This document discusses different types of agriculture and major crops around the world. It begins by outlining factors that influence agriculture like climate, soil, and relief. It then describes various types of farming including subsistence, commercial, shifting cultivation, intensive subsistence, nomadic herding, extensive, plantation, mixed, pastoral, dairy, orchard, market gardening, horticulture, and pastoral farming. Specific crops and countries are provided for each type. Major crops discussed include rice, wheat, maize, millets, sugarcane, rubber, cotton, jute, tea, and coffee. Requirements for optimal growth of each crop are also summarized.

1. CHAPTER 6
TYPES OF AGRICULTURE AND MAJOR CROPS

2. FACTORS INFLUENCING AGRICULTURE
CLIMATE SOIL
RELIEF

3. TYPES OF FARMING
SUBSISTENCE
FARMING
COMMERCIAL
FARMING
SHIFTING
CULTIVATION
INTENSIVE
SUBSISTENCE
CULTIVATION
NOMADIC
HERDING
EXTENSIVE AGRICULTURE
PLANTATION AGRICULTURE
MIXED FARMING
PASTORAL FARMING
DAIRY FARMING
ORCHARD FARMING
MARKET GARDENING
HORTICULTURE
PASTORAL FARMING
DAIRY FARMING
ORCHARD FARMING
MARKET GARDENING

4. SUBSISTENCE FARMING
• Done to support the family of the farmer and not commercial use.
• Common in the tropical lowlands.
• Practised by farmers on a self sufficient basis and they grow food
crops only for themselves and their families.
• Farms are very small in size and yields are low.
• Primitive methods of cultivation.
• Natural manures like domestic waste and animal dung are used
supplemented with chemical fertilizers.
• Very few animals are kept.
• Farmers are generally poor.
• Subsistence agriculture can be practised in one place or it can be
shifting in nature.

5. The term tropical lowland forest is used to
describe forest where there is little or no
seasonal water shortage and where the
climate is continuously warm and humid.
India, the Myanmar–Vietnam–
southern coastal China region.
Eastern Brazil, with smaller areas
in South and Central America
north of the Equator
The West Indies,
Southeastern Africa
Northern Australia.

6. SHIFTING CULTIVATION
CROPS GROWN
TUBER CROPS LIKE
TAPIOCA
CASSAVA
MANIOC
YAMS
MAIZE, MILLETS, BEANS
OR BANANAS
BANNED IN SEVERAL
COUNTRIES DUE TO:
DEFORESTATION
SOIL EROSION

7. INTENSIVE SUBSISTENCE AGRICULTURE
• Practised in densely populated regions of the world.
• The land holdings are small and farming is very intensive
• Every bit of cultivable land is utilised for agriculture.
• A large amount of manual labour is used and farm machines are rare.
• Animals like buffaloes and oxen are kept as draught animals.
• Farmers use irrigation water, HYV seeds, natural manures, chemical fertilisers,
insecticides and pesticides to increase per hectare productivity.
• Nowadays modern methods of farming and some machinery are being used and
yields are quiet high.
CROPS GROWN COUNTRIES
RICE
WHEAT
COTTON
SUGARCANE
OILSEED
PAKISTAN
BANGLADESH
SRI LANKA
CHINA
MALAYSIA

8. NOMADIC HERDING
1. Extensive form of animal grazing on natural pastures.
2. Different types of animals like cattle, sheep, goats, camels and yaks are
reared depending on the climate and natural vegetation of the area.
3. The herders move from one place to another in search of fodder and water
supply.
4. Nomadic herding is confined to sparsely populated parts of the world where the
natural vegetation is mainly grass.
5. The change to a settled lifestyle has reduced the importance of nomadic
herding these days.
KIRGHIZ OF CENTRAL ASIA BEDOUINS OF SAHARA DESERT

9. MASAIS OF EAST AFRICA GADDIS AND BAKARWALS OF HIMALAYAS
TUAREGS OF SAHARA DESERT

10. COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE
EXTENSIVE AGRICULTURE
PLANTATION AGRICULTURE
MIXED FARMING
PASTORAL FARMING
DAIRY FARMING
ORCHARD FARMING
MARKET GARDENING

