Agriculture in India

Agriculture in India

According to the 2011 census, nearly 55% of the total population of the country is engaged in agriculture and allied activities.

• Sikkim is the first organic state of India.

• It provides food to the second-biggest population and the biggest population of cattle in the world.

• Our agro-based industries are fully dependent on raw materials provided by agriculture.

Agriculture, with its allied activities, contributes 17.4% to the country's GVA (Gross Value Added).

Types of Agriculture in India

Subsistence Farming

• In this type of agriculture, farmers work hard to grow enough food to survive.

• The produce is consumed mainly by the farmer and his family.

• There remains no surplus to sell in the market.

Soilless Agriculture (Hydroponics)

• Soilless agriculture refers to hydroponics, which is a subset of hydroculture and is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions in water without soil.

• Terrestrial plants may be grown with their roots in the mineral solution only.

Mixed Farming

• The combination of agriculture and pastoral farming is called mixed farming.

• In this type of farming, cultivation of crops and rearing of animals are done together on the same farm.

Jhum/Shifting Cultivation

• This is a primitive form of agriculture in which a plot of land is cultivated for a few years and then is deserted.

• This slash and burn method of farming is carried on in jungles of the eastern part of India, e.g., in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, etc.

• A plot of land is cleared for cultivation. As the yield decreases after two or three years, the plot is abandoned and a fresh clearing is made.

Organic Farming

• Organic farming is an alternative and innovative agricultural system that originated in the early 20th century in reaction to rapidly changing farming practices.

• It relies on fertilizers of organic origin such as compost, manure, green manure, and bone meal, and emphasizes techniques such as crop rotation and companion planting.

• Biological pest control, mixed cropping, and fostering of insect predators are encouraged.

Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)

• In order to increase food production, several steps are being taken.

• Fertilizers, pesticides, and new technology are required, but they are harmful to sustainable agricultural development.

• To overcome this problem, farmers are now adopting zero-input farming techniques.

• According to this technique, farmers can increase their yield without using fertilizers & pesticides from outside.

• In this type of agriculture, chemical fertilizers and pesticides are not used.

• Through this process, soil becomes favorable for zero budget natural farming.

• In India, it first evolved in the state of Karnataka.

Ranching Farming

• A ranch is an area of land, including various structures, used for the practice of raising grazing livestock such as cattle or sheep for meat or wool.

• The word most often applies to livestock-raising operations in Mexico, the western United States, and Canada, though there are ranches in other areas as well.

• People who own or operate a ranch are called ranchers, cattlemen, or stockgrowers.

• Ranching is also a method used to raise less common livestock such as elk, American bison, or even ostrich, emu, and alpacas.

Contract Farming

• Contract farming is defined as agricultural production carried out by agreement between farmers and buyers.

• It includes the production of bananas, mangoes, potatoes, garlic, onions, etc.

• For example, contract farming of tomatoes is being done in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan; sunflowers in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka; and fruits and vegetables in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

• Besides local food processing firms, Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Hindustan Ltd., etc., also participated in it.

• Presently, a new series of organized and modern retailers has stepped into the market. Subhiksha, Reliance Fresh, Big Apple, etc., are some of them.

• Contract farming helps farmers be more decisive and be capable of selling and purchasing more efficiently.

Extensive Farming

• This is a system of farming in which the cultivator uses a limited amount of labor and capital on a relatively large area.

• This type of agriculture is practiced in countries where population size is small and land is enough.

• Here, per-acre yield is low, but overall production is in surplus due to fewer people.

• Agriculture is done with the help of machines.

Intensive Farming

• This is a system of farming in which the cultivator uses a large amount of labor and capital on a relatively small area.

• In countries where the size of the population is big blargeland is less, this type of farming is done.

• Annually, two or three crops are grown due to the demand for food for the large size of the population.

• Agriculture is done with the help of manual labor.

Plantation Agriculture

In this type of agriculture, trees or bushes are planted on huge estates.

• A single crop, like rubber, sugarcane, coffee, tea, or banana is g,rown.

• These crops are major items of export.

Three Crop Seasons in India:

1. Rabi

• This season starts after the rainy season.

• Sowing begins in September-October, and harvesting takes place in February-March.

• Wheat, barley, pulses, and some oilseeds are grown in the Rabi season.

2. Kharif

• The Kharif season begins with the onset of the monsoons in June-July.

• The crop grows in the rainy season, and harvesting takes place after the retreat of the monsoon in September-October.

• Rice, maize, millets, groundnuts, cotton, and jute are grown in the Kharif season.

3. Zayad

• This is the summer season for growing crops, which remain till April, May, and June.

• Products are mainly vegetables and fruits.

Important Crops and Their Producers (World)

Production Year – 2019

Note: Classification of agricultural areas in the world by D. Hytlasy.

Green Revolution

The increase in agricultural productivity of cereals that has taken place since the 1960s, mainly as a result of the introduction of high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice and the use of fertilizers, machines, irrigation, etc., is known as the Green Revolution.

• The Green Revolution has made us self-sufficient in food production.

• This has not only saved our muchious foreign exchange but has also made us self-reliant.

• But the Green Revolution has proved more beneficial to rich farmers only, because it involves a lot of investment.

Final Thoughts

Agriculture in India forms the backbone of the country’s economy, providing livelihoods to over half of the population. With its diverse cropping patterns across Rabi, Kharif, and Zayad seasons, India produces a wide range of essential crops like wheat, rice, pulses, oilseeds, cotton, and jute. It not only feeds one of the largest populations in the world but also supports industries through raw materials.

The Green Revolution and modern farming methods have significantly boosted production, making the country self-reliant in food grains. However, sustainable practices like organic farming, zero-budget natural farming, and hydroponics are gaining importance for the future.

Understanding these farming systems and seasonal variations is crucial to appreciating the agriculture in India and its vital role in national growth and food security.