What is agriculture?

Definition: Agriculture is generally known as Farming; it is an art and

science that prudent endeavor to reshape a part of Earth's crust through
cultivation of plants and other crops as well as raising livestock for
sustenance or other necessities for human being and economic gain.

Importance of Agriculture:
Agriculture plays a chiefly role in economy as well as it is considered to be
the backbone of economic system for developing countries. For decades,
agriculture has been related with the production of vital food crops.
The Present era of farming contains dairy, fruit, forestry, poultry
beekeeping, processing, marketing, and distribution of crops
and livestock products.
It is also provide the employment chances to huge percentage of the
inhabitants.
The industrial sector of the country is almost depends on agriculture for
raw material. Contribution of Agriculture in the National
Econom
The main contribution of agriculture to the national economy is stated in the poins
below
(i) It is the largest employment providing sector.

(ii) It has provided a food surplus to our expanding population.

(iii) It is providing raw material to industries.

(iv) It is providing the majority of exports from India.

(V) It plays a significant role in international trade

1.Contribution in GDP
In the financial year 1950-1951, agriculture and other related activities had a share of
59% of the countrys total GDP in that financial year.On the other hand, in developed
countries such as the UK and USA, the agriculture sector contributes only about 3% of the
countrys total GDP.

2.Largest Employee Sector

In India, the agriculture sector has more than half of the total population of the country
engaged.

India has about 54.6% of the total population in the agriculture sector engaged,

while in developed nations such as the UK, USA, France, and Australia, only 2%-6% of its
total population is engaged in the agriculture sector.

3.Source of Food
India is the second-most populous country in the world. And to feed such a huge
population, there is always a constant need for a supply of food. .

4 Industrial sector
For the continuous manufacturing of products, there is a constant need for raw materials,
and to fulfil this need, most of the industries in the country collect this raw material
directly from the agricultural fields.

In India, around half of the income generated in the industrial sector comes from
agricultural-based industries. Therefore, in India, the industrial sector is highly dependent
on the agricultural sector.

5.Commercial Significance
Indian Agriculture is important for the industrial sector and trading purposes both
internally and externally. Agro-products such as tea, coffee, sugar, cashew nuts, spices,
etc.,

These add up to around 70% of the countrys total export and help the country in earning
foreign exchange.

6.Contribution to the Governments Revenue

Agriculture is the most significant source of income for the central and state
governments. The government of the country has substantial revenue from rising land
revenue. Also, the movement of agricultural goods helps generate revenue for the Indian
railways, which helps the government in revenue generation.

7. Economic Planning and Agriculture

A good harvest always offers momentum to the countrys projected economic growth ul
harvest also means that the government will have enough money to cover its budgeted
expenditures.

Contribution of Horticulture in the National Economy:

Horticulture forms an integral and important component in the economy of a nation.

The importance of horticulture can be substantiated by its benefits like high export value,
high per unit area yield, high returns per unit area, best utilization of wasteland, provision
of raw materials for industries,

stabilization of womens empowerment by providing employment opportunities through

processing, floriculture, seed production, mushroom cultivation, nursery preparation, etc.

In addition, fruits and vegetables constitute the important energy-giving material to the
human body.

It also improves the economic condition of many farmers,

Flower harvesting, nursery maintenance, hybrid seed production and tissue culture,
propagation of fruits and flowers, and food processing are highly remunerative
employment

options for women in rural areas.

IMPORTANCE OF HORTICULTURE:
Features of Horticulture:
1. They are prosperous in proteins, nutrients, minerals, flavor,
aroma,
2. They incorporate fitness-benefiting medicines and compounds.
3. This vegetation can be cultivated in poor-quality soil or
wasteland.
4. These plants have comparatively greater manufacturing per unit
area when compared to field crops.
5. These crops possess national and international demand.

Significance of Horticulture To Indian Economy:

Horticulture vegetation cultivation performs a principal function in the Indian
financial system with aid of imparting employment and providing raw
materials to food processing industries.

And it also offers greater manufacturing so that it gives higher profitability

and export earnings from overseas exchanges. In the last few decades, this
field had gained more prominence by contributing to the gross domestic
product(GDP).

