Factors Affecting Indian Agriculture

Indian agriculture, often referred to as the backbone of the nation’s economy, is intricately intertwined with a plethora of factors that shape its trajectory. From natural elements such as weather patterns and soil quality to socio-economic dynamics like government policies and market trends, the landscape of agriculture in India is profoundly influenced by a myriad of variables. These factors not only determine the productivity and sustainability of farming practices but also play a pivotal role in shaping the livelihoods of millions of rural inhabitants. Understanding the intricate interplay of these elements is essential for devising strategies aimed at bolstering Indian agriculture’s resilience and ensuring food security for its vast population. Thus, delving into the multifaceted realm of factors affecting Indian agriculture unveils a complex tapestry that warrants meticulous examination and strategic intervention.

India boasts abundant agricultural wealth, spanning millions of acres of fertile land and abundant natural resources. Globally, it holds the second position in agricultural production, attributed to the adaptable cropping patterns, the presence of fertile soil, ample water resources, and the agriculture-centric policies implemented by the government. Despite these favorable conditions, the agricultural output in India experiences variability annually, influenced by a multitude of factors.

DETERMINANTS OF INDIAN AGRICULTURE

Agricultural practices, cropping patterns, and productivity are intricately shaped by a complex interplay of geo-climatic, socioeconomic, and cultural-political factors. These factors collectively influence the agricultural landscape, and they can be broadly categorised into physical, institutional, infrastructural, and technological determinants.

Physical Factors:

Terrain, Topography, and Altitude:

Agricultural patterns are intricately tied to the unique geo-ecological conditions prevalent in a region, encompassing factors such as terrain, topography, slope, and altitude.

These conditions profoundly impact the feasibility and success of various cultivation practices.

Paddy cultivation, for instance, necessitates level fields to retain standing water.
In contrast, tea plantations thrive in undulating topography where water doesn’t stagnate, as standing water can be detrimental to tea plants.
Coconut orchards are ideally situated at lower altitudes near sea level, while apple orchards in tropical and subtropical conditions flourish at altitudes exceeding 1500 metres above sea level.
Cultivating crops at altitudes around 3500 metres above sea level in tropical and subtropical latitudes is rare due to challenging conditions.
The highly rarefied air, low atmospheric pressure, low temperatures, and oxygen scarcity at high altitudes pose significant obstacles, impacting both crop cultivation and the maintenance of dairy cattle.
High mountainous tracts often host immature soils due to slope-induced erosion, making them less conducive for agriculture.
Topography plays a crucial role in soil erosion, the difficulty of tillage, and the provision of adequate transportation facilities.
Mechanisation of agriculture is contingent on the topography of the land.
Rough, hilly terrains pose challenges to the use of agricultural machinery.
The topographical features also influence rainfall distribution, with windward sides generally receiving more precipitation than leeward sides.
For instance, the windward side of the Western Ghats receives 250 to 300 cm of rainfall, while the leeward side receives 75 to 100 cm.
Rainfall levels in a region significantly impact crop selection.
The variation in rainfall determines which crops can be successfully grown; for instance, jute cultivation is suitable in West Bengal due to its specific rainfall pattern, whereas the arid conditions in Rajasthan make it unsuitable for jute cultivation.
Slope aspects, indicating whether a slope is sun-facing and its steepness, further determine agricultural activities.
Steeper slopes are less conducive to agriculture, leading to the practice of terrace farming. The nature of the surface also plays a role, as gullied land, characterised by erosion and nutrient deficiency, is unsuitable for cropping.
The Chambal ravines in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, for example, have rendered thousands of hectares of fertile land unproductive for agriculture due to erosion and nutrient depletion.

CLIMATE

Climate stands out as one of the paramount physical factors exerting substantial influence on agricultural land use and cropping patterns. The intricate relationship between temperature and agriculture is central to various forms of cultivation.

The availability of heat emerges as a critical factor, and regions lacking adequate warmth find themselves wanting in agricultural productivity.
Unlike other elements of climate, temperature remains beyond human capacity to artificially create on a large scale at an economically viable cost.
Temperature, in turn, plays a pivotal role in shaping the growth of vegetation by determining the length of the vegetative period essential for plant development.
Successful agriculture hinges on the presence of a sufficiently prolonged summer.
In regions characterised by lower latitudes, where winter temperatures are not sufficiently cold to impede vegetation growth, the growing period extends almost throughout the entire year.
Agricultural activities in such areas are intricately synchronized with the seasonal distribution of rainfall.
Conversely, in higher latitudes, where summers are brief, the compensatory factor lies in the longer duration of daylight.
Despite the brevity of the summer season, the total heat received over an extended period becomes adequate for the ripening of crops.
This adaptation allows for agricultural activities to align with the available heat resources.