11. EXTENSIVE AGRICULTURE
1. Agriculture practised on a commercial scale and crops are grown
for sale in the market.
2. Common in regions where there is abundant land and sparse
population.
3. The land holdings are very BIG in SIZE.
4. The farming operations are FULLY MECHANISED and very FEW
HUMAN LABOURERS.
5. FERTLISERS are not used to a great extent.
6. Specialisation in ONE or TWO CROPS.
7. WHEAT is the most IMPORTANT CROP.
8. CORN+ BARLEY+ OATS+RYE+COTTON.
9. Total production is very LARGE but per hectare productivity is
LOW.
10.Practised in MID-LATITUDE GRASSLANDS.

12. PLANTATION AGRICULTURE
• Practised in the tropical and sub-tropical region.
• Introduced by the European nations who had colonised the country.
• Commercial type of farming with specialisation of a single crop.
• Farms are huge and are called estates.
• A large amount of capital is invested and the farming methods are
efficient.
• Machinery and fertilisers are used whenever required.
• A lot of manual labour is required and skilled labour is imported.
• The crop is processed before being sent to the market for sale.
• The estates are well connected to ports and railheads.
• The entire agricultural system is scientifically managed like a factory.

15. MIXED FARMING
1. CROP CULTIVATION+ ANIMAL REARING are practised
on the same farm.
2. The farm size is MODERATE and farming is done
INTENSIVELY.
3. Use of MODERN MACHINERY, IMRPOVED SEEDS,
CHEMICAL FERTILISER ensure a high yield.
4. CROP ROTATION is practised to retain soil fertility.
5. WHEAT+ MAIZE+ BARLEY
ROOT CROPS: POTATOES+ TURNIPS
LEGUMES: PEAS +BEANS
FODDER CROP: ALFALFA
6. They raise cattle for BEEF and SHEEP for MUTTON.
7. PIGS and POULTRY are also kept.

16. COUNTRIES- MIXED FARMING
RUSSIA AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND

17. PASTORAL FARMING
1. Commercial rearing of livestock- cattle, sheep and goats for
meat, milk, wool, hides.
2. The animals are kept in huge farms called ranches.
3. They are fed on natural grasses as well as on fodder crops
like ALFALFA and LUCERNE.
4. The ranches are scientifically managed and the animals are
well looked after.
5. Highly specailised and separate departments for every stage
of animal production.
6. Practiced in TEMPERATE GRASSLANDS.

18. DAIRY FARMING
1. Rearing of dairy cattle to produce milk and milk
products
2. Dairy farming is practised around urban areas.
3. Highly intensive type of livestock farming
4. Modern machinery and scientific methods of breeding.
5. A large labour force is required to look after the cattle.
6. Huge amount of capital needs to be invested.
7. In India, dairy co-operative farms have been set up in
Gujarat.

19. COUNTRIES – DAIRY FARMING
UNITED KINGDOM DENMARK SWITZERLAND
BELGIUM AUSTRALIA

20. ORCHARD FARMING
1. It has developed in the Mediterranean region, where there is
winter rain and summer drought
2. Orchard farming is a highly specialised commercial agriculture.
3. Viticulture or grape cultivation is a speciality of the Mediterranean region.
4. Grapes are used for wine production.
5. Farming is done intensively.
6. Irrigation water is supplied in sufficient quantities.
PORTUGAL SPAIN+FRANCE ITALY

21. MARKET GARDENING
1. Cultivation of vegetables, fruits and flowers for the urban market.
2. The market gardens are located outside the cities in suburban areas.
3. Small in size and are intensely cultivated.
4. Irrigation is often used and soil fertility is maintained by the application of fertilisers.
5. A lot of manual labour is required.
6. The markets are scientifically managed.
7. Yields are generally high.
8. Market gardening is also called TRUCK FARMING as fresh vegetables are transported
to the markets by trucks.
9. Developed in the densely populated regions.

