Chapter: Agriculture

• Introduction & Importance

  • Primary activity producing food and raw materials
  • Backbone of the Indian economy
  • Employs nearly two-thirds of the population

• Types of Farming

  • Primitive Subsistence Farming
    • Slash and burn agriculture (Jhumming)
    • Low technology, depends on monsoon and natural fertility
  • Intensive Subsistence Farming
    • High population pressure on land
    • High biochemical inputs and irrigation used
  • Commercial Farming
    • Higher doses of modern inputs (HYV seeds, chemical fertilizers)
    • Plantation is a single crop farming over a large area (e.g., Tea, Coffee, Rubber)

• Cropping Pattern

  • Rabi Crops
    • Sown in winter (Oct-Dec), harvested in summer (Apr-June)
    • Major crops: Wheat, Barley, Peas, Gram, Mustard
  • Kharif Crops
    • Sown with onset of monsoon, harvested in Sep-Oct
    • Major crops: Paddy (Rice), Maize, Jowar, Bajra, Tur, Moong, Cotton, Jute
  • Zaid Crops
    • Short season between Rabi and Kharif
    • Major crops: Watermelon, Muskmelon, Cucumber, Vegetables

• Major Crops in India

  • Food Crops
    • Rice: Staple food crop, requires high temperature and high humidity
    • Wheat: Second most important cereal, needs cool growing season and bright sunshine
    • Millets: Jowar, Bajra, and Ragi (Nutritive value, coarse grains)
    • Maize: Used as food and fodder, requires temperature between 21°C to 27°C
    • Pulses: Major source of protein, leguminous crops (except tur) that restore soil fertility
  • Food Crops other than Grains
    • Sugarcane: Tropical and subtropical crop, needs hot and humid climate
    • Oilseeds: Groundnut, mustard, coconut, soybean (used for cooking and raw material)
    • Tea: Beverage crop, labor-intensive, requires tropical/subtropical climates and well-drained soils
    • Coffee: Indian coffee (Arabica variety) is known worldwide
  • Non-Food Crops
    • Rubber: Equatorial crop, requires moist and humid climate
    • Fibre Crops:
      • Cotton, Jute (known as the golden fibre), Hemp, Natural Silk
      • Silk is obtained from cocoons of silkworms fed on mulberry leaves (Sericulture)

• Technological and Institutional Reforms

  • Need for Reform
    • Agriculture practiced for ages without compatible technological changes
    • Dependence on monsoon and stagnant growth
  • Institutional Reforms
    • Collectivization, consolidation of holdings
    • Abolition of zamindari system
    • Provision of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) and Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (PAIS)
  • Technological Reforms
    • Introduction of Green Revolution and White Revolution (Operation Flood)
    • Special weather bulletins and agricultural programmes on radio and TV
    • Minimum Support Price (MSP) announced by the government

• Contribution to National Economy, Employment, and Output

  • Share in GDP has been declining over the years (a matter of serious concern)
  • Establishment of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and agricultural universities
  • Setting up veterinary services and animal breeding centers

• Food Security

  • Government objective to ensure food security for all through Buffer Stock and Public Distribution System (PDS)
  • Managed by Food Corporation of India (FCI)

• Impact of Globalization on Agriculture

  • Present since colonial times (cotton, spices exported)
  • Post-1990: New challenges for farmers regarding international competition
  • Need for Organic Farming for sustainable development without environmental degradation