Strategic crop diversification in Punjab and Haryana: Enhancing agroecological sustainability, food security, and nutritional outcomes

Punjab and Haryana have long relied on the intensive wheat–rice cropping system that played a pivotal role in ensuring India’s food security. However, this monoculture has contributed to ecological degradation, groundwater depletion, and stagnating farm incomes. This review critically explores the potential of strategic crop diversification as a sustainable solution. It synthesizes data from peer-reviewed literature, national databases, and government reports to examine the agroecological context, economic and nutritional implications, and structural barriers to diversification in both states. Empirical evidence demonstrates that integrating pulses, oilseeds, millets, and horticultural crops can enhance soil health, dietary diversity, and climate resilience. Key challenges such as policy bias, infrastructure limitations, and market failures are addressed, followed by strategic recommendations to operationalize diversification at scale. The review concludes that crop diversification is essential for transitioning to ecologically balanced, nutritionally secure, and economically viable agricultural systems in Punjab and Haryana.