This study, we have analyzes the growth and spatial pattern to find out the determinants of wheat productivity in Haryana. The Composite Standard Score (CSS) indicates that Kaithal, Karnal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa districts have secured top positions, while Gurgaon, Rewari and Mehandergarh have ended up in the last positions in the state in wheat crop intensity level. Out of these 11 variables, only one variable has been found to be significantly associated (negative) with wheat productivity (i.e., irrigation intensity). So, the authors suggest that the Government of Haryana should give importance to foresting and climate education to increase rainfall, providing low water absorbable seeds to save the water, appropriate utilization of water, providing sufficient finance as well as tractors at low, affordable cost, minimum paper work and minimum security for enhancing wheat productivity. It is the moral responsibility of North-Western (N-W) states of India in general and Haryana in particular to ensure increased wheat productivity to achieve the goal of a hunger-free India.

Haryana is an agricultural dominant state1 of India. It has been contributing approximately 12% to total wheat production of India and is the third largest producer after Uttar Pradesh and Punjab in total wheat production. After the Green Revolution, the progress in wheat production in Haryana has been very fast. The area, production and productivity (yield) of wheat crop in Haryana increased from 743,000 ha, 1,059,000 tons, and 1,425 kg/ha in 1966-67 to 237,100 ha, 10,059,000 tons and 4,232 kg/ha respectively in 2006-07 (Statistical Abstract of Haryana, 2008). While, at the national level, the wheat productivity per hectare increased only from 887 kg/ha to 2,708 kg/ha during the same period (Agriculture Statistics at a Glance, 2008). Mainly, two factors are responsible for the high growth of wheat crop in Haryana: first, the natural climate of state is very congenial to the crop; and, second the Green Revolution Program (GRP) was started and implemented in a systematic manner and evenly distributed across the state (Kuldip and Kodan, 2011). So, the coverage area of irrigation, availability of fertilizers, new technology of harvesting the crop, availability of finance2 have significantly increased under the GRP since its inception. In India, wheat is the second most important staple food after rice and about 60% of the output is contributed by North-Western (N-W) India (Singh, 2008). The total production of food grains in India increased from 50.82 million tons in 1950-51 to 230.67 million tons in 2007-08, while wheat production also increased significantly from 6.46 million tons in 1950-51 to 78.40 million tons in 2007-08 (Economic Survey of India, 2008). Yet, we have not been able to eliminate hunger3 from India, and also we have not achieved the goal of 100% hunger-free India, causing a serious hindrance to the progress of the nation. In the changed global economic scenario, the crop economy deserves special attention, especially regular growth pattern, productivity variations and cost structure in cultivation, paving way for farmers’ increased margins without affecting the consumers of wheat. Hence, the Government of India should make systematic efforts in the context of food security.4 This is because, a pressing need is also being felt for increasing the share of exports, besides meeting the domestic requirements. The motive behind the study was to analyze deeply the growth of productivity (yield) of wheat crop and to find out its determinants in general and in Haryana in particular, with the help of simple and advanced statistical techniques.

Agricultural Economics Journal, Rubber Production, Nontraditional Areas, Capital Investment, Government Agencies, Community Processing Centers, Rubber Plantation, Government Forest Lands, Goalpara District, Economic Empowerment.