India is the greatest producer of Okra and stands at the 2nd position in the
cultivation of vegetables like potatoes, cauliflower, brinjal, etc.

India stands at 1st rank in the cultivation of fruits such as mango, banana,
guava, lemon, and papaya. The cultivation of fruits and vegetables has
dominated the cultivation of food grains in India.

Horticulture contributes 6% to GDP and it adds to 1/3 of the whole

agricultural output.
 IMPORTANCE AND SCOPE OF SERICULTURE

What is Sericulture? Sericulture means silk farming. The word

'Sericulture' is derived from the Greek word 'Sericos' meaning 'Silk' and
the English word 'Culture' meaning 'Rearing'. Sericulture plays a
significant role in the rural economy of India, is not bound to just
worms, but includes all activities related to the silk culture like mulberry
cultivation and even post-cocoon technology. Today, India and China
are the two main producers, with more than 60% of the world's annual
production.

What are the career options in Sericulture?: 1. offers career

opportunity in Govt. research centers, silk boards, academic fields,
sericulture units, agriculture sector banks etc. One can get jobs in
Central Government agencies like Central Silk Board/Silk Export
Promotion Council/Fao/Nabard, Krishi Vigyan Kendra etc. 2.Candidates
with M.Sc sericulture can apply for the post of lecturer, professor and
lab assistant. 3.Sericulturists can find employment as officers,
managers in the agricultural loan sector of nationalized as well as
private banks Consultants with in-depth and updated knowledge of the
field are also in demand, especially to provide guidance for the setting
up of sericulture farms.Those who set up business as exporters of silk
products can have good gains.:

Animal husbandry :
Animal husbandry is the science or a branch of agriculture that is
concerned with the production, taking care of, and breeding of farm
animals.

Humans are dependent on both plants and animals for food; we raise
animals for different food items including eggs, milk and meat, and
other products like fiber, wool, leather, etc
Importance of Animal Husbandry
Animal rearing is important for humans as they attain a wide range of
food products having high nutrient values. They meet the commercial
requirements of high demand for food such as dairy needs from cows,
goats, and buffaloes. They are called milch animals as they provide us
milk which is full of protein and other vitamins and minerals.

The other importance of animal husbandry are eggs and meat such as
hens, ducks, goose, goat, fish, etc. They are also bred for meat which is
rich in protein, iron, fats, vitamin B and Zinc.
12

All of these nutrients are essential to enhance metabolic rate, promote

fullness, and reduce hunger. Marine animals like fish are also believed
to keep a person happier and healthier as these have Omega-3 fatty
acids, DHA, and vitamin D.

IMPORTANCE OF FORESTRY:
Forests are valuable resource providing food, shelter, wildlife habitant, fuel
and diary supplies such as medicinal ingredients and paper.

Forest farming is the cultivation of high value crops under the protection of a
managed tree canopy.

 Forest farming can increase the economic value.

 Farming can provide supplemental and more frequent income from
timber.
 Handicraft and specialty woods, such as basketry materials, mulches,
aromatics, and carving materials
 Forest-based food products, such as ferns, mushrooms, nuts, fruits,
and sap
 Medicinal and botanical herbs, such as ginseng, goldenseal, and black
cohosh
 Decorative florals, such as ferns and galax
 Environmental benefits of forest farming can include improved wildlife
habitat and the creation of a more diverse ecosystem.
LIST OF TRACTORS MAKERS IN INDIA:

1. MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA

2. TAFE

3. STANDARD

4. SONALIKA

5. JOHN AND DEER

6. ESCORT
 7. FARMTRAC

8. SWARAJ TRACTORS

9. HMT TRACTORS

10. EICHER

11. NEW HOLLAND

12. KUBOTA

13. FORCE MOTORS

14. PREET TRACTORS

15. HINDUSTAN TRACTORS

POWER TILLERS:

Top 5 Best Power Tiller in India:

