CHAPTER IV

AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION

Agriculture is the main stay of the people of Fatehgarh Sahib District and its inhabitants depend heavily for their livelihood on agriculture and its allied occupations. According to 2001 Census, 35.00 per cent (as cultivators and agricultural labourers) of the total working force of the district was engaged in agriculture as against 37.67 per cent in the State as a whole. Amongst the working population of the district, cultivators account for 24.29 per cent and agricultural labourers 10.71 per cent as against 24.17 per cent and 13.50 respectively for the State. The breakup of the persons engaged in these occupations according to 2001 Census in the Fatehgarh Sahib District is as under:

Category	Males	Females	Total
As cultivators	42,109	2,101	44,210
As Agricultural labourers	18,023	1,479	19,502
Total	60,132	3,580	63,712

(Source: Director Census Operations, Punjab)

(a) Land Reclamation and Utilization

(i) Land Utilization.- The utilization of land resources forms a major item in any programme of economic planning especially in an economy which is predominantly agricultural. It reveals the various uses to which land is put and also indicates improved ways of exploitation of its resources for better production.

The following statement gives the classification of area by land use in the Fatehgarh Sahib District, during 1992-93 and 1996-97 to 2000-2001 :-

Classification of area by land use in the Fatehgarh Sahib District during 1992-93 and 1996-97 to 2000-2001 (Thousand hectares)

	Particulars	1992-93	1996-97	1997-98	1998-99	1999-2000	2000-2001
1	Total area according to village papers	114	117	117	115	115	115
2	Forests	(a)	1	1	1	1	1
3	Barren and unculturable land	(a)	(a)	-	(a)	(a)	(a)
4	Land put to non -agricultural use	11	11	11	11	11	11
5	Culturable waste	(a)	-	(a)	(a)	(a)	(a)
6	Permanent pastures and other grazing land	(a)	(a)	(a)	(a)	(a)	(a)
7	Land under miscellaneous tree crops and groves not included in net area sown	(a)	-	-	-	-	-
8	Current fallow	(a)	-	-	-	-	-
9	Fallow land other than current fallow	-	(a)	(a)	(a)	-	-
10	Net area sown	103	105	105	103	103	103
11	Area sown more than once	91	86	91	90	90	91
12	Total cropped area	194	191	196	193	193	194

(a) denotes area below 500 hectares (Statistical Abstracts of Punjab 1993 and 1997 to 2001)

According to Director of Land Records, Punjab, the total area of the district as per village papers during 2000-2001 was 1,14,770 hectares and about 90 per cent of the land was under cultivation. The details of the land classified under the various categories of utilization is given as under:

Forests.- Area under forests include actually forested areas of the land, classed or administrated as forests under legal enactment detailing with forests whether State owned or private, whether wooded or maintained as potential forest land. The area of crops raised in the forest and grazing lands or areas open for grazing within the forest is included in the forest area. The area under forests in the district during 2000-2001 was 1 thousand hectares.

Area under Non-Agricultural Uses.- This includes all lands occupied by buildings, roads and-railways or under water, rivers and canals and other lands put to uses other than agriculture. The total area of land under this category in the district during 2000-2001 was 11 thousand hectares.

Barren and Unculturable Land.-This covers all barren and unculturable land like mountains, deserts, etc. which cannot be brought under cultivation except at an exorbitant cost. The area under this category in the district during 2000-2001 was below 500 hectares.

Culturable Waste Land.- This include lands available for cultivation whether not taken up for cultivation or taken-up for cultivation once but not cultivated during the current year and the last five years or more in succession for one reason or the other. Such lands may be either fallow or covered with shrubs and jungles which are not put to any use. They may be assessed or unassessed and may lie in isolated blocks or within cultivated holdings. Land once cultivated but not cultivated for five years in succession is included in this category at the end of the five years.

Net Area Sown.- This includes the total area actually sown with crops and orchards during the year. The net area sown in the district during 2000-2001 was 103 thousand hectares.

Area Sown More than Once.- This represents the area on which crops are cultivated more than once during the agricultural year. Such area in the district during 2000-2001 was 91 thousand hectares.

Land Holdings.- Operational holdings refer to all land used wholly or partly for agricultural production as one technical unit by some person or persons. According to 1995-96 Agricultural Census, total number of agricultural holdings in the district was 24,464. The total area operated by these holdings in the district was 92,774 hectares. The number of operational holdings by size groups, area covered and percentage to total area in the Fatehgarh district during 1995-96 is given below:

Size in hectares	No.of operational holdings		Area (hectares)		Percentage to total area
0-0.5	921	329		0.35
0.5-1.0	2,273	1,758		1.90
1.0-2.0	4,238	5,983		6.45
2.0-3.0	4,900	11,390		12.28
3.0-4.0	2,486	8,200		8.84
4.0-5.0	2,904	12,650		13.64
5.0-7.5	2,609	15,896		17.13
7.5-10.00	1,292	10,996		11.85
10.00-20.00	1,670	21,073		22.71
20.00and above	171	4,499		4.85

(Source: Director Agriculture, Punjab, Chandigarh)

(ii) Reclamation of Waterlogged Area, Swams etc.-The following table shows the area affected by Thur and Sem in the district during 1992-93 and 1996-97 to 2000-2001:-

(Hectares)

Year	Thur	Sem	Total
1992-93	5	23	28
1996-97	5	23	28
1997-98	5	23	28
1998-99	1	-	1
1999-2000	-	-	-
2000-2001	-	-	-
(Source: Financial Commissioner, Revenue, Punjab)

(b) Irrigation

The district receives the moderate rainfall. Moreover the rainfall is irregular and variations from year to year are considerable. This uncertainty of rains necessitates the artificial sources of irrigation to take the advantage of the richness of soil. No perennial river passes through the district.

Fatehgarh Sahib District can legitimately take pride in being one of those districts of Punjab State enjoying the fruits of irrigated agriculture to the maximum extent. Irrigation is an essential input for intensive agriculture and to increase the yields. It is, therefore, necessary to improve the water resources and utilize them properly. Besides, the importance of irrigation to agriculture has become all the more important with the new farm technology based on high yielding varieties of crops and increased application of fertilizers. All out efforts have been made to bring more areas under irrigation and a number of irrigation schemes are being taken up.

After Independence, there is a significant improvement in the irrigation facilities in the area of present Fatehgarh Sahib District. The installation of tubewells and extension of canal irrigation from Bhakhra Canal System have led to manifold increase in the irrigated area of the district. Consequently, during 2000-2001, 99.6 per cent of net area sown of the district was irrigated through various sources.

Rainfall.- The climate of the district is hot and dry in summer and humid in rainy season of July- September followed by dust storms. The district gets moderate rainfall and during 1999 and 2000 it gets an average rainfall of 285.0 and 155.0 millimetres respectively.

