Geography

Agriculture In India
Agriculture is derived from a Latin word called “Agricultūra”.
The word Agri means field and the word cultūra means growing
or cultivation. India is one the agriculturally imported country
and stands second in world in the field of agriculture. About
12%of worlds farm land is in India. About 1.4 million square
kilometers of land occupies for the field of agriculture. There is
about 52.1% of total workforce in Indian agriculture. The main
income source in India is through agriculture. We get food
through agriculture. Most of the food is grown in and consumed
and less food is imported from other countries. Not only food
but also raw material for industries like cotton, jute, wood, etc.
Transformation of agriculture in India
Methods of agriculture had changed due to three parameters
1) Physical Environment
2) Technical Knowledge
3) Socio-cultural Practices

1) Physical Environment
Agricultural methods have intensified
continuously ever since the Industrial Revolution, and even
more so since the “green revolution” in the middle decades
of the 20th century. At each stage, innovations in farming
techniques brought about huge increases in crop yields by
area capable of land. 
2) Technical Knowledge
Technological transformation refers to the
application of modern agricultural technology to increase
productivity. Agriculture production can be supported by
the adoption of modern farming technologies such as
agriculture equipment, better-quality seed varieties, and
fertilizers based on the inorganic compounds.
3) Socio-cultural Practices
This study analyses the modern agriculture
systems that were introduced with Green
Revolution largely at the expense of over-and misuse of
land and water resources and loss of biodiversity. It
 evaluates the impact of changes in agricultural systems on
the breakdown of socio-cultural fabric.

METHODS OF AGRICULTURE
Subsistence farming Commercial farming
-Primitive farming -
extensive farming
-intensive farming -
mixed farming
-
Plantation farming

SUBSISTENCE FARMING
1) Primitive Farming
It is also knowns as “slash and burn” cultivation.
This type of farming is still practiced in India. It is done in
small patches with primitive tools like hoe, Dao, digging
sticks. This type of farming depends on many factors such as
monsoon, natural fertility of the soil and other environment.
Farmer clear a patch of land to sustain their family. When the
fertility of the land decreases the farmers shift to other land
and clear the land and create another patch. Productivity of
this type of farming is low.
2) Intensive Farming
 Intensive agriculture, also known as intensive
farming, conventional, or industrial agriculture. This type
of agriculture is practiced in the areas of high pressure.
Here they use a biochemical inputs and irrigation is used to
obtain higher production the farmers had started to take
more income from less land in alternative of livelihood.
Thus, there is an enormous pressure on agricultural land.

COMMERCIAL FARMING
1) Extensive Farming
This is a type of farming which is usually done in
sparsely populated areas. It requires a large land and there
is a more machine work and decreases the number of
labour required. Single crop cultivation like wheat corn etc.
Here in this type of farming mechanization is its unique
feature.
2) Plantation Farming
Predominance of a single crop is cultivated
through the tropical region. It is usually done in large areas
of 100 acers of land there are also some people also have
small amount land near Kerala and Sri Lanka. These crops
a raised only for sale.
3) Mixed Farming
Mixed farming is a type of farming which
involves both the growing of crops and the raising of
livestock. Such agriculture occurs across Asia and in
countries such as India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Afghanistan,
South Africa, China, Central Europe etc.
Differences between SUBSISTANCE FARMING and
COMMRICAL FARMING
SUBSISTANCE FARMING
This type of farming is done
because for farmers purpose.
It is a labour intensive
Technique as it need to much
labou
r
input  
No fertilizers are used
Family is enough for farming
COMMERICAL FARMING
This type of farming is done    
because for trade purpose.    
Farmers invest a massive
capital in this farming.
chemical fertilizers used
in this farming labour is
Required
 CASE STUDY 1
PRIMITIVE SUBSISTANCE FARMING
What Is Primitive Subsistence Farming?
Primitive subsistence farming entails growing enough
grains, fruits, and vegetables as well as keeping enough
dairy cows or goats to feed your own family and earn just
enough money to cover the cost of one pair of shoes and
one piece of clothing per person each year.
Third-world nations have primitive subsistence farmers or less.
This farming system is done on a small patch of land with
simple tools. Mainly family members are the workers and they
can produce enough for their own families.
This farming system is self-sufficient, with farmers producing
simply enough food for themselves and their families.
As a result, the economy is stagnant and has limited room for
improvement. Nowadays, farmers have a high degree of rural
independence as they are not confident about landlords or
trading centers.
What Are The Factors Affecting Primitive Subsistence
Farming?
 Primitive subsistence agriculture is practiced on small

patches of land with the help of primitive tools like hoe, Dao,
digging sticks, and family, or community labor.
 This type of farming depends upon monsoons, the natural

fertility of the soil, and the suitability of other environmental

conditions for the crops grown.
  To sustain their families, farmers clear a patch of land and
produce cereals and other food crops.
 When the soil fertility reduces, the farmers shift and clear a

fresh patch of land for cultivation.

How Many Types Of Primitive Subsistence Farming Are
There?
Shifting cultivation and nomadic herding are both aspects of
primitive subsistence agriculture. In the heavily wooded regions
of the amazon basin, tropical Africa, some of southeast Asia and
northeast India shifting cultivation is practiced.
Advantages
 It costs less Little capital is required. The farmers do not
pay for the land or many of the farming tools.
 No Labor Hiring These farms employ their family for the
labor involved. Crop production does not employ any
outside labor.
 A Continuum of Employment Because of the simple tools
in use, anyone can learn the approaches very fast. Almost
anyone may learn the skill without any formal training.
 Family’s Source of Food Supply Being able to feed your
family while residing in such remote regions is the biggest
benefit.
 Avoid Using Monocultures The planting of various crop
varieties together preserves the biodiversity of the land.

