Agriculture, Chapter - 4

 Agriculture, Chapter - 4 

Agriculture: - Cultivating a piece of land or planting and growing food plants on it.

Types of Agriculture:- 

agriculture is classified into different types based on farming practices, climatic conditions, and the purpose of farming. The main types of agriculture are:

1. Subsistence Farming

• Practiced on small land holdings.
• This type of farming depends upon monsoon, natural fertility of soil etc.
• Focused on producing food for the farmer’s family.
• Uses traditional tools and methods.
• Examples: Slash and burn farming, intensive subsistence farming.

2. Commercial Farming

• Practiced on large farms with modern techniques.
• Crops are grown for sale and profit.
• Includes cash crops like cotton, sugarcane, and tea, coffee.
• Uses HYV (High Yielding Variety) seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation.

3. Shifting Agriculture (Slash and Burn)

• Land is cleared by cutting and burning trees.
• Crops are grown for a few years, then farmers move to a new area.
• Common in tribal regions of Northeast India (e.g., Jhumming).

4. Intensive Farming :- It is a agriculture production system that uses small inputs of labour, fertilizer and capital, relative to land area being farmed.

• Small landholdings with maximum use of labor and inputs.
• High output per unit of land.
• Common in densely populated areas.

5. Extensive Farming

• Large landholdings with minimal labor and inputs.
• Relies on machines.
• Common in developed countries like the USA, Canada.

6. Plantation Agriculture

• Large-scale farming of a single cash crop.
• Requires huge capital investment and labor.
• Examples: Tea, coffee, rubber plantations in India.

7. Horticulture

• Cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
• Requires scientific techniques and irrigation.
• Important in states like Himachal Pradesh and Kerala.

Cropping Seasons in India 

India has three main cropping seasons based on climate and rainfall: Rabi, Kharif, and Zaid.

1. Kharif Crops (Rainy Season Crops)

• Sowing Time: June – July (beginning of monsoon)
• Harvesting Time: September – October
• Main Crops: Rice, maize, jowar, bajra, cotton, groundnut, and pulses
• Major States: West Bengal, Punjab, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu

Key Features:

• Requires a lot of water (grown in monsoon).
• Grown in warm and humid conditions.
• Floods and irregular monsoons can affect yield.

2. Rabi Crops (Winter Season Crops)

• Sowing Time: October – December (after monsoon)
• Harvesting Time: March – April
• Main Crops: Wheat, barley, mustard, gram, and peas
• Major States: Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh

Key Features:

• Requires less water and grows in cold weather.
• Relies on irrigation instead of rain.
• Wheat is the most important Rabi crop.

3. Zaid Crops (Summer Crops / Short Season Crops)

• Sowing Time: March – June (between Rabi and Kharif seasons)
• Harvesting Time: June – July
• Main Crops: Watermelon, cucumber, muskmelon, vegetables, and fodder crops
• Major States: Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat

Key Features:

• Grown in hot and dry weather.
• Requires irrigation (not dependent on monsoon).
• Short-duration crops with a quick harvest.

Major Crops of India – Rice, Wheat, Maize, Millets, Pulses

Crop :-                                  Rice           

Major Growing States  :- West Bengal, Punjab,Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Andhra                                                     Pradesh,Assam, Chhattisgarh

Temperature:-                      24°C – 35°C   

Rainfall:-                       100 – 200 cm (high rainfall)    

Season :-                               Kharif (June - October)    

Crop :-                              Wheat

Major Growing States :-Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar

Temperature :-                 10°C – 25°C

Rainfall :-                          50 – 100 cm (moderate rainfall)

Season :-                            Rabi (October - April)

Crop :-                                    Maize

Major Growing States :- Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan,                                                                     Maharashtra

Temperature :-                        21°C – 27°C

Rainfall :-                                50 – 100 cm

Season :-                                  Kharif (June - October) (also grown in Rabi in some areas)

Crop :-             Millets (Jowar, Bajra, Ragi)

Major Growing States :-Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh

Temperature :-         25°C – 32°C  

Rainfall :-                40 – 80 cm (low rainfall)

Season :-                 Kharif (June - October)

Crop :- Pulses (Gram, Tur, Moong, Urad, Masoor)

Major Growing States :- Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Karnataka

Temperature :- 20°C – 30°C

Rainfall :- 30 – 75 cm (low to moderate rainfall)

Season :- Rabi & Kharif (depends on variety)

Major Commercial Crops of India – 

Crop :-                     Sugarcane 

Major Growing States :- Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab

Temperature :-         21°C – 27°C

Rainfall :-                75 – 150 cm

Season :-                  Annual Crop (Planted in Spring & Harvested after 10-12 months)

Crop :- Oilseeds 

Major Growing States :-  Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu

Temperature :-                  20°C – 30°C

Rainfall :-                         50 – 125 cm 

Season :-                            Kharif (Groundnut, Soybean) & Rabi (Mustard, Sunflower)

Crop :-  Tea

Major Growing States :- Assam, West Bengal (Darjeeling), Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka

Temperature :-                 20°C – 30°C  

Rainfall :-                        150 – 300 cm (high rainfall)

Season :-                         Perennial (Harvested throughout the year)

