by D.S. Thakur
Professor of Agricultural Economics
Regional Research Station, Bajaura

The comparative production, economics of principal crops, improved cropping systems and integrated holistic farming systems under hi-tech agriculture in farmers' fields of the 100 sample farmers of hills are given on the page Economy of Crops.

The crops have been raised with the recommended advanced package of practices in particular the Organic Farming System, supplemented with chemical fertilisers and pesticides when unavoidable due to the scarcity of organic manures and pesticides.

It is noticed from Economy of Crops Table that even in hills, foodgrain production and production of other crops can be increased remarkably, i.e., 2-3 times by the adoption of advanced hi-tech agriculture in the form of recommended advanced package of practices.

The average foodgrain production of paddy, wheat and maize which is only 14, 16, 18 quintals per hectare in Himachal Pradesh has gone up to as high as 50, 40 and 41 quintals per hectare under hi-tech agriculture. Similarly, the yield of vegetables and fruits have also increased by 3 to 4 times as compared to existing average yields of farmers. This has given a quantum jump in income of farmers which is highest in case of tomato followed by cauliflower, apple and other crops.