Introduction to Agriculture

• Agriculture: The science and practice of cultivating the soil, growing crops, and raising livestock.
• It is essential for food production and sustenance of human life.
• Agriculture forms the backbone of the economy in many countries.
• It depends on natural factors like soil, climate, and water, as well as human factors like labor, technology, and policies.

Types of Farming

1. Subsistence Farming

   Farming done primarily to meet the needs of the farmer’s family, with little or no surplus for sale.

   
   Features:
   1. Small landholdings.
   2. Relies on family labor.
   3. Traditional tools like plows and hoes are used.
   4. Low productivity due to lack of modern inputs.
   5. Practiced in: Rural areas of Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
2. Commercial Farming

   Farming done with the primary aim of selling the produce for profit.

   
   Features:
   • Large landholdings.
   • Modern tools, machinery, fertilizers, and irrigation methods are used.
   • High yield per hectare.
   • Practiced in: Developed countries like the USA, Canada, and Australia.
3. Shifting Cultivation

   A form of subsistence farming where farmers clear a patch of forest, grow crops for a few years, and then move to a new location.

   
   Features:
   • Slash-and-burn method is used for clearing land.
   • Land is abandoned after a few years as soil fertility declines.
   • Causes deforestation and environmental degradation.
   • Practiced in: Tropical regions of Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia.
4. Plantation Agriculture

   A type of commercial farming where a single crop is grown on a large scale for export.

   
   Features:
   • Requires large capital investment and labor force.
   • Crops are grown for export and industrial use.
   • Examples: Tea, coffee, rubber, sugarcane, and cotton.
   • Practiced in: Tropical regions like India, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia.

Major Food Crops

1. Rice:
   • Climate: Requires high temperature, heavy rainfall, and fertile alluvial soil.
   • Distribution: India, China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Vietnam.
2. Wheat:
   • Climate: Requires moderate temperature and rainfall during growing season.
   • Distribution: USA, Canada, Russia, India, and Australia.
3. Millets:
   • Examples: Jowar, bajra, and ragi.
   • Climate: Grows in hot and dry regions; drought-resistant.
   • Distribution: India, Nigeria, and Sudan.
4. Maize:
   • Climate: Requires moderate temperature and rainfall.
   • Uses: Consumed as food and used in industries.
   • Distribution: USA, China, Brazil, and India.

Major Cash Crops

1. Cotton:
   1. Climate: Warm temperature, light rainfall, and black soil.
   2. Distribution: India, USA, Egypt, and China.
2. Sugarcane:
   1. Climate: Hot and humid climate with fertile soil.
   2. Distribution: India, Brazil, Cuba, and Thailand.
3. Coffee:
   1. Climate: Warm climate with well-drained soil.
   2. Distribution: Brazil, Colombia, Vietnam, and Ethiopia.
4. Tea:
   1. Climate: Cool and humid climate, hilly areas with heavy rainfall.
   2. Distribution: India, Sri Lanka, and Kenya.

Agriculture and Economy

1. Contribution to GDP: Agriculture forms the backbone of many economies, especially in developing countries.
2. Employment: Provides jobs to a large percentage of the population.
3. Industries: Supplies raw materials to agro-based industries like textile, sugar, and food processing.

Challenges in Agriculture

1. Dependence on Monsoon: In many regions, agriculture depends heavily on rainfall.
2. Soil Degradation: Overuse of chemical fertilizers and poor farming practices reduce soil fertility.
3. Limited Technology: Many farmers lack access to modern equipment and techniques.
4. Market Fluctuations: Prices of agricultural products often fluctuate, affecting farmers’ income.
5. Land Fragmentation: Division of land into small plots makes farming inefficient.

Sustainable Agriculture Practices

1. Organic Farming: Avoids the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
2. Crop Rotation: Growing different crops on the same land to maintain soil fertility.
3. Conservation Tillage: Reducing plowing to preserve soil moisture.
4. Irrigation Techniques: Modern methods like drip irrigation and sprinklers to conserve water.
5. Agroforestry: Combining agriculture with forestry for better resource use.

Key Definitions

1. Subsistence Farming: Farming for family consumption with little surplus.
2. Commercial Farming: Farming for profit with modern technology.
3. Shifting Cultivation: Moving from one land patch to another for farming.
4. Plantation Agriculture: Large-scale farming of a single crop for export.