The following table shows the monthly average rainfall in the district during1993 and 1996 to 2000: -

Monthly Average Rainfall in the Fatehgarh Sahib District during the years 1993 and 1996 to 2001 ( Millimeters)
Year	Annual	January	February	March	April	May	June	July		August		September		October	November	December
1993	1,043.5	-	35.7	91.1	2.5	42.1	56.2		612.7		-		203.2	-	-		-
1996	705.6	27.0	43.5	8.5	-	-	93.1		126.5		211.0		196.0	-	-		-
1997	253.2	-	-	-	-	-	2.5		50.3		179.0		4.8	2.5	14.0		0.1
1998	244.9	-	14.0	5.0	-	-	23.0		116.5		65.0		4.8	2.5	14.0		0.1
1999	285.0	-	-	-	-	-	-		158.0		106.5		20.5	-	-		-
2000	155.0	-	-	-	-	-	4.0		101.5		36.5		13.0	-	-		-
(Statistical Abstracts of Punjab 1994 and 1997 to 2001)

Irrigation Facilities.- Tubewells and canals constitute the main sources which are utilised for irrigating the fields. The tubewells and canals are the most important sources and are responsible for almost the entire irrigation in the district. The gross area irrigated during 1992-93 was 192.3 thousand hectares as compared to 192.9 thousand hectares in 2000-2001. The percentage of gross irrigated area to gross cropped area in the district during 2000-2001 was 99.4.

The gross cropped area and gross irrigated area in the Fatehgarh Sahib District during 1992-93 and 1996-97 to 2000-2001 is given below:

(Thousand hectares)

Year	Gross Cropped Area	Gross irrigated area	Percentage of gross irrigated area to gross cropped area
1992-93	194	192.3	99.1
1996-97	191	191.0	100.0
1997-98	196	195.6	99.8
1998-99	193	191.7	99.3
1999-2000	193	193.3	100.0
2000-2001	194	192.9	99.4

(Statistical Abstracts of Punjab 1993 and 1997 to 2001)

The net area irrigated along with percentage to the net area shown by different sources of irrigation in the district during 1992-93 and 1996-97 to 2000-2001is given hereunder:-

(Thousand hectares)

Year	Government canals			Tube- wells and wells		Other Sources	Total	Percentage of net area irrigated to net area sown
1992-93	7.1		71.1		-		78.2	75.0
1996-97	5.5		99.0		-		104.5	100.0
1997-98	6.9		98.9		-		105.6	100.0
1998-99	1.9		100.6		0.1		102.6	99.6
1999-2000		2.0	100.6		0.1		102.7	100.0
2000-2001		1.4	101.2		-		102.6	99.6
(Statistical Abstracts of Punjab 1993and 1997 to 2001)

Canals

Canal irrigation is a most important form of irrigation in the district. The district receives water from Bhakhra Main Line Canal. The length of Bhakhra Canal in the district is 37.68 Km.

The area irrigated by the Bhakhra Canal in the district during 1992-93 and 1996-97 to 2000-2001 is given below:

(hectares)

Year	Area irrigated
1992-93	21,858
1996-97	22,180
1997-98	22,548
1998-99	22,616
1999-2000	22,423
2000-2001	22,513

( Source: Executive Engineer, Bhakhra Main Line Circle, Patiala)

Wells (including Tube-wells and Pumping-Sets).-Wells, tube-wells and pumping-sets are main sources of irrigation in the Fatehgarh Sahib District. The wells were very old system of irrigation and played a major role for irrigation purposes upto the introduction of tube-wells. Bullocks and camels provided the main source of power for running the persian wheels. Now wells are practically non-existent. With the electrification of villages, electric operated tube-wells being economical are getting popular. The Government encourages the installation of tube-wells by providing loans on easy terms. A rich under-ground water reservoir made tube-well irrigation more feasible in this area. The number of tube-wells/pumping-sets (electrical and diesel) installed in the district and used for irrigation purpose as on 31 March 2001 was 33,346.

(c) Agriculture and Horticulture

(i) Set-up and Activities of Agriculture Department

The Agriculture Department at the district level is headed by the Chief Agricultural Officer, Fatehgarh Sahib, who is under the administrative control of Director of Agriculture, Punjab, Chandigarh. He is assisted by 1 Agricultural Officer, 17 Agricultural Development Officers, 1 Analyst Chemist, 1 Agricultural Engineer (Grade-2), 5 Agricultural Inspectors, 10 Agricultural Deputy Inspectors besides other class III and IV staff. He guides the farmers in proper cultivation of land, proper use of fertilizers, weedicides and pesticides and in arranging of good quality of seeds

The agriculture department guides the farmers for the adoption the latest advanced technologies in agricultural production. These include intensive methods of cultivation for higher production per unit area through new cropping pattern suited to their conditions. These also comprise preparation of crop plans, control of various pests and diseases affecting agricultural crops, use of fertilizers and good seeds and laying out of demonstration plots to show to the cultivators the supremacy of new strain and agronomic practices recommended for the district. The Agricultural Development Officer imparts training to the farmers in their respective areas.

The Government takes keen interest in increasing agricultural production by popularising improved agricultural practices and implements. Loans are advanced to the cultivators for repairing and installing tube-wells and pumping-sets under the development of irrigation programme.

A few extension methods to transfer the technology to the farmers by the Agricultural Department and other similar agencies are: agricultural shows and exhibition; by organising training camps (at district, block and village level) during kharif and rabi seasons; by arranging field visits to the farms of the progressive farmers; holding Kisan Divas and Kisan Melas; laying of demonstration plots and mini-kits trials by exhibiting extension articles and Radio/T.V. talks; field visits, by issuing circular letters, bulletins and pamphlets and by personal contacts.

(ii) Set-up and Activities of Horticulture Department

Prior to May 1979 Horticulture Department was functioning under the control of the Chief Agricultural Officer at the district level. To diversify the agriculture a separate department of Horticulture was created in the State on 2 May 1979. In Fatehgarh Sahib District, office of the Assistant Director, Horticulture was established on 25 May 1992. The Assistant Director, Horticulture, Fatehgarh Sahib is functioning under the administrative control of Director Horticulture, Punjab, Chandigarh. He is assisted by 3 Horticulture Inspector, 1 Horticulture Sub-Inspector, 1 Senior Assistant, One Junior Assistant, besides miscellaneous Class III and Class IV staff.

The main functions of the Horticulture Department are to advise the farmers regarding the planning and planting of orchards and to advise them regarding lay out, spraying, manuring of the orchards, etc. The Horticulture Department organizes seminars, shows regarding the horticulture activities in the district, distributes subsidy to the farmers received from the Government and also arranges visits to different districts and inter State tours to popularise horticulture activities among the farmers.

There were two Government Gardens and Nurseries in the district during 2000-2001. The brief details of these centres are given below:

Government Garden and Nursery, Bassi Pathana.- The area of this Garden and Nursery is around 25 acre. The plants of pear, peach, guava, ber, ect. are propagated here.

Aam Khaas Bagh, Sirhind.- This is around 24 acre unit situated on Sirhind-Fatehgarh Sahib road. The main fruits propagated here are ber, mango, peach etc.