Crop :-  Coffee

Major Growing States :-  Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu

Temperature :-                        15°C – 28°C 

Rainfall :-                               150 – 250 cm (moderate to high rainfall)

Season :-                                 Perennial (Harvested once a year, mainly in winter) 

Non-Food Crops :- Rubber, Fibre Crops, Cotton, Jute

Crops :-                         Rubber

Major Growing States:-Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, Andaman &                                                 Nicobar Islands

Temperature :-              25°C – 35°C

Rainfall :-                      200 – 300 cm (high rainfall)

Season :-                        Perennial Crop (Harvested throughout the year)

Crops :-                                Cotton

Major Growing States:-   Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh,                                                         Karnataka, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan  

Temperature :-                    21°C – 30°C   

Rainfall :-                          50 – 100 cm (requires irrigation in low rainfall areas)                  

Season :-                           Kharif (June - October)       

Crops :-                                Jute

Major Growing States:-    West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha, Meghalaya

Temperature :-                    25°C – 35°C

Rainfall :-                             150 – 250 cm (high rainfall)

Season :-                                Kharif (June - September)

Technical and Institutional Reform

1. Technical Reforms (Modernization of Agriculture)

These reforms focus on scientific and technological advancements to improve agricultural productivity. Some key technical reforms include:

• Green Revolution (1960s-70s) – Introduction of High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds, use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and advanced irrigation techniques.
• Mechanization of Agriculture – Use of tractors, harvesters, threshers, and other modern farm machinery.
• Irrigation Development – Construction of canals, tube wells, and drip irrigation systems to ensure water supply.
• Use of Biotechnology – Development of genetically modified (GM) crops for better yield and resistance to pests.
• Crop Rotation and Mixed Farming – To maintain soil fertility and reduce dependency on a single crop.
• Use of Weather Forecasting and Digital Tools – Farmers now use mobile apps, satellite data, and weather forecasts for better planning.

2. Institutional Reforms (Government Policies & Support)

These reforms involve policy changes and government interventions to improve the condition of farmers. Some major institutional reforms include:

• Land Reforms (After Independence) – Abolition of the Zamindari system, consolidation of land holdings, and tenancy reforms to provide land to actual tillers.
• Minimum Support Price (MSP) – The government ensures a fixed price for farmers' produce to protect them from market fluctuations.
• Subsidies and Credit Facilities – Provision of loans at low interest rates, crop insurance schemes, and financial assistance to farmers.
• Irrigation and Infrastructure Development – Government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) aim to provide better irrigation facilities.
• National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) – An online platform for farmers to sell their produce directly to buyers, avoiding middlemen.
• Promotion of Organic Farming and Sustainable Agriculture – Encouraging natural farming methods with reduced chemical usage.
• Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme – Helps farmers get easy loans for their agricultural needs.
• PM-KISAN Yojana – A direct income support scheme where farmers receive financial aid from the government.

Bhoodan-Gramdan Movement (Land Gift Movement) 

The Bhoodan-Gramdan Movement was a land reform movement in India started by Acharya Vinoba Bhave in 1951. It was aimed at addressing land inequality by encouraging wealthy landowners to voluntarily donate land to landless farmers. It is also known as Blood-less Revolution.

Positive and Negative Impacts of Globalization on Agriculture

Globalization has had a significant impact on Indian agriculture by integrating it with the global market. While it has brought several benefits, it has also posed challenges for farmers.

1. Increased Market Access

• Farmers can sell their produce internationally, leading to higher profits.
• Export of agricultural products like rice, wheat, and spices has increased.

2. Introduction of Modern Technology

• Use of advanced machinery, irrigation techniques, and high-yield seeds has improved productivity.
• Biotechnology and GM crops have helped in increasing resistance to pests and diseases.

3. Foreign Investment in Agriculture

• Multinational companies (MNCs) have invested in food processing and contract farming.
• Farmers get better infrastructure like cold storage and improved supply chains.

4. Diversification of Crops

• Farmers now grow cash crops like coffee, cotton, and spices, which fetch higher prices in global markets.
• Organic farming and horticulture have gained popularity due to international demand.

5. Employment Generation

• Growth in agro-based industries and food processing sectors has created jobs.

Negative Impacts of Globalization on Agriculture

1. Increased Competition

• Small farmers struggle to compete with large agribusinesses and imported agricultural products.
• Cheap foreign goods sometimes lower prices for local produce, leading to losses for farmers.

2. Dependence on Expensive Inputs

• Farmers rely on costly hybrid seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, often provided by foreign companies.
• High input costs lead to farmer debt and distress.

3. Land Degradation and Environmental Issues

• Overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides due to commercialization harms soil health.
• Increased monoculture farming (growing only one type of crop) reduces biodiversity.

4. Farmers' Suicides and Debt Crisis

• Due to fluctuating global prices and dependence on high-cost inputs, many farmers fall into debt.
• Unpredictable weather and price drops affect their income.

5. Exploitation by Corporations

• Large agribusinesses and MNCs sometimes dictate prices and exploit contract farmers.
• Farmers become dependent on private companies for seeds and fertilizers, leading to loss of traditional farming practices.

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