Prevent desertification

Farmers of Punjab and Haryana practice inefficient farming. There were times when Punjab had a variety of crops sown, such as bajra, jowar etc. Today, only wheat, rice remain. During the implementation of the Green Revolution, Punjab, Haryana and western UP were chosen to effectively implement farming techniques, as the canal system was already established here during British times. Today, Punjab and Haryana exploit huge quantity of ground water, as the soil is not naturally suited to wheat and rice. A change in crop pattern is warranted on a war-footing, or the region stands on the verge of becoming a desert in a decade or two.

Naveen Sharma Zirakpur