Agriculture

Total area of Hoshiarpur district is 339000 hectares, out of which forest area is 109000 hectares (32.15 per cent). Nearly 60 percent is the net sown area out of which 81 percent is irrigated and the cropping intensity is 170 percent, 18 percent points less than the state average. For 90 percent of irrigated area, source of irrigation is tubewells (electric operated) and wells. Topographically, the district can be divided into three broad regions on the basis of soil-crop-climate complex.
Introduction:The first region is constituted by flood plains comprising Dasuya, Tanda and Mukerian blocks. This is the most fertile area of the district covering one-fourth of the geographical area. It has wide spread irrigational facilities. Paddy,wheat, maize and sugarcane are the main crops of this region.
The first region is constituted by flood plains comprising Dasuya, Tanda and Mukerian blocks. This is the most fertile area of the district covering one-fourth of the geographical area. It has wide spread irrigational facilities. Paddy, wheat, maize and sugarcane are the main crops of this region.
The second region is Kandi area located at the foot of Shivalik Hills and covers the sub-mountainous undulating plain with a slope of 16 meters per kilometer which progressively decreases towards the west side of the district.This belt Comprise of Hajipur, Talwara, Bhunga Hoshiarpur-2 Blocks and parts of some other blocks. There is acute shortage of water in this area and this area faces high incidence of soil erosion which is caused by the rivulets (shoes) passing through this region and are flooded during the rainy season. Soil of this region is poor and it constitutes about more than one-half of the total geographical area of the district of which two -third area is sown under rain fed conditions. Maize and wheat are the major crops of this region. A lot of soil and water conservation activities like rain water harvesting structures, harvesting of base flow and micro lift systems for irrigation, rain water recharging structures have been done and have shown very good results.

The third region comprises Hoshiarpur-1, Mahilpur and Garhshankar blocks located on the beds of lower Shivalik, these are undulating plains with relatively low slope decreasing up to 4meters per kilometer. This belt also faces water shortage.This area is suitable for maize, Sugarcane and paddy crops. Of late, potato sunflower/maize cropping pattern has emerged in a vast area of this region.

The major horticulture crops in the district are Kinnow & other citrus fruits Mango, Guava, Peach and Grapes etc. The predominant economic activities include agricultural farming, dairying, poultry farming, horticulture, mushroom cultivation,bee keeping , ban making and other village and cottage industries , handicrafts production and export thereof, transport, service activities and trade and business.There is increasing demand for new activities such as Vermiculture, beekeeping,Turmeric cultivation, Amla cultivation etc. The district is emerging as a honey bowl.