Geography - Agriculture

sonawane11jan@rediffmail.comsonawane11jan@rediffmail.com 1

The science and artThe science and art
of cultivation on theof cultivation on the
soil, raising cropssoil, raising crops
and rearing livestockand rearing livestock
is calledis called
‘AGRICULTURE‘AGRICULTURE’’

Agriculture is an age oldAgriculture is an age old
economic activity in oureconomic activity in our
country. Depending upon thecountry. Depending upon the
geographical conditions,geographical conditions,
demand of produce, labour anddemand of produce, labour and
level of technology, farminglevel of technology, farming
can be classified in to twocan be classified in to two
main types –main types –
 PRIMITIVE SUBSISTENCE FARMINGPRIMITIVE SUBSISTENCE FARMING
 INTENSIVE SUBSISTENCE FARMINGINTENSIVE SUBSISTENCE FARMING
 COMMERCIAL FARMINGCOMMERCIAL FARMINGsonawane11jan@rediffmail.comsonawane11jan@rediffmail.com 3

Primitive Subsistence AgriculturePrimitive Subsistence Agriculture
includes-includes-
 Shifting CultivationShifting Cultivation
 Nomadic Herding.Nomadic Herding.

Shifting cultivation is practiced inShifting cultivation is practiced in
the thickly forested areas of Amazonthe thickly forested areas of Amazon
basin, tropical Africa, parts of southbasin, tropical Africa, parts of south
east Asia and North east India. Theseeast Asia and North east India. These
are the areas a heavy rainfall andare the areas a heavy rainfall and
quick regeneration of vegetation.quick regeneration of vegetation.
This type of farming depends onThis type of farming depends on
monsoon, natural fertility of the soilmonsoon, natural fertility of the soil
and suitability of otherand suitability of other
environmental conditions to theenvironmental conditions to the
crops grown.crops grown.

A plot of land is cleared by felling trees andA plot of land is cleared by felling trees and
burning them.burning them.
The ashes are then mixed with the soil andThe ashes are then mixed with the soil and
crops like maize, yam, potatoes and cassavacrops like maize, yam, potatoes and cassava
are grown.are grown.
After the soil loses its fertility, the land isAfter the soil loses its fertility, the land is
abandoned and the cultivator moves to aabandoned and the cultivator moves to a
new plot.new plot.
 It also allows the nature to replenish theIt also allows the nature to replenish the
fertility of the soil through naturalfertility of the soil through natural
processes: land productivity in this type ofprocesses: land productivity in this type of
farming is low as the farmer does not usefarming is low as the farmer does not use
fertilizers or other modern inputs.fertilizers or other modern inputs.
Shifting cultivation is also known as ‘slashShifting cultivation is also known as ‘slash
and burn’ agriculture.and burn’ agriculture.

sonawane11jan@rediffmail.com 8

 It is called by different names in different parts of theIt is called by different names in different parts of the
country and the world.country and the world.
 Jhumming in northeastern states like Assam, Meghalaya,Jhumming in northeastern states like Assam, Meghalaya,
Mizoram and Nagaland.Mizoram and Nagaland.
 Pamlou in ManipurPamlou in Manipur
 Dipa in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh and in AndamanDipa in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh and in Andaman
and Nicobar islands.and Nicobar islands.
 Bewar or Dahiya in Madhya PradeshBewar or Dahiya in Madhya Pradesh
 Podu or Penda in Andhra PradeshPodu or Penda in Andhra Pradesh
 Pama Dabi or Koman or Bringa in OrissaPama Dabi or Koman or Bringa in Orissa
 Kumari in Western GhatsKumari in Western Ghats
 Valre or Waltre in south eastern RajasthanValre or Waltre in south eastern Rajasthan
 Khil in the Himalayan beltKhil in the Himalayan belt
 Kuruwa in JharkhandKuruwa in Jharkhand

 Milpa in Mexico and Central AmericaMilpa in Mexico and Central America
 Conuco in VenezuelaConuco in Venezuela
 Roca in BrazilRoca in Brazil
 Masole in Central AfricaMasole in Central Africa
 Ladang in IndonesiaLadang in Indonesia
 Ray in VietnamRay in Vietnam

