Introduction to Agriculture | Geography for UPSC 2024 (Pre & Mains) PDF Download

 Page 1


 
AGRICULTURE 
INTRODUTION 
In the previous lessons, we have studied physiography, climate and natural 
vegetation in India. Now, we will study about Indian Agriculture. It still 
provides livelihood to the people in our country. It fulfils the basic need of 
human beings and animals. It is an important source of raw material for 
many agro-based industries. India’s geographical condition is unique for 
agriculture because it provides many favourable conditions. There are plain 
areas, fertile soil, long growing season and wide variation in climatic 
condition etc. Apart from unique geographical conditions, India has been 
consistently making innovative efforts by using science and technology to 
increase production. 
TYPES OF FARMING 
PRIMITIVE SUBSISTENCE FARMING  
It is practised on small patches of land with the help of primitive tools like 
hoe, dao and digging sticks, and family/community labour. This type of 
farming depends upon monsoon, natural fertility of the soil and suitability 
of other environmental conditions to the crops grown  
It is‘slash and burn’ agriculture. Farmers clear a patch of land and produce 
cereals and other food crops to sustain their family. When the soil fertility 
decreases, the farmers shift and clear a fresh patch of land for cultivation. 
This type of shifting allows Nature to replenish the fertility of the soil 
through natural processes; land productivity in this type of agriculture is low 
as the farmer does not use fertilisers or other modern inputs.  
It is known by different names in different parts of the country. It is jhumming 
in north-eastern states like Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland; 
Pamlou in Manipur, Dipa in Bastar district of Chhattishgarh, and in 
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, ‘Bewar’ or ‘Dahiya’ in Madhya Pradesh, 
‘Podu’ or ‘Penda’ in Andhra Pradesh, ‘Pama Dabi’ or ‘Koman’ or Bringa’ 
Page 2


 
AGRICULTURE 
INTRODUTION 
In the previous lessons, we have studied physiography, climate and natural 
vegetation in India. Now, we will study about Indian Agriculture. It still 
provides livelihood to the people in our country. It fulfils the basic need of 
human beings and animals. It is an important source of raw material for 
many agro-based industries. India’s geographical condition is unique for 
agriculture because it provides many favourable conditions. There are plain 
areas, fertile soil, long growing season and wide variation in climatic 
condition etc. Apart from unique geographical conditions, India has been 
consistently making innovative efforts by using science and technology to 
increase production. 
TYPES OF FARMING 
PRIMITIVE SUBSISTENCE FARMING  
It is practised on small patches of land with the help of primitive tools like 
hoe, dao and digging sticks, and family/community labour. This type of 
farming depends upon monsoon, natural fertility of the soil and suitability 
of other environmental conditions to the crops grown  
It is‘slash and burn’ agriculture. Farmers clear a patch of land and produce 
cereals and other food crops to sustain their family. When the soil fertility 
decreases, the farmers shift and clear a fresh patch of land for cultivation. 
This type of shifting allows Nature to replenish the fertility of the soil 
through natural processes; land productivity in this type of agriculture is low 
as the farmer does not use fertilisers or other modern inputs.  
It is known by different names in different parts of the country. It is jhumming 
in north-eastern states like Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland; 
Pamlou in Manipur, Dipa in Bastar district of Chhattishgarh, and in 
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, ‘Bewar’ or ‘Dahiya’ in Madhya Pradesh, 
‘Podu’ or ‘Penda’ in Andhra Pradesh, ‘Pama Dabi’ or ‘Koman’ or Bringa’ 
 
in Odisha, ‘Kumari’ in Western Ghats, ‘Valre’ or ‘Waltre’ in South-
eastern Rajasthan, ‘Khil’ in the Himalayan belt, ‘Kuruwa’ in Jharkhand  
It is known with different names in other nations like ‘Milpa’ in Mexico and 
Central America, ‘Conuco’ in Venzuela, ‘Roca’ in Brazil, ‘Masole’ in 
Central Africa, ‘Ladang’ in Indonesia, ‘Ray’ in Vietnam. 
INTENSIVE SUBSISTENCE FARMING  
This type of farming is practised in areas of high population pressure on 
land. It is labour intensive farming, where high doses of biochemical inputs 
and irrigation are used for obtaining higher production.  
PLANTATION AGRICULTURE: 
Plantation farming is bush or tree farming. It was introduced by the British 
in the 19th century. It is capital intensive and demands good managerial 
ability, technical know-how, sophisticated machinery, fertilisers, irrigation, 
and transport facilities. Plantation agriculture is an export-oriented 
agriculture. Most of the crops grown in plantation agriculture have a life 
cycle of more than two years. It is a single crop farming of rubber, tea, 
coffee, cocoa, spices, coconut and fruit crops like apples, grapes, oranges, 
etc.  
This type of agriculture has developed in hilly areas of north-eastern India, 
sub-Himalayan West Bengal and in Nilgiri, Anamalai and Cardamom hills 
in peninsular India. 
Plantations exist on every continent possessing a tropical climate. Plantation 
agriculture is confined within tropical areas, i.e., both sides of the equator. 
INTENSIVE FARMING (INDUSTRIAL AGRICULTURE) 
In areas where irrigation has been possible, the farmers use fertilisers and 
pesticides on large scale. They have also brought their land under high 
yielding variety of seeds. They have mechanised agriculture by introducing 
machines in various processes of farming. 
 
