• Agriculture encompasses the cultivation of plants, animals, fungi, and various life forms, serving as a fundamental practice for the production of food, fiber, biofuel, medicinals, and other essential commodities vital for sustaining and enhancing human life. 
• In our country, agriculture has been a pivotal economic activity spanning centuries, exhibiting a spectrum from subsistence to commercial practices. 
• The methodologies employed in farming are influenced by factors such as land characteristics, soil composition, agro-climatic conditions, water availability or irrigation infrastructure, technological expertise, and socio-cultural traditions. 
• Farming systems, as resource management strategies, are designed to achieve both economic viability and sustainable production, catering to the diverse requirements of farm households while concurrently safeguarding the resource base and upholding environmental quality standards.

PRIMITIVE SUBSISTENCE FARMING

Traditional farming methods persist in small pockets of Indian land, employing rudimentary tools like hoes, daos, and digging sticks, often relying on family and community labor. In this approach, the entire crop yield is reserved for family consumption. The choice between dryland farming and wetland farming is made based on factors such as the monsoon patterns, soil fertility, and the appropriateness of environmental conditions for cultivating specific crops.

SHIFTING AGRICULTURE

Shifting agriculture involves clearing small forest lands for crop cultivation, a practice predominantly undertaken by tribal farmers. Typically lasting 2 to 3 years, the cultivated land's fertility diminishes, prompting farmers to migrate to new areas and repeat the process. Common crops in this type of farming include dry paddy, maize, millets, and vegetables.

PLANTATION FARMING

Conducted closer to the equator or tropical regions, plantation farming requires high temperatures and substantial rainfall. Introduced during the colonial era, this tree or bush farming method focuses on crops like tea, rubber, spices, coconut, tobacco, cocoa, coffee, and fruits. Valued for its commercial profitability, plantation farming is a crucial aspect of the agricultural landscape.

INTENSIVE FARMING

Intensive farming maximizes land use to achieve high yields per unit area. Farmers employ increased fertilizer, pest control, and irrigation, along with modern technology to enhance crop productivity. This method is particularly beneficial for commercial purposes, contributing to increased profitability.

CROP ROTATION

Crop rotation involves planting multiple crops successively on the same plot to enhance soil health, optimize nutrient levels, and counteract pests and weeds. Ranging from simple rotations with two or three crops to more complex ones involving a dozen or more, this practice helps return nutrients to the soil naturally and disrupts pest and disease cycles.

TERRACE FARMING

Terrace farming utilizes "steps" or terraces built on hillsides and mountains to cultivate crops. Popular in rice-growing countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia, it prevents soil erosion by directing rainwater across terraces. The method aids in maintaining soil nutrients, with each terrace having outlets directing water to the next step. Terrace farming is classified into graded terracing, with constant or variable grades, and level terracing, following contour lines, suitable for permeable soil.

FEATURES OF INDIAN AGRICULTURE

• Subsistence Agriculture in India:
  • Subsistence agriculture, a practice spanning centuries, remains prevalent in most parts of India. The focus is on producing enough for the farmer's family, with limited surplus for sale.
• Population Pressure on Agriculture:
  • Despite urbanization and industrialization, agriculture remains a significant livelihood for about 70% of India's population. The pressure of a large population on agricultural resources persists, emphasizing the sector's crucial role in sustaining livelihoods.
• Mechanization Challenges:
  • While there have been advancements in agricultural machinery, complete mechanization remains elusive even after several decades of the Green Revolution. Many farmers still rely on traditional methods and tools for cultivation.
• Monsoon Dependency:
  • Approximately one-third of the total cropped area in India is irrigated, highlighting a heavy reliance on monsoons for the remaining two-thirds. Limited irrigation poses challenges, making agriculture vulnerable to monsoon variations.
• Crop Variety in Diverse Climates:
  • India's diverse climate, encompassing both tropical and temperate zones, allows for the cultivation of a wide variety of crops. Few countries globally exhibit the agricultural diversity seen in India.
• Predominance of Food Crops:
  • Farmers prioritize the cultivation of food crops across the country. The production of staples like rice, wheat, and other essential food items takes precedence in agricultural practices.
• Seasonal Agricultural Patterns:
  • India experiences three distinct cropping seasons – Kharif, Rabi, and Zaid. Each season corresponds to specific crops, with rice being a Kharif crop and wheat a Rabi crop. This seasonal pattern allows for diverse and staggered agricultural activities throughout the year.

CHALLENGES FOR INDIAN AGRICULTURE

The challenges faced by Indian agriculture can be broadly categorized into two groups: long-standing issues and emerging problems arising from current agricultural practices, systems, changing climate, and economic shifts.