This type of farming is practiced inThis type of farming is practiced in
areas of high population pressure onareas of high population pressure on
land.land.
It is labour intensive farming whereIt is labour intensive farming where
high doses of biochemical inputs andhigh doses of biochemical inputs and
irrigation are used for obtainingirrigation are used for obtaining
higher productionhigher production

The main characteristics of this type ofThe main characteristics of this type of
farming is the use of modern inputsfarming is the use of modern inputs
e.g. high yielding (HYV) seeds,e.g. high yielding (HYV) seeds,
chemical fertilizers , insecticides andchemical fertilizers , insecticides and
pesticides in order to obtain higherpesticides in order to obtain higher
production.production.
The degree of commercialization ofThe degree of commercialization of
agriculture varies from one region toagriculture varies from one region to
another. For example, rice is aanother. For example, rice is a
commercial crop in Haryana andcommercial crop in Haryana and
Punjab, but in Orissa it is aPunjab, but in Orissa it is a
subsistence crop.subsistence crop.

• In Commercial Grain FarmingIn Commercial Grain Farming
crops are grown for commercialcrops are grown for commercial
purpose. Wheat and maize arepurpose. Wheat and maize are
commonly grown crops. Majorcommonly grown crops. Major
areas where commercial grainareas where commercial grain
farming is practiced arefarming is practiced are
temperate grassland of Northtemperate grassland of North
America, Europe and Asia.America, Europe and Asia.

Plantations is also a type of commercialPlantations is also a type of commercial
farming where single crop of tea, coffee,farming where single crop of tea, coffee,
sugarcane, cashew, rubber, banana orsugarcane, cashew, rubber, banana or
cotton are grown.cotton are grown.
Large amount of labour and capital areLarge amount of labour and capital are
required.required.
Plantations cover large tracts of landsPlantations cover large tracts of lands
using capital intensive inputs with the helpusing capital intensive inputs with the help
of migrant labours.of migrant labours.
All the produce is used as raw material inAll the produce is used as raw material in
respective industries.respective industries.

The produce may be processed on theThe produce may be processed on the
farm itself or in nearby factories.farm itself or in nearby factories.
In India, tea, coffee, rubber, sugarcane,In India, tea, coffee, rubber, sugarcane,
banana, etc. are important plantationbanana, etc. are important plantation
crops.crops.
Major plantations are found in theMajor plantations are found in the
tropical regions of the world. Rubber intropical regions of the world. Rubber in
Malaysia, coffee in Brazil, tea in IndiaMalaysia, coffee in Brazil, tea in India
and Sri Lanka are some examples.and Sri Lanka are some examples.
Tea is cultivated in Assam and NorthTea is cultivated in Assam and North
Bengal and coffee is grown in Karnataka.Bengal and coffee is grown in Karnataka.

• Since the production is mainlySince the production is mainly
for market a well developedfor market a well developed
network of transport andnetwork of transport and
communication connecting thecommunication connecting the
plantation areas, processingplantation areas, processing
industries and markets playsindustries and markets plays
an important role in thean important role in the
development of thedevelopment of the
plantations.plantations.

In Mixed Farming land is used
for growing food and fodder
crops and rearing livestock. It
is practiced in Europe, eastern
USA, Argentina, southeast
Australia, New Zealand and
South Africa.

 The physical features and plurality of
cultures are also reflected in agricultural
practices and cropping patterns in the
country.
 Various types of food and fibre crops,
vegetables and fruits, spices and
condiments, etc.. Constitute some of the
important crops grown in the country.
 India has three cropping seasons – Rabi,
Kharif and Zaid.

• Rabi crops are sown in winter from October
to December and harvested in summer from
April to June.
• Some important rabi crops are wheat, barley,
peas, gram and mustard.
• These crops are grown in large parts of
india, states from the north and north
western parts such as Punjab , Haryana,
Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir,
Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh are
important for the production of wheat and
other rabi crops.

• Availability of precipitation during
winter months due to western
temperate cyclones help in the
success of these crops.
• However, the success of green
revolution in Punjab, Haryana
western Uttar Pradesh parts of
Rajasthan has also been an
important factor in the growth of the
above mentioned rabi crops.

