CHAPTER 4: AGRICULTURE
Important Terms
 Agriculture: Cultivation of crops and domestication of
animals is called agriculture.
 Cash Crops: The crops which are cultivated for trade and
commerce and selling them in the market to earn money,
like tobacco, spices, fruits, sugarcane etc.
 Animal Husbandry: Domesticating animals for production of
milk and meat is called animal husbandry.
 Green Revolution: Sudden rise in the production of crops by
using HYV seeds, irrigation water, chemical fertilizers etc. is
called green revolution. It took place during 1960s in our
country.
 Horticulture: Cultivation of fruits and vegetables is called as
horticulture.
 Sericulture: Rearing of silk worm and producing silk is called
sericulture.
 Jhumming: Shifting agricultural in the north east is called as
jhumming. It is also called slash and burn agriculture
because tree are cut and burnt to clear the land for
agriculture.
 PDS: It means Public Distribution System. It is a program
which provides foodgrains and other essential items [Rice,
Wheat, Sugar, Kerosene Oil etc.] to rural people at
subsidized rate [low price].
 Minimum Support Price [MSP]: It is a lowest price
announced by the Govt. at which foodgrains are procured by
FCI [Food Corporation of India].
 Genetic Engineering: It means developing new and hybrid
seed by using modifying the gene of the crops.
 Shifting Agriculture: It is also called as slash and burn
agriculture. In this agriculture forest land is cleared and they
are burnt. Agriculture is done using very old tools on very
small scale. After one or two year new land is selected and
same process is followed. This method of agriculture is very
old; and gives very low production; and also it degrade
forest. In the north-east this agriculture is called as
jhumming or jhum cultivation.
 Important Crops in India:
o Cereal Crops: Rice, Wheat, Bajra
o Millets: Jowar, Bajra and Ragi
o Pulses: Tur [Arhar], Urad, Moong, Masur, Peas, Gram
o Oilseeds: Mustard, Coconut, Groundnut, Coconut,
Sunflower, Soyabean
o Beverage: Tea, Coffee
o Fiber Crops: Cotton, Jute, Hemp and Natural Silk
o Cash Crops: Sugarcane, Rubber, Tobacco, Spices
 Operation Flood: It means sharp rise in the production of
milk. It is also called as White Revolution.
Important Features
Agriculture
and
Characteristics
of
Indian
a) Indian agriculture is subsistence in nature. It means produce
is consumed by the farmer itself.
b) Agriculture is dependent on monsoon rain. Only 1/3 rd net
sown is under irrigation.
c) Consumption of chemical fertilizer, HYV seeds, pesticide etc
is very low.
d) Size of agriculture fields is very small.
e) Machines and modern farm implements are used only in
small area.
f) Food crops [rice, wheat] are more important than
commercial crops.
g) There are poor banking and insurance facility available to
the farmers.
Agricultural Seasons [Cropping Pattern]
Agricultural
Seasons
Kharif
Rabi
Zaid
Period
Rainy [Jun –
Oct]
Winter [Nov –
Apr]
Summer [May –
Jun]
Important Crops
Rice,
Maize,
Cotton,
Groundnut, Moong
Wheat,
Barley,
Gram,
Oilseeds
Watermelon,
Cucumbers,
Vegetables
Difference between Subsistence Farming and Commercial
Farming
Subsistence Farming
1. Subsistence farming is done
for self consumption not for
market.
2. It is done where population
pressure on the land is very
high.
3. Size of agricultural fields is
very small.
4. Consumption of chemical
fertilizers,
HYV
seeds,
insecticide etc is low.
Commercial Farming
1. Commercial farming is
done for market, trade
and commerce.
2. It
is
done
where
population pressure on
the land is low.
3. Agricultural fields are
bigger in size.
4. Consumption of chemical
fertilizers, HYV seeds,
pesticides etc is high.
5. Modern machines e.g.
tractors,
harvesters,
5. Use of
machines
and
modern farm implements
are less.
6. Important crops are rice,
jowar, bajra etc.
combine etc. are used.
6. Wheat,
cotton,
sugarcane, tea, coffee
are important crops.
Plantation Agriculture
 It is a type of commercial agriculture which need huge
investment of money.
 It is single crop farming practiced on large land.
 Plantation agriculture was started by British in India.
 Generally it is done in hilly and sloppy area where rainfall is
high and water can drain easily.
 Heavy dose of fertilizers, pesticides etc are required.
 Efficient and fast transport and communication help this
farming to connect with market.
 Important crops are tea, coffee, banana, spices, rubber etc.
Technological and Institutional Reforms
Agricultural in India is thousands of year old. It is subsistence in
nature because farmers consume most of the produce by
themselves. But because of use of modern technology and
institutional reform Indian agriculture is becoming commercial.
Green Revolution [Crops] and White Revolution [Milk – Operation
Flood] is the result of these two reforms.
