Agriculture
Mere Desh Ki Dharti
Agriculture is the practice of cultivating crops and raising animals for
food, fiber, and other products. It is vital to human survival and has
evolved greatly over time.
Alag Alag Tarah Ki Kheti
Types of Farming in India
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Farming practices in India vary depending on environmental factors, technology,
and socio-cultural practices. The main types of farming are primitive subsistence
farming, intensive subsistence farming, and commercial farming.
Primitive Subsistence Farming : This type of farming
involves clearing a patch of land to grow crops, and when
the soil fertility decreases, farmers shift to another patch.
It is known as "slash and burn" agriculture and is mainly
dependent on monsoons. It is practiced in a few parts of
India, and land productivity is low.
Intensive Subsistence Farming : This type of farming is
labor-intensive and involves using high doses of
biochemical inputs and irrigation to achieve higher
production. It is practiced in areas with high population
pressure on land.
Commercial Farming : This type of farming uses modern
inputs like high-yielding seeds, chemical fertilizers, and
pesticides to obtain higher productivity. Plantation
farming, a type of commercial farming, involves growing a
single crop in a large area, using capital-intensive inputs
with migrant laborers. Industries use all the produce, and
examples of crops include tea, coffee, rubber, sugarcane,
and bananas.
Mnemonic
P - Primitive subsistence farming
PIC I - Intensive subsistence farming
C - Commercial farming
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Rabi Kharif Zaid
In between the Rabi and the
Beginning of the rainy Kharif seasons, there is a
Winter (October- short season during the
Sowing Season season between April and
December) summer months known as
May
the Zaid season (in the
months of March to July)
Harvesting Summer (April- September-October -
Season June)
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Paddy, Maize, Jowar, Bajra,
Watermelon, Muskmelon,
Important Wheat,Barley,Peas Tur (Arhar), Moong, Urad,
Cucumber, Vegetables & Fodder
Crops ,Gram & Mustard Cotton, Jute, Groundnut and
crops
Soyabean.
India is a country with diverse soil, climate and cultivation
practices, which makes it possible to cultivate a variety of food and
non-food crops. The major crops grown in India are:
Rice
India is the world's second largest producer of rice after China.
Rice is a staple food crop for the majority of Indians.
It requires high rainfall (above 100cm) and high temperature
(above 25°C) to grow.
Proper irrigation can allow rice to be grown in low rainfall
areas. Major rice producing states include West Bengal, Bihar,
Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu,
Assam, and Kerala.
Wheat
Wheat is the main food crop in the north and
northwestern parts of India.
This Rabi crop requires a cool season and
bright sunshine during ripening.
Rainfall should be between 50 to 75cm.
There are two important wheat growing zones in the country - the Ganga-
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Satluj Plains and the Black soil Region in Deccan.
Major wheat producing states include Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh,
Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan.
Millets
Millets are also known as coarse grains.
Jowar, Bajra, and Ragi are important millets grown
in India. Millets have high nutritional value.
Maize
Maize is a crop that is used both as food and fodder.
It is a kharif crop but can also be grown as a Rabi crop in
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Bihar. Maize requires a temperature between 25°C to 27°C.
It grows well on old alluvial soil.
Major maize producing states are Uttar Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.
Pulses
India is the largest producer and consumer of pulses.
Pulses are the main source of protein in a vegetarian diet.
Major pulses grown in India include Urad, Arhar, Moong,
Masur, Peas, and Gram.
Pulses need less moisture and can survive in dry climates.
Being leguminous crops, they are grown as rotational crops
to restore soil fertility by fixing nitrogen (except Arhar).
Major pulses producing states are Uttar Pradesh,
Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and
Karnataka.
Food Crops Other than Grains
Oilseeds
Oilseeds cover about 12% of the total cropped area of
India. Major oilseeds grown in India include groundnut,
mustard, soybean, linseed, cotton seeds, castor seeds,
and sesame.
Some of them are used as raw materials for soaps,
cosmetics, and ointments.
India is the second-largest producer of
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groundnut after China. Groundnut is a kharif
crop.
Gujarat is the largest producer of groundnut,
followed by Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
Tea
India is the second-largest producer of tea in the
world after China.
Tea is a beverage crop that was initially
introduced by the British and is an example of a
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plantation crop.
Tea bushes require well-drained fertile soil, rich in
humus and organic matter.
