AGRICULTURE IN INDIA

#Agriculture= Man’s management of the environment to produce food is called agriculture.

#46.6% area is under cultivation in India and nearly 2/3 Indian population depend on
agriculture.
(A) Importance of Agriculture= (1)It is the backbone of Indian economy. (2) It provides food
and fodder for humans and animals. (3) People earn money sale food and cash crops by
producing more grains using latest technology Ex- tractor, other instrument, fertilizer and
pesticide.
(B)FEATURES OF INDIAN AGRICULTURE
(1) Dependence on monsoon= Only 1/3 of crops are serve d by irrigation but remaining
depend on unreliable, unpredictable and irregular monsoon.
(2)Variety of Crops= Indians grow variety of crops due to variation in climate and
topography
(3)Preponderance of food crops= 2/3 areas under food crops cultivation due to large
population and less cash crops.
(4)Agricultural pattern= (a)Kharif(Rainy season crops)= April/May- Ground preparation,
June- seeds are sown, November- harvesting. Ex-rice, maize, cotton, ground nuts, jute etc.
(b)Rabi crops(winter season crops)= October/November- Ground preparation, December-
seeds are sown, march- harvesting. Ex= wheat, barley, jowar, gram, tobacco etc. (c)
Zayad( Summer season crops)=March-April all process takes place and crops are grown
where irrigation facilities are available.
(C) Green Revolution= It started in 1960s under intensive agriculture development
programme(IADP) aiming to transform agricultural sector. The steps taken under this are;-
(1) Use of high yielding variety of seeds. (2) Irrigation. (3) use of insecticide and pesticide.
(4) land reforms. (5 )Improving Rural electrification and infrastructure. (6) Supply of
agricultural credit. (7) Use of fertilizer (8) Opening agricultural University. There was four
times increase in production in 2010-2011.
(D)PROBLEMS OF INDIAN AGRICULTURE= (1) Small and fragmented landholding (2)Poor
quality (3) Lack of proper use of manure and fertilizer. (4) Pest and disease( pesticide,
herbicides, weedicide, biocides) (5) Traditional upbringing. (6) Heavy rainfall. (7) Erratic
nature of rainfall. (8) Floods and droughts are common. (9) Excessive pressure on land.
(10)Low yield
(A) FOOD CROPS
(1)RICE(Kharif)
Rice is the staple food of the country, tropical/sub-tropical crop, there are 10,000 variety of
rice out of which 400 variety are grown in India.
(A) TYPES/VARIETY= (1) wet/lowland= Rice grown in plain areas. (2) Terraced cultivation=
rice grown in hilly areas. (3) Dry/Upland= Rice grown in hilly areas by supplying water.
(B) SOIL= Alluvial plain, black soil, coastal plain, deltas, flood plain, river valleys, deep fertile
clayey of friable soil.
(C) CLIMATIC REQUIREMENT-(Temperature and Rainfall)= The average temperature 240c
with a range of 160c to 320c and during growing seasons 180c to 320c needed including
sunshine. -150cm to 200cm Rainfall is needed
(D) METHODS= (1) Broadcasting/scattered method= Seeds are sown in the field by hand
using sprinkling method. Advantages=(1) This method is cheap and saves time.
Disadvantages=(1) Seeds are distributed unevenely. (2) Not sown at correct depth. (3) Do
not ensure precise spacing.(2) Dibbling method= seeds are dropped at regular intervals in
the furrows made by farmers with help of a plough or dibber. Advantages= (1) Less seeds
are needed. (2) No wastage of seeds. Disadvantages=(1) time consuming method.(2) Cost is
high and more labours are required.(3)Drilling method= seeds are dropped through a
bamboo shaft attached to a plough or furrows. (TN).Advantages=(1)No wastage of seeds.
(2) Manure and fertilizer can be applied during drilling.Rapid germination if seeds are
soaked. Disadvantages=(1) more labours are neded. (2) Weeds are removed easily.(3) Less
wastage of seeds. (4) Precise spacing of seeds. (5) Environmentally and economically ideal
method. Disadvantages=(1) labour cost is high. (2) plants grow slowly. (3) Time consuming.
