Agriculture is the main occupation of people in Himachal Pradesh.
It provides direct employment to approx. 53.95% of the total workforce.
Agriculture and allied sectors contribute 14.7% to the total GSVA of the state in FY2024–25.
📍 Land Utilization and Farming Statistics
Total geographical area of Himachal Pradesh: 55.67 lakh hectares
Operational land holdings:
Area under operation: 9.44 lakh hectares
Total number of farmers: 9.97 lakh
Average land holding size: 0.95 hectares
🧑🌾 Distribution of Land Holdings (as per Agriculture Census 2015–16)
Category
% of Total Holdings
Small & Marginal Farmers
88.85%
Semi-Medium & Medium Farmers
10.85%
Large Farmers
0.30%
Overview of Agriculture and Allied Sector Performance
The Gross State Value Added (GSVA) from Agriculture and Allied Sectors at current prices has increased by 53% over four years: YearGSVA (₹ crore)FY2020–21₹20,838FY2024–25 AE₹31,879
📈 CAGR (2020–21 to 2024–25) for Agriculture & Allied Sector: 11.22%
The sector’s share in total GSVA has remained steady between 13–15% over the last five years.
🌿 Crop Sub-Sector: The Key Growth Driver
GSVA from crop production rose by 78% during 2020–21 to 2024–25: YearCrop GSVA (₹ crore)FY2020–21₹12,341FY2024–25 AE₹21,912
📈 CAGR (2020–25) for Crops: 15.43%
Contribution of Crops to Agriculture & Allied GSVA:
FY2020–21: 59.2%
FY2024–25: 68.73%
Contribution to Total GSVA in FY2024–25: 10.1%
🐄 Livestock Sub-Sector
Livestock is crucial for small and marginal farmers, offering stability and resilience during calamities.
Growth rate (FY2024–25 AE): 5.2%
Contribution:
To Agriculture & Allied GSVA: 9.24%
To Total GSVA: 1.36%
🌲 Forestry Sub-Sector
Growth rate (FY2024–25 AE): 4.0% (Rebound from –1.5% in FY2023–24)
Contribution:
To Agriculture & Allied GSVA: 21.09%
To Total GSVA: 3.10%
🐟 Fishery Sub-Sector
Fastest-growing sub-sector with 7.0% estimated growth in FY2024–25 (↑ from 6.3% in FY2023–24)
Contribution:
To Agriculture & Allied GSVA: 0.94%
To Total GSVA: 0.14%
📊 Sub-Sectoral Contribution Breakdown (FY2024–25)
Sub-Sector
% of Agriculture & Allied GSVA
% of Total GSVA
Crops
68.73% (69%)
10.1%
Livestock
9.24% (9%)
1.36%
Forestry
21.09% (21 %)
3.10%
Fishery
0.94% (1%)
0.14%
📌 Basic Geographical Facts
Rank (Area-wise) in India: 17th
Global Rank: 126th
Total Geographical Area: 55,673 sq. km
🗺️ Land Use Distribution (% of total area)
Land Use Category
% of Total Area
Permanent Pastures & Grazing Land
32.82%
Forest Cover
24.55%
Barren & Uncultivable Land
16.73%
Net Area Sown
11.49%
Land under Non-Agricultural Use
7.98%
Cultivable Waste Land
2.73%
Current Fallows
1.72%
Other Fallow Land
1.53%
Land under Misc. Tree Crops (Not Included in NSA)
1.48%
Others
0.51%
📊 Table: Land Holding Size Classes in Himachal Pradesh
Size Class (ha)
No. of Holdings (lakh)
Area Operated (lakh ha)
Avg. Holding Size (ha)
Marginal (<1.0 ha)
7.12
2.85
0.40
Small (1.0–2.0 ha)
1.73
2.42
1.39
Semi-Medium (2–4 ha)
0.82
2.23
2.72
Medium (4–10 ha)
0.26
1.46
5.62
Large (≥10 ha)
0.03
0.47
15.67
Total
9.97 lakh
9.44 lakh ha
0.95 ha
HPAS Mains GS 3 2017 : What is the average size of each of the various categories of land-holdings in Himachal Pradesh? (4 Marks)
🧠 Key Observations and Analysis
1. 👨🌾 Marginal Farmers Dominate by Number
71.4% of total holdings belong to marginal farmers (7.12 out of 9.97 lakh).
But they operate only 30.2% of total land area (2.85 out of 9.44 lakh ha).
Avg. land size is just 0.40 ha, highlighting land fragmentation.