· Honda FJ500. Honda power tiller widely used for various activities of crop
cultivation. ...
· Vst Shakti 135 DI Ultra Power Tiller. ...
· Greaves Cotton GS 15 DI. ...
· Mega T 15 Deluxe. ...
· Kubota PEM 140 DI.
EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENTS USED IN INDIA:
1. Excavators

2. Backhoe loader

3. Bulldozer

4. Skid-steer loader

5. Motor grader

6. Trencher

7. Loader

8. Wheel tractor-scraper

9. Compactor

10. Dump truck

11. Crawled loader

CLASSIFICATION OF TRACTORS:
Tractors can be classified into three classes on the basis of structural design
1. Wheel tractor
2. crawler tractor
3. walking type tractor
On the basis of purpose, wheeled tractors are classified into three groups
a. General purpose tractor

b. Row crop tractor

c. Special purpose tractor

Farm Mechanization:
Farm mechanization refers to the development and use of machines
that can take the place of human and animal power in agricultural
processes.
Farm Mechanization is the application of engineering principles and
technology in agricultural production storage and processing on the
farm.
Farm Mechanization is applicable to land preparation, planting, fertilizer
application, weeding and crop harvesting, Rearing, care and feeding of
animals as well as processing and storage of Farm produce using
appropriate Farm Machines.
By applying this method, farmers are gaining more profits and able to
increase their productivity of yield.
Advantages Of Farm Mechanization
1. Time lines of operation
2. It saves labour
3. It reduces health hazard
4. It reduces drigery
5. Increases in-Farm revenue
6. It encourages large scale Farming
7. Increase in output
8. Co-operation among farmers
9. It increases specialization of labour
10. It saves time
11. Reduction in cost of production
12. Improvement in quality of products
13. Availability of labour for other sectors
14. Use of less human labour
Disadvantages Of Farm Mechanization
1. High cost
2. Displacement of workers
3. Compaction of soil
4. It causes environmental pollution
5. Degradation of landscape
6. Land tenure system
7. Destruction of soil structure
8. Redundancy of farm labour
9. Few crops can be mechanized
10. Inadequate technical know-how
11. Damage to crops
12. Inadequate spare parts
13. High cost of maintenance
14. Spread of pests and diseases
15. Human control
16. Unstable fuel supply.
SCOPE OF FARM MECHANIZATION:There is a good scope of farm
mechanization in India due to the following factors:

1) Improved irrigation facility in the country.

2) Introduction of high yielding varieties of seeds.

3) Introduction of high dose of fertilizers and pesticides for different crops.

4) Introduction of new crops in different parts of the country.

5) Multiple cropping system and intensive cultivation followed in different

parts of the country.

BENEFITS OF FARM MECHANIZATION:

There are various benefits of farm mechanization:

1) Timeliness of operation

2) Precision of operation

3) Improvement of work environment

4) Enhancement of safety

5) Reduction of drudgery of labour

6) Reduction of loss of crops and food products

7) Increased productivity of land

8) Increased economic return to farmers

9) Improved dignity of farmers

10) Progress and prosperity in rural areas

PRESENT STATUS OF FARM MECHANIZATION:

Present status of farm mechanization is quite appreciating. We have:

a) Improved manual tools.

b) Improved animal drawn implements.

c) Tractor operated implements.

d) Custom hiring units on the farm.

e) Other stationary equipments like threshers, irrigation pumps, sprayers,

dusters etc.

LIMITING FACTORS IN FARM MECHANIZATION:

There are various limitations in adopting farm mechanization:

1) Small and fragmented land holdings.

2) Less investing capacity of farmers.

3) Agricultural labour is easily available.

4) Adequate draught animals are available in the country.

5) Lack of availability of suitable farm machines for different operations.

6) Lack of repair and servicing facilities for machines.

7) Lack of trained man power.

8) Lack of co-ordination between research organization and manufacturers.

9) High cost of machines.

10) Inadequate quality control of machines.

BOTTLENECKS IN INDIAN FARM MECHANIZATION SYSTEM

1. Low annual use of tractors (only 500-600 hrs/year against

recommended 1000 hrs/yr).

2. Non availability of matching equipment.

3. Cumbersome and energy inefficient designs

4. Poor reliability, frequent breakdowns and high repair and maintenance

cost.