(iii) Soil and Crops

Soils.- In Fatehgarh Sahib District rainfall is around 800mm . The mean annual temperature 24^o C while the mean annual soil temperature is 25^o C. According to water balance the soil moisture regime is ustic and the soil temperature regime is Hyper thermic. Soils of the district are alluvial in nature associated with some recent and old flood plain soils. They are very deep, well to moderately well drained with texture varying from sandy loam to silty clay loam. According to physical and chemical properties the pH ranges from 7.6 to 8.7; EC is less than 0.54 dsm^-1, organic carbon is surface layer rangers from 0.09 to 0.69 per cent and CEC varies from 1.9 to 19.6 ) (p+) cmolkg-1.They are non calcareous to sightly calcareous. The major soils are sandy over coarse-loamy and fine loamy Typic, Udic and Fluventic ustochrepts, fine, vertic Ustochrepts fine–silty and fine loamy, Typic Haplustalfs and coarse loamy (highly stratified), Typic Ustifluvents.

Land Use.- These soils are cultivated for wheat, rice, potato, sugarcane, oilseed and other crops.

Constraints.- The main constraints of these soils are: low to medium fertility, poor tilth in some fine textured soils and low water holding capacity in coarse textured soils.

Potentials.- Most of those soils are highly potential and produce very high yields of wheat, rice, potato, sugarcane, and other crops with intensive use of irrigation, fertilizers and other inputs. Fine loamy soils are best suited for paddy and sugarcane cultivation. The productivity of fine textured soils, can be improved by maintaining proper soils, water- air relationship,

Quality of Under Ground Irrigation water .-In district Fatehgarh Sahib, 38 numbers samples were collected during random sampling from different existing shallow tubewells ranging from 70 feet to 280 feet in depth from different villages of different blocks viz. Bassi Pathana, Amloh, Khera, Sirhind, Khamano. These samples were got chemically analysed for the following parameters:

Co₃^2-,Hco₃^-,Ca+Mg, cl^-, RSc, Ec & ph.

The results of the chemical analysis revealed that the ground water quality (from irrigation point of view) is generally fit in all the blocks of Fatehgarh District.

In order to study the groundwater contamination due to effluents released by different industries, ground water monitoring was done at Mandi Gobindgarh under the project of Central Pollution Control Board, Government of India. Five number Groundwater stations (hand pumps) were selected for collecting monthly ground water samples during the year 1994. The study showed that the groundwater at the shallow level is contaminated at Mandi Gobingarh with lead, cadmium and copper in quantities more than the permissible limits which is due to the effluents from the industries such as steel rolling mills, metals/alloy processing units, foundry and forging units, electroplating units etc. In addition copper, phenolic compounds, Mg and total hardness were also found in excess of desirable limits prescribed for drinking water it was recommended that the industrial effluents need to be treated before these are disposed off on to the ground or into the drain.

Major and Subsidiary Crops.- The crops in the district are divided into two categories, viz. rabi (locally called hari) or winter season crops and kharif (locally called sawani) or summer season crops. The rabi crops are sown in October-November and harvested from mid March to mid April. Late sowing of High Yielding Varities of wheat and barley are also sown upto December. Kharif sowing takes place from June to August and harvesting lasts from early September to late December. The cultivation of some crops fall between rabi and kharif seasons and these are called as zaid rabi and zaid kharif crops. The major rabi crop in the district is wheat while minor ones are barley, oilseeds and winter vegetables . The major kharif crops are paddy and sugarcane while minor ones are maize, pulses and summer vegetables.

The major food crops of the district are wheat and paddy and major cash crops are sugarcane and pulses.

The detailed particulars of area under different crops sown and their total production in the district from 1992-93 and 1996-97 to 2000-2001 are given in the following tables:-

Area Under Principal Crops in the Fatehgarh Sahib District during 1992-93 and 1996-97 to 2000-2001

(In thousand hectares)

	1992-93	1996-97	1997-98	1998-99	1999-2000	2000-2001
Cereals
Rice	80	80	82	83	82	84
Jowar	-	0.1	-	-	-	-
Bajra	(a)	-	-	-	(c)	-
Maize	2	1	1	1	1	1
Wheat	88	84	88	85	86	86
Barley	0.6	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0
Pulses
Gram	0.1	(a)	-	(a)	(c)	(c)
Mash	(a)	0.1	-	(a)	(c)	(c)
Mung	(a)	(a)	(a)	(a)	(c)	(c)
Massar	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	(c)
Oilseeds
Groundnut	(a)	(a)	(a)	(a)	-	-
Rapeseed and mustard	0.6	1.0	0.6	1.0	1.1	1.1
Sunflower	..	2	0.7	1.0	0.7	0.7
Sesamum	(a)	(a)	(a)	(a)	-	-
Linseed	(a)	-	-	-	-	(c)
Other Crops
Sugarcane (gur)	6.0	8.0	5.6	3.9	4.0	4.2
Potatoes	0.2	1.0	1.1	1.2	1.1	0.6
Cotton (Am- erican)	(a)	-	(a)	-	-	-
Cotton(desi) (a)		(a)	(a)	(a)	(c)	(c)

                                      (Statistical Abstracts of Punjab 1993 and 1997to 2001)

(a) Less than 500 hectares

(c ) Less than 50 hectares

Note: Production of sugarcane in terms of gur

Production of Principal Crops in the Fatehgarh Sahib District during 1992-93 and 1996-97 to 2000-2001

              (In thousand metric tonnes)

Crop	1992-93	1996-97	1997-98	1998-99	1999-2000	2000-2001
Cereals
Rice	308	283	302	271	302	350
Jowar	-	-	-	-	-	-
Bajra	-	-	-	-	-	-
Maize	2	2	2	2	3	3
Wheat	356	399	361	401	443	434
Barley	1.2	3.3	3.0	3.2	3.5	3.4
Pulses
Gram	-	-	-	-	-	-
Mash	-	(b)	-	-	-	-
Mung	-	-	-	-	-	-
Massar	-	-	0.1	-	-	-
Oilseeds
Groundnut	-	-	-	-	-	-
Rapeseed and Mustard	1.0	1.1	0.7	1.4	1.5	1.1
Sunflower	..	3	1.0	1.0	1.0	0.8
Sesamum	-	-	-	-	-	-
Linseed	-	-	-	-	-	(d)
Other Crops
Sugarcane (gur)	36	44	36	25	25	31
Potatoes	4.0	1.7	14.6	26.7	25.2	12.5
Cotton (Am- erican)	-	-	-	-	-	-
Cotton (Desi)	-	-	-	-	-	-

(Statistical Abstracts of Punjab 1993 and 1997 to 2001)

(c)Less than 500 metric tones

(d) Less than 50 M. tones

Note: Production of sugarcane in terms of gur

The important kharif and rabi crops in the district are described below:

Wheat

Wheat is the major rabi crop grown all over the district. It is the most important among food crops and is the staple diet of the people. During the year 1992-93 the area under this crop was 88 thousand hectares but in 2000-2001 it decreased to 86 thousand hectares. The production of wheat in the district during 2000-2001 was 434 thousand metric tonnes.