2. 🌾 Small & Semi-Medium Farmers Control Most Land
Together, Small + Semi-Medium farmers:
Account for 25.5% of total holdings
Operate 50% of the total area
Represent a more efficient and stable class of landowners.
3. 🌱 Medium and Large Farmers: Fewer, but Hold Bigger Chunks
Only 2.9% of farmers fall in Medium & Large categories.
Yet, they operate over 20.5% of total land (1.46 + 0.47 = 1.93 lakh ha).
Their average land size:
Medium: 5.62 ha
Large: 15.67 ha
4. 📉 Average Land Holding in HP is Small
Overall average holding size in HP: 0.95 ha — below national average.
This explains the subsistence nature of farming and dependence on allied sectors like livestock and horticulture.
11% farmers have 44 % land
📊 Rainfall Statistics – Himachal Pradesh (2024)
🗓️ June to September 2024 (Monsoon Season)
Normal Rainfall: 734 mm
Actual Rainfall: 602 mm
Deficiency: –132 mm
🗓️ October to December 2024 (Post-Monsoon)
Normal Rainfall: 83 mm
Actual Rainfall: 50 mm
Deficiency: –33 mm
✅ Conclusion: Rainfall was below normal in both monsoon and post-monsoon seasons.
🌱 Agriculture Pattern in Himachal Pradesh
Rainfed farming dominates: 👉 ~80% of total cultivated land is rainfed.
🌾 Major Crops
Cereal Crops
Rice, Maize, and Wheat
Oilseed Crops
Kharif: Soyabean, Sunflower
Rabi: Mustard (Rapeseed), Toria
Pulses
Kharif: Mash, Moong, Rajmash
Rabi: Gram, Lentil
🌍 Agro-Climatic Zones in Himachal Pradesh
The state is divided into 4 major agro-climatic zones:
Sub-Temperate, Sub-Humid Mid-Hills Zone (Mid-altitudes – moderate temperature)
Wet Temperate High Hills Zone (High rainfall and cooler climate)
Dry Temperate High Hills & Cold Deserts Zone (Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur – low rainfall, extreme cold)
🌟 Focus Crops & Government Priorities
Cash Crops:
Seed Potato
Off-season Vegetables
Ginger
📈 State Govt Focus:
Enhance productivity of cereals
Promote oilseeds, pulses, and vegetables
Emphasis on timely supply of inputs
Expand wasteland development
Improve irrigation and water use efficiency
Strengthen farm technology demonstration and advisory systems
Almost half of the rainfall is received during the monsoon season and the remaining precipitation is distributed among other seasons. The State receives an average rainfall of 1,251 mms. Kangra district gets the highest rainfall followed by Chamba, Sirmour and Mandi.
📍 Net Sown Area (NSA)
2021–22: 5.27 lakh hectares
2022–23: 5.32 lakh hectares 🟢 Marginal increase in sown area observed.
Wheat (35.87%) and Maize (28.73%) together account for nearly 65% of total cultivated area.
Top crops by area share: Wheat, Maize, Rice, Barley, Pulses (80% of total NSA)
📊 Production Share in 2024–25
Crop Category
Contribution to Total Crop Production
Food Grains
41.75%
Commercial Crops
58.25%
🌾 Food Grains Production (FY 2024–25 Estimates)
Crop
Production (‘000 MT)
Growth (%) over 2023–24
Share in Total Production
Rice/Paddy
161.82
–6.39%
4.49%
Maize
628.18
+3.33%
17.43%
Ragi
0.90
–6.25%
0.02%
Small Millets/Bajra
2.29
+76.15%
0.06%
Wheat
628.00
–19.76%
17.43%
Barley
30.00
–2.34%
0.83%
Gram
0.37
+94.74%
0.01%
Pulses (total)
52.79
+12.51%
1.47%
➡️ Total Food Grains: 1504.35 ‘000 MT 📉 Decline of –8.47% over 2023–24
🥔 Commercial Crop Production (FY 2024–25 Estimates)
Crop
Production (‘000 MT)
Growth (%) over 2023–24
Share in Total Production
Potato
195.00
–0.05%
5.41%
Vegetables
1870.00
+1.09%
51.90%
Ginger (Green)
34.00
+2.56%
0.94%
➡️ Total Commercial Crops: 2099.00 ‘000 MT 📈 Growth of 1.01% over 2023–24
📦 Total Crop Output (Food + Commercial)
Year
Total Output (‘000 MT)
Growth (%)
2023–24
3721.59
—
2024–25
3603.35
–7.46%
✅ Key Takeaways for Exam
📉 Total production declined by –7.46% in FY 2024–25
🌽 Maize output up, but wheat fell sharply (–19.76%)