5. Low quality.

6. Use of ungraded materials,

7. Inadequate R&D, Testing &Training facilities and inadequate Research

funding.

8. Inadequate user education.

 9. Lack of standardization.

10. Non-availability of relevant literature like operators manual, parts

catalogues etc.

Selection of macines for preparing and production of crops:

1. Cropping pattern

2. Type of soil

3. Climatic sand

4. Repair facilities

5. Running cost

6. Initial cost & Resale value

7. Design feature

8. Model

9. Avilability of spare parts

10. Easy of operation

11. Easy of adjustment

12. Multipurposr machine

13. Capacity of machine.

Methods of crop production:

The steps involved in crop production include:
 Ploughing.
 Sowing.
 Adding manures.
 Irrigation.
 Harvesting.
 Storage.
Agronomy:
Agronomy is the science of manipulating crop environment complexes with
the duel aim of improving crop productivity as well as having a better
understanding of the processes involved. The word agronomy has been
derived from two Greek words- `agros means field and nomos- means to
manage.

Literally, it means the art of managing fields and technically it means the
science and economics of crop production by management of farmland.

science in production and improvement of field crops with the efficient use of
soil fertility, water, labour and other factors related to crop production.

Scope of agrnomy:
The central theme of agronomy is of soil-crop-environment relationships.
Field crops without soil cannot be considered and soil without crops is
barren. The core scope of agronomy lies in the field of crop plant with the
theme of controlling the environment (microclimate).

 It includes the study of the magnitude of variation in yield, cause and

effect relationships.

 Techniques of increasing use-efficiency of inputs, evolving

technologies for better management practices of soil, water, nutrients,
weeds and crop plants are the major aspects of agronomy to boost up
production .

 Scientific crop production includes crop improvement improved

agro-techniques,

Principle of agronomy:A principle means a scientific law that

explains natural action and agronomic principles are the ways and
means for the better management of soil, plants and environment for
economically maximum returns per unit area.

· Principles of crop management depend largely on the type of farming

and also on the physical and technological facilities available, irrigated
farming, dry farming and rain fed farming.

The fundamental principles of agronomy may be listed as:

1, Planning, programming and executing measures for maximum for

utilization of land, labour, capital, sunshine, rain-water, temperature,
humidity, transport and marketing facilities.

2. Choice of crop varieties adaptable to the particular agro-climate, land

situation, soil fertility, season and method of cultivation and befitting to
the cropping system.
3. Proper field management by tillage, preparing field channels and bunds
for irrigation and drainage, checking soil erosion, leveling and adopting
other suitable land improvement practices.

4. Adoption of multiple cropping and also mixed or intercropping to ensure

harvest even under adverse environmental conditions.

5. Timely application of proper and balanced nutrients to the crop or crops

in sequence

6.Improvement of soil fertility and productivity. Correction of bad-effects

of soil reactions and conditions.

7.Increasing soil organic matter through the application of green manure,

farm yard manure, organic wastes, biofertilizers and profitable recycling
of organic wastes.

Choice of quality seed or seed material and maintenance of requisite

plant density per unit area with, healthy and uniform seedlings.

9. Proper water management with respect to crop, soil and environment

through conservation and utilization of soil moisture as well as by water
that is available in excess.

 Adoption of adequate, need-based, timely and proper plant protection

measures against weeds, insect-pests, as well as climatic hazards and
correction of deficiencies and disorders.

