Vegetable cultivation by small and marginal farmers in rainfed and degraded lands under Farmer FIRST Programme in Doon valley

Abstract

Uttrakhand state is characterized by diverse geographical features ranging from snow covered mountain peaks in the North to tropical forests in the South. Uttrakhand has 0.53 lakh sq. km geographical area with population of around 1.01 crore. Uttarakhand has been one of the fastest growing economies in India during the past decade. The share of agriculture in overall Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has declined from 22.27% in 2004-05 to just 9.59% in 2013- 14. Still, agriculture sector holds important place as about 45% of work force depends on it for their livelihood. About 13% of total reported area of the State is cultivable and dominated by marginal and small land holdings (92%). Thus, there is no scale of economies in agricultural production. Agriculture in hills is primarily (78%) rain dependent and at subsistence level. Fragmentation of land holdings, poor diversification of farming activities, niche based collective or group farming with consolidation of land holdings, soils consist of boulders/pebbles, changing tenancy, improper management of rainwater, higher soil erosion rates, excessive damage by wild animals etc. are some of the important contributors for continuous decline in agricultural land and its productivity in the state.