The climate of a region, crucial for plant growth, encompasses several key elements. These include:

Temperature

The growth, patterns, and combinations of crops are intricately regulated by the prevailing temperature and precipitation conditions, a phenomenon meticulously studied and confirmed by agricultural scientists. ‘
Each crop exhibits a specific thermal threshold, known as the zero temperature, below which it cannot flourish.
Furthermore, there exists an optimal temperature range during which a crop attains its peak vigour.
This temperature sensitivity is evident across various stages of a crop’s life cycle, including germination, foliation, blossoming, and fructification.
For instance, the cultivation of wheat in Punjab during the months of November-December is successful due to the cool climatic conditions, an environment unsuitable for the same crop in Kerala during the same period.
Similarly, apples thrive in regions like Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir but face challenges in Chennai.
Observing the temperature requirements at each stage of a crop’s life cycle reveals specific zero and optimum values.
The upper limit for plant growth stands at 60 degrees Celsius, beyond which crops may wither if moisture supply is inadequate.
Conversely, chilling and freezing temperatures pose significant threats to the germination, growth, and ripening of crops.

Frost, occurring at low temperatures, poses a risk to crops like rice, sugarcane, jute, cotton, chilli, and tomatoes.

Minimum temperature thresholds vary for different crops, with wheat and barley tolerating 5 degrees Celsius, maize 10 degrees Celsius, and rice 20 degrees Celsius.

The influence of temperature on cropping patterns is exemplified by the fact that the northern limit for the cultivation of date palms, producing ripe fruit, aligns closely with a mean annual temperature of 19 degrees Celsius.
Likewise, grape orchards are contingent on temperature, with grapes ripening only in countries where the mean temperature from April to October exceeds 15 degrees Celsius.
Diverse crops exhibit distinct temperature preferences.
Winter crops like wheat and barley thrive within a mean daily temperature range of 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. In contrast, tropical crops such as cocoa, coffee, spices, squash, rubber, and tobacco necessitate temperatures exceeding 18 degrees Celsius even during the coldest months.
Crops like wheat, gram, peas, lentils, potatoes, mustard, and rapeseed require temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius during growth and development, with relatively higher temperatures (over 25 degrees Celsius) during sowing and harvesting periods.
In essence, each crop demands specific temperature and precipitation conditions throughout its various growth stages, including germination, maturity, and harvesting.

MOISTURE

The essential role of moisture in crop development cannot be overstated.
All crops draw water and moisture from the soil, which may be supplied through rainfall or irrigation systems.
Within broad temperature limits, moisture emerges as a paramount climatic factor in crop production, rivalling or even surpassing the significance of other environmental factors.
Optimal moisture conditions are as crucial for crop development as optimal temperature conditions.
An excess of water in the soil can disrupt various chemical and biological processes, leading to limitations in oxygen availability and an increase in the formation of compounds that are toxic to plant roots.
This water excess results in stunted growth of plants. Addressing the problem of inadequate oxygen in poorly drained tracts involves implementing drainage practices.
Heavy rainfall can directly harm plants and interfere with crucial stages such as flowering and pollination.
Cereal crops are particularly vulnerable to lodging caused by rain, making harvesting difficult and fostering spoilage and diseases.
The impact of heavy rainfall is evident during the maturity of crops like wheat, gram, millets, oilseeds, and mustards, leading to the loss of grain and fodder.
Indian farmers, spanning the entire country, have frequently borne the brunt of rain failures or devastating floods, highlighting the vulnerability of agriculture to unpredictable weather patterns.
These climatic challenges underscore the importance of managing moisture levels judiciously in agricultural practices to mitigate the risks associated with excessive or insufficient water availability.

WIND

Winds exert both direct and indirect effects on crops, significantly influencing agricultural outcomes.
Direct winds can cause structural damage to plants, leading to the dislodging of cereals, fodder, and cash crops.
In extreme cases, high winds can result in the sheltering of seed heads, and fruit and nut crops may be stripped from trees.
Indirectly, winds play a crucial role in the transport of moisture and heat in the air.
The movement of winds enhances evaporation and transpiration processes, potentially causing plants to experience insufficient moisture levels.
This indirect effect can be particularly detrimental during periods of low humidity or drought, as the increased evaporation may contribute to soil desiccation and water stress for crops.

Understanding the dynamics of wind impact on agriculture is essential for implementing appropriate measures to protect crops from structural damage and ensuring optimal moisture levels for their growth and productivity. Additionally, wind patterns need to be considered in agricultural planning to mitigate the potential risks associated with both direct and indirect effects on crops and soil conditions.

SOIL

In the realm of agricultural activities, soil stands out as the paramount physical factor that significantly influences cropping patterns, their interconnections, and overall production outcomes.