Paddy

It is a semi-aquatic plant, requiring an abundant supply of water for its growth. It is an important kharif crop and is sown all over the district, Its nursery is sown in April and May and is transplanted from the end of May to the beginning of July. The area under paddy during the year 1992-93 was 80 thousand hectares with total production of 308 thousand metric tonnes which increased to 84 thousand hectares with total production of 350 thousand metric tonnes during 2000-2001.

Bajra

Bajra is not grown in the district to any significant extent. The area under this crop is very negligible i.e. only less than 50 hectares during 1999-2000.

Maize

Maize is a kharif and subsidiary crop of the district. It is consumed mostly in winter. It is sown in irrigated lands. During the years 1992-93 and 1996-97 to 1998-99 the area under the maize was 2 thousand hectares every year but in the years 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 it was 1 thousand hectares each year.

Oilseeds

Rape seed, mustard and sunflower are the oilseed grown in the district. The area under these crops was 0.6 thousand hectares during 1992-93 which increased to 1.8 hectares during 2000-2001. The production of these oilseeds increased from 1.0 thousand metric tonnes to 1.1 thousand metric tonnes over the same period.

Barley

Barley is also a subsidiary crop of the district and is generally grown on lighter irrigated soils. The area under barley has increased from 0.6 thousand hectares in 1992-93 to 1.0 thousand hectares in 2000-2001 and its production has increased from 1.2 tonnes to 3.4 thousand metric tonnes during the same period.

Vegetables

With the increase of irrigation facilities the cultivation of vegetables has increased considerably. The increase is notable particularly in or around the towns and adjoining villages, as marketing facilities are easily available. The eating habits of the people in the village are also changing and vegetables are becoming an important part of their diet. Consequently, many farmers in the villages have started growing vegetables not only to meet their own requirements, but also to make additional money out of it.

The total area under vegetables in the district 2000-2001 was 1,691 hectares. The vegetables grown in the district are given below:

Summer Vegetables:	Ladyfinger (bhindi), bottle-gourd (ghia kaddu), bringle-round and long (baingan), musk-melon (kharbuja), radge-gourd (kali-tori), squash melon (tinda), vegetable–marrow (chappan kaddu), bitter guard (karela), cucumber (kheera), long melon (tar) and chillies (mirch)
Winter vegetables:	Potato (alu), cauliflower (phulgobhi), cabbage (bandgobhi), peas (mattar), radish (muli), turnip (shalgam), carrot (gajar), onion (piaz), fenugreek (methi), chillies (mirch), garlic (lassan), spinach (palak).

Potatoes are also grown in the district. During 2000-2001, its production was 6.3 thousand metric tonnes.

Fruit Crops and Gardens.- There are no big fruit orchards in the district. The climatic conditions and the soils of the present areas falling under Fatehgarh Sahib District are suitable for mangoes, guava, citrus, and ber. Fruits have great importance from the point of view of horticulturists for the high returns from their cultivation. The fruit wise area under crops during 1992-93 and 1996-97 to 2000-2001 is given here under:

       (Hectares)

Year	Kin-now	Orange  & Malta	Lemon	Mangoes	Litchi	Guava	Pear	Peach	Plum	Grapes	Ber	Misc.	Total
1992-93	234	38	35	231	4	131	103	92	-	15	39	23	945
1996-97	234	40	36	283	4	189	106	110	-	17	43	35	1,097
1997-98	235	40	35	285	5	200	105	115	-	20	40	35	1,115
1998-99	235	41	35	296	5	224	105	122	-	22	40	35	1,160
1999-2000	9	-	27	127	-	92	20	5	-	6	9	20	315
2000-2001	5	-	29	139	-	102	31	7	-	6	11	24	354

                                                               (Statistical Abstracts of Punjab 1993 and 1997 to 2001 )

(iv) Improved Agricultural Practices

The rapid rise in the agricultural production since Independence has been possible by the high yielding varieties of seeds, application of chemical fertilizers, adoption of multiple cropping pattern, use of insecticides and pesticides and other modern plant protection measures, use of modern mechanical agricultural implements, the provision of timely and adequate credit, facilities for marketing agricultural produce as well as storage arrangements, and increase the irrigation facilities.

(v) Farmer’s Training Camps

Farmers training camps are organised before the sowing of rabi and kharif crops. These play a key role in changing the attitude of the people to the agricultural development in the district. These camps are organised at the district, block and village level. Farmers are provided training about the latest farm techniques. Efforts are also made in these camps to solve the problems faced by farmers and assistance is rendered to them to use the latest package of agricultural practices so that they may get maximum yield from their crop. The Chief Agricultural Officer, Fatehgarh Sahib, organized 2 district level, 5 block level and 50 village level farmers training camps, during the year 2000-2001. The farmers were given training regarding the use of rural compost, green manure and wormi-culture so that they can maintain the productive capability of land which is reducing due to crop rotations.

(vi) District Rural Development Agency, Fatehgarh Sahib

This Agency came into existence on 12 April,1992. The Agency has taken up manifold programmes to ameliorate the economic conditions of poverty stricken and down trodden masses in the country side. For the economic development, there is need for an easy flow of credit, but in the beginning financial institutions were reluctant and shy to advance loans to the rural poor, lest the loans get converted in to bad debts.

The Agency, with active and constant efforts, has made the financial institutions to come forward and advance loans in a big way to the economically weaker sections so that they may be able to set up their units and earn their livelihood and at the same time pay off their loans. A scheme Swarn Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yozna (which replaced the earlier self employment and allied programmes IRDP, TRYSEM, DWACRA, SITRA, GKY, MWS) has been started to help the poor people. During the year 2000-2001 an amount of Rs 100.98 lakh were given as assistance to the swarozgaries in the Fatehgarh Sahib District. Agency helps the yellow card holders in getting loans Rs 35,000 from the Banks to start their own vocations.

(vii) Agricultural Cooperatives

The new technology for agriculture is more capital intensive. The farmers can make permanent improvements on their land if capital is made available to them on easy terms. The cooperation have played a very significant role by pumping in massive dose of cooperative credit. Besides, the increase in agricultural production depends on a number of factors like the provision of timely and adequate credit, use of significant inputs viz. chemical fertilizers improved seeds and insecticides/pesticides and facilities or marketing of agricultural produce as well as storage arrangement. The agricultural service cooperatives are aimed at meeting these requirements. It is through cooperatives farming that scanty resources of the agriculturists can be pooled, thus bringing to them the gains of large scale intensive farming. Through cooperative marketing the enamour profit to middle-men can be checked and higher dividends secured to farmers.

