Punjab's area is only 1.5% of India, yet it produced 60% of wheat and 35% of rice over the last 2 decades

1. Punjab is the 'granary' of India. Although, it accounts for only 1.5% of India's geographical area, over the past two decades it has contributed 35% of India's rice output and 60% of its wheat.

2. Groundwater irrigates 75% of land in Punjab. However, groundwater is rapidly depleting. Thirty years ago farmers had to dig upto 10 metres (32 feet) for water, in 2015 farmers have to dig upto 20 metres (64 feet). Water levels are dropping by 40 cm (16inches) per year.

3. Rice and wheat make up 80% of Punjab's irrigated crops.Rice requires lot of water, so farmers resort to heavy usage of groundwater.

4. About 3.5 million of Punjab's 9.1 million workers depend on agriculture or associated activities.

5. To address the water problem, farmers will have to move to less-thirsty crops like pulses, maize, oil-seeds, vegetables, and sugarcane.

Source: The Financial Express, Oct 18, 2016