Page 3


 
AGRICULTURE 
INTRODUTION 
In the previous lessons, we have studied physiography, climate and natural 
vegetation in India. Now, we will study about Indian Agriculture. It still 
provides livelihood to the people in our country. It fulfils the basic need of 
human beings and animals. It is an important source of raw material for 
many agro-based industries. India’s geographical condition is unique for 
agriculture because it provides many favourable conditions. There are plain 
areas, fertile soil, long growing season and wide variation in climatic 
condition etc. Apart from unique geographical conditions, India has been 
consistently making innovative efforts by using science and technology to 
increase production. 
TYPES OF FARMING 
PRIMITIVE SUBSISTENCE FARMING  
It is practised on small patches of land with the help of primitive tools like 
hoe, dao and digging sticks, and family/community labour. This type of 
farming depends upon monsoon, natural fertility of the soil and suitability 
of other environmental conditions to the crops grown  
It is‘slash and burn’ agriculture. Farmers clear a patch of land and produce 
cereals and other food crops to sustain their family. When the soil fertility 
decreases, the farmers shift and clear a fresh patch of land for cultivation. 
This type of shifting allows Nature to replenish the fertility of the soil 
through natural processes; land productivity in this type of agriculture is low 
as the farmer does not use fertilisers or other modern inputs.  
It is known by different names in different parts of the country. It is jhumming 
in north-eastern states like Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland; 
Pamlou in Manipur, Dipa in Bastar district of Chhattishgarh, and in 
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, ‘Bewar’ or ‘Dahiya’ in Madhya Pradesh, 
‘Podu’ or ‘Penda’ in Andhra Pradesh, ‘Pama Dabi’ or ‘Koman’ or Bringa’ 
 
in Odisha, ‘Kumari’ in Western Ghats, ‘Valre’ or ‘Waltre’ in South-
eastern Rajasthan, ‘Khil’ in the Himalayan belt, ‘Kuruwa’ in Jharkhand  
It is known with different names in other nations like ‘Milpa’ in Mexico and 
Central America, ‘Conuco’ in Venzuela, ‘Roca’ in Brazil, ‘Masole’ in 
Central Africa, ‘Ladang’ in Indonesia, ‘Ray’ in Vietnam. 
INTENSIVE SUBSISTENCE FARMING  
This type of farming is practised in areas of high population pressure on 
land. It is labour intensive farming, where high doses of biochemical inputs 
and irrigation are used for obtaining higher production.  
PLANTATION AGRICULTURE: 
Plantation farming is bush or tree farming. It was introduced by the British 
in the 19th century. It is capital intensive and demands good managerial 
ability, technical know-how, sophisticated machinery, fertilisers, irrigation, 
and transport facilities. Plantation agriculture is an export-oriented 
agriculture. Most of the crops grown in plantation agriculture have a life 
cycle of more than two years. It is a single crop farming of rubber, tea, 
coffee, cocoa, spices, coconut and fruit crops like apples, grapes, oranges, 
etc.  
This type of agriculture has developed in hilly areas of north-eastern India, 
sub-Himalayan West Bengal and in Nilgiri, Anamalai and Cardamom hills 
in peninsular India. 
Plantations exist on every continent possessing a tropical climate. Plantation 
agriculture is confined within tropical areas, i.e., both sides of the equator. 
INTENSIVE FARMING (INDUSTRIAL AGRICULTURE) 
In areas where irrigation has been possible, the farmers use fertilisers and 
pesticides on large scale. They have also brought their land under high 
yielding variety of seeds. They have mechanised agriculture by introducing 
machines in various processes of farming. 
 