1. Stagnation in Production of Major Crops:

The production of essential staple food crops, such as rice and wheat, has shown a prolonged stagnation. This poses a significant concern as it widens the gap between demand and production, impacting food security.

2. High Cost of Farm Inputs:

The increasing costs of farm inputs, including fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides, HYV seeds, and labor, particularly affect small and medium landholding farmers, placing them at a disadvantage.

3. Soil Exhaustion:

The positive impact of the Green Revolution in reducing hunger is countered by soil exhaustion, resulting from the continuous cultivation of the same crop. This leads to the depletion of essential nutrients in the soil.

4. Groundwater Depletion:

Excessive use of groundwater for irrigation, especially in regions like Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh, has led to its depletion. The over-reliance on groundwater poses a serious threat to the sustainability of agriculture.

5. Global Climatic Change:

Predictions of climate change's impact on Indian agriculture include increased temperatures, rising sea levels, more intense cyclones, and unpredictable rainfall. These changes adversely affect rice and wheat production, posing a significant threat to food security.

6. Impact of Globalization:

Globalization has resulted in reduced farmers' income and the vulnerability of Indian cultivation. Trade liberalization exposes farmers to competition from highly subsidized production in developed countries, affecting the viability of agriculture in India.

7. Providing Food Security:

Ensuring food security is a persistent challenge, especially with the growing population. Factors like accessibility, affordability, and nutritional value of available food need attention for sustainable food security.

8. Farmers Suicides:

Farmer suicides are concentrated in regions with high commercialization of agriculture and significant peasant debt. Cash crop farmers face higher vulnerability, and the decline is attributed to factors such as commercialization, reduced agricultural investment, and privatization of resources.

FAQs - Agriculture in India

1. What does agriculture encompass in India?

Ans. Agriculture in India involves the cultivation of plants, animals, fungi, and various life forms, serving as a fundamental practice for producing food, fiber, biofuel, medicinals, and other essential commodities vital for sustaining and enhancing human life.

2. How has agriculture been historically significant in India?

Ans. Agriculture has been a pivotal economic activity in India for centuries, exhibiting a spectrum from subsistence to commercial practices.

3. What factors influence farming methodologies in India?

Ans. Farming methodologies in India are influenced by factors such as land characteristics, soil composition, agro-climatic conditions, water availability or irrigation infrastructure, technological expertise, and socio-cultural traditions.

4. What are farming systems in India?

Ans. Farming systems are resource management strategies designed to achieve economic viability and sustainable production, catering to the diverse needs of farm households while preserving the resource base and maintaining environmental quality standards.

5. What is primitive subsistence farming in India?

Ans. Primitive subsistence farming involves traditional methods in small pockets of Indian land, using rudimentary tools and relying on family and community labor. The entire crop yield is reserved for family consumption.

6. What is shifting agriculture, and who practices it?

Ans. Shifting agriculture involves clearing small forest lands for crop cultivation, mostly practiced by tribal farmers. The cultivated land's fertility diminishes after 2 to 3 years, prompting farmers to migrate to new areas and repeat the process.

7. What is plantation farming, and where is it conducted?

Ans. Plantation farming, conducted closer to the equator or tropical regions, focuses on tree or bush farming. Introduced during the colonial era, it includes crops like tea, rubber, spices, coconut, tobacco, cocoa, coffee, and fruits.

8. How does intensive farming contribute to agriculture?

Ans. Intensive farming maximizes land use to achieve high yields per unit area, employing increased fertilizer, pest control, irrigation, and modern technology. It is particularly beneficial for commercial purposes, contributing to increased profitability.

9. What is crop rotation, and what benefits does it provide?

Ans. Crop rotation involves planting multiple crops successively on the same plot to enhance soil health, optimize nutrient levels, and counteract pests and weeds. It aids in returning nutrients to the soil naturally and disrupts pest and disease cycles.

10. How does terrace farming work, and where is it popular?

Ans. Terrace farming involves building "steps" or terraces on hillsides and mountains to cultivate crops. Popular in rice-growing countries like Vietnam and the Philippines, it prevents soil erosion and aids in maintaining soil nutrients.

11. What are the features of Indian agriculture?

Ans. Subsistence Agriculture, Population Pressure, Mechanization Challenges, Monsoon Dependency, Crop Variety, Predominance of Food Crops, and Seasonal Agricultural Patterns are key features.

12. What are the challenges faced by Indian agriculture?

Ans. Challenges include Stagnation in Crop Production, High Cost of Inputs, Soil Exhaustion, Groundwater Depletion, Global Climatic Change, Impact of Globalization, Ensuring Food Security, and Farmer Suicides.