• Kharif crops are grown with the onset ofKharif crops are grown with the onset of
monsoon in different parts of the countrymonsoon in different parts of the country
and these are harvested in September-and these are harvested in September-
October.October.
• Important crops grown during in this seasonImportant crops grown during in this season
are paddy, maize, jowar, bajra, tur (arhar),are paddy, maize, jowar, bajra, tur (arhar),
moong, urad, cotton, jute, groundnut, andmoong, urad, cotton, jute, groundnut, and
soyabean.soyabean.
• Some of the most important rice-growingSome of the most important rice-growing
regions are Assam, West Bengal, Coastalregions are Assam, West Bengal, Coastal
regions of Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamilregions of Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil
Nadu Kerala and Maharashtra, particularlyNadu Kerala and Maharashtra, particularly
the Konkan coast along with Uttar Pradeshthe Konkan coast along with Uttar Pradesh
and Bihar.and Bihar.

 In between the Rabi and the Kharif
seasons there is a short season during
the summer months known as the ZAID
season.
 Some of the crops produced during
‘Zaid’ are watermelon, muskmelon,
cucumber, vegetable and fodder crops.
 Sugarcane takes almost a year to grow.

A large variety of crops are
grown to meet the requirement
of the growing population.
Crops also supply raw
materials for agro based
industries. Major food crops
are wheat, rice, maize and
millets. Jute and cotton are
fibre crops. Important

Rice is the staple food crop of aRice is the staple food crop of a
majority of people in India.majority of people in India.
India is the second largest producerIndia is the second largest producer
of rice in the world after China.of rice in the world after China.
It’s a Kharif crop which requiresIt’s a Kharif crop which requires highhigh
temperature, (above 25temperature, (above 25oo
) high) high
rainfall above 100 cm. and highrainfall above 100 cm. and high
humidity.humidity.
It grows best in alluvial clayey soil,It grows best in alluvial clayey soil,
which can retain water.which can retain water.

Rice is grown in the plains of northRice is grown in the plains of north
and north eastern india, coastal areasand north eastern india, coastal areas
and the deltaic regions.and the deltaic regions.
Development of canal irrigation andDevelopment of canal irrigation and
tube wells have made it possible totube wells have made it possible to
grow rice in areas of less rainfallgrow rice in areas of less rainfall
such as Punjab, Haryana and Westernsuch as Punjab, Haryana and Western
Uttar Pradesh and parts of Rajasthan.Uttar Pradesh and parts of Rajasthan.
China, India, Japan, Sri Lanka andChina, India, Japan, Sri Lanka and
Egypt are the leading producers ofEgypt are the leading producers of
rice in the world.rice in the world.

 Wheat is the second most important cereal crop , it is
the main crop in north and northwestern part of the
country.
 Wheat requires a cool growing season and a bright
sunshine at the time of ripening.
 It requires 50 to 70 cm of annual rainfall evenly
distributed over the growing season.
 There are two important wheat growing zones in the
country – the Ganga Sutlej plains in the north west
and black soil region of the Deccan.
 The major wheat producing states in India are Punjab,
Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan and parts of
Madhya Pradesh.
 USA, Canada, Argentina, Russia, Ukraine, Australia.

They are also known as theThey are also known as the
coarse grain and can be growncoarse grain and can be grown
on less fertile and sandy soils.on less fertile and sandy soils.
It is a hardy crop that needsIt is a hardy crop that needs
low rainfall and high tolow rainfall and high to
moderate temperature andmoderate temperature and
adequate rainfall.adequate rainfall.
Jowar, Bajra and Ragi areJowar, Bajra and Ragi are
grown India.grown India.
Other countries are Nigeria,Other countries are Nigeria,
China and Niger.China and Niger.sonawane11jan@rediffmail.comsonawane11jan@rediffmail.com 36

• They have a very high nutritional valueThey have a very high nutritional value
• For example – Ragi is very rich in iron, calciumFor example – Ragi is very rich in iron, calcium
other micro nutrients and roughage.other micro nutrients and roughage.
• Jowar is the third most important food crop withJowar is the third most important food crop with
respect to area and production.respect to area and production.
• It is a rain fed crop mostly grown in the moistIt is a rain fed crop mostly grown in the moist
areas which hardly needs irrigation.areas which hardly needs irrigation.
• Maharashtra is the largest producer of JowarMaharashtra is the largest producer of Jowar
followed by Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh andfollowed by Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and
Madhya Pradesh.Madhya Pradesh.