 
Also known as industrial agriculture, it is characterized by a low fallow ratio 
and higher use of inputs such as capital and labour per unit land area. This 
is in contrast to traditional agriculture in which the inputs per unit land are lower. 
DRY AGRICULTURE: 
Dry farming or dry-land farming may be defined as a practice of growing crops 
without irrigation in areas which receive an annual rainfall of 750 mm – 
500 mm or even less. 
Dryland agriculture is subject to high variability in areas sown, yields and 
output. These variations are the results of aberrations in weather conditions, 
especially rainfall. Alternate crop strategies have been worked out for 
important regions of the country. 
MIXED FARMING 
Mixed farming is referred to cultivation of crops and raising of animals 
simultaneously. 
MULTIPLE AGRICULTURE: 
The multiple farming is used to denote the practice of growing two or more 
crops together. 
CROP ROTATION: 
This refers to growing of number of Crops one after the other in a fixed 
rotation to maintain the fertility of the soil. The rotation of crops may be 
complete in a year in some of the areas while it may involve more than one 
year’s time is others. The selection of crops for rotation depends upon the 
local soil conditions and the experience and the understanding of the 
farmers. 
Eg. Pulses or any leguminous crop is grown after the cereal crops. Legumes 
have the ability of fixing nitrogen to the soil. 
 
Page 4


 
AGRICULTURE 
INTRODUTION 
In the previous lessons, we have studied physiography, climate and natural 
vegetation in India. Now, we will study about Indian Agriculture. It still 
provides livelihood to the people in our country. It fulfils the basic need of 
human beings and animals. It is an important source of raw material for 
many agro-based industries. India’s geographical condition is unique for 
agriculture because it provides many favourable conditions. There are plain 
areas, fertile soil, long growing season and wide variation in climatic 
condition etc. Apart from unique geographical conditions, India has been 
consistently making innovative efforts by using science and technology to 
increase production. 
TYPES OF FARMING 
PRIMITIVE SUBSISTENCE FARMING  
It is practised on small patches of land with the help of primitive tools like 
hoe, dao and digging sticks, and family/community labour. This type of 
farming depends upon monsoon, natural fertility of the soil and suitability 
of other environmental conditions to the crops grown  
It is‘slash and burn’ agriculture. Farmers clear a patch of land and produce 
cereals and other food crops to sustain their family. When the soil fertility 
decreases, the farmers shift and clear a fresh patch of land for cultivation. 
This type of shifting allows Nature to replenish the fertility of the soil 
through natural processes; land productivity in this type of agriculture is low 
as the farmer does not use fertilisers or other modern inputs.  
It is known by different names in different parts of the country. It is jhumming 
in north-eastern states like Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland; 
Pamlou in Manipur, Dipa in Bastar district of Chhattishgarh, and in 
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, ‘Bewar’ or ‘Dahiya’ in Madhya Pradesh, 
‘Podu’ or ‘Penda’ in Andhra Pradesh, ‘Pama Dabi’ or ‘Koman’ or Bringa’ 
 
in Odisha, ‘Kumari’ in Western Ghats, ‘Valre’ or ‘Waltre’ in South-
eastern Rajasthan, ‘Khil’ in the Himalayan belt, ‘Kuruwa’ in Jharkhand  
It is known with different names in other nations like ‘Milpa’ in Mexico and 
Central America, ‘Conuco’ in Venzuela, ‘Roca’ in Brazil, ‘Masole’ in 
Central Africa, ‘Ladang’ in Indonesia, ‘Ray’ in Vietnam. 
INTENSIVE SUBSISTENCE FARMING  
This type of farming is practised in areas of high population pressure on 
land. It is labour intensive farming, where high doses of biochemical inputs 
and irrigation are used for obtaining higher production.  
PLANTATION AGRICULTURE: 
Plantation farming is bush or tree farming. It was introduced by the British 
in the 19th century. It is capital intensive and demands good managerial 
ability, technical know-how, sophisticated machinery, fertilisers, irrigation, 
and transport facilities. Plantation agriculture is an export-oriented 
agriculture. Most of the crops grown in plantation agriculture have a life 
cycle of more than two years. It is a single crop farming of rubber, tea, 
coffee, cocoa, spices, coconut and fruit crops like apples, grapes, oranges, 
etc.  
This type of agriculture has developed in hilly areas of north-eastern India, 
sub-Himalayan West Bengal and in Nilgiri, Anamalai and Cardamom hills 
in peninsular India. 
Plantations exist on every continent possessing a tropical climate. Plantation 
agriculture is confined within tropical areas, i.e., both sides of the equator. 
INTENSIVE FARMING (INDUSTRIAL AGRICULTURE) 
In areas where irrigation has been possible, the farmers use fertilisers and 
pesticides on large scale. They have also brought their land under high 
yielding variety of seeds. They have mechanised agriculture by introducing 
machines in various processes of farming. 
 