The cooperative movement in the Punjab State which gained momentum in the early sixties of twentieth century after the passing of Punjab State Cooperative Societies Act, 1961 has helped a great deal in bringing about green revolution and an era of prosperity. The movement which was initially started with limited spectrum of activity of rural credit has now entered all fields of economic activity including advancement of credit in non-farm sector and to traders/business men, marketing of agricultural produce and inputs, supply of milk and milk products, production of sugar, construction of houses, supply of essential commodities, organisations of handloom and handicrafts as well as labour cooperatives and finally eradication of unemployment with the starting of non-farm sector. The cooperative credit structure in the State is divided into two broad categories, agricultural and non- Agricultural. Agricultural credit is further divided into two categories namely short and medium term and long term. Short and medium term agricultural credit is provided by three tier credit system consisting of Primary Cooperative Agricultural Service Societies at primary level, Central Cooperative Banks at the middle level and Punjab State Cooperative Bank at the apex level. Short and medium term loans are advanced for agricultural production and for activities allied to agriculture. The long-term credit needs of farmers are met by the Punjab State Cooperative Agricultural Development Banks at the district/tahsils level.

Central Cooperative Bank.-Central Cooperative Bank, Fatehgarh Sahib has been functioning since 1 April 1993. It caters to the banking and credit needs of the people of the district. The main activities of Central Cooperative Bank are: to raise deposits from the member societies and public and to advance loans to the member societies. The Central Cooperative Bank advances loans to the unemployed youth, particularly in the rural areas under the Non-Farm Sector Scheme. These banks advance loans directly for tiny, cottage and small-scale industries service units and loan against NSCs and over draft facilities to the depositors. These also advance loans to the students for joining professional courses. These policies have helped in providing employment in the rural areas and in raising the standard of living.

The deposits held by the Central Cooperative Bank, Fatehgarh Sahib during 1993-94 and 1996-97 to 2000-2001 is given here under:

Year	Deposits (Rs in lakhs)
1993-94	1,123.04
1996-97	2,672.05
1997-98	2,916.03
1998-99	3,598.37
1999-2000	5,708.24
2000-2001	6,796.84

(Source: Deputy Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Fatehgarh Sahib)

Primary Cooperative Agricultural Service Societies.- These are the base of the cooperative movement. These societies play a vital role in meeting the credit requirements of the agriculturists and also in increasing the agricultural production. The primary cooperative agricultural service societies also supply agricultural inputs and essential commodities to their members.

The following table shows the loans advanced by the cooperative agricultural services societies, share capital, deposits, etc. in the Fatehgarh Sahib District during the years 1992-93 and 1996-97 to 2000-2001:-

Cooperative year ending June		No. of cooperative societies		Members	Share capital	Loans advanced during the year			Deposits
1992-93	136		52,299		358.67		2,987.34	124.10
1996-97	136		52,407		395.66		3,178.43	154.27
1997-98	138		52,482		434.82		3,789.18	184.75
1998-99	138		53,432		519.82		4,952.10	207.98
1999-2000	138		52,994		560.58		5,266.48	220.28
2000-2001	138		54,008		606.39		5,870.10	304.49

( Source: Deputy Registrar Cooperative Societies, Fatehgarh Sahib )

Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Societies.- Agricultural produce marketing in the State is regulated by the Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets Act, 1961. There is a net work of regulated markets and sub-yards attached to them in the State. Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Societies are formed to enable the farmers to get fair share of the value of their agricultural produce. These societies have been formed in almost all the regulated markets of the district. These societies function as the commission agents in the markets for marketing of the produce in the area. These societies also make purchases of wheat and other commodities for the Government whenever required. These societies, besides providing marketing facilities, also make arrangements for the storage of agricultural produce of the members. These societies are also encouraged to acquire their own godowns.

At the State level, there is the Punjab State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation (MARKFED), wholesale societies at the district level and marketing societies at the primary level.

The number of cooperative marketing societies and their membership, value of goods marketed, etc, during 1992-93 and 1996-97 to 2000-2001 in the Fatehgarh Sahib District was as under :

Cooperative year ending June	No. of societies	Membership Individual Societies		Total	Value of goods marketed (Rs in lakhs)
1992-93	3	2,735	313	3,048	7.50
1996-97	3	2,735	313	3,048	8.50
1997-98	3	2,735	313	3,048	10.50
1998-99	3	2,735	313	3,048	0.60
1999-2000	3	2,735	313	3,048	1.16
2000-2001	3	2,735	313	3,048	1.16
(Source: Deputy Registrar Cooperative Societies, Fatehgarh Sahib )

The Primary Cooperative Agricultural Development Banks.- The primary cooperative agricultural credit societies meet the requirements of only short term credit but for bringing about permanent improvement in land and for introduction of modern technology, long term heavy investment is required. The Primary Cooperative Agricultural Development Banks meet the requirements of farmers for long term loans for these purposes. These banks functions in the district under the Punjab State Cooperative Agricultural Development Bank, Chandigarh.

The Primary Cooperative Agricultural Development Banks are functioning in the district at Amloh, Bassi Pathana, Khamano and Sirhind. The Punjab Agricultural Cooperative Development Bank, Chandigarh advances loans to the primary cooperative agricultural development bank and these further advance loans to their members. These Banks advance loans to the individuals and societies for various purposes, such as installation of tube-wells, purchase of tractors and agricultural machinery, redemption of mortgaged land and purchase of land etc.

The long term loans advanced by these banks along with their membership in the Fatehgarh Sahib District during 1992-93 and 1996-97 to 2000-2001 is given below:

Year	Membership		Loans advanced (Rs in Lakhs)
1992-93	13,208	978.72
1996-97	17,856	1,121.42
1997-98	18,270	2,730.67
1998-99	18,280	2,418.83
1999-2000	18,307	1,972.08
2000-2001	18,546	2,870.64
( Source: Deputy Registrar Cooperative Societies, Fatehgarh Sahib )

Cooperative Agricultural Non-Credit Societies.- These Societies are formed under the Cooperative Societies Act, 1912. The main purpose of these societies is to meet the agricultural requirements of the farmers, such as agricultural implements, manures and improved seeds, sale of agricultural produce, insurance of crops and cattle, cattle breeding and promoting better farming and better living.

Number of cooperative agricultural non-credit societies functioning in the Fatehgarh Sahib District during 1992-93 and 1996-97 to 2000-2001 is given below:

Year	No.of societies		Membership		Working capital		Share capital
1992-93	25	305		0.93		0.07
1996-97	25	305		0.93		0.07
1997-98	25	305		0.93		0.07
1998-99	25	305		0.93		0.07
1999-2000	25	305		0.93		0.07
2000-2001	25	305		0.93		0.07

(Source:- Deputy Registrar Cooperative Societies, Fatehgarh Sahib)

Cooperative Farming Societies.- With the growing pressure of population on land, the number of uneconomic holdings is increasing. Agriculture cannot be developed as an efficient industry, unless the unit of management becomes larger than it is at present. To enjoy the economies of large scale farming, the cooperative farming societies are formed. Cooperative farming implies pooling of land resources and management. By this way the cultivators can adopt mechanized farming and farmers may reap the benefit of large scale farming.