(4) Transplantation method=- it is practiced an area having heavy rainfall, fertile soil and
supply of labour. – 1st seeds are sown in a nursery after soaking them for 24 hour in water.
– After 4 weeks when the rice plants are 20cm height are uprooted and again planted them
in field with help of labour. #Advantages of this method= (1) labours are available. (2)
Weeds are removed. (3) Less wastage of seeds.(5)Japanese method=* use of good quality
seeds, manure, fertilizers, pesticides etc. * seeds are sown in a row. * High yielding. *
grown twice in a year.
(E) HARVESTING=*cut crop with hand with help of sickle close to the ground and leave to
dry for 3-4 days. * then, threshed and trampled by bullocks to separate the kernel from the
seed. * then, rice is polished with help of machine or hand pond after boiling or without
boiling.
(F) DISEASES= rice tungro virus, green leaf hopper, ric case worm, paddy stem burn, blast of
bactorial leaf steak, stem root etc.
(G)PROBLEMS IN RICE CULTIVATION=(1) Rice yield per hector is low. (2) Farmers do not get
suitable price for their crops. (3) lack of proper storage of rice. (4) Disease damages the rice
crops.
(H)DISTRIBUTION OF RICE= (1)AREAS= Gangetic plain, Brahmaputra plain, east/west coastal
region, part of deccan plateau. (2)States= (a)west Bengal= produces 15% of rice and largest
producer in India. (b)Tamil Nadu- 9.32% rice and Tanjavur in Kaveri delta is the 2 nd largest
producer of rice in India.(c) AP, Telangana, UP, Punjab, Haryana, Odisha, bihar, MP,
Jharakhand etc.
(2) WHEAT(Rabi Crop)
# It is a staple food of North and North-west of India. # It contains protein, vitamins and
carbohydrates. # India is the 4th largest producer of wheat after USA, China and Russia. # It
is a temperate and winter crop as well as harvested in March/April
(A) TYPES/VARIETIES=
(1) The normal bread type= It is grown in irrigated lands and loamy/clayey soil especially in
UP, Punjab and Haryana.
(2)HARDER VARIETY (MACARONI TYPE)= (1) It is grown in areas of high rainfall and clayey
black soil especially in MP, AP and Maharashtra.
(B)SOILS= fertile loamy, alluvial and black soil.
(C)CLIMATIC CONDITION=(Temperature/Rainfall)= The average temperature- 100c to 150c
and during harvesting time 200c to 250c. – 50c to 100cm rainfall needed but areas less than
50cm can be grown provided proper irrigation.
(D) METHOD OF CULTIVATION= - The land is prepared in November and harvested in
March.- broadcasting, dibbling and drilling methods are used.
(E) HARVESTING= (!)=*cut crop with hand with help of sickle close to the ground. * then,
threshed and trampled by bullocks to separate the grains.* Then, wheat is cleaned,
winnowed, sifted and next milling process.
(F) DISEASES= Yellow or stripe rust, black point, loose smut.
(G)PROBLEMS OF WHEAT CULTIVATION= (1) Continuous cropping looses land’s fertility. (2)
high or low temperature and drought during flowering stages harms wheat. (3) Cloudy
weather and humidity are conducive for rust attack.
(H) DISTRIBUTION=Areas- North & North-West part of India State- UP 34% (largest
producer of wheat), Punjab, Haryana, MP, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bihar, Maharashtra.
(3)PULSES (DAL)
# Gram,Urad, Moong, Masur, etc are pulses.
(1)GRAM-35% (RABI CROP)
(A) SOIL= Loamy soil.
(B) CLIMATIC CONDITION= Temperature- 200-c-250c , Rainfall- 50-100cm
(C) METHOD OF CULTIVATION=(1) seed is sown in September/November and harvested in
February and April. (2) It matures in 150 days and looks reddish brown from green and
pulled out stick, then trampled by bullocks to take out seeds. – sever cold and more rain are
harmful to it.
(D) PROCESSING= it is uses as dal, besan, roasted. – green leaves are used as vegetable. –
its grain is used as fodder for horse and cattle.
(E) DISTRIBUTION= (areas/states)- UP, HP, Rajasthan and Haryana.
