Chapter 4. Agriculture

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.

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