Introduction
Agriculture in Uttarakhand is characterized by sharp geographical dualism between the vast mountainous terrain and the fertile plain districts. While employing nearly half of the state's workforce, the primary sector contributes approximately 9.34% to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for 2024-25, underscoring structural imbalances in agrarian livelihoods.
Status of Agriculture: Plain-Hill Dualism
- Hilly Region (86% of geographical area): Characterized predominantly by subsistence, rainfed, and terrace farming cultivating traditional millets such as Finger Millet (Mandua) and Barnyard Millet (Jhangora).
- Plain Region (14% of geographical area): Highly mechanized and irrigated intensive farming in districts like Udham Singh Nagar and Haridwar, primarily producing Rice, Wheat, and Sugarcane.
Key Challenges
- Socio-demographic Crisis: Nearly 89% of operational landholdings are small and fragmented. Chronic male out-migration has led to the emergence of deserted 'ghost villages' and the severe feminization of agriculture, where women shoulder manual cultivation without institutional land rights.
- Ecological & Climate Vulnerabilities: Agriculture in the hill tracts (~85% rainfed) faces drying natural mountain springs (Naulas and Dharas), alongside recurrent cloudbursts, soil erosion, and landslides.
- Human-Wildlife Conflict: Substantial crop depredation by wild boars, monkeys, and herbivores discourages farmers, accelerating the abandonment of cultivable agricultural land.
Steps Taken by the State Government
- Legislative and Policy Reforms: Uttarakhand became the first state to pass the Organic Agriculture Act (2019) and notified the State Millet Policy (2023) to incentivize and brand traditional 'Shree Anna' crops like Mandua and Jhangora.
- High-Value Horticulture: Dedicated missions such as the Apple and Kiwi Missions promote high-density plantation. The ₹304-crore NABARD-supported Polyhouse Scheme aims to construct 18,000 polyhouses for high-value, off-season vegetable production.
- Alternative and Resilient Cropping: The Aroma Mission promotes the cultivation of non-palatable, aromatic crops such as Lavender, Damask Rose, and Lemongrass, reclaiming abandoned hillside terraces while mitigating wildlife raiding risks.
Conclusion
Addressing hill-specific agrarian distress requires scaling up climate-resilient horticulture, cluster-based organic certification, and securing institutional credit and market access for women farmers, ensuring sustainable mountain development.