Wheat, maize, vegetables, pulses, and a variety of fruits, such as apples, mangoes, and pears, are among the many crops that are grown in Himachal Pradesh. However, because of the erratic weather and shifting harvesting patterns, the survival of these crops is now in doubt.
According to experts in the sector, if current trends continue, Himachal Pradesh’s agricultural status might significantly deteriorate over the next 10 to fifteen years.
Families that depend on farming have found life more challenging as a result of the state’s declining agricultural output over time, forcing them to look for other sources of income. Because of this, thousands of young people from agricultural families go to nearby states like Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi every year, and then even further to Maharashtra and Goa, in pursuit of work. While some people land good careers, many wind up in entry-level or low-paying occupations in industries like hospitality.
Agriculture is still one of the most prevalent occupations in the state and is essential to economy. Approximately 53.95 percent of the population who work is directly employed by it. Agriculture and related industries made up around 14.70 percent of the state’s Gross State Value Added (GSVA) in the fiscal year 2024–2025, indicating a discrepancy between labor investment and economic return. Approximately 9.44 lakh hectares of the 55.67 lakh hectare total land area are under operational holdings, which are farmed by approximately 9.97 lakh farmers. The average size of a landholding is around 0.95 hectares.
The state’s wheat production fell 19.76% in 2024–25 compared to 2023–24, according to the Economic Survey 2024–25. In a similar vein, ragi and rice/paddy had declines of 6.25% and 6.39%, respectively. The paper also noted a progressive movement towards commercial crops, resulting to a drop in the area under food grain production, from 853.88 thousand hectares in 1997-98 to 688.69 thousand hectares in 2023-24.
The Department of Agriculture’s Director, Ravinder Singh Jasrotia, expressed worry over young people’s waning interest in agriculture. He mostly blamed this tendency on unpredictable weather that has made farming more difficult. “Just before harvest season, the state frequently experiences heavy rainfall, hailstorms, and other extreme weather events, resulting in significant crop damage and losses for farmers.” The decrease in agricultural yield has also been attributed to shifting harvesting schedules, he added.
