Agriculture in Uttarakhand

Agriculture is a significant contributor to Uttarakhand’s Gross State Domestic Product (11% in 2011-12). It is the chief source of livelihood for over 70% of its population. Commercial agriculture is practiced in the plains and the hill farmers are predominantly engaged in subsistence farming. Major crops grown in the state are rice, wheat, sugarcane, maize, soybean, pulses, oilseeds and a number of fruits and vegetables. Uttarakhand has four agro-climatic zones covering six altitudinal farming approaches, which means there is potential to grow a wide variety of crops within the State. 

Crop Yield

Data displayed: Average yield of key crops in Uttarakhand (Vulnerability and Risk Assessment, Draft Report. 2016)

The graph is indicative of the average annual yield of Uttarrakhand's major crops for two years.

Wheat and Rice Yield

District-wise annual average wheat and rice yield in Uttarakhand, especially in the hill districts, has had low agricultural yields because of its high dependence on rain-fed agriculture and small land holdings. This has been exacerbated by a difficult terrain, lack of access to improved inputs and technology, and poor trade conditions. The maps indicate that the plain districts enjoy relatively higher rice and wheat yields.

Wheat Yield

Data displayed: Uttarakhand Wheat Yield (Directorate of Agriculture, Uttarakhand)

Wheat production and yield is the highest in the districts of Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital and Haridwar.

Rice Yield

Data displayed: Uttarakhand Rice Yield (Directorate of Agriculture, Uttarakhand)

Rice production and yield is the highest in the districts of Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital, Dehradun and Haridwar.

Crop Irrigation

Data displayed: Crop Irrigation: Percentage of surface and sub-surface irrigation (Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR))

The percentage of surface and sub-surface irrigation (compared to net irrigated area) for 2009-10 can be viewed by selecting the required layer in the legend. Irrigation predominantly occurs in the plains. 87% of the land is irrigated in the plains compared to a mere 10% in the hills. The hill districts are largely rain-fed. The plain districts of Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital, and Dehradun have the highest net irrigated area.



Data displayed: Average Temperature (NASA Earth Exchange Global Daily Downscaled Projections (NEX-GDDP)

An increase in temperature extremes can lead to water stress with implications for agriculture. Higher temperatures can limit growth, leading to decreased yields and making plants more susceptible to disease and pests. The interactive maps below indicate past and future projections of average temperature in the state until 2050 under the moderate emissions (RCP 4.5) scenario. These projections suggest an average annual increase in temperature of 1.5 – 2.0°C across the state by mid-century.

Uttarakhand Water Resource Vulnerability

Data displayed: Uttarakhand Water Resource Vulnerability Index (Uttarakhand State Climate Change Centre (SCCC))

Agriculture is inherently vulnerable to climate variability and change due to the linkages between temperature, rainfall and crop cycles. The vulnerability and risk assessment (VRA) for the state points to three specific areas of future impact on agriculture:

1.    Increased water stress

2.    Increased risk of flooding

3.    Potential increase in some crop yields

Increased water stress can increase the need for surface or groundwater irrigation for crops during their critical growth period. Based on estimates by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Udham Singh Nagar – which has the highest percentage of wheat and rice yield – is forecasted to have the highest groundwater loss.

The study indicates increased seasonal agriculture water stress in the monsoon and post monsoon periods under moderate and extreme climate scenarios for the mid-century. The Water Resource Vulnerability Index for the state is based on an analysis of a number of indicators including water availability during monsoon periods, crop water stress, frequency of drought, flood discharge, etc. According to the index, most of the southern part of the state, where key crops are concentrated, will face extreme water stress. The map highlights that water resource vulnerability is very high in the central and eastern districts of Uttarakhand and is projected to increase for the plain districts of Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital, Haridwar and Dehardun by mid-century.

The baseline and mid-century projections can be viewed by selecting the appropriate layer from the Legend.

Uttarakhand Flood Hazards

Data displayed: Uttarakhand Flood Hazards (Uttarakhand State Climate Change Centre)

Increased intensity of rainfall events, particularly an increase in precipitation in the summer monsoon, can lead to flooding, resulting in soil erosion and crop loss, as well as disruption of transport routes and access to markets. Uttarakhand is highly dependent on rain-fed agriculture, which makes it susceptible to changes in rainfall. These projected changes may in turn pose a threat to rural farming livelihoods and overall food security, as well as agricultural revenues. The map indicates spatial distribution of floods for baseline period (1981 – 2010) and mid-century (2021 – 2050) under the moderate emissions scenario (RCP 4.5) with a 5 year and a 50 year return period. The different scenarios can be viewed by selecting the required layer from the legend.

On the likelihood of future flooding based on climate models, the vulnerability and risk assessment projects increased flooding across all emission scenarios and time-lines. Specifically, under the moderate scenario (RCP 4.5), peak discharges in parts of Dehradun, Haridwar, Tehri Gharwal, and Uttarkashi are likely to increase by 30 to 40% in the mid-century. Increased flooding will have widespread consequences for all parts of the society and economy.

It is important to note that the VRA results do not take into account flooding due to events such as cloudbursts, which could further increase the risk of disasters.

Crop Yield Projections

While rice yield is projected to improve by mid-century on the plain districts of Uttarakhand, wheat yield is projected to decline in districts where production is currently concentrated.

Uttarakhand Agriculture Vulnerability

Data displayed: Uttarakhand Agriculture Vulnerability Index (Uttarakhand State Climate Change Centre (SCCC))

A number of climate related factors, including changes in temperature and rainfall, have the potential to affect crop water demand and productivity and thus impact crop yields.

While water resource vulnerability is expected to be concentrated in the plains, the following map on agricultural vulnerability indicates that since these areas are largely irrigated (and not rain-dependent), the plain districts may not be the worst impacted in the long-run. The agriculture vulnerability index (AGVI) was arrived at by aggregating and weighing a cross section of 13 indicators (such as crop yields, net sown area, net irrigated area, fertiliser consumption, livestock units, small landholdings, etc.). The map indicates that by mid-century under the moderate scenario (RCP 4.5 ) plain districts like Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar, and to a lesser extent, Haridwar and Dehradun will have very low to moderate agricultural vulnerability.

Different scenarios can be viewed by selecting the appropriate layer from the legend.