The soil’s fertility, texture, structure, and humus content play a pivotal role in shaping the success of various crops and their overall productivity.
Alluvial soils, commonly found in river valleys, are generally deemed suitable for the cultivation of crops such as wheat, barley, gram, oilseeds, pulses, and sugarcane.
On the other hand, clayey loam soil with fine grains, prevalent in the Ganga-Brahmaputra deltaic regions, proves conducive to the abundant harvest of rice and jute.
Certain regions boast specific soil types that are particularly suited to certain crops. For instance, the black soil in Maharashtra is renowned for its suitability for cotton cultivation, while sandy soil in Rajasthan is ideal for the growth of guar, pulses (green gram, black-gram, red-gram, etc.).
However, not all soil types are inherently productive, and some, such as saline and alkaline soils, pose challenges from an agricultural perspective.
Unless reclaimed through the application of chemical fertilisers and biological manures, these soils remain unsuitable for cultivation.
An illustrative example is the soil in Punjab and Haryana, which necessitates reclamation measures to enhance its agricultural viability.

INSTITUTIONAL FACTOR

Land Holdings:

The average size of landholdings has continuously decreased, impacting the viability and sustainability of farming.
Over 82% of Indian farmers fall into the small and marginal category, holding less than 2 hectares of land, creating economic challenges.

Agricultural Credit:

Credit is crucial for meeting investment and working capital needs in agriculture.
Despite a vast network of Rural Financial Institutions (RFIs), challenges such as long gestation periods, lack of trained staff, and security concerns hinder sufficient credit flow to the agriculture sector.

Area by Operational Holdings:

Fragmentation of landholdings, exacerbated by inheritance laws, poses challenges to the adoption of modern agricultural technologies.
Lack of off-farm occupations further adds to economic constraints for small and marginal farmers.

INFRASTRUCTURAL FACTOR

Irrigation, Electricity, and Roads:
- Adequate infrastructure, including irrigation facilities, electricity, and road networks, is essential for efficient agricultural practices.
Credit and Marketing Facilities:
- Accessible credit and marketing facilities play a crucial role in ensuring a fair and profitable market for agricultural produce.
Storage Facilities and Crop Insurance:
- Proper storage facilities and crop insurance mechanisms mitigate risks and ensure stability for farmers.

RESEARCH AND DEVELPOPMENT

Ongoing research and development efforts contribute to the introduction of new technologies and improved farming practices.

Technological Factors:
High-yielding Varieties and Farm Machinery:
- The adoption of high-yielding varieties introduced during the Green Revolution, along with modern farm machinery, enhances agricultural productivity.
Chemical Inputs:
- The use of chemical fertilisers, insecticides, and pesticides contributes to crop protection and increased yields.

In conclusion, the multifaceted nature of these determinants underscores the intricate relationships that govern agricultural systems. Addressing these factors collectively is essential for sustainable and resilient agricultural development.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Determinants of Agriculture in India

1. What factors determine agriculture in India?

A: Agricultural practices in India are determined by a complex interplay of geo-climatic, socioeconomic, and cultural-political factors. These include physical, institutional, infrastructural, and technological determinants.

2. How do physical factors influence agriculture?

A: Physical factors such as terrain, topography, slope, and altitude impact cultivation practices. For example, the type of crops grown is influenced by the altitude, with certain crops thriving at specific altitudes, and topography affects soil erosion and tillage difficulty.

3. What role does climate play in agriculture?

A: Climate, particularly temperature, is a crucial determinant. The availability of heat and a sufficiently long summer are vital for successful agriculture. Temperature influences the growth of vegetation, and regions deficient in heat face challenges in agriculture.

4. How does temperature affect crop cultivation?

A: Temperature dictates the choice of crops and their growth patterns. Each crop has specific temperature requirements for germination, foliation, blossoming, and fructification. The upper and lower limits of temperature impact the success of various crops.

5. Why is moisture important in agriculture?

A: Moisture is essential for crop development, and all crops require water either from rainfall or irrigation systems. Optimal moisture conditions are crucial for crop growth, and excessive or inadequate water in the soil can affect chemical and biological processes, leading to stunted plant growth.

6. How do winds impact agriculture?

A: Winds have direct and indirect effects on crops. Direct winds can cause structural damage, dislodge crops, and strip fruit and nut trees. Indirectly, winds influence moisture and heat transport, affecting evaporation and transpiration processes, potentially leading to insufficient moisture levels for crops.

7. What role do soils play in agriculture?

A: Soil fertility, texture, structure, and humus content directly influence cropping patterns. Different crops thrive in specific soil types, and the suitability of soils impacts agricultural productivity.

8. What are institutional factors affecting agriculture in India?

A: Land holdings and agricultural credit are significant institutional factors. The decreasing size of land holdings and challenges in credit flow impact the economic viability of farming, particularly for small and marginal farmers.

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Factors Affecting Indian Agriculture – UPSC Indian Geography Notes