The details of cooperative farming societies functioning in the district during 1992-92 and 1996-97 to 2000-2001 is given below:

Year	No. of societies		Membership		Share capital (Rs in lakhs)		Working capital (Rs in lakhs)
1992-93	9	153		0.20		2.04
1996-97	9	153		0.20		2.04
1997-98	9	153		0.20		2.04
1998-99	9	153		0.20		2.04
1999-2000	9	153		0.20		2.04
2000-2001	9	153		0.20		2.04

(Source: Deputy Registrar Cooperative Societies, Fatehgarh Sahib)

Other Societies.- In addition to the societies mentioned above, there were 255 milk cooperative societies functioning in the district during 2000-2001.

(viii) Progress of Scientific Agriculture

Land being a scare factor of production its supply cannot be increased to a large extent. So agricultural production can be increased only by adopting scientific methods of cultivation i.e. by intensive cultivation. Intensive cultivation comprises use of new and recommended seeds which have been evolved through agricultural research, use of improved agricultural implements, chemical fertilizers, etc. Details of these factors is given in the following paragraphs.

Agricultural Implements.- The use of improved agricultural implements and machinery helps the farmers in the timely performance of various agricultural operations by saving time. Mechanization cuts down labour costs and facilitates multiple cropping and intensive cultivation. The need of improved farm implements and tools for scientific agriculture received adequate attention during the third Five Year Plan. After that there has been a phenenomenal increase in the use of modern mechanical agricultural implements in the State as well as in the district

The number of tractors and tube wells/pumping sets (electric and diesel including additional bores) in the Fatehgarh Sahib district as on 31 March 2001 was 10,914 and 33,346 respectively.

Soil Testing.- Due to increase in intensity of cropping per unit of area, the deficiency of micro-nutrients has started appearing. In order to improve these deficiencies and to determine the actual needs of soil for optimum application of nutrients, soil testing is very essential. For this purpose 2 soil testing laboratories are working in the Fatehgarh Sahib District at Attewali and Bara, to provide soil testing facility free of cost to the farmers.

As on 31 November 2001,the number of soil samples tested in the Fatehgarh Sahib district was 5,993.

Seeds.- The use of the certified and quality seeds of high yielding varieties is one of the basic inputs for increasing the output of area. To intensify the seed supply to the farmers, the State Government has set up Punjab State Seeds Corporation and the State Seed Certification Authority. Besides a number of schemes have been introduced, to provide seed, seedlings and plants to the farmers which give higher yield. The National Seeds Corporation and a number of private agencies also assist the farmers in the supply and distribution of various types of seeds.

The Punjab Improved Seeds and Seedlings Act, 1950 provides for the use of pure seeds and seedlings recommended by the Department of Agriculture and makes it incumbent on the cultivator in any notified areas to use only improved varieties of seeds stored by the authorised agents. The farmers are also distributed seed-kits free of cost to improve the quality of seeds. Seed-kits of paddy, wheat, mustard, pulses and other oil seeds were being provided to the farmers by the government.

High Yielding Varieties.-  The High Yielding Varieties Programme ( HYVP) was initiated in the State in mid-sixties and in order to popularise the High Yielding Varieties, the Government provided subsidy on the seeds of paddy and wheat in the State. The Department of Agriculture took solid steps to ensure the timely supply of seeds of high yielding varieties, fertilizers and plant protection chemicals. In addition to this, demonstration plots, crop production competitions and information on improved seeds and implements are also provided under this programme.

The high yielding varieties of crops sown in the district are given below:

Name of the Crop	Variety
1 Wheat	PBW 343, PBW 2687,PBW 542,373
2 Paddy	PR114, Pussa 44, PR 111, Basmati, PR 106, PR 116
3 Maize	Kundan, Proagro, Ageti 76, Pioneer

(Source: Chief Agriculture Officer, Fatehgarh Sahib )

Due to the efforts of Agriculture Department almost whole area of wheat, maize and rice sown in the district have been the brought under the high yielding varieties. The percentage of area under high yielding varieties of major food crops in the Fatehgarh Sahib District during the years 1992-93 and 1996-97 to 2000-2001 is given below:

(Percentage)

	Name of the Crop
Year	Rice	Maize	Bajra	Wheat
1992-93	96	100	-	98
1996-97	98	100	-	100
1997-98	96	100	-	100
1998-99	100	100	-	100
1999-2000	100	100	-	100
2000-2001	95	100	-	100

(Statistical Abstracts of Punjab 1993 and 1997 to 2001)

Crop Rotation.-Crop rotation is another measure of increasing the fertility of soil. Farmers adopt crop rotation according to the type of soil. This rotation differs from district to district.

The crop rotation followed in the Fatehgarh Sahib District is Paddy- Wheat.

Fallow Cultivation.- The land from which crop has been harvested and is left to rest until the next sowing is called fallow land. Fallow cultivation, therefore, means the cultivation of land, which has thus rested. It is important for replenishing soil fertility reduced by the previous crop. With the progress of scientific method of cultivation, availability of irrigational facilities and fertilizers and the pressure on land, not much area is left fallow. However the extent of current fallows depends on rains. In 2000-2001 there was no fallow land in the district.

Fertilizers and manures.- The use of manures and fertilizers has increased considerably since the seventies of the last century . The farmers use compost, farm-yard manure and chemical fertilizers to increase agricultural production because after every harvest the soil losses its fertility and becomes deficient in certain nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. To make good this loss of nutrients, the application of chemical fertilizers has become essential to soil. Green manuring with leguminous crops add to the fertility of the soil. Among all kinds of manuring practices, green manuring has been found to be the cheapest. Chemical fertilizers are very useful for food grain crops.

Chemical Fertilizer.- The High Yielding Varieties can absorb high dosages of chemical fertilizers and give high yields as these are fertilizer responsive. The application of phosphatic fertilizers at the time of sowing, increases the yield invariably. At the same time it is necessary to apply the nitrogenous (N) and phosphatic (P) fertilizers in proper proportion to get the best result. The application of chemical fertilizers helps in raising the fertility of soil and cover up the deficiency of some particular nutrients. The use of proper and required dose of these fertilizers is not only helpful to raise the production but also economical. The deficiency of these nutrients in the soil can be known from soil testing. The soil samples are tested free of cost by soil testing laboratories set up by the Department of Agriculture, Punjab/ MARKFED/Punjab Agriculture University at various places in the State.

The following table shows the use of chemical fertilizers in the Fatehgarh Sahib District during 1992-93 and 1996-97 to 2000-2001:-

Year	Nitrogenous (N)	Phosphatic ( P2O5)	Potassic (K20)	Total (NPK)
1992-93	25	5	-	30
1996-97	22	5	-	27
1997-98	26	7	1	34
1998-99	27	12	-	39
1999-2000	29	9	-	38
2000-2001	24	7	-	31

(Statistical Abstracts of Punjab 1993 and 1997 to 2001)

Local Manurial Resources

Rural Compost and Cattle Dung Manures.- The usual remedy for overcoming deficiency of the soil in the district, as in other parts of the State, is through farm yard manure. The preparation of compost manure in the rural areas is also being promoted by teaching the technique of scientific composting. Common compost is prepared by the farmers by digging pits at a specified place and accumulating all sorts of refuse in them. It is very useful in increasing fertility of soil. It contains micro nutrients in addition to the major nutrients which are all the more necessary particularly for high-yielding varieties. Keeping in view the importance of farm manure the Government launched a campaign to make the best use of it and passed the East Punjab Conservation of Manures Act, 1949 amended in 1950. The rural compost scheme was made permanent in the State in October 1966.