Bajra
Bajra grows well on sandy
soils and shallow black soil.
Rajasthan is the largest
producer of Bajra followed by
Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Gujarat and Haryana

• Ragi is a crop of dry regions and
grows well on red, black, sandy,
loamy and shallow black soils.
• Karnataka is the largest producer of
ragi followed by Tamil Nadu.
• Apart from these states, Himachal
Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim,
Jharkhand and Arunachal Pradesh
are also important for the production
of Ragi.

Maize is a crop which is used both as food and
fodder.
It is a Kharif crop which requires temperature
between 21o
C, moderate rainfall and lots of
sunshine and grows well in old alluvial soil.
In some states like Bihar maize is grown in rabi
season also .
Use of modern inputs such as HYV seeds,
fertilizers and irrigation have contributed to the
increasing production of Maize.
Major maize producing states are Karnataka,
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and
Madhya Pradesh
North America, Brazil, China, Russia, Canada
and Mexico are the leading producers of maize

• India is the largest producer as well as consumer of
pulses in the world.
• These are the major source of protein in a vegetarian
diet.
• Major pulses grown in India are tur (arhar), urad,
moong, masur, peas and gram.
• Pulses need less moisture and survive even in dry
conditions. Being leguminous crops all these crops
except arhar help in restoring soils fertility by fixing
nitrogen form the air. Therefore, these are mostly
grown in rotation with other crops .
• Major pulses producing states in India are Madhya
Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh , Rajasthan, Maharashtra and
Karnataka

Sugarcane
• It is a tropical as well as a subtropical crop.
• It grows well in hot and humid climate with a
temperature of 21o
C to 27o
C and an annual rainfall
between 75 cm and 100 cm.
• Irrigation is required in the regions of low rainfall. It
can be grown on a variety of soils and needs manual
labour from sowing to harvesting.
• India is the second largest producer of sugarcane only
after Brazil.
• It is the main source of sugar, gur (Jaggery) Khandasari
and molasses.
• The major sugarcane producing states are
Uttarpradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamilnadu,
Andhra Pradesh, Bihar , Punjab and Haryana.

 India is the largest producer of oilseeds in the
world.
 Different seeds are grown covering approximately
12 percent of the total cropped area of the country.
 Main oil seeds produced in India are groundnut,
mustard, coconut, sesamum (til), soyabean, castor
seeds, cotton seeds, linseed and sunflower.
 Most of these are edible and used as cooking
mediums.
 However, some of these are also used as raw
material in the production of soap , cosmetics and
ointments.

 Groundnut is a Kharif crop and accounts about
half of the major oilseeds produced in the
country.
 Andhra Pradesh is the largest producer of
groundnut followed by Tamilnadu, Karnataka,
Gujarat and Maharashtra.
 Linseed and mustard are Kharif crops.
 Sesamum is a Kharif crop in north and rabi in
south india.
 Castor seed is grown both as rabi and Kharif.

 Tea is a beverage crop grown on plantations.
 The tea plant grows well in tropical and subtropical
climates endowed with deep and fertile well drained
soil, rich in humus and organic matter.
 Tea bushes require warm and most frost free climate
all through the year.
 Frequent showers evenly distributed over the year
ensure continuous growth of tender leaves.

