Farmers in Punjab's Ludhiana district are steadily moving away from traditional wheat cultivation, opting instead for more lucrative cash crops. Official data reveals a significant contraction in the area dedicated to wheat over the past four years, highlighting a broader shift in agricultural priorities driven by market returns.
The Declining Footprint of Wheat
According to the latest document from the district agriculture department, the area under wheat crop in Ludhiana has reduced by approximately 4,011 hectares since the 2021-22 Rabi season. The cultivated area was at its highest in 2021-22 at about 2,44,213 hectares. This figure has steadily declined, reaching a four-year low of around 2,40,202 hectares in the ongoing 2024-25 Rabi season.
The most pronounced annual drop occurred between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, where the wheat area fell sharply by around 3,361 hectares. This consistent downward trend underscores a calculated move by the farming community towards alternatives that promise better financial outcomes.
The Rise of Cash Crops: Potatoes and Maize Take Center Stage
As wheat recedes, crops like potatoes and spring maize are expanding their footprint. The data presents a clear picture of this diversification. The area under potato in Ludhiana district was 19,304 hectares in 2021-22. After a slight dip the following year, it surged to 22,865 hectares in 2024-25.
Farmers cite substantially higher returns as the primary driver for this shift. Sukhjit Singh, a farmer from Diwala village in Khanna who cultivates 25-30 acres, explained the economics. "Normally, a farmer gets a yield of around 20 quintals from an acre of wheat. From the same area, he can get 200 quintals of potato or 30-40 quintals of maize," he said. This dramatic difference in output directly translates to higher income, making cash crops an attractive proposition.
Official Perspective and Other Crop Trends
Chief Agriculture Officer Gurdeep Singh views this shift positively, aligning with the department's push for crop diversification. "We encouraged crop diversification and it is a good sign that the area under cash crops like potato has increased," he stated. He also noted that the area under mustard crop had been increasing over the years, although data shows a recent dip from 2,281 hectares in 2022-23 to 1,977 hectares in 2024-25.
An anonymous agriculture department official emphasized the strategy of moving beyond traditional staples. "We wanted farmers to go for cash crops as well instead of focusing only on traditional crops like paddy and wheat," the official revealed. The official also highlighted that the area under barley has remained above 1,000 hectares for two consecutive years.
Farmer Sentiment: Profit Over Tradition
The consensus among farmers is clear: economic viability dictates crop choice. Kuldeep Singh, a farmer from the Jagraon area, confirmed that cash crops are providing much higher returns compared to traditional wheat, justifying the transition. However, he cautioned that the importance of traditional food crops should not be entirely ignored.
Sukhjit Singh also pointed out the robust demand for maize, which is used for animal feed, poultry feed, and glucose manufacturing. While acknowledging that spring maize requires more water if irrigated in April, he noted that earlier watering in February reduces this requirement, making it a manageable option for many.
This evolving agricultural landscape in one of Punjab's key districts reflects a broader, market-driven recalibration where farmer income is becoming a central factor in deciding what fills the fields each season.