 
Also known as industrial agriculture, it is characterized by a low fallow ratio 
and higher use of inputs such as capital and labour per unit land area. This 
is in contrast to traditional agriculture in which the inputs per unit land are lower. 
DRY AGRICULTURE: 
Dry farming or dry-land farming may be defined as a practice of growing crops 
without irrigation in areas which receive an annual rainfall of 750 mm – 
500 mm or even less. 
Dryland agriculture is subject to high variability in areas sown, yields and 
output. These variations are the results of aberrations in weather conditions, 
especially rainfall. Alternate crop strategies have been worked out for 
important regions of the country. 
MIXED FARMING 
Mixed farming is referred to cultivation of crops and raising of animals 
simultaneously. 
MULTIPLE AGRICULTURE: 
The multiple farming is used to denote the practice of growing two or more 
crops together. 
CROP ROTATION: 
This refers to growing of number of Crops one after the other in a fixed 
rotation to maintain the fertility of the soil. The rotation of crops may be 
complete in a year in some of the areas while it may involve more than one 
year’s time is others. The selection of crops for rotation depends upon the 
local soil conditions and the experience and the understanding of the 
farmers. 
Eg. Pulses or any leguminous crop is grown after the cereal crops. Legumes 
have the ability of fixing nitrogen to the soil. 
 
 
TERRACE CULTIVATION: 
The hill and mountain slopes are cut to form terraces and the land is used 
in the same way as in permanent agriculture.Since the availability of flat land 
is limited terraces are made to provide small patch of level land. 
Soil erosion is also checked due to terrace formation on hill slope. 
COMMERCIAL FARMING  
The main characteristic of this type of farming is the use of higher doses of 
modern inputs, e.g. high yielding variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilisers, 
insecticides and pesticides in order to obtain higher productivity. The 
degree of commercialisation of agriculture varies from one region to 
another. For example, rice is a commercial crop in Haryana and Punjab, 
but in Odisha, it is a subsistence crop.  
ADDITIONAL INFO: 
PRECISION FARMING 
Precision agriculture refers to the precise application of agricultural inputs 
with respect to soil, weather and crop need in order to improve 
productivity, quality, and profitability in agriculture. 
ORGANIC FARMING 
Organic farming is a type of agriculture or farming which avoids the use of 
synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators, and livestock feed 
additives. Organic farming systems rely on crop rotation, crop residues, 
animal manures, legumes, green manure, off-farm organic wastes and 
biofertilizers, mechanical cultivation, mineral bearing rocks to maintain 
soil productivity to supply plant nutrients and biological pest control, 
controlling weeds, insects and other pests.  
 
 
Page 5


 
AGRICULTURE 
INTRODUTION 
In the previous lessons, we have studied physiography, climate and natural 
vegetation in India. Now, we will study about Indian Agriculture. It still 
provides livelihood to the people in our country. It fulfils the basic need of 
human beings and animals. It is an important source of raw material for 
many agro-based industries. India’s geographical condition is unique for 
agriculture because it provides many favourable conditions. There are plain 
areas, fertile soil, long growing season and wide variation in climatic 
condition etc. Apart from unique geographical conditions, India has been 
consistently making innovative efforts by using science and technology to 
increase production. 
TYPES OF FARMING 
PRIMITIVE SUBSISTENCE FARMING  
It is practised on small patches of land with the help of primitive tools like 
hoe, dao and digging sticks, and family/community labour. This type of 
farming depends upon monsoon, natural fertility of the soil and suitability 
of other environmental conditions to the crops grown  
It is‘slash and burn’ agriculture. Farmers clear a patch of land and produce 
cereals and other food crops to sustain their family. When the soil fertility 
decreases, the farmers shift and clear a fresh patch of land for cultivation. 
This type of shifting allows Nature to replenish the fertility of the soil 
through natural processes; land productivity in this type of agriculture is low 
as the farmer does not use fertilisers or other modern inputs.  
It is known by different names in different parts of the country. It is jhumming 
in north-eastern states like Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland; 
Pamlou in Manipur, Dipa in Bastar district of Chhattishgarh, and in 
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, ‘Bewar’ or ‘Dahiya’ in Madhya Pradesh, 
‘Podu’ or ‘Penda’ in Andhra Pradesh, ‘Pama Dabi’ or ‘Koman’ or Bringa’ 
 