 Tea is a labour intensive industry. It requires
abundant cheap and skilled labour.
 Tea is processed within the tea garden to restore its
freshness.
 Major tea producing states are Assam, hills of
Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts of West Bengal,
Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
 Apart from these, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand,
Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh and Tripura are also tea
producing states in the country.
 India is the leading producer as well as exporter of
tea in the world.
 Kenya, India, China, Sri Lanka produce the best
quality tea in the world

 India produces about four percent of theIndia produces about four percent of the
world’s Coffee. India coffee is known inworld’s Coffee. India coffee is known in
the world for its good quality.the world for its good quality.
 The Arabica variety initially brought fromThe Arabica variety initially brought from
Yemen is produced in the country. ThisYemen is produced in the country. This
variety is in great demand all over thevariety is in great demand all over the
world. Initially its cultivation wasworld. Initially its cultivation was
introduced on the Baba Budan Hills andintroduced on the Baba Budan Hills and
even today its cultivation is confined toeven today its cultivation is confined to
the Nilgiris in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamilthe Nilgiris in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil
Nadu.Nadu.
 Coffee requires warm and wet and well-Coffee requires warm and wet and well-
drained loamy soil. Hill slopes are moredrained loamy soil. Hill slopes are more
suitable for growth of this crop. Brazil issuitable for growth of this crop. Brazil issonawane11jan@rediffmail.comsonawane11jan@rediffmail.com 51

 India is the largest producer of fruits and
vegetables in the world.
 India is a producer of tropical as well as
temperate fruits.
 Mangoes of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar
Pradesh and West Bengal, Oranges of Nagpur and
Cherrapunjee (Meghalaya) , Bananas of Kerala,
Mizoram, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, Litchi and
Guava of Uttarpradesh and Bihar, Pineapples of
Meghalaya, Grapes of Andhra Pradesh and
Maharashtra (Nashik), Apples, Pears, Apricots and
Walnuts of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal
Pradesh are in great demand the world over.

 India produces about 13 percent of
the World's vegetables.
 It is an important producer of pea,
cauliflower, onion, cabbage, tomato,
brinjal and potato.

Rubber –
 It is an equatorial crop, but under special
conditions it is also grown in tropical and sub-
tropical areas.
 It requires moist and humid climate with rainfall
of more that 200 cm, and temperature above
25o
C.
 Rubber is an important industrial raw material .
 It is mainly grown in Kerala, Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka and Andaman and Nicobar Islands and
Garo Hills of Meghalaya.
 India ranks fifth among the worlds' natural
rubber producers.

 Cotton, Jute, Hemp and Natural silk are
the four major fibre crops grown in
India.
 The first three are derived from the
crops grown in the soil, the latter is
obtained from cocoons of the silk worms
fed on green leaves specially mulberry.
 Rearing of silk worms for the production
of silk fibre is known as SERICULTURE.

India is believed to be the original home ofIndia is believed to be the original home of
the cotton plant. It is one of the main rawthe cotton plant. It is one of the main raw
materials for cotton textile industry.materials for cotton textile industry.
India is the third largest producer of cottonIndia is the third largest producer of cotton
in the world.in the world.
Cotton grows well in drier parts of the blackCotton grows well in drier parts of the black
cotton soil of the Deccan plateau.cotton soil of the Deccan plateau.
It requires high temperature, light rainfallIt requires high temperature, light rainfall
or irrigation , 210 frost-free days and brightor irrigation , 210 frost-free days and bright
sunshine for its growth.sunshine for its growth.
China, USA, India, Pakistan, Brazil and EgyptChina, USA, India, Pakistan, Brazil and Egypt
are the leading producers.are the leading producers.

 It is also known as ‘GOLDEN FIBRE’.It is also known as ‘GOLDEN FIBRE’.
 It grows well drained fertile soils in the floodIt grows well drained fertile soils in the flood
plans where soils are renewed every year.plans where soils are renewed every year.
 High temperature is required during the time ofHigh temperature is required during the time of
growth.growth.
 West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Orissa andWest Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Orissa and
Meghalaya are the major jute producing states.Meghalaya are the major jute producing states.
 It is used in making gunny bags, mats, ropes,It is used in making gunny bags, mats, ropes,
yarn, carpets and other artefacts.yarn, carpets and other artefacts.
 Due to its high cost, it is losing market toDue to its high cost, it is losing market to
synthetic fibres and packing materialssynthetic fibres and packing materials
particularly the nylon.particularly the nylon.
 This crop is grown in the tropical areas. IndiaThis crop is grown in the tropical areas. India
and Bangladesh are the leading producers.and Bangladesh are the leading producers.