Tea requires a warm and moist frost-free climate
throughout the year.
Major tea producing states are Assam, the hills of
Darjeeling in West Bengal, Kerala, Uttarakhand,
Tripura, and Meghalaya.
Sugarcane
Sugarcane is a tropical as well as subtropical crop that
requires almost a year to grow.
It can be grown on a variety of soils, as long as they
are fertile and well-drained.
Sugarcane requires a hot and humid climate to grow
with a temperature between 20°C to 27°C and annual
rainfall between 75-100cm.
India is the second-largest producer of sugarcane in
the world after Brazil.
Sugarcane is the main source of sugar, jaggery, and
khandsari. Major sugarcane producing states are
Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana,
Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
Coffee
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Indian coffee is globally recognized for its high
quality and is in high demand.
The Arabian variety of coffee was initially brought to
India from Yemen.
Coffee cultivation was first done in India on Baba
Budan Hills. Major coffee producing states in India
are Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
Horticulture Crops
Horticulture crops refer to the cultivation of fruits
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and vegetables.
India is the second largest producer of horticulture
crops in the world after China.
India produces both tropical and temperate fruits.
Mangoes are produced in Maharashtra, Uttar
Pradesh, and West Bengal.
Oranges are produced in Nagpur and Cherrapunji in
Meghalaya. Apples are produced in Himachal Pradesh
and Kashmir. Pineapples are produced in Meghalaya.
Grapes are produced in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana,
and Maharashtra.
Important vegetable crops in India include peas,
cauliflower, onions, cabbage, tomatoes, brinjal, and
potatoes.
Non-Food Crops
Rubber
Rubber is primarily grown in equatorial regions, but can also
be cultivated in certain tropical areas.
It is a crucial raw material for various industries including
auto parts, tires, belts, footwear, and hoses.
Major rubber producing states in India include Karnataka,
Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Fibre Crops
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India grows four major fibre crops including
cotton, jute, hemp, and natural silk.
Cotton, jute, and hemp are plant products, while
silk is obtained from silkworm cocoons.
The process of rearing silkworms for the
production of silk fibre is called sericulture.
Cotton
Cotton is a significant raw material for the textile
industry.
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It grows well in drier regions of black soil in
Deccan and takes 6- 8 months to mature.
India is the second-largest producer of cotton
worldwide, after China.
Cotton requires high temperatures, light rainfall or
irrigation,
210 frost-free days, and bright sunshine for
growth.
Major cotton-producing states in India include
Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana,
Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh.
Jute
Jute is also known as the "Golden fibre".
This strong fibre is used to make gunny bags, mats,
ropes, yarn, carpets, and other items.
It grows well in well-drained fertile soils in
floodplains.
Major jute-producing states in India include West
Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Assam, and Meghalaya.
Farmers ko support and develop
Reforms to Help farmers
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karne ke liye kiye gaye kaam
Crop insurance is available for farmers against
drought, flood, fire, and diseases.
Grameen Banks provide loans at lower interest rates
to farmers.
Kisan Credit Cards and Personal Accident
Insurance schemes are available for farmers.
Special weather bulletins and agricultural programs are
broadcast on radio and TV for farmers.
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Minimum support price is announced by the government to
prevent exploitation of farmers by middlemen and speculators.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and
agricultural universities promote research and development in
agriculture.
Veterinary services and animal breeding centers are available.
Horticulture is also a focus area for the government.
PYQs
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1.What is soil erosion? How can it be prevented? (2014)
2.Why is shifting cultivation also known as slash-and-burn
agriculture? (2015)
3.What is intensive subsistence agriculture? (2016)
4.What are the benefits of modern farming methods? (2017)
5.Explain the concept of organic farming. (2018)
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6.What is plantation agriculture? (2019)
7.What is horticulture? Explain its two types. (2020)
8.Why is sustainable agriculture important? (2021)
9.What are the advantages of high yielding varieties of
seeds?
10.What are the major problems faced by farmers in India?
11.What is Green Revolution? What are its effects on Indian
agriculture?
12.How can organic farming be beneficial for farmers and
the environment?
13.What is mixed farming? Explain its advantages.
14.What is crop rotation? How does it help in maintaining
soil
fertility?
15.What is animal husbandry? How is it important for the
rural economy?
*NOTE : Worksheet [Important Questions Of All typology with
Answers) is provided as Seperate PDF on website padhleakshay.com*
