Agriculture Notes
1. Types of Farming
1.1 Primitive Subsistence Farming
Practiced in small patches of land using primitive tools like hoes, daos, and digging sticks.
Relies on monsoon, soil fertility, and natural environmental conditions.
Known as slash-and-burn agriculture; after soil fertility decreases, farmers move to a new patch.
Called by different names in India:
Jhumming in northeastern states like Assam and Meghalaya.
Pamlou in Manipur, Dipa in Bastar (Chhattisgarh), etc.
1.2 Intensive Subsistence Farming
Practiced in areas with high population pressure on land.
Labor-intensive with use of biochemical inputs and irrigation.
Landholding size is often uneconomical due to inheritance laws.
1.3 Commercial Farming
Involves the use of modern inputs like HYV seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides.
Degree of commercialization varies by region (e.g., rice is commercial in Punjab but subsistence in Odisha).
Plantation farming is a subtype, focusing on a single crop like tea or coffee over large areas.
2. Cropping Pattern
2.1 Rabi Crops
Sown in winter (October to December) and harvested in summer (April to June).
Examples: Wheat, barley, peas, gram, mustard.
2.2 Kharif Crops
Grown with monsoon onset, harvested in September-October.
Examples: Paddy, maize, jowar, bajra, cotton.
2.3 Zaid Crops
Grown during the short summer season.
Examples: Watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber.
3. Major Crops
3.1 Food Crops
Rice: Requires high temperature and rainfall, grown in north/northeast plains and coastal areas.
Wheat: Requires a cool growing season and bright sunshine, grown in Ganga-Satluj plains.
Millets: Includes jowar, bajra, ragi; highly nutritious and grown in dry regions.
Maize: Requires moderate temperature, grown as food and fodder.
Pulses: Include tur, moong, gram, and masur; important for soil fertility.
3.2 Non-Food Crops
Sugarcane: Used for sugar and jaggery, requires hot and humid climates.
Tea: Requires tropical climate and abundant labor; major states include Assam, Tamil Nadu.
Coffee: Known for Arabica variety; grown in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu.
Rubber: Equatorial crop, grown in Kerala and Andaman Islands.
Jute: Grown in West Bengal and Bihar; used for gunny bags and ropes.
4. Technological and Institutional Reforms
4.1 Post-Independence Reforms
Focus on land reforms, consolidation of holdings, and abolition of zamindari.
Green Revolution and White Revolution introduced in 1960s and 1970s.
4.2 Recent Initiatives
Introduction of Kisan Credit Card (KCC), crop insurance, and cooperative societies.
Minimum support prices announced for key crops.
4.3 Bhoodan-Gramdan Movement
Started by Vinoba Bhave to distribute land to the landless.
Known as a "bloodless revolution."
