Punjab is a state where the seeds of green revolution sprouted. Transforming the country from a food deficit to a surplus nation. However, in the process Punjab lost its prime soil, water and forest. As per a study done by M Singh and K Brar, Punjab Agricultural University, Chandigarh, "Since 1960s, wetlands in the state were drained and reclaimed for either cultivation or urbanisation. As a result only 11 per cent of the natural wetlands remain. Impounded wetlands has been constructed only to facilitate the irrigation network." Even the village ponds are not maintained properly. A survey done by Kheti Virasat, a Chandigarh-based NGO, in 20 villages of Ropar district, reveals that "Only 21 ponds (2 - 4 acre) exist whereas, earlier in just one village three - four of such ponds could be easily found. About seven of these are dry and 14 have dirty water". According to an estimate, more than 90 per cent of the state's ponds have been encroached upon.

Punjab has harnessed about 98 per cent of its irrigation potential. More than 95 per cent of the sown area is irrigated. Only 40 per cent of it is from canals and the rest from innumerable tubewells. For every 100 hectares about 25 to 43 tubewells exist. According to an estimate, there are about one million tubewells in the state.

Further, due to unplanned paddy cultivation,the water table has been dropping steadily during the past two decades from 50 feet in 1980 to 250 feet in 2002. "Between October to June every year, all the rivers are just dry beds of sand", reveals Jagjit Singh, ex-chairman, Soil Conservation Department, Government of Punjab (GoP).

According to Singh, "Excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides has adversely affected human health and the regions diverse biodiversity. Most of the farmers in Punjab are just looking for good price with no concern for their consumers' health."

Due to the minimum support price for wheat and paddy offered by the government, an element of complacency crept in and has since increased manifold. However, in the process the quality of the produce was ignored - making it uncompetitive in the global market.

Wetland encroached for cultivation

But things have started to change for the better. To encourage farmers to diversify from mono cropping to other crops like barley, mustard and maize for the next five years, the state government has recently introduced contract farming. Experts have for long suggested this change in cropping pattern to improve the state of soil and water condition. It is not an easy task as it involves changing mindsets. But a beginning has been made. Punjab Agro Industries Corporation in collaboration with the state government is operationalising it. Assured prices are also being ensured to the farmers as an incentive.