Chapter 4: Agriculture
Overview
Agriculture is one of the most important economic activities in India, providing employment to a large section of the population. This chapter discusses different types of farming, cropping patterns, major crops grown in India, the role of government policies in agricultural development, and emerging trends in Indian agriculture.
Types of Farming
Agriculture in India is classified into different types based on physical environment, technological advancements, and the purpose of farming.
a. Primitive Subsistence Farming
- Practiced in small patches using traditional tools like hoe, dao, and digging sticks.
- Depends on monsoon, natural fertility of soil, and environmental conditions.
- Low productivity due to lack of modern techniques.
- Example: Slash-and-burn agriculture (Jhumming in the North-East, Podu in Andhra Pradesh, Bewar in Madhya Pradesh).
b. Intensive Subsistence Farming
- Practiced in densely populated areas where land is used intensively.
- Use of labor-intensive techniques with high yields per unit area.
- Involves use of manure, fertilizers, and irrigation facilities.
- Example: Rice farming in West Bengal, Punjab, and Bihar.
c. Commercial Farming
- Farming done with the aim of selling produce in the market.
- Uses modern inputs like high-yield variety (HYV) seeds, fertilizers, and machinery.
- Involves production of crops for both domestic consumption and export.
- Example: Cotton farming in Maharashtra, wheat farming in Punjab.
d. Plantation Farming
- Large-scale farming of cash crops mainly for export.
- Requires a large labor force, capital investment, and scientific techniques.
- Crops such as tea, coffee, rubber, and sugarcane are grown in specific climatic conditions.
- Example: Tea in Assam, Coffee in Karnataka, Rubber in Kerala.
Cropping Patterns in India
India has three major cropping seasons:
a. Rabi Season
- Sown in winter (October-December) and harvested in summer (April-June).
- Crops: Wheat, barley, peas, mustard.
- Requires moderate temperature and rainfall.
- Major states: Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand.
b. Kharif Season
- Sown in the beginning of the monsoon (June-July) and harvested in September-October.
- Crops: Rice, maize, cotton, groundnut, jowar.
- Requires high temperature and heavy rainfall.
- Major states: Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh.
c. Zaid Season
- Short-season crops grown between Rabi and Kharif.
- Crops: Watermelon, cucumber, vegetables, fodder crops.
- Requires warm weather and access to irrigation.
Major Crops in India
a. Food Crops
- Rice: Grown in high-rainfall areas (West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Assam).
- Wheat: Requires moderate temperature and rainfall (Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh).
- Millets: Jowar, Bajra, Ragi – grown in dry regions (Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh).
- Pulses: Gram, tur, urad, moong – important for protein intake (Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra).
b. Cash Crops
- Sugarcane: Grown in tropical regions (Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh).
- Cotton: Requires black soil and warm climate (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka).
- Jute: Grown in high-rainfall areas (West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha).
- Tea & Coffee: Plantation crops in hilly regions (Tea in Assam, Kerala, West Bengal; Coffee in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala).
Agricultural Development in India
a. Green Revolution
- Introduced in the 1960s to increase food production and achieve self-sufficiency.
- Use of HYV seeds, chemical fertilizers, and mechanization.
- Led to self-sufficiency in food grains but also caused environmental issues like soil degradation and depletion of groundwater.
- States benefiting the most: Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra.
b. White Revolution
- Focused on increasing milk production.
- Led by Operation Flood under the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
- India became the world’s largest producer of milk.
c. Government Policies
- Minimum Support Price (MSP): Ensures farmers get fair prices for their produce.
- Subsidies on fertilizers, seeds, and electricity to support small farmers.
- Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN): Provides direct financial assistance to farmers.
- National Agriculture Market (e-NAM): An online platform for better price discovery and sale of farm products.
- Irrigation Projects: Schemes like Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) aim to improve water availability for agriculture.
Challenges in Indian Agriculture
- Dependence on monsoon leads to uncertain production.
- Small and fragmented landholdings reduce efficiency and profitability.
- Overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides leads to soil degradation.
- Poor storage and transport infrastructure cause post-harvest losses.
- Rising input costs and low farmer incomes lead to agrarian distress.
- Climate change affects rainfall patterns and crop yields.
Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture
a. Organic Farming
- Focuses on sustainable practices without chemical inputs.
- Increasing popularity in states like Sikkim, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.
b. Precision Farming
- Use of technology like drones, AI, and sensors to improve farm productivity.
c. Agroforestry and Sustainable Practices
- Combining trees and crops for ecological balance.
- Promoted to combat deforestation and soil erosion.
d. Contract Farming
- Agreements between farmers and companies to ensure market stability and price assurance.
Conclusion
Agriculture remains the backbone of the Indian economy, supporting a large population. Sustainable practices, technological advancements, and government support are essential for the sector’s growth. The adoption of organic farming, improved irrigation, and climate-resilient crops will help in making Indian agriculture more sustainable and productive in the future.