What Is The Drawback Of Primitive Subsistence

Agriculture?
  Limited Crop Types Only a certain number of crop species
are available to farmers.
 Subject Rainfall Irrigation is not an option due to the
geography and the fact that the majority of farmers that
utilize this method are very underprivileged.
 Limits on Farm Size Since all work is done by hand and
farms are kept relatively small, they can be managed
effectively.
 Typically, Only Produces Enough Produce The farms are
unable to maximize productivity due to a shortage of
resources like fertilizers and a lack of automation
technology.
 Low Yields Small yields for the farmer are caused by a low
production level and a lack of fertilizers to maximize crop
development’s
 Contributes to Deforestation To create the agriculture that
is available, areas are cleared and burned. Farmers should
go to the next open area as soon as the soil is no longer
productive and clear and burn the vegetation there.
What Is Primitive Subsistence Farming Called In Different
Regions Of India?

 “Jhumming” in the northeastern states of Assam,

Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Pamlou district of
Manipur, and in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
 “Podu” or “Penda” in Andhra Pradesh.
 “Pama Dabi” or “Koman” or “Bringa” in Orissa etc.
Where Is The Primitive Subsistence Farming System
Practiced?
 Shifting cultivation and nomadic herding are both aspects
of primitive subsistence agriculture. In the heavily wooded
regions of the Amazon basin, tropical Africa, some of
southeast Asia, and northeast India, shifting cultivation is
practiced. These are the regions with frequent rainfall and
rapid vegetation regrowth.
 Primitive subsistence farming is the original method we
used to gather crops. With all the advances made
in agriculture, it is also one of the least efficient methods
today. Very few places still use this as a primary way to
produce crops for their country. The farmers do not use any
chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, or technology.

case study 2
PLANTATION FARMING
What Is Plantation Farming?

 The proper definition of plantation farming is a form

of commercial cultivation. The main intention of this
farming practice is to produce crops for making profits.
Single crops get the priority in this farming. Farmers
needed large farming land, modern farming tools with
general skills.
The types of crops grown in this type of farming are: -
1. Coffee 7. Plum
2. Tea
8. Oil seeds
3. Cocoa
4. Cotton 9. Sisal
5. Sugar Cane 10. Opium
6. Oil
11. Rubber tree

Plantation cultivation gets

successful with large lands and huge capitals. Various
studies show that most farmers are unaware of plantation
practices and they are unable to differentiate them from
other farming. Plantation agriculture has an interface
with industry. In respective industries the raw material
used those supplies from the plantation.
Established During Colonial Era
Long and ago this type of agriculture was first
established in Africa during colonial era at that time, it
was nearly the 19th century when European countries
ruled over Africa. The European rulers took away raw
materials from Africa for their own industries.
Labor-Intensive
The plantation is mainly a labor-intensive farming
process and it is the main feature of this agricultural
practice. It needs a large number of workers who are
skilled. Labor strategies and recruiting them from other
states or countries is a common feature of it. 
 Large In Size
Plantation practice needs a large size of fields that covers
thousands of hectares of farming land. Mainly it is run by local
and foreign companies. Large size farming fields are an essential
and key feature of plantation cultivation practice. We know
about organic farming and terrace farming practices that
belong to the traditional method. But both need large sizes of
fields for cultivation.
Plantation farming in India
In India, plantation agriculture is growing, as in proper places
with sufficient capitals, climates, and farmers available. There
are perfect lands available in India that help to produce crops of
gold. Modern farming technologies really changed the
traditional practices of farming.
However, the main crops of this agriculture are rubber, tea,
coffee, sugar cane, banana, and these are cultivated in India.
Assam is known for tea, north Bengal for coffee, and Karnataka
is known for plantation trees. Large area and capital-intensive
inputs develop the plantation trees and plantation-based
industries.
PROBLEMS BASED ON AGRICULTURE
There are many problems based on agricultural field
such as: -
1) Fertilizer problems
2) Giving high quality of seeds to farmers
3) Floods
4) Money loss due to more investments
Solutions for the problems in agriculture
1) Fertilizer problem
This is a common problem where vendor don’t give
the right fertilizer and taking too much money from
the poor farmers. This type of problem can be
avoided by a trusted vendor or a trusted company.
2) Giving high quality of seeds to farmers
Due to some greedy politicians produce and sell
low quality seed to farmers. When farmers sow
them some of the seed grow but many fails. This
can be avoided by a proper gram panchayat head.
3) Floods
This is a natural disaster which occurs mostly
during rainy season and can’t be avoided.
4) Money loss due to more investment
This a money loss by the farmer in this field.
Where the farmer assumes to do more than he
have so he invests his money in wrong place and
tend to loss more money
Few more words
Agriculture has given so much to society. But it has
its own pros and cons that we can’t overlook. The
government is doing his every bit to help in the
growth and development of agriculture; still, it
needs to do something for the negative impacts of
agriculture. To save the environment and the people
involved in it.
 Bibliography
I have taken in information from the following websites
1. Google.com
2. Farm.ws
3. Edu.rev
4. Topper.com