• Agriculture has been practised in India for
thousands of years. Sustained used of land without
compatible techno institutional changes have
hindered the pace of Agricultural Development.
• Inspite of development of sources of irrigation most
of the farmers in large parts of the country still
depend upon monsoon and natural fertility in order
to carry on their agriculture.
• For a growing population like India, this poses a
serious threat and challenge.
• Agriculture which provides livelihoods for more
than 60 percent of its populations needs some
serious technical and institutional reforms.

• Collectivization , consolidation of holdings co-
operation and abolition of zamindari, etc were
given priority to bring about institutional
reforms in the country after independence.
• Land reform was the main focus of our FIRST
FIVE YEAR PLAN.
• The right of inheritance had already led to
fragmentation of land holdings necessitating
consolidation of holdings.
• The laws of land reforms were enacted but the
laws of implementation was lacking or
lukewarm.

• The government of India embarked upon
introducing agricultural reforms to improve
Indian agriculture in the 1960’s and 1970’s.
• The GREEN REVOLUTION based on the use of
package technology and the WHITE REVOLUTION
(OPERATION FLOOD) were some of the strategies
initiated to improve the lot of Indian agriculture.
• But, this led to the development in few selected
areas.
• In the 1980’s and 1990’s, a comprehensive land
development programme was initiated, which
included both institutional and technical reforms.

• Provision of crop insurance against
drought, flood, cyclone, fire and disease,
establishment of Grameen Banks,
cooperative societies and banks for
providing loan facilities to the farmers at
lower rates of interest were some of the
important steps taken in this direction.
• KISAN CREDIT CARD (KCC) , PERSONAL
ACCIDENT INSURANCE SCHEME (PAIS),
are some other schemes introduced by
the Government of India for the benefit
of the farmers.

• Special weather bulletins and
agricultural programmes for farmers
were introduced on radio and television.
• The Government also announces
minimum support process, remunerative
and procurement prices for important
crops to check the exploitation of
farmers by speculators and middlemen.

• Agriculture has been the back bone of
the Indian economy though its share in
the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has
registered a declining trend from 1951
onwards, yet its share in providing
employment had livelihoods to the
population continues to be as high as 63
percent in 2001.
• This declining share of agriculture in the
GDP is a matter of serious concern as it
will also result in the decline in other
spheres of economy having a wider
implications for society.

sonawane11jan@rediffmail.comsonawane11jan@rediffmail.com
73

• The Government of India has made
concentrated efforts to modernize
agriculture.
• Priority was given for improving Indian
agriculture by the establishment of
Indian Council of Agricultural Research
(ICAR). Agricultural Universities,
Veterinary Services and Animal Breeding
Centres, Horticulture Development ,
Research and Development in the field of
Meteorology and Weather forecast etc.

• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research
(ICAR) is an autonomous organisation under the
Department of Agricultural Research and
Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture,
Government of India. Formerly known as
Imperial Council of Agricultural Research, it
was established on 16 July 1929 as a registered
society under the Societies Registration Act,
1860 in pursuance of the report of the Royal
Commission on Agriculture. The ICAR has its
headquarters at New Delhi.

• The Council is the apex body for
coordinating, guiding and managing
research and education in agriculture
including horticulture, fisheries and
animal sciences in the entire country.
With 97 ICAR institutes and 47
agricultural universities spread across
the country this is one of the largest
national agricultural systems in the
world.

• The ICAR has played a pioneering role in ushering
Green Revolution and subsequent developments in
agriculture in India through its research and
technology development that has enabled the
country to increase the production of food grains
by 4 times, horticultural crops by 6 times, fish by
9 times (marine 5 times and inland 17
times), milk 6 times and eggs 27 times since
1950-51, thus making a visible impact on the
national food and nutritional security. It has
played a major role in promoting excellence in
higher education in agriculture. It is engaged in
cutting edge areas of science and technology
development and its scientists are internationally
acknowledged in their fields.

• Apart from this the government is also interested
in improving the rural infrastructure.
• Though the GDP growth rate is increasing over
the years, it is not generating sufficient
employment opportunities in the country. The
growth rate in agriculture is decelerating which is
an alarming situation.
• Indian farmers are facing a big challenge from
international competition and our government is
going ahead with reduction in the public
investment in agricultural sectors particularly in
irrigation, power, rural roads, market and
mechanization.