The agricultural classification of plants/ crops based on their primary

uses include the following classes:
1. Food Crops
2. Cash Crops
3. Staple Crops
4. Cereal or Grain Crops
5. Legume Seed Crops or Pulses
6. Root and Tuber Crops or Tuberous Crops
7. Oil Seed Crops
8. Sugar and Sweetener Crops
9. Beverage Crops
10. Rubber Crops
11. Latex and Gum Crops
12. Dye and Tannin Crops
13. Fiber Crops
14. Pasture and Forage Crops
15. Biofuel Crops.
EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT WEATHER PARAMETERS ON CROP
GROWTH:
Environmental factors that affect plant growth include light, temperature, water,
humidity and nutrition. It's important to understand how these factors affect plant
growth and development.
SOIL:
Soil is the loose surface material that covers most land. It consists of inorganic
particles and organic matter.
Importance of soil in crop production:
Soils supply the essential nutrients, water, oxygen and root support that our
food-producing plants need to grow and flourish. They also serve as a buffer to
protect delicate plant roots from drastic fluctuations in temperature.
Soil physical properties
Physical properties (mechanical behaviour) of a soil greatly influence its use and
behaviour towards the growth of plants.
Important physical properties of soils.
1. Soil texture, 2. Soil structure, 3. Surface area, 4. Soil density,
5. Soil porosity, 6.Soil colour, 7.Soil consistence
EFFECTS OF TILLAGE ON SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES:
 Deep tillage may improve crop resilience by affecting soil
physical properties.

 Deep tillage led to lower bulk density and increased

sugarcane root growth.

 Crop water availability and crop yield were not affected

by deep tillage.

 Deep tillage may improve crop resilience by affecting soil

physical properties.

 Deep tillage led to lower bulk density and increased

sugarcane root growth.

 Crop water availability and crop yield were not affected

by deep tillage.
  Deep tillage could not be shown to positively affect crop
resilience to drought.

Soil colour:

Soil colour can indicate the organic matter content of soil, the
parent material soil is formed from, the degree of weathering
the soil has undergone and the drainage characteristics of the
soil.

The colour of the soil is the main indicator of how soils drain.

Soil colour Indication

Dark brown :High organic matter content

Black :Humus

Red :Presence of iron

Phosphorous may be less available to the plant

Free draining

Yello:Moist conditions

Restrictive drainage

Less weathering

Grey, Blue/green hues :Poor drainage

Waterlogging

Soil factors:

Parent material. Few soils weather directly from the underlying

rocks. ...

Climate. Soils vary, depending on the climate. ...

Topography. Slope and aspect affect the moisture and

temperature of soil. ...
 Biological factors. Plants, animals, micro-organisms, and
humans affect soil formation. ...

Time.

GREEN MNANURING:
Manure is the matter, used as fertilizer in agriculture, to help grow crops and
flowers. They contribute to the fertility of the soil by adding nutrients, organic
matter and minerals. Today, you will find manure in the form of animal
manure, compost or green manure.

Green manure refers to specific plants or crop varieties that are grown and
turned into the soil, helping it improve its overall quality. These cover crops or
plants are grown proving mulch for soil cover and nutrients for enhancing
soil fertility

Green manure crops can also be classified based on their purposes

1. Cover crops: these are crops sown to cover soils and prevent erosion.
They include vetch, Sirius peas, oats, clovers, winter rye, and lentils
2. Break crops: they are crops that interrupt the lifecycle of pests or
diseases and include alfalfa, mustard, brassica and rye
3. Nitrogen-fixing crops: they are leguminous crops planted to enrich
soils of available nitrogen. Some examples include beans, vetches,
clovers, peas, soybeans, lupins, and alfalfa.
4. Nutrient conserving crops: as the name suggests, they minimize
nutrient leaching and add more nutrients into the soil. They include
ryegrass, oil radish, buckwheat and red clover.
5. Smother crops: these are crops grown to outcompete weeds in growth,
and they include winter rye, buckwheat, yellow sweet clover and oil
radish.
The different methods of fertilizer application are as follows:
a) Broadcasting.
b) Placement.
a) Starter solutions.
b) Foliar application.
c) Application through irrigation water (Fertigation)
d) Injection into soil.
e) Aerial application.

Erosion Definition:
The upper layer of the soil consists of fine soil particles. It is rich in minerals and
has humus. Hence, humus makes the soil fertile. Sometimes heavy rain, running
water and wind remove the top layer of soil. This phenomenon is soil erosion.
Erosion definition

Causes of Soil Erosion:

Man has cut too many jungles, has grazed the grasses excessively, and
ploughed the land too often. These activities have laid bare the formerly
protected soil and exposed it to beating raindrops and angry winds.

