RURAL DIVERSIFICATION NEED OF THE HOUR: EXPERT

Ludhiana, March 30, 2017: Dr R S Ghuman, Professor, Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID), Chandigarh, delivered a special lecture on ‘Dynamics of Diversification of Rural Economy in Punjab’ at Department of Economics and Sociology, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. Highlighting the grim situation of Punjab’s rural economy, he stressed on the need for rural diversification. He addressed the issue of over-exploitation of natural resources, particularly water and land in the quest for higher productivity and income, over the last almost three decades, which actually resulted in unsustainable agricultural system. He also expressed concern over socio-economic crisis the Punjab’s farmer in general and marginal and small farmers in particular, is going through.

Dr Sukhpal Singh, Professor and Head of the Department, pointed out that the development of non-farm sector and cooperative farming is the only answer. The lecture was attended by faculty and postgraduate students of the department.

Dr Shalini Sharma introduced the guest speaker and extended a formal welcome. The lecture was proceeded by deliberations on the possibility and scope of rural diversification.

Dr M S Sidhu, a farm economics expert, discussed the role of the non-economic factors to counter the economic malice of rural Punjab.

Going by the past record of continuous increase in the area under paddy, Dr Jagroop Singh Sidhu, Professor of Economics, expressed his apprehensiveness regarding the possibility of diversification in the near future.

Dr D K Grover and Dr Jasdev Singh Sidhu, farm economists, stressed on the need for diversification, considering the socio-ecological cost that Punjab is paying for present cropping pattern. Deliberations culminated with a general consensus on the need for off farm employment to address the problems of agrarian economy of Punjab.