The rural compost prepared in the district during 1992-93 and 1996-97 to 2000-2001 is given below:

Year	Rural compost prepared (lakh metric tonnes)
1992-93		09.00
1996-97		14.30
1997-98		14.90
1998-99		16.80
1999-2000		17.00
2000-2001		17.45

(Source: Field Manure-Cum Town Compost Officer, Punjab, S.A.S, Nagar)

Green Manuring.- The Scheme for the extension of green manuring was introduced in the State in 1961. Green manuring is very important for soil fertility as it directly adds nitrogen to the soil at a relatively low cost. It also improves the soil texture by addition of humus of organic matter besides improving physical proportion of the soil and conservation of moisture. The crops generally used for green manuring are guara, dhaincha, sunn-hemp.

The area under green manuring in the district during 1992-93 and 1996-97 to 2000-2001 is given below:

Year	Area under green manuring ( in hectares)
1992-93		1,000
1996-97		7,000
1997-98		6,935
1998-99		7,375
1999-2000		7,230
2000-2001		6,380

(Source: Field Manure-Cum-Town Compost Officer, S.A.S.Nagar)

Town Compost and Sullage Utilization

Town Compost.- Urban Wastes are a potential source of plant food ingredients. Efforts have been made to ensure these wastes for manurial purposes. The Town Compost Scheme was introduced in the State in 1944. Under this scheme, all town wastes are collected and allowed to decompose in trenches, yielding organic manure of high quality which is sold to the cultivators. In these days the compost prepared by the municipalities is loosing the popularity as it contained a huge quantity of poly bags and broken glass in it.

The quantity of town compost prepared by the local bodies in the district during the year 1992-93 and 1996-97 to 2000-2001 is given below:

Year	Town compost prepared (in metric tonnes)
1992-93	3,300
1996-97	3,150
1997-98	3,200
1998-99	2,900
1999-2000	3,125
2000-2001	2,850

(Source : Field Manure Cum Town Compost Officer, S.A.S. Nagar )

Sullage Utilization.- The potential of sewage and sullage available in the cities and towns as a source of plant nutrients and irrigation water is enormous. It is highly useful to all the crops and is easily available for the fields in the vicinity of cities and towns.

(ix) Agricultural Insects-Pests and Diseases and Obnoxious Weeds

Insects-Pests and Diseases.- Due to rise in intensity of cropping, incidence of disease has increased. Protection of crops from pests and diseases assumes special significance in the wake of increased consumption of fertilizers and improved seeds. The high yielding cereals grown largely with indigenous varieties are comparatively more susceptible to pests and diseases.

Plant protection measures contribute significantly towards enhancing agricultural production. Crops in the Fatehgarh Sahib District as elsewhere in the State suffer from various insects- pests and diseases. The most of serious diseases and insects from which crops in the district suffer include white backed plant hopper, rats, black bug and stem borer etc.

Obnoxious Weeds.- With the increase of multiple cropping and higher inputs weeds have become a problem. Most effective weedicides introduced in recent years which farmers have largely adopted are: Machett, Pratila Chlor, Puta Chlor, Anilophos and Stamop for the rice crop; Tribunal Iroprotone, Topic, Puma Super, Leader , Algrip, 2-4D and Avadex for wheat crop.

Research Stations.- A number of Research Stations have been working at different places in the State. These research Stations function under the control of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. Motive of these Research Stations is to conduct research on different aspects of fruit crops. But no research station is working in the Fatehgarh Sahib District.

(d) Animal Husbandry , Poultry and Fisheries

Animal Husbandry.- Livestock development plays an important role by providing gainful employment apart from providing food of high nutrition value for the health and well-being of the people. Till the sixties of the last century, there were only local breeds of cattle and buffaloe, very few being bred and attempts were being made to improve the strains of inferior quality. Selections were unknown and the only system was that of reproduction through village common bulls. Goats and sheep were numerous but there was no especially good breed. They are gradually decreasing in number because of the extension of cultivation which has reduced area available for grazing.

Revolutionary progress has been made in the district in recent years in improving the breed of cattle through selective breeding, culling of undesirable animals and upgrading the indigenous breeds by crossing them with improved bulls. Artificial insemination for improving the breed of cows and buffaloes has been started in all major veterinary hospitals and dispensaries located in the district. Loans are also given to the breeders for purchase of cows and buffaloes of improved breed.

The principal categories of live stock found in the district comprise, buffaloes, cattle, goats and sheep. Buffaloes are most numerous category accounting 175.6 thousands out of the total livestock of 264.2 thousands as per 1997 Livestock Census. Cattle came next with 76.9 thousand, goats and sheep occupies third and forth position with 4.8 thousand and 4.5 thousand respectively. The total number of livestock in the district decreased from 347.1 thousand in 1990 to 264.2 thousand during the year 1997 as per Livestock Census.

At the district level, Animal Husbandry Department is under the charge of Deputy Director, Animal Husbandry Fatehgarh Sahib. He is assisted by 1 Assistant Director, 4 Senior Veterinary Officers, 36 Veterinary Officers, 2 Senior Assistants, 1 Junior Assistant, 3 Clerks, 1 Film Project Operator, 2 Junior Field Investigators, 4 Laboratory Assistants, 2 Veterinary Officers, besides other Class III staff.

The main activities of the Animal Husbandry Department in the Fatehgarh Sahib District are: to increase the genetic potential of live stock through cross breeding and selective breeding, to provide efficient health cover, to provide extensive services by holding sterility camps, film shows, etc. and to educate farmers regarding improved feeding and management practices to get maximum return from their animals.

The number of livestock in the Fatehgarh Sahib District according to 1990 and 1997 Livestock Census is given below :

(Thousand)

Particulars	1990	1997
Cattle	95.3	76.9
Buffalos	210.1	175.6
Horses and Ponies	0.7	0.3
Donkeys	0.5	@
Mules	0.7	0.3
Sheep	15.0	4.8
Goats	17.4	4.5
Camels	0.4	-
Pigs	7.0	1.8
Others	-	-
Total	347.1	264.2
Poultry	765.3	516.2

(Statistical Abstracts of Punjab 1996 and 2000)

@ Less than 50

(i) Animal Health and Breeding wing

At the district level, the Animal Husbandry Department has been Divided into two wings, viz. Animal Health Wing and Animal Breeding Wing. The activities of both of these wings are described below:

Animal Health Wing.- This wing of the Animal Husbandry Department at the District level is under the charge of the Deputy Director, Animal Husbandry Fatehgarh Sahib.