22. COUNTRIES
UNITED KINGDOM GERMANY DENMARK

23. HORTICULTURE
FRUITS FLOWERS
1. Growing of fruits and flowers.
2. Produced to meet the needs of the people living in towns and cities.
3. ROSES and MARIGOLDS are grown in India to cater to the big cities.
4. It is very common in the European countries and USA.
NETHERLANDS SPECIALISES IN TULIPS

24. FOOD CROPS
RICE WHEAT
MAIZE
MILLETS

25. RICE
5. GEOGRAPHICAL
REQUIREMENTS
TEMPERATURE 25°C during the growing season
RAINFALL 150cms-200cms/ The fields should be flooded
SOIL FERTILE ALLUVIAL SOIL
CLAYEY SUBSOIL
CHEMICAL FERTILISERS AND INSECTICIDES
LABOUR Farm work is done by hand so plenty of manual labour is required.
1. Main food crop of the world.
2. Staple food for half of the world’s population
3. Grows best in HOT and WET TROPICAL and SUB-TROPICAL REGIONS.
LOWLAND RICE- RIVER BASINS, DELTAS
AND COASTAL PLAINS
UPLAND RICE- TERRACED HILL SLOPE

26. RICE PRODUCING COUNTRIES
BANGLADESH CHINA SRI LANKA
BRAZIL SPAIN ITALY

27. wheat
5. GEOGRAPHICAL
REQUIREMENTS
TEMPERATURE 15°C
RAINFALL 50cms-75cms/ No frost/ Cool and moist
SOIL SANDY SOIL, LOAMY SOIL, BLACK SOIL
CHEMICAL FERTILISERS AND INSECTICIDES USED IN ADEQUATE QUANTITIES.
1. It is the chief food crop in the mid-latitude and dry sub-tropical regions.
2. The weather should be cool and moist at the time of growing while
bright sunshine is required when it ripens.

28. MAIZE
1. It is known as CORN in the USA and MAKKA in India.
2. Maize is used both as a food grain and as a fodder.
5. GEOGRAPHICAL
REQUIREMENTS
TEMPERATURE 20°C during the growing period.
RAINFALL 50cms-75cms
SOIL Fertile and well drained.
U.S.A
CHINA BRAZIL

29. MILLETS
Collective name of JOWAR+ BAJRA+ RAGI+SORGHUM
JOWAR
BAJRA RAGI
SORGHUM
1. Grown in regions with high temperatures, low rainfall and infertile soil.
CHINA U.S.A BRAZIL

30. WHEAT PRODUCING COUNTRIES
PRAIRIES OF NORTH AMERICA PAMPAS OF ARGENTINA
STEPPES OF EURASIA DOWNS OF AUSTRALIA

31. COMMERCIAL CROPS
SUGARCANE
RUBBER

32. SUGARCANE
1. It is a TROPICAL CROP and a major source of sugar.
2. The sugarcane plant grows to a height of about 2 to 3 metres
and is grown from cuttings of a mature cane called SETTS.
3. The sugarcane plant needs almost a year to mature.
4. Farms need to be well connected to the sugar mills so that the canes can be quickly
transported without any loss of juice.
5. GEOGRAPHICAL
REQUIREMENTS
TEMPERATURE 21°C to 27°C
RAINFALL 125cms WITH A LONG RAINY SEASON.
SOIL FERTILE AND WELL DRAINED LOAMY SOIL
ADEQUATE SUPPLIES OF CHEMICAL FERTILISERS AND INSECTICIDES
LABOUR Farm work is done by hand so plenty of manual labour is required.

33. SUGARCANE PRODUCING COUNTRIES
HAWAII
CUBA
BRAZIL
AUSTRALIA

34. RUBBER
1. Rubber is obtained from the sap or latex of the rubber tree called Hevea Brasiliensis
which is found in the equatorial forests.
2. Used in the manufacturing of tyres and tubes for vehicles for waterproofing and insulating.
3. The Europeans introduced rubber plantations in their colonies.
4. 98% OF NATURAL RUBBER is grown on plantations.
5. GEOGRAPHICAL
REQUIREMENTS
TEMPERATURE 27°C
RAINFALL 150cms UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE YEAR.
SOIL FERTILE WELL DRAINED SOIL , FLAT OR GENTLY UNDULATING LAND.
LABOUR Plenty of manual labour is required.

