AGRICULTURE
Geography
AGRICULTURE: BASIC CONCEPT
• Agriculture is the world’s largest industry.
• It employs more than one billion people globally.
• It generates food worth more than 1.3 trillion dollars every year.
• Agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy and livelihood for majority of population.
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
• Sustainable agriculture means environment-friendly farming practices.
• It ensures:
- No harm to soil, water, biodiversity and ecosystem
- No harm to farmers and surrounding population
• Main objectives:
- Long-term soil fertility
- Conservation of water
- Protection of biodiversity
- Stable food production for growing population
• It is the solution for food security under climate change conditions.
SALIENT FEATURES OF INDIAN AGRICULTURE
• Predominance of subsistence farming.
• About 85% farmers are small and marginal:
- Small farmers: 17%
- Marginal farmers: 68%
• Animals play a major role in:
- Ploughing
- Irrigation
- Transportation
• Heavy dependence on monsoon:
- Only about 65 million hectares out of 141 million hectares is irrigated.
• Great diversity of crops due to varied agro-climatic conditions.
• Dominance of food crops:
- About 55% of total cropped area.
SEASONAL PATTERN OF CROPPING IN INDIA
1. KHARIF CROPS
• Sown with onset of monsoon and harvested at beginning of winter.
• Major crops:
- Rice, Maize, Jowar, Bajra, Cotton, Groundnut
- Pulses: Moong, Urad etc.
2. RABI CROPS
• Sown in winter and harvested in summer.
• Major crops:
- Wheat, Barley, Gram
- Oilseeds: Mustard, Linseed, Rapeseed
3. ZAID CROPS
• Summer season crops.
• Examples:
- Maize, Groundnut, Fodder, Vegetables, Fruits
MAJOR CROPS OF INDIA
RICE
• Most important food crop of India.
• Covers about one-fourth of total cropped area.
• Feeds about half of Indian population.
• India is second largest producer after China.
• Conditions:
- Fertile clay soil
- 75 to 200 cm rainfall
- Temperature: 21°C to 37°C
• Three types:
- Aman (winter)
- Aus (autumn)
- Boro (summer)
• Grown from sea level to 2500 m altitude.
WHEAT
• Second most important food crop of India.
• India is second largest producer after China.
• Grown on about 10% of total arable land.
• Mainly irrigated crop.
• Conditions:
- 50–75 cm rainfall
- 10–15°C at sowing, 20–25°C at harvesting
• Major states:
- Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh
MAIZE
• Known as “Queen of Cereals”.
• India ranks 7th in world production.
• Conditions:
- 25–30°C temperature
- 50–80 cm rainfall
- Nitrogen rich soil
• Major states:
- Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh
PULSES
• Main source of protein for vegetarians.
• Rabi pulses: Gram, Pea, Lentil, Tur
• Kharif pulses: Moong, Urad, Beans
• They fix nitrogen and improve soil fertility.
• India is largest producer and consumer.
• Major states:
- MP, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, UP, Andhra Pradesh
OILSEEDS
• Grown in infertile and rain-deficient areas.
• Rabi: Mustard
• Kharif: Groundnut
• Rajasthan is largest producer.
SUGARCANE
• India is second largest producer.
• Takes about 1 year to mature.
• Conditions:
- 20–27°C temperature
- 100–200 cm rainfall
• Major states:
- UP, Maharashtra, Karnataka
TEA
• Beverage crop and plantation crop.
• Conditions:
- 150–250 cm rainfall
- 24–30°C temperature
- Sulphur-rich soil
• Grown on hill slopes to avoid waterlogging.
• Major areas:
- Assam, Darjeeling, Nilgiris, Kerala, Tamil Nadu
COTTON
• Most important fibre crop.
• Grown in black soil of Deccan.
• India is largest producer.
• Conditions:
- 20–30°C temperature
- 50–100 cm rainfall
• Major states:
- Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana
VARIOUS AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES
• Silviculture – forest trees cultivation
• Sericulture – silk production
• Apiculture – bee keeping
• Olericulture – vegetable cultivation
• Viticulture – grapes
• Floriculture – flowers
• Arboriculture – trees and shrubs
• Pomology – fruit cultivation
• Agritourism – tourism linked with agriculture
CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS RELATED TO AGRICULTURE
• Agriculture – State List (Entry 14)
• Markets and fairs – State List (Entry 28)
• Inter-state trade – Union List (Entry 42)
• Trade in foodstuffs – Concurrent List (Entry 33)
• Centre can override State APMC laws for trade reforms.
ZERO TILLAGE TECHNOLOGY
• Zero tillage means sowing seeds without ploughing.
• Advantages:
- Reduces cost of cultivation
- Reduces soil erosion
- Saves water
- Reduces stubble burning
- Improves soil organic matter
• Practiced mainly in Indo-Gangetic Plains.
ZERO BUDGET NATURAL FARMING (ZBNF)
• Chemical-free farming method.
• Developed by Subhash Palekar.
• Uses Jeevamrita (cow dung, urine, jaggery, pulse flour).
• Reduces cost of cultivation.
• Promoted in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat.
NATURAL FARMING AND BPKP
• Based on natural processes and biodiversity.
• Promoted under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana.
• Benefits:
- Reduces input cost
- Improves soil health
- Climate friendly
• Challenges:
- Lower initial yields
- Limited government support
GM CROPS
• GM Rubber developed for North-East cold climate.
• GM Rice:
- India allows only Bt Cotton commercially.
- Golden rice is Vitamin-A enriched.
• GEAC regulates GM crops.
MINIMUM SUPPORT PRICE (MSP)
• MSP is minimum price fixed by government.
• No legal backing.
• Based on CACP recommendation.
• Covers 23 crops.
• Cost concepts:
- A2
- A2+FL
- C2
FAIR AND REMUNERATIVE PRICE (FRP)
• Applies to sugarcane.
• Fixed under Sugarcane Control Order.
• Announced by Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.
• States may declare SAP higher than FRP.
DAP SUBSIDY AND NBS
• DAP contains 46% P and 18% N.
• Urea price is controlled.
• Other fertilizers under Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS).
• NBS aims at balanced NPK usage.
FORTIFIED RICE
• Rice mixed with iron, folic acid and vitamin B12.
• Used to fight malnutrition.
• Given in PDS and government schemes.
• Identified by +F logo.
SAFFRON BOWL PROJECT
• Expanding saffron cultivation to NE states.
• Traditional area: Pampore, Kashmir.
• Kashmir saffron has GI tag.
• Grows at 2000 m altitude.
• Needs calcareous, well-drained soil.
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Subject: Geography
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