The result was a removal of the top-soil classified into water erosion and wind
erosion. As a result, this is man-made erosion and is harming harm ecological
balance.

TYPES OF SOIL EROSION:

Water Erosion

Water erosion starts when beating raindrops strike bare soil and churn it into
flowing mud. The muddy water tries to soak down through the natural cracks in
the soil. But cannot do so because the mud seals the cracks.
There is no other place for the muddy water to go. It has to flow over the surface
of the soil scouring rills and gullies. As it moves down the slope towards the
small streams and rivers.

WATER EROSION
the muddy water continues. As long as the amount of water is great and the
slopes are steep.
As soon as the volume of water becomes less and the slopes become more
gentle a large part of the mud (silt) settles out. the deposition of this part
happens at the bottom of sewers. Depositions also take place in the quiet waters
of lakes and reservoirs. As a result, the fertile topsoil erodes the bare fields.

Poorly managed grasslands and forests, sewers and river beds choke with
sediment. Thus the useful life of lakes and reservoirs reduces greatly. As a result,
the ecological balance is disturbed. Hence this is very bad.

The millions of the finest soil particles and organic matter carried annually by the
rivers are a monument to careless soil management. This waste is visible
everywhere.

Water erodes soil mainly in two ways:

1. By the violent splash of the falling raindrop on bare soil.
2. By the scouring action of soil-laden water moving down the slopes.

Falling raindrops splash soil in the same manner that a rock will splash in a pool
of water. Raindrops fall at a speed of about twenty miles per hour.

A single raindrop may splash wet soil. As much as two feet high and five feet
from the spot where the raindrop hits.

Continuous bombardment in a rainstorm by thousands of raindrops causes

damage by beating the bare soil into flowing mud.

This flowing mud moves into and seals the wormholes, root channels cracks, and
larger soil pores. Movement of water down into the soil thus retards.

This means that during rain, as lesser water enters the soil more of
the rainfall moves over the surface, carrying soil particles with it. Movement of
soil by raindrop splash erosion is the primary cause of sheet erosion.

Sheet Type Soil Erosion:

Sheet erosion means the removal of soil in a more or less continuous, thin sheet
over the surface of the soil. This type of erosion is usually so slow that
the cultivator is seldom conscious of its existence

Rill Type Soil Erosion:

Rill erosion takes place when run-off waters laden with splash erosion sediment
concentrate in many channels to form streamlets.
Rill Erosion
Such streamlets cut incisions into the face of the earth, just as catclaws the back
of your hand and leaves scratches. Greater concentrations of soil-laden water will
move even larger amounts of soil, soon resulting in gully erosion.

Gully Type Soil Erosion:

Gullies often start along bullock cart tracks, livestock trails, footpaths, or burrows
of animals. Gully erosion is much more spectacular than either sheet or rill
erosion.
Continuous exposure to beating raindrops and to the cutting action of muddy
water producer deeper and deeper gullies, thus completely destroying the land for
any productive use.

Wind Erosion:
Wind erosion starts when bare sandy soil becomes dry and high winds roll the
sand grains over each other, resulting in shifting sand dunes.

During dust storms, the finer particles of silt may be picked up by the wind and
carried for miles. The results are depletion of the soil, a covering up of good
farmland by worthless sand, and menacing dust storms.

Along sandy seashores, sand dunes are evidence of geological wind erosion.
Further inland, wind erosion is evidence of poor land use.
Sandy soils from which the vegetative cover has been over-cut,over-grazed, or
over-ploughed soon dry out and are subject to blowing by the wind.

As the roots delayed and the soil surface became dry, sandy soils shift about by
the wind, especially during droughts which were accompanied by high winds. As
the wind increases in drying power and velocity, a deeper layer of soil becomes
dry.

The result is sorting action of the wind which :

1. Picks up the finer and more fertile silt particles and move them many miles as
clouds of dust.

2. Rolls and hops coarser sand particles and certain clay granules along near the
surface.
 These particles lodge against clumps of grass, crop residues or fence rows, and
momentarily come to rest.

The Agents of Erosion:

1. Erosion & Deposition 2. Water 3. Wind 4. Ice
Examples of erosion control methods include the following:

· cellular confinement systems.