(2)MAIZE(Rabi/Kharif crop)=
*used as food and fodder. * it gives starch and glucose* It is grown above 2500m altitude
and well drained plains. * Used for chapatis, corns, popcorn, cereal, corn flour etc.
(A)SOIL= deep clayey, light sandy soil, alluvial, red loam soil.
(B) CLIMATIC CONDITION= Temperature- 210c to 270c and can tolerate up to 350c.- Rainfall-
50-100cm. – Frost can harm this crops.
(C)METHOD OF CULTIVATION= *It is sown before onset of monsoon and harvested after
retreat of monsoon.* It needs sunshine and cool & dry weather.
(D)HARVESTING- when it contains more than 20% moisture.
(E) DISTRIBUTION= All parts of the country.
(3)MILLETS (Kharif)=
*Grows in warm weather. * Used for food and fodder.* Jowar, bajra, ragi are part of
millets.
(A)SOIL= Loamy, Sandy, clayey and alluvial.
(B) CLIMATIC CONDITION= -temperature-260c to 330c. –Rainfall-50-120cm
(a)JOWAR Rabi & kharif)=
(A)SOIL=medium regur, clayey black, light sandy. (B) CLIMATIC CONDITION= -temperature-
260c to 330c and rainfall 30-100cm. –Excess rainfall and drought are harmful to it. (C)USES=
Roti, its straw as fodder for animals. (D) DISTRIBUTION= Maharadhtra(largest producer),
MP, karnatak, TN, UP, Telangana, AP, Gujarat and Rajasthan.
(b)BAJRA (Kharif)=
(A)SOIL= light sandy, black, red, gravelly soil. (B)CLIMATIC CONDTION= Temperature- 250c
to 350c and ranfall 100cm. – bright sunshine is useful after shower.(C)USES= -thatching the
roof, roti and fodder for cattle. (D) DISTRIBUTION= Maharadhtra , karnatak, TN, UP,
Telangana, AP, Gujarat and Rajasthan(largest producer)
(C) RAGI(Kharif)=
* grown in dry areas. (A)SOIL= Light black, sandy and well drained alluvial soil.
(B)CLIMATIC CONDITION= -Temperature- 200c to 300c and rainfall 50-100cm (C) USES= For
food and fodder. (d)DISTRIBUTION= Deccan plateau, Karnataka(largest), TN, UP and
Maharashtra.
(B)CASH CROPS
(A)COTTON OR KAPA. (Rabi & Kharif Crop)
#it is a fibre crop which provides raw materials for textile industry and India is the 4 th largest
country in cotton production.
# Decca’ Muslim cotton was famous before partition and 10% of world production.
#Characteristics= small size (1 to 1.5m), large leaves, yellow flowers, Cotton seeds (binola)
are used in Vanaspati industry and fodder for animals, inside with fibrous substance covers
the seed (pod) which are known as BOLL, It gorws in Tropical and sub-Tropical climate up to
400N.
#TYPES=(1) Long staple cotton- its length is 24 to 27 mm, fine quality cotton, grown in
Punjab, Hayana, TN, AP, Telangana etc. (2)Medium staple cotton- length of 20 to 24 mm,
grown in Rajasthan, Punjab, TN etc. (3) Short staple cotton= length is 19mm and grown in
Punjab, Harayana, Rajasthan etc.
#SOIL= Black soil. (deccan, malwa plateau, Gujarat) and Alluvial soil.
#CLIMATIC REQUIREMENT=(a) temperature= 210c to 270c, warm day, cool night. (b)
rainfall= 50 to 80cm, stagnant water and excessive rain are harmful for cotton.
#METHOD OF CULTIVATION= (1) seeds are sown by broadcasting and drilling method. (2)
Application of manure/fertilizer is essential. (3) Punjab & Haryana= grown as Rabi crop,
Seeds are sown in April/May and harvested in December/January, Peninsular India= grown
as kharif crop, Tamil Nadu= grown as Rabi and kharif crop, (4) Frost is harmful to it. (5) It is
grown as rotational crop.
#HARVESTING= ideal to harvest in October due to less humidity in air and warm
temperature.
