Introduction

Agriculture plays a vital role in India’s economy, employing a significant portion of the population and contributing substantially to GDP. This chapter delves into the types of farming, cropping patterns, and major crops in India, as well as the challenges faced by Indian agriculture and measures for its improvement.

Importance of Agriculture in India

• Contribution to GDP: Agriculture accounts for around 17-18% of India’s GDP.
• Employment: Provides livelihood to over 50% of the population.
• Food Security: Ensures food availability for a large and growing population.
• Raw Materials: Supplies raw materials to industries like textiles, sugar, and jute.

Types of Farming

• Practiced on small patches of land using traditional tools.
• Features: Depends on monsoons, family labor, and natural fertility of the soil.
• Example: Slash-and-burn farming (shifting cultivation).

• Practiced in densely populated areas with small landholdings.
• Features: Uses more labor and inputs to increase productivity.
• Crops: Rice, wheat, and pulses.

• Aimed at growing crops for sale and profit.
• Features: Uses modern technology, irrigation, and fertilizers.
• Examples: Cotton farming, sugarcane farming, plantation agriculture (tea, coffee, rubber).

• A type of commercial farming where a single crop is grown on a large area.
• Examples: Tea, coffee, rubber, spices, and coconut.
• Features: Requires capital investment, scientific methods, and a large labor force.

Cropping Patterns in India

• Sown in winter (October–December) and harvested in summer (April–June).
• Examples: Wheat, barley, mustard, peas.
• Major Areas: Northern and northwestern states.

• Sown in the onset of monsoon (June–July) and harvested in autumn (September–October).
• Examples: Rice, maize, cotton, groundnut.
• Major Areas: Punjab, Haryana, Assam, Tamil Nadu.

• Grown between Rabi and Kharif seasons.
• Examples: Watermelon, cucumber, and fodder crops.

Major Crops of India

• Rice: Staple food for most Indians. Requires high temperature, humidity, and rainfall.
• Wheat: Grown in Rabi season, thrives in cool, moist conditions.
• Millets: Nutritious coarse grains like Jowar, Bajra, and Ragi.
• Pulses: Rich in protein, includes lentils, peas, and gram.

• Cotton: Requires black soil, high temperature, and moderate rainfall.
• Jute: Grows in humid climates, mainly in West Bengal and Assam.
• Sugarcane: Requires hot and humid conditions.
• Oilseeds: groundnut, mustard, and soybean.

• Includes fruits like mangoes, oranges, apples, and bananas.
• India is one of the largest producers of fruits and vegetables.

Problems of Indian Agriculture

1. Dependence on Monsoons: Uneven and unpredictable rainfall affects crop yield.
2. Small Landholdings: Fragmented and small fields reduce efficiency.
3. Low Productivity: Due to outdated farming techniques and lack of infrastructure.
4. Soil Degradation: Caused by overuse of fertilizers and deforestation.
5. Lack of Modern Technology: Limited use of advanced machinery and irrigation facilities.

Government Initiatives for Agriculture

1. Minimum Support Price (MSP): Ensures farmers receive fair prices for their produce.
2. Irrigation Projects: Development of canals, dams, and tube wells.
3. Soil Health Card Scheme: Helps monitor soil quality.
4. Green Revolution: Introduced high-yielding seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation.

Sustainable Agricultural Practices

1. Organic Farming: Avoids chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
2. Mixed Cropping: Growing two or more crops together to reduce risk.
3. Crop Rotation: Alternating crops to improve soil fertility.
4. Agroforestry: Combining agriculture with tree planting.