• Subsidy on fertilizers is decreased
leading to increase in the cost of
production.
• Reduction in import duties on
agricultural products have proved
detrimental to agriculture in the
country.
• Farmers are withdrawing their
investment from agriculture causing
downfall in the employment in
agriculture.

Food is the basic need andFood is the basic need and
every citizen of the countryevery citizen of the country
should have access to foodshould have access to food
which provides minimumwhich provides minimum
nutritional level. If anynutritional level. If any
level of our population doeslevel of our population does
not have this access , thatnot have this access , that
segment suffers from thesegment suffers from the
lack oflack of
FOOD SECURITY.FOOD SECURITY.sonawane11jan@rediffmail.comsonawane11jan@rediffmail.com 82

• The number of people who do not
have food security is
disproportionately large in some
regions of our country, particularly
in economically less developed
states with higher incidence of
poverty.
• The remote areas of the country are
more prone to natural disasters and
uncertain food supply.

Nearly half of India's children under age 5 are malnourished.Nearly half of India's children under age 5 are malnourished.

In order to ensure
availability of food to all
sections of society our
government carefully
designed a national food
security system. It consists
of two components –
a)a) BUFFER STOCKBUFFER STOCK
b)b) PUBLIC DISTRIBUTIONPUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
SYSTEMSYSTEM

• PDS is a programme which provides food
grains and other essentials commodities at
subsidised prices in rural and urban areas.
• INDIA’S food security policy has a primary
objective to ensure availability of food
grains to the common people at an
affordable price.
• It has enabled the poor to have access to
food .
• The focus of the policy is on growth in
agriculture production and on fixing
support price for procurement of wheat and
rice , to maintain there stocks

• THE FOOD CORPORATION OF INDIA is responsible
for procuring and stocking food grains, whereas
distribution is ensured by PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
SYSTEM.
• The FCI procures food grains form the farmers
at the government announced MINIMUM
SUPPORT PRICE (MSP)
• The government used to provide subsidies on
agriculture inputs such as seeds, fertilizers,
power and water, but these subsidies have now
reached unsustainable level and has also led to
large scale inefficiencies in the use of these
scarce inputs.

• Excessive and imprudent use of
fertilizers and water has led to water
logging, salinity and depletion of
essential micronutrients in the soil.
• The high MSP subsidies in input and
committed FCI purchases have distorted
the cropping pattern.
• Wheat and paddy crops are being grown
more for the MSP they get. Punjab and
Haryana are foremost examples. This
has also created a serious imbalance in
intercropping parities.

sonawane11jan@rediffmail.comsonawane11jan@rediffmail.com
90

• The consumers are categorised into two –
a. Below Poverty Line (BPL)
b. Above Poverty Line. (APL)
However this categorisation is not perfect
and a number of deserving poor have
been excluded from the BPL CATEGORY.
Moreover some of the so called APL slip
back to BPL, because of the failure of
even one crop and it administratively
difficult to accommodate such shifts.

• Each district and block can be made self sufficient
in food grain production if government provides
agricultural infrastructure, credit linkages and also
encourages the use of latest technology.
• Instead of concentrating only on rice or wheat, the
food crop with a better growth potential in that
particular area must be encouraged.
• Creation of necessary infrastructure like irrigation
facilities, availability of electricity etc, may also
attract private investments in agriculture.
• The focus on increasing food grain production
which should be on a sustainable basis and also
free trade in grains will create massive employment
and reduce poverty in rural areas.

• There has been a gradual shift from cultivation of food crops
to cultivation of fruits, vegetables, oil seeds and industrial
crops.
• This has led to the reduction in net sown area under cereals
and pulses.
• With the growing population of India, the declining food
production puts a big question mark over the country’s future
food security.
• The competition of land between non-agricultural uses such
as housing etc, and agriculture has resulted in reduction in
the net sown area.
• The productivity of land has started showing a declining trend.
• Fertilizers , pesticides and insecticides which once showed
dramatic results are now being held responsible for degrading
the soil.
• Periodic scarcity of water has led to reduction in area under
irrigation. Insufficient water management had led to water
logging and salinity.