#PROBLEMS OF COTTON CULTIVATION= (1) Needed higher investment for labour,
fertilizer, power, cotton seeds etc. (2) farmers get threats due to crop loss.
#DISEASES= Attacked by boll warm, wits, hence pesticide and fungicide to be used.
#PROCESSING= (1)Ginning= Cotton fibre is separated from the raw material (cotton)
(2)Then tied in bales and sent to the cotton mills for ripping and spinning into thread. (3)
Sold in the market with help of cooperative society with fixed price per yarn spun.
#USES= Textile industry, vanaspati industry(seeds), its residue as food for cattle.
#DISTRIBUTION= NORTH –Punjab (Largest producer in India), Haryana. SOUTH= TN, AP,
Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat.
(B)JUTE
# 2nd important fibre crop.
# India suffered after partition, 1947 as 75% of the jute production areas went to
Bangladesh.
#It is known as golden fibre and brown paper bag.
#CHARACTERISTICS= softness, strength, length luster, uniformity etc.
#TYPES= (1) White jute= grown in delta and lowland areas. (2) toss jute= grown in upland.
#SOIL=Light sandy or clayey soil, Alluvial soil, delta areas, etc.
# CLIMATIC REQUIREMENT= (a)Temperature- 240c to 350c. (b) Humidity= 80 to 90% (c)
Rainfall= 17- to 200cm. drought and untimely rain are harmfull to it.
#METHOD OF CULTIVATION= (1) broadcasting and dibbling methods are used. (2)
(2)Sowing= sown in month of February on lowland and in march/May in upland.
(3)Harvesting= strats from July and continues till September by cutting closer to ground
#PROBLEMS OF JUTE CULTIVATION= (1) Lack of irrigation (2) Delay in sanctioning loans to
farmer. (3)some farmers grow wheat and vegetables instead of jute in kharif seasons.
#PROCESSING=(1) Plants are bundled after 3/4 of cutting. (2)Retting= these bundles are
submerged in water for 3-4 weeks for microbiological process by which it loosens the bark
and facilitates removal of fibre from the stalk. (3) bark is peeled from the plant and fibre is
removed. (4) Then, striping, rinsing, washing and cleaning is done. (5) then, they are dried
in the sun and pressed into bales.
#USES= used for making gunny bags, ropes, upholstery strings, carpet, rugs, clothes,
decoration etc.
#DISTRIBUTION= West Bengal grow 70%(Largest producer) due to hot & humid climate and
presence of alluvial 7 Loamy soil. Bihar. Assam, odisha.
(C)OIL SEEDS
# Economic importance= (1)Edible oil is extracted from oil seeds (2) Used as raw material in
manufacture industries like paints, varnishes, soap, cosmetic, medical items, lubricants,
perfumes etc.(3)Residue of edible oil seeds are used as fodder and manure. (4) Oil industry
provides employment.(5) It occupies 20% of areas.
#TYPES=(a) Edible=Groundnuts, sesame, mustard, sunflower, niger, etc. (b) Non-edible=
Castor, linsed, neem, mahua etc.
(A)GROUNDNUTS=(Rabi & Kharif crop)
# It is a tropical and sub-tropical crops.
TYPES= (a)The Bunch types=It grows vertically of 40cm of height. (b)The runner type=It
grows horizontally on the ground.
# SOIL=light sandy loams, red and black soil.
#CLIMATIC REQUIREMENT=(a)Temperature=200c to 250c . Need dry weather at ripening
stage. (b) Rainfall=50-70cm. it respond better to irrigation and well-distributed rainfall and
harmful if there is prolonged drought and rain.
#METHODS OF CULTIVATION=(1)Sowing= The seed are sown in June and harvested in 3 to
4 months. (2) Harvesting= They are harvested in October to December when the pods are
mature. They are dug out and collected by hand.
#CHARACTERISTICS= Groundnut kernels are rich in proteins and Vitamins having high
calories value.
USES= used for artificial leather, soap, oil, roasted and eaten and residue are used as cattle
feed.
AREAS= AP (40%), Telangana, Tamil Nadu (15%), Gujarat (15%)