in Odisha, ‘Kumari’ in Western Ghats, ‘Valre’ or ‘Waltre’ in South-
eastern Rajasthan, ‘Khil’ in the Himalayan belt, ‘Kuruwa’ in Jharkhand  
It is known with different names in other nations like ‘Milpa’ in Mexico and 
Central America, ‘Conuco’ in Venzuela, ‘Roca’ in Brazil, ‘Masole’ in 
Central Africa, ‘Ladang’ in Indonesia, ‘Ray’ in Vietnam. 
INTENSIVE SUBSISTENCE FARMING  
This type of farming is practised in areas of high population pressure on 
land. It is labour intensive farming, where high doses of biochemical inputs 
and irrigation are used for obtaining higher production.  
PLANTATION AGRICULTURE: 
Plantation farming is bush or tree farming. It was introduced by the British 
in the 19th century. It is capital intensive and demands good managerial 
ability, technical know-how, sophisticated machinery, fertilisers, irrigation, 
and transport facilities. Plantation agriculture is an export-oriented 
agriculture. Most of the crops grown in plantation agriculture have a life 
cycle of more than two years. It is a single crop farming of rubber, tea, 
coffee, cocoa, spices, coconut and fruit crops like apples, grapes, oranges, 
etc.  
This type of agriculture has developed in hilly areas of north-eastern India, 
sub-Himalayan West Bengal and in Nilgiri, Anamalai and Cardamom hills 
in peninsular India. 
Plantations exist on every continent possessing a tropical climate. Plantation 
agriculture is confined within tropical areas, i.e., both sides of the equator. 
INTENSIVE FARMING (INDUSTRIAL AGRICULTURE) 
In areas where irrigation has been possible, the farmers use fertilisers and 
pesticides on large scale. They have also brought their land under high 
yielding variety of seeds. They have mechanised agriculture by introducing 
machines in various processes of farming. 
 
 
Also known as industrial agriculture, it is characterized by a low fallow ratio 
and higher use of inputs such as capital and labour per unit land area. This 
is in contrast to traditional agriculture in which the inputs per unit land are lower. 
DRY AGRICULTURE: 
Dry farming or dry-land farming may be defined as a practice of growing crops 
without irrigation in areas which receive an annual rainfall of 750 mm – 
500 mm or even less. 
Dryland agriculture is subject to high variability in areas sown, yields and 
output. These variations are the results of aberrations in weather conditions, 
especially rainfall. Alternate crop strategies have been worked out for 
important regions of the country. 
MIXED FARMING 
Mixed farming is referred to cultivation of crops and raising of animals 
simultaneously. 
MULTIPLE AGRICULTURE: 
The multiple farming is used to denote the practice of growing two or more 
crops together. 
CROP ROTATION: 
This refers to growing of number of Crops one after the other in a fixed 
rotation to maintain the fertility of the soil. The rotation of crops may be 
complete in a year in some of the areas while it may involve more than one 
year’s time is others. The selection of crops for rotation depends upon the 
local soil conditions and the experience and the understanding of the 
farmers. 
Eg. Pulses or any leguminous crop is grown after the cereal crops. Legumes 
have the ability of fixing nitrogen to the soil. 
 
 
TERRACE CULTIVATION: 
The hill and mountain slopes are cut to form terraces and the land is used 
in the same way as in permanent agriculture.Since the availability of flat land 
is limited terraces are made to provide small patch of level land. 
Soil erosion is also checked due to terrace formation on hill slope. 
COMMERCIAL FARMING  
The main characteristic of this type of farming is the use of higher doses of 
modern inputs, e.g. high yielding variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilisers, 
insecticides and pesticides in order to obtain higher productivity. The 
degree of commercialisation of agriculture varies from one region to 
another. For example, rice is a commercial crop in Haryana and Punjab, 
but in Odisha, it is a subsistence crop.  
ADDITIONAL INFO: 
PRECISION FARMING 
Precision agriculture refers to the precise application of agricultural inputs 
with respect to soil, weather and crop need in order to improve 
productivity, quality, and profitability in agriculture. 
ORGANIC FARMING 
Organic farming is a type of agriculture or farming which avoids the use of 
synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators, and livestock feed 
additives. Organic farming systems rely on crop rotation, crop residues, 
animal manures, legumes, green manure, off-farm organic wastes and 
biofertilizers, mechanical cultivation, mineral bearing rocks to maintain 
soil productivity to supply plant nutrients and biological pest control, 
controlling weeds, insects and other pests.  
 
 
 
PROTECTED CULTIVATION 
Protected cultivation practices are cropping techniques wherein the 
microenvironment is controlled partially/ fully as per plant need during 
their period of growth to maximize the yield and resource saving. 
Geoponic : refers to growing plants in normal soil. 
Aeroponics : growing plants in mist environment without the use of soil 
medium. 
Hydroponics: growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions, in water, 
without soil. 
Aquaponics : symbiotic environment of aquaculture and hydroponics.