Types of Agriculture in India

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By Priya SinghUpdated On: 02-Nov-2023 02:24 PM

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Englishहिन्दीमराठीਪੰਜਾਬੀதமிழ்తెలుగు

ByPriya Singh |Updated On: 02-Nov-2023 02:24 PM

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Farming is the practice of cultivating and producing crops, livestock, and other agricultural products for human consumption, industrial purposes, or trade. In this article, we will discuss the type of farming and agriculture.

Agriculture is the backbone of India's economy, providing livelihoods to millions of people and serving as a significant contributor to the country's GDP. India is known for its diverse agricultural practices, owing to its varied climate, topography, and cultural diversity.

Agricultural products are a wide range of products derived from farming and agricultural activities. These products include food crops like grains, vegetables, fruits, and oilseeds, as well as livestock and poultry for meat, dairy, and other animal-based products.

They form the basis of our food supply, and their byproducts are used in various industries, from textiles to biofuels, making agriculture an important part of our economy. In this article, we will discuss the type of farming and agriculture.

Farming and types of farming

Farming is the practice of cultivating and producing crops, livestock, and other agricultural products for human consumption, industrial purposes, or trade. There are various types of farming mentioned below:

Agriculture Farming: Agriculture farming is a broad category that consists of various types of farming practices primarily focused on producing food and other essential crops. Subsistence Farming, Intensive Agriculture, Extensive Agriculture, Organic Farming, and Mixed Farming are a few types of agricultural farming.

Dairy Farming: Dairy farming is the commercial practice of raising and breeding dairy cattle to produce milk and dairy products for human consumption. The primary focus of dairy farming is the production of milk, which can be processed into various products like cheese, butter, yoghurt, and ice cream.

Commercial Farming: The primary focus of Commercial farming is producing crops and livestock for sale in local, national, or international markets. Commercial farmers typically invest in modern agricultural techniques, machinery, and technology to maximize their yields and profits.

This type of farming often involves the cultivation of cash crops, such as wheat, corn, soybeans, and cotton, as well as the raising of livestock for meat, dairy, and other products. Some common forms of commercial farming include Monoculture Farming, Livestock Farming, Plantation, Agribusiness, and Contract Farming.

Commercial Grain Farming: Commercial grain farming primarily focuses on the cultivation of grain crops like wheat, corn, rice, and barley. These grains are important staples in the human diet and are also used as feed for livestock. Grain farming is practised in regions with favourable climates and fertile soils.

Commercial Mixed Farming: Commercial mixed farming involves a combination of crop cultivation and livestock rearing on a single farm. Farmers may grow crops like grains, vegetables, or fruits alongside raising livestock such as cattle, pigs, or poultry.

Primitive Subsistence Farming: Primitive subsistence farming, also known as traditional farming, relies on minimal inputs. This type of farming is primarily for the subsistence of the farming family, rather than for commercial purposes.

It involves a small piece of land where farmers grow crops using simple tools and practices. After a few years, the land is abandoned, and a new plot is cleared, as the old one becomes less productive. This farming method is common in remote regions.

Nomadic farming: Nomadic farming is a type of Subsistence Farming in which livestock-raising companies such as sheep, goats, or cattle, don't stay at one location but instead travel from one location to the next with their herds of livestock to different grazing regions based on the development of the grass and the seasons.

Crop Rotation: Crop rotation is an agricultural practice that involves systematically changing the types of crops grown in a specific land over successive seasons. It is a practice used to manage soil health, prevent pest and disease buildup, and enhance overall crop productivity.

Pastoral farming: Pastoral farming, often referred to as pastoralism, is a type of agricultural practice that primarily focuses on the raising of livestock, such as cattle, sheep, and goats. It involves the grazing of animals on natural grasslands and pastures rather than cultivating crops for their feed.

Pastoral farmers are also known as graziers and pastoralists. Some pastoral farmers cultivate crops for the purpose of providing fodder for their cattle, while others grow fodder and sell it to pastoral farmers.

Intensive Subsistence Farming: Intensive subsistence farming is practised in densely populated regions with limited land. Farmers focus on maximizing the productivity of small landholdings by cultivating high-yielding crops, practising multiple cropping, and using labor-intensive methods. Rice is a commonly grown crop in intensive subsistence farming regions, particularly in Asia.

Agriculture and Types of Agriculture

Agriculture in India is a vital part of the country's economy, with millions of farmers growing crops like rice, wheat, and sugarcane. It provides food and livelihoods for many people. However, Indian agriculture faces challenges like unpredictable weather and the need for modernization to ensure food security.

Types of agriculture are mentioned below:

• Commercial Agriculture: Focused on profit, crops are grown for sale and export.
• Extensive Agriculture: Requires minimal labor, fertilizers, and land.
• Intensive Agriculture: Need more labor, fertilizers, and larger land areas.
• Plantation Agriculture: Concentrates on a single crop year-round.
• Subsistence Farming: Crops sustain the farmer and family, with no surplus for trade.
• Shifting Agriculture: A plot is cultivated by one farmer, abandoned, and then used by another.
• Terrace Agriculture: Land maintained in a stepped form on hilly slopes.
• Wet Farming: Rainfall-dependent farming in areas with over 200 cm of annual rainfall.
• Dry Farming: Cultivating crops in arid areas with limited moisture (less than 50 cm precipitation). Dry farming differs from traditional irrigated cropping systems in that farmers either do not irrigate (e.g., land without water rights or access to irrigation) or irrigate only once when it is possible.

Dry farmers choose a location with deep soil and good water-holding properties, and then use a variety of measures to conserve soil moisture for crop growth.

Importance of Agriculture

Agriculture plays an important role in each and everyone's life as it provides a steady supply of food, contributing to food security and nutrition. It is also an economic driver, offering employment to millions and supporting rural communities.

Agriculture also serves as the foundation for various industries, from textiles to pharmaceuticals, and plays a pivotal role in addressing environmental challenges by promoting sustainable practices.

It also plays a crucial role in environmental conservation, with sustainable farming practices preserving biodiversity and natural resources. Moreover, agriculture is vital for addressing global challenges such as hunger, malnutrition, and climate change.

Conclusion

In conclusion, India's diverse agricultural landscape has a wide range of farming practices and types. From traditional subsistence farming in rural areas to modern commercial agriculture in urban centres, the country's agricultural sector plays a vital role in its economy.

This diversity of agricultural approaches highlights the importance of sustainable and innovative farming methods to meet the growing food demands of the nation's growing population while preserving its rich agricultural heritage.