Animal husbandry
Major share of motive power of agriculture comes from livestock.
Livestock keeping- an integral part of farming system as land, labors
and water can be efficiently utilized. An intensive animal vaccination
program was launched in all the villages at the Krushi Mahotsav
held since four years, so as to focus on disease management and
the rearing of healthy livestock In addition to vaccinating the
livestock, animal health camps were also held.
Village Pond, Check Dam, Boribandh dams
(sand bag dams)
The success key point in Agriculture is increased access to water.
Gujarat has created history in water conservation, by launching
a drive for blue revolution, constructing number of check-dams.
Gujarat is a drought-prone state, with an irrigation cover of just
36% of gross cropped area. Increased water supply from Sardar Sarovar
project, higher investments in check-dams and watersheds (as of
June 2007, a total of 2, 97,527 check dams, boribunds and Khet Talavadi
(farm ponds) had been constructed by the state in cooperation with
NGOs and the private sector). Good rainfall for the past few years
has helped propel growth.
Guidance by APMC (Agricultural Product
Marketing Committee)
Information and guidance on topics such as soil health; crop rotation;
organic farming; use of fertilizers and pesticides; irrigation;
and marketing is imparted to the farmers. As many as 6.5 lakh farmers
in the state receive individual counseling by agricultural scientists
and government personnel at the Krushi Mahotsav.
Awakening the farmers
Every year, during Krushi Mahotsav, the ‘Krushi Raths’ cover the
entire state and visit each village in Gujarat. A multi-disciplinary
team of scientists, horticulturists and agriculturists are present
on each rath. The raths are a major vehicle for directly promoting
scientific farming and improved agricultural practices to the individual
farmers within their own villages. A mobile exhibition equipped
with posters and pamphlets along with Region-specific panels on
farming, a drip irrigation system, audio-video system to play dayras.
The local folk-based evenings are organized where songs on the theme
of farmers and agriculture are sung by the people and traditional
artists. The dayros also served as a prelude to the arrival of the
raths, to inform the communities about the event.
Agri Equipment Demonstration
A separate Department for ‘Climate Change’ is set up as a major
challenge to Humanity. Drip Irrigation has been introduced and inter
linking of 21 rivers of the State for conservation of water. Over
a 3 lac water harvesting structures are constructed in last 5 years
which has increased the ground water level throughout the state
and increased the agriculture income by four times. Social forestry
in Gujarat has achieved a benchmark of 14 trees per hectare. The
farmers are well informed about the climate conditions and awareness
on Environmental issues.
Environmental Awareness
A separate Department for ‘Climate Change’ is set up as a major
challenge to Humanity. Drip Irrigation has been introduced and inter
linking of 21 rivers of the State for conservation of water. Over
a 3 lac water harvesting structures are constructed in last 5 years
which has increased the ground water level throughout the state
and increased the agriculture income by four times. Social forestry
in Gujarat has achieved a benchmark of 14 trees per hectare. The
farmers are well informed about the climate conditions and awareness
on Environmental issues.
A 3.5 km tunnel ‘Panam High Level Irrigation Canal’ is set to provide
Irrigation Facilities to 18000 hectares land under cultivation of
Shahera, Lunavada, and Santrampur villages will be a boon for the
Panchmahal farmers. Under the Sujalam Sufalam scheme to make best
use of water flowing in the sea, the Rs. 64 crore tunnel is first
of its kind in the country as a Green Project in Global warming.
The canal water would also feed water to 59 village ponds, and the
canal water would also flow in to the 3 rivers also. The Sujalam
Sufalam project provides irrigation facilities to the villages,
which were not covered under the Narmada waters.
Three main sources of growth in Gujarat's agriculture are:
cotton output soared from 3.05 million bales (of 170 kg each)
in 2002/03 to 11.2 million bales in 2007/08, primarily driven by
Bt cotton since 2002
The rapid growth of the high value segment, ie, livestock, fruits
& vegetables.
While Gujarat's dairy success is well known, which is growing at
6-7% per annum on sustainable basis, the recent phenomenon of high
growth comes from fruits and vegetables (dominated by banana, mango,
potato and onions) that has grown at almost 12.8% during 2000/01
to 2007/08
the third main source of growth comes from wheat—after a low of
0.6 million tonnes in 2000/01, production jumped to 3.8 million
tonnes in 2007/08- an average annual growth rate of 28%!
As per IFPRI (International Food Policy Research Institute)
An Agri Factopedia
Connecting 7 Districts on 8 Mbps and 18 Districts on 4 Mbps to State
Center at Gandhinagar using leased circuits provided by BSNL, Reliance
and Tata Tele Services.
WTO Cell is being established to increase export-related competency
of major agricultural commodities.
Credit, Insurance and Financial support is being extended to farmers.
Cattle breeding have been encouraged and efforts are being made
to produce good quality wool from sheep.
Agriculture Knowledge Universities
Agriculture university
Anand Agriculture university,
Navsari Agriculture university,
Dantivada agriculture university
Junagadh Agriculture university
In Gujarat, more than half its total area consist of soil.
The high lands of Saurashtra, Narmada and Low lying area of Tapi,
Black soil region between Vadodara and Bharuch (Kanam Pradesh),
Olpad, Choryasi, Bardoli and Valsad are known as ‘Black Cotton soil’
as the color of the soil is black.
In the region of scanty rainfall as Banaskantha, parts of Mehsana,
parts of Sabarkantha and major parts of Kutch have sandy soil.
The regions around Dholka (Bhal Pradesh), Ged Pradesh, Bhavnagar,
Ahmedabad, Kheda, Mehsana, Banaskantha and many regions of the coastal
areas as have alluvial soil.
In the mountainous forest regions, red soil is found.
Dairy Development
12 District Milk Producers’ Union
10,725 Milk Cooperative Societies
150 lakh liter/day Milk Production
20.84 lakh Members of Milk Cooperative
Fisheries
With a Coastal belt of 1600 kms, Gujarat occupies First position
in production of marine fish (6.71 lakh m.t./year) with a share
of 24 % in total quantity. Export is worth Rs. 390 crore.
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