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Statistics
of Himachal Pradesh at a Glance
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The State of Himachal Pradesh is endowed by nature with diverse climatic
conditions and ample natural resources. As per the census of 2001, the
population of the State is 60.77 lac and the density 109 persons per square
km. Out of this population, about 83% are directly or indirectly dependent
on Agriculture. The total geographical area is 55.67 lac hectares and
out of this, 10.10 lac ha is under cultivation distributed among 8.34
lac farming families. The average agriculture land per family is 1.21
ha. The small & marginal farmers are 83.7% with an area of only 5.50 lac
ha (44.6%). The area under irrigation is only 17% of the cultivated land.
The cropping intensity of land is 177.3%.
The major crops of the state are maize, paddy, millets and pulses during
kharif; wheat, barley, gram and other pulses during Rabi. Maize and paddy
occupy about 88.4% of the total cropped area in Kharif. During Rabi, wheat
and barley occupy about 95.4% of the area. In this way these 4 crops constitute
more than 90% of the cropped area in both the seasons.
Seed is a basic input for agriculture which plays big role in production
and productivity of the crops. Realizing the importance of good, healthy
and genetically pure seed, Government of India enacted the Seeds Act during
the Year 1966 and recommended the State Governments for setting-up Seed
Certification Agencies in the State under Section 8 of the Seeds Act.
The National Commission of Agriculture reviewed the Indian seed industry
from different angles and made some of the following important recommendations
in its final report:
1. Seed industry to be expanded on commercial lines.
2. Rigorous enforcement of the Seeds Act.
3. Compulsory certification for seeds of hybrids and vegetatively propagated
crops.
4. Grow out tests to form integral part of seed testing.
5. Seed processing to be made compulsory.
The Government of India launched a National Seeds Project in 1974 with
the assistance of World Bank and recommended for setting up the State
Seed Certification Agencies under Section 8 of the Seeds Act, 1966. The
Certification Agencies have been established as autonomous bodies in many
states.
The Government of Himachal Pradesh established the H.P. State Seed Certification
Agency vide notification no. Agr. F-12-3/76-Vol-II, dated 27.12.1978.
The Himachal Pradesh State Seed Certification Agency is registered under
the Societies Registration Act, 1860 ( Act, XXI of 1860). The Agency started
its independent working w.e.f. 26.10.78. The Agency adopted Memorandum
of association and rules based on the model pattern circulated by the
Government of India. The Agency has also been entrusted the job of certification
of organic farms and their produce and consequently its name has been
changed to H.P. State Seed and Organic Produce Certification Agency vide
notification no.Agr. F(10)-16/2003, dated 19.02 2004
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