• Free power to a section of farmers had
encouraged them to pump
groundwater to grow water intensive
crops in low rainfall areas (rice in
Punjab, Sugarcane in Maharashtra)
• This unsustainable pumping had
reduced water storage in aquifers.
• Consequently ,many wells and tube
wells have run dry. This has pushed
the marginal and small farmers out of
cultivation.

• Many small farmers face water crisis.
• Inadequate storage and marketing facilities also at as
disincentive to the farmer.
• The farmers are badly affected by the uncertainties of
production and market.
• They suffer from a double disadvantage as they pay high
prices for inputs such as HYV seed, fertilizers etc, but
lack the bargaining power to fix the prices in their
favour.
• All the production reached the market simultaneously ,
the higher the supply the lower the demand. This causes
distress sale.
• Therefore, there can be no food security without the
security of the small farmers.

IMPACT OFIMPACT OF
GLOBALISATIONGLOBALISATION
ON AGRICULTUREON AGRICULTURE

• Globalisation is not a new phenomenon .
• It was there at the time of colonisation.
• In the nineteenth century when European
traders came to India, at that time too,
Indian spices were exported to different
countries of the world and farmers of south
India were encouraged to grow these crops.
Till today it is one of the export from India.
• During the British period cotton belts of India
attracted the British ultimately cotton was
exported to Britain as raw material for their
textile industry.

• Cotton textile industry in Manchester
and Liverpool flourished due to the
availability of good quality cotton
from India.
• Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha
Movement in Champaran – Bihar in
1917 against the indigo planters.

• Under globalisation, particularly after
1990, the farmers in India have been
exposed to new challenges.
• Despite being an important producer of
rice, cotton, rubber, tea, coffee, jute and
spices our agricultural products are not
able to compete with the developed
countries of the world because of the highly
subsidised agriculture in those countries.
• Today Indian agriculture finds itself at the
crossroads.
• To make agriculture successful and
profitable, proper thrust should be given to
the improvement of the condition of
marginal and small farmers.

• The green revolution promisedThe green revolution promised
much, but today its undermuch, but today its under
controversies.controversies.
• It is being alleged that it has causedIt is being alleged that it has caused
land degradation due to overuse ofland degradation due to overuse of
chemicals, drying aquifers andchemicals, drying aquifers and
vanishing biodiversity.vanishing biodiversity.
• The key word today is “GENEThe key word today is “GENE
REVOLUTION” which includes geneticREVOLUTION” which includes genetic
engineering.engineering.
• Organic farming is much in vogueOrganic farming is much in vogue
today because it is practisedtoday because it is practised
without factory made chemicalswithout factory made chemicalssonawane11jan@rediffmail.comsonawane11jan@rediffmail.com 104

• A few economists think that Indian farmers have a bleak
future if they continue growing food grains on the
holdings that grow smaller and smaller as the population
rises.
• India’s population is about 600 million which depends
upon 250 million hectares of agricultural land, an
average of less than half a hectare per person.
• Indian farmers should diversify their cropping pattern
from cereals to high value crops.
• This will increase incomes and reduce environmental
degradation simultaneously.
• Fruits, medicinal herbs, flowers, vegetables, bio-diesel
crops like jatropha and jojoba need much less irrigation
than rice or sugarcane.
• India’s diverse climate can be harnessed to grow a wide
range of high-value crops.

Agricultural DevelopmentAgricultural Development
refers to the efforts made torefers to the efforts made to
increase farm production in orderincrease farm production in order
to meet the growing demand ofto meet the growing demand of
increasing population.increasing population.

This can be achieved in many ways –This can be achieved in many ways –
Increasing the cropped areaIncreasing the cropped area
The number of crops grownThe number of crops grown
Improving irrigation facilitiesImproving irrigation facilities
Use of fertilizersUse of fertilizers
Use of high yielding variety of seedsUse of high yielding variety of seeds
Mechanization of agricultureMechanization of agriculture
The ultimate aim of agriculturalThe ultimate aim of agricultural
development is to increase food securitydevelopment is to increase food security

Presentation by –Presentation by –
Vinod P SonawaneVinod P Sonawane

Geography - Agriculture

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