Technological Reforms:
a) Wooden plough was replaced with tractors and tillers.
b) Drip irrigation and sprinklers are now used for irrigation
which irrigates more area in less water.
c) Use of chemical and bio fertilizers have increase manifold.
HYV Seeds, pesticide, insecticides are also used more.
d) Biotechnology has developed much genetically improved
variety of seed which are resistant to drought and pest.
They give more production also.
e) Farmers are now using TV, Radio, Newspapers and Cell
Phone to know about weather condition and according they
plan agricultural activities.
Institutional Reforms:
a) Zamindari system was abolished by the Government of
India.
b) Small fields were consolidated to make large fields.
c) Agriculture was the main focus in the first Five Years Plan.
d) Kissan Credit Card [KCC], Personal Accident Insurance
Scheme [PAIS] was started by Govt. to help the Indian
farmers.
e) Govt. also announces Minimum Support Price and has
abolished the role of middleman in the market.
Difference between Dryland and Wetland Farming
Dryland Farming
1. It is practiced in low
rainfall
area
where
irrigation facilities are not
available.
2. More emphasis is done on
conservation
of
soil
moisture.
3. This agriculture faces the
problem of drought.
4. Jowar, Bajra and Pulses
1.
2.
3.
4.
Wetland Farming
It is practiced in high
rainfall and well irrigated
area.
It is practiced in north,
north-east and some
part of Western Ghat.
This agriculture faces the
problems of flood.
Important crops of this
farming are rice, jute
are
grown
agriculture.
Difference
Agriculture
in
between
this
and sugarcane.
Subsistence
Subsistence Agriculture
1. Agriculture is done only for
self consumption.
2. More importance is given to
food crops like rice, wheat,
maize, Jowar and Bajra.
3. Most of the works are done
manually. Human labour is
used more.
4. Size of the field is very small
and they are scattered.
5. Investment of capital for
HYV
seeds,
fertilizers,
insecticides etc. is very low.
and
Commercial
Commercial Agriculture
1. Agriculture is done for
trade and commerce.
2. More importance is given
to cash crops like tea,
coffee, spices, sugarcane
and cotton.
3. Modern machines are
used in various activities
of agriculture.
4. It is done on large size
fields.
5. There is huge capital
investment
on
machinery,
fertilizers,
labours etc.
Contribution of Agriculture to National Economy
a) Agriculture is the backbone of Indian Economy. About 63%
people are directly dependent on agriculture for their
livelihood.
b) About 40% of national income comes for agricultural sector
alone.
c) Agriculture also provides raw materials to many industries
e.g. sugar, textile, food and beverage industries.
d) It also has ensured food security. FCI procure crops at
minimum support price to stock. It also distribute among
people under PDS [Public Distribution System].
e) India export wheat, sugar, fruits, tea to foreign countries
and earn foreign exchange.
f) Agriculture also brings happy, prosperity and development in
rural economy.
Food Security and Methods of Ensuring Food Security
Food Security: Food is the basic requirement of all the people in
the country. But many people are not able to get sufficient meals
at least two times in a day. During natural disaster like
earthquake, flood, drought there is shortage of food all over the
country. Food security is a method to ensure at least minimum
quantity of food for all the people round the year. Food
Corporation of India [FCI] procure foodgrains at Minimum
Support Price and maintain food security by two ways: a) Buffer
Stock and b) Public Distribution System [PDS].
Methods of Ensuring Food Security in India
a) More area should be brought under cultivation of foodgrains
like rice, wheat, pulses and oil seeds.
b) HYV Seeds should be used which gives more production per
hectare of land.
c) Biotechnology can be used to modify genetics of seed so
that it can resist drought, flood and diseases and give more
production.
d) More multipurpose projects should be undertaken to
improve agriculture.
e) Modern machines and tools should be used in agriculture
like tractor, harvester, sprinklers etc.
f) Farmer should be given banking and insurance facilities.
g) All forms of soil erosion should be checked and soil should
be conserved.
Globalization and Its impact on Indian Agriculture
Meaning: Integrating the national economy with the economy of
other countries of the world is called globalization. It has made
cross-border flow of money, technology and people very easy.
Positive Impact of Globalization
a) Indian farmers will have access to internal market. They can
sell their produce at international prices.
b) Capital investment from foreign countries will develop the
Indian agriculture.
c) Globalization will bring competitiveness among farmers
which will lead to commercialization of Indian agriculture.
d) Indian farmers can also use modern technology and
machineries which are now used only in foreign countries.
e) Globalization will also help in biotechnology and genetic
engineering in India.
Negative Impact of Globalization
a) Multinational Companies [MNCs] of developed countries will
exploit our farmers as Indian farmers are poor and illiterate.
b) Small farmers of India cannot compete with farmers of
developed nations.
c) Indian farmers may not get the international buyers as
quality of our crops is not as per the international standard.
d) Due to globalization, Indian farmers will try to grow more
cash crops and there will be shortage of food in our country.