· crop rotation.

· conservation tillage.

· contour bunding.

· contour plowing.

· cover crops.

· fiber rolls (also called straw wattles)

· gabions.

AGRONOMIC MEASURES:
The vegetation helps in reducing the overland flow/surface runoff and soil erosion
both. The agronomical measures include contouring, strip cropping and tillage
practices to control the soil erosion. The use of agronomical measures is entirely
dependent on the soil types, land slope and rainfall characteristics.

Mechanical measures
play a vital role in controlling and preventing soil erosion on agricultural lands. They
are adopted to supplement the agricultural practices (biological methods). The
mechanical measures include contour bund, graded bund, terraceing and contour
stonewall etc.

OR
SOIL EROSION:
In this process, the soil particles are loosened or washed away in the valleys, oceans,
rivers, streams or faraway lands. This has been worsening due to human activities such
as agriculture and deforestation.
Soil erosion is a continuous process that occurs either slowly or at an alarming rate. It
results in a continuous loss of topsoil, ecological degradation, soil collapse, etc.
Let us have a detailed look at the causes, effects and prevention of soil erosion.
Cause of Soil Erosion
Following are the important causes of soil erosion:

Rainfall and Flooding

Higher intensity of rainstorms is the main cause of soil erosion. Four types of soil erosion
are caused by rainfall:

· Rill erosion

· Gully erosion

· Sheet erosion

· Splash erosion
The raindrops disperse the soil, which is then washed away into the nearby streams
and rivers. Regions with very heavy and frequent rainfall face a large amount of soil
loss. The flowing water during floods also erodes a lot of soil by creating potholes,
rock-cut basins, etc.

Landslides in India - Causes, Types

and Preventive Measures
(Source: indiatoday)

Landslides refer to gravitational movements of mass of rock

downwards on a slope. In India, 12.6% of land areas are prone to
landslides. Hence, correct knowledge about the causes of landslides
is essential to take timely preventive measures and ensure safety.
Keep reading to learn about its causes, types and other vital details.
What Causes a Landslide in India?
Take a look at the 5 factors that trigger landslides in India:
1. Deforestation
Landslides due to human intervention is one of the causes of
landslides in India. One such is deforestation. For example, the
Himalayan region has become more vulnerable to landslides due to
the indiscriminate cutting of trees.
Removal of trees reduces the binding properties of soil and rocks.
This enables the water to seep into the sub-surface, making the
topsoil vulnerable. .
2. Shifting Cultivation
Shifting cultivation is common in hilly regions and Northeast areas.
Every year, residents burn the forests for cultivation purposes.
However, this deteriorates the quality of topsoil, causing erosion
during heavy rainfall. This makes such regions more vulnerable to
landslides.
3. Heavy Rainfall and Earthquakes
Above 40% of the Kumaon Himalayan region are vulnerable to
landslides due to earthquakes. Additionally, heavy rainfall often
causes landslides. For example, heavy rain caused landslides in Talai
village of Maharashtra in 2021.
4. Mining
Human activities like mining or quarrying remove the vegetation
cover and soil gravel. This lowers the groundwater retention capacity.
Also, it increases the risk of flooding. Therefore, landslides occur due
to loose debris or excess floods during an earthquake and heavy
rainfall, respectively.
5. Urbanisation
Increasing population pressure in few regions of India is alarming.
For example, Dharamshala is prone to landslides. It is one of the
fastest developing cities in the Himalayan region. Here, intensive
urbanisation activities such as establishing commercial housing
projects and road construction reduce the vegetation cover. This
leads to an increasing frequency of landslides in this region.
Measures Required to Prevent Landslides
Take the necessary steps mentioned below to control landslides in
India:

· An increase in forest cover is a must in community lands

to reduce the hazard of landslides.

· People must store the excess water in catchment areas.

It will reduce the effect of flash floods and also recharge
groundwater levels.
· People must restrict the grazing of their animals. Also,
reduce the urbanisation activities such as building dams
or other commercial projects.

· Implementation of public awareness regarding

preventive measures during landslides and other hazard
management is necessary.