35. LEADING PRODUCERS OF RUBBER
MALAYSIA INDONESIA
THAILAND BRAZIL SRI LANKA

36. FIBRE CROPS
COTTON
JUTE

37. COTTON
1. It is the most important fibre crop which has been used since the ancient times.
2. It is a tropical and sub tropical crop.
3. It is classified according to the length of the fibre into three:
a) SHORT b)MEDIUM c) LONG STAPLE
5. GEOGRAPHICAL
REQUIREMENTS
TEMPERATURE 25°C DURING THE GROWING PERIOD
BRIGHT SUNSHINE DURING THE PICKING SEASON
RAINFALL 75cms.
SOIL BLACK LAVA SOIL, ALLUVIAL LOAMS
CHEMICAL FERTILISERS AND PESTICIDES
LABOUR A LOT OF CHEAP LABOUR

39. COTTON PRODUCING COUNTRIES
U.S.A PAKISTAN EGYPT
SUDAN CHINA BRAZIL

40. JUTE
1. Jute is known as the GOLDEN FIBRE.
2. Most VERSATILE NATURAL FIBRE-
100% BIODEGRADABLE+ RECYCLABLE+ STRONG+ CHEAPEST
3. Widely used in the agricultural and manufacturing sector.
4. Used in MAKING ROPES, MATS, GUNNY BAGS, PACKAGING, TEXTILE,
NON TEXTILE PRODUCTS, LINING IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.
GEOGRAPHICAL REQUIREMENTS
TEMPERATURE >25°C (HOT AND WET CLIMATE)
RAINFALL 150 cms.
REQUIRES STANDING WATER
SOIL FERTILE ALLUVIAL SOIL OF THE FLOOD PLAINS AND
DELTAS WHICH IS RENEWED BY ANNUAL FLOOD
LABOUR A LOT OF CHEAP LABOUR

41. LEADING PRODUCERS OF JUTE
THAILAND
MYANMAR
BANGLADESH
BRAZIL
CHINA

42. BEVERAGE CROPS
TEA COFFEE

43. TEA
1. Tea is obtained from the leaves of the tea plant which is a tropical bush.
2. The BRITISH started tea plantations in INDIA and SRI LANKA.
3. Two varieties of tea:
a) Assam type- Large leaves
b) Chinese type- Small leaves
4.
GEOGRAPHICAL REQUIREMENTS
TEMPERATURE 25°C (WARM AND HUMID CLIMATE)
RAINFALL 200 cms.
SOIL FERTILE AND EXTREMELY WELL DRAINED
LABOUR A LOT OF CHEAP LABOUR
5. As tea cannot withstand stagnant water, hill slopes are ideal sites for tea gardens
which are called tea estates.
6. The tea bushes are planted in straight rows about 1.5 m apart with shady trees in between.
7. They should be trimmed regularly for easy picking of leaves.

44. LEADINGPRODUCERS OF TEA
SRI LANKA CHINA JAPAN
KENYA UGANDA

45. COFFEE
1. It is grown in tropical highlands with a warm and humid climate.
2. It is obtained from the beans of the plant.
3. After being picked up they are FERMENTED, DRIED, SORTED ACCORDING TO SIZE
and then ROASTED and GROUND into COFFEE POWDER.
4. Coffee has 3 main varieties:
ARABICA ROBUSTA LIBERICA

46. 5. GEOGRAPHICAL REQUIREMENTS
TEMPERATURE 14°C to 26°C (WARM AND HUMID CLIMATE)
RAINFALL 150cms.
SOIL WELL DRAINED WITH NO STAGNANT WATER
LABOUR A LOT OF CHEAP LABOUR
6. The plants stand about 3m apart and are trimmed annually.
7. Tall shady trees are grown in between to protect the coffee plants from direct sunlight
as it can damage the plant.

47. OTHER COFFEE PRODUCERS
COLOMBIA VENEZUELA UGANDA