The main functions of the wing are: to provide efficient health cover for the treatment of sick animals; to protect livestock from contagious diseases by doing prophylactic vaccination; to protect livestock from worms by deworming the young and adult at proper times.

On 31 March 2001, there were 47 veterinary hospitals and 42 dispensaries in the Fatehgarh Sahib. Two poultry service centres one each at Sirhind and Bassi Pathana were functioning in the district during 2000-2001 to contribute towards the promotion of poultry and sheep health.

Animal Breeding Wing.- The main activities of this wing are: to improve the breed of the cattle by intensification of cross breeding programme. In order to increase the milk production it was decided to resort to cross breading in cows and selective breeding in buffaloes. For improving the quality of cattle, frozen semen and liquid semen techniques are used. To provide breeding facilities promptly and effectively and to penetrate the benefits of latest policy of breeding to interior rural areas of the district. All veterinary institutions were rendering artificial insemination (AI) services in the district during 2000-2001.

The animals covered under the AI methods and calves born by A.I method in the Fatehgarh Sahib District during 1992-93 and 1996-97 to 2000-2001 is given below :

Year	Animals covered through Artificial Insemination methods Cows Buffaloes		Calves born by Artificial Insemination methods Cows Buffaloes
1992-93	40,517	20,102	13,914	6,804
1996-97	55,050	27,246	16,534	7,532
1997-98	58,068	31,003	17,928	9,219
1998-99	52,931	26,870	16,023	8,280
1999-2000	54,109	27,839	18,352	8,899
2000-2001	49,582	27,667	18,152	9,515

(Statistical Abstracts of Punjab 1993 and 1997 to 2001)

Semen Bank.-No semen bank has been functioning in Fatehgarh Sahib District. For artificial insemination frozen semen straws of cows and buffaloes are collected from the semen bank, Patiala, Nabha, Rupnagar and Kapurthala where the bulls of exotic breeds are kept.

Development of Gaushalas

Gaushalas were institutions inspired by religious sentiments to house the unproductive and useless cattle and were on charity. But now the idea has been mooted to convert these institutions into cattle breading-cum-milk producing centres with some financial assistance and technical guidance.

As on 31 March 2001, there were 5 gaushalas in the district two at Mandi Gobindgarh and one each at Amloh, Sirhind and Bassi Pathana.

Cattle Fairs and Shows

Cattle fairs are of vital importance to the farmers and to others who rear cattle. These fairs provide market for the sale and purchase of cattle. Besides, these provide an opportunity to the breeders to select suitable type of animals. Like agricultural commodities, the marketing of cattle has also been regulated in the State. District authorities organize these fairs at regular intervals at various places which provide marketing facilities to the cattle owners. These fairs also provides them with an occasion to exchange ideas and experience in the field of livestock breeding. These cattle fairs are a source of income to the authorities in the form of market fee which is charged from both seller and buyers of cattle at rate of 10 Rs per cattle head from the seller and 4 per cent of sale proceeds from the buyer. The monthly cattle fairs are held at Mandi Gobindgarh, Chunni Kalan, Ranwan, Peer Jain and twice a month at Sirhind. Similarly an annual fair is also held at Mandi Gobindgarh.

Castration

The reproductive quality of scrub and inferior bulls is controlled by means of castration, breeding through such bulls caures deterioration in the genetic potential of the progeny. The Animal Husbandry Department has been making efforts for the elimination of undesirable male calves through castration to improve the live stock. Keeping this in view, 67 cattle were castrated in the district during 2000-2001.

Control of Menace of Wild and Stray Cattle .- In order to control this menace a scheme for their rounding up as well as for their disposal known as Wild and Stray Cattle Catching Scheme, was launched in the State in 1962-63. Under this scheme cattle catching parties are organized to round up wild and stray cattle. Fatehgarh Sahib District is under the jurisdiction of Cattle Catching Party, Patiala , which round up wild and stray cattle which are lodged in various Gaushalas in the district.

(ii) Area Under Fodder Crops

The main source of cattle feed in the Fatehgarh Sahib District, as elsewhere in the State are green fodder, i.e. green grasses, cultivated fodder like, chari, guara, barseem, javi, metha, etc., dry fodder or by products of agricultural crops like wheat, barley, maize, sugarcane tops, certain weeds in crops suitable for fodder and concentrated feeds. With the decrease in grazing facilities, fodder crops have gained much importance. The main fodder crops cultivated in the district are: chari, guara, barseem and oats. Cattle feed, oilcakes, barley, wheat bran and cattle seeds are used as concentrated food mostly for milch cattle.

The area under fodder crops in the district during 1992 and 1996 to 2000 is given below:

					(In hectares)
Fodder Crops	1992	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000
Kharif Crops
Jowar (Chari)	8,060	5,681	6,645	6,170	6,670	6,523
Guara	94	2,738	2,501	6	12	3
Other Fodder	1,861	777	177	2,843	2,446	2,204
Total	10,015	9,196	9,323	9,019	9,128	8,730
Rabi Crops
Barseem	5,451	5,533	5,516	5,277	5,372	5,518
Oats (Javi)	286	470	513	707	666	680
Other Fodder	27	62	96	-	18	111
Total	5,764	6,065	6,125	5,984	6,056	6,309
Grand Total	15,779	15,261	15,448	14,003	15,184	15,039

(Source: Deputy Commissioner, Fatehgarh Sahib)

(iii) Dairy Farming

Milk is derived from buffaloes and cows, but the buffaloes constituted main source of milk supply in the district. With the increasing concentration of population in some of the areas of the district and with the rise in the price of milk, dairying has become a paying business. A large number of people in the villages and towns maintain small dairies for supplying milk to the towns. Some of the people also keep cows and buffaloes to meet their own requirements of milk and milk products.

Milk was always there in Punjab in plenty and lots to spare, but at a price not so good for toiling farmers as milk exchanged hands through those of middle men who took away a major part of the farmers profits. This was what made the MILKFED to step in Punjab. MILKFED, the popular name of ‘The Punjab State Co-operative Milk Producers Federation Ltd., came into existence in December 1973 with the twin objective of providing remunerative milk market to the milk producers in the State by value addition and marketing of produce on one hand and technical inputs to the milk producers for enhancement of milk production on the other hand. MILKFED knows that farmers deserved much more and that things could always be better with little more planning, controlling and with the aid of modern technology. During 2000-2001, the per capita availability of milk in the State was 870 grams per day.

In order to develop dairy farming on modern lines two schemes has been functioning in the district along with the rest of the State. A brief description of these schemes has been given here under:

Training Infrastructure in Dairying for Rural Unemployed Youth for Commercialized Milk Production.- Under this scheme one month training in dairy farming is provided to the trainees who have eduction upto middle level. On the completion of training, loans upto maximum limit of Rs 4 lakhs is provided to these persons so that they can develop dairy farming.

Two Days Training Schemes.- Under this scheme technical know how