Types of Farming
Systems of farming practiced in India are:
* Primitive subsistence farming
* intensive subsistence farming
* Commercial farming
Primitive subsistence farming:
* Slash-and-burn agriculture or Shifting cultivation
Intensive subsistence farming
* Practiced in densely populated areas
* Every available piece of land is used to get maximum yield by
* Using fertilizers and extensive irrigation techniques.
Commercial Farming
* Involves cultivation for the purpose of profit
* Uses all modern inputs and irrigation techniques.
Cropping season in India
The three cropping seasons in India are:
* Rabi
* Kharif
* Zaid
* Rabi crops are sown in October-December and harvested in April-June.
* Rabi Crops: Wheat, barley, gram, peas, mustard
* Kharif season starts with the monsoon and harvested in September-October.
* Karif crops: Paddy, jowar, maize, bajra, moong, tur, urad, jute, cotton, groundnut, soybean
* Zaid: The months between the harvest of rabi and the sowing of kharif crops.
* Zaid crops: watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber, vegetables, and fodder crops.
Major crops
* Food Grains: Rice, maize, jowar, Bajra, Ragi and Pulses
* Non-Grain Crops: Tea and coffee
* Non-Grain Crops: Rubber, Cotton and Jute
The Technological and Institutional Reforms
The technological and institutional Changes initiated in India to improve the condition of farmers include:
* land reforms
* development reforms
* Land development programme
* Educational and information
* Marketing support
* Personal benefits schemes
Contribution of Agriculture to Economy
* Agriculture growth is slowing down and generating fewer employment opportunities.
* The government has taken several measures to boost agricultural growth.
* Farmers today face several challenges that contribute to agricultural slowdown.
