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Agriculture in India:
Sources of Irrigation in India:
Irrigation is an artificial technique used to apply water to the fields in order to increase the productivity of crops.Irrigation is the artificial supply of water to agricultural fields to help crops grow when natural rainfall is not sufficient. It is very important for agriculture in India, where rainfall is often seasonal and uneven. Irrigation helps increase crop production, improve soil moisture, and ensure better farming throughout the year.
1. Wells and Tubewells:
These account for 57% of total irrigation in India. Water is lifted from wells using the following methods:
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Electric and diesel pumps
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Persian wheel / Rahat
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Charsa (Moat)
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Dhenki (Dhingley)
2. Canals:
Canals account for 31% of total irrigation.
Canals use surface water from reservoirs and dams.
3. Tanks:
These account for around 6% of the total area under irrigation.
4. Other Sources:
The remaining area is irrigated by:
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River streams
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Check dams
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Other minor irrigation sources
Methods to Improve Agricultural Productivity:
Green Revolution:
During the 1960s, the production of wheat and rice increased drastically.
Scientist William Gaud termed this agricultural transformation the Green Revolution.
Many new hybrid seeds were imported from Mexico.
Aims of the Green Revolution:
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Reduce uncertainties in agriculture
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Increase agricultural production and productivity
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Encourage rural development
The movement was largely successful in achieving these goals.
Production Growth:
In India, food grain production during 1956–66 was about 17 million tonnes.
It increased to 49 million tonnes during 1966–76.
Due to this tremendous rise, India became self-reliant in food grain production for the first time.
Key Personalities:
In India, credit for the Green Revolution mainly goes to M. S. Swaminathan, known as the Father of the Green Revolution in India.
American scientist Norman Borlaug also played an important role in developing high-yielding varieties of wheat.
Evergreen Revolution:
The pioneer of India’s Green Revolution M. S. Swaminathan, who served as the Chairman of the National Commission on Farmers, gave a call for an Evergreen Revolution to double the present production level of food grains.
To make the Evergreen Revolution successful, he emphasized adopting the best scientific techniques and promoting organic farming.
Four Preconditions for Success:
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Promoting soil health
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Promoting “Lab to Land” exhibitions
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Making rainwater harvesting compulsory
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Providing credit to farmers on suitable conditions
Operation Flood (White Revolution):
The White Revolution is associated with a sharp increase in milk production in India.
During 1964–65, the Intensive Cattle Development Programme (ICDP) was introduced. Under this program, improved animal husbandry practices were provided to cattle owners to promote milk production.
Later, to accelerate the White Revolution, a new program called Operation Flood was launched.
The Operation Flood Programme is the world’s largest integrated dairy development programme. It was started in 1970 by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
The pioneer of Operation Flood in India is Verghese Kurien.
Today, India ranks first in the world in milk production, while the USA stands second.
Blue Revolution:
The term Blue Revolution refers to the rapid increase in fish production through the adoption of modern fishery methods in India since independence.
Black Revolution:
The aim of the Black Revolution is to increase the production of crude oil (petroleum).
Under this initiative, the Government of India also promoted ethanol production and blending it with petrol (up to about 10%) and the production of biodiesel.
Agriculture Revolutions:
| Revolution | Related Sector |
|---|---|
| Green Revolution | Food grains |
| White Revolution | Milk |
| Yellow Revolution | Oil seeds |
| Blue Revolution | Fish |
| Golden Revolution | Fruits (especially apples) |
| Pink Revolution | Prawn |
| Grey Revolution | Fertilizers |
| Brown Revolution | Non-conventional energy |
| Silver Revolution | Poultry (Chicken/Egg) |
| Food Chain Revolution | Saving food, vegetables & fruits from decaying |
| Rainbow Revolution | Combination of all revolutions |
Fertilizer Consumption in India:
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All India average: about 90 kg per hectare
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Punjab ranks first with about 184 kg per hectare, followed by Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
Agriculture in India
India is an agricultural country, and about 62% of its population is engaged in agricultural activities.Agriculture is the practice of cultivating land, growing crops, and raising animals to produce food, raw materials, and other useful products for human use. In India, agriculture is a major occupation and plays a vital role in providing food security, employment, and raw materials for industries. It is considered the backbone of the rural economy and supports a large part of the population
Agriculture:
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Provides food security to the population
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Supplies raw materials to agro-based industries
Cropping Seasons in India
1. Rabi Crops
These crops need a cool climate during growth and warm climate during germination and maturation.The Rabi season is the winter cropping season in India. Rabi crops are sown in October–November after the monsoon and harvested in March–April. These crops grow well in cool climates during growth and require warm weather for ripening. Most Rabi crops depend on irrigation.
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Sowing season: October – November
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Harvesting season: March – April
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Mainly irrigation dependent
Important Rabi crops:
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Wheat
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Barley
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Gram
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Linseed
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Mustard
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Masoor
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Peas
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Potatoes
2. Kharif Crops
These are rainy season crops.The Rabi season is the winter cropping season in India. Rabi crops are sown in October–November after the monsoon and harvested in March–April. These crops grow well in cool climates during growth and require warm weather for ripening. Most Rabi crops depend on irrigation.
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Sown: Beginning of South-West Monsoon (June)
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Harvested: End of South-West Monsoon (October)
Important Kharif crops:
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Rice
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Cotton
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Jute
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Maize
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Groundnut
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Tobacco
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Jowar
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Bajra
3. Zaid Crops
These crops are grown between Rabi and Kharif seasons.The Kharif season is the rainy cropping season in India. Kharif crops are sown at the beginning of the South-West Monsoon (June) and harvested around September–October. These crops mainly depend on monsoon rainfall and warm temperatures.
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Season: March – June
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Mostly grown with artificial irrigation.
Major Zaid crops:
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Watermelon
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Muskmelon
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Cucumber
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Vegetables
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Fodder crops
Zaid crops help farmers use the land productively during the summer months
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JHOOM OR Shifting Cultivation (Slash and Burn)
Land is prepared for sowing traditional seeds using traditional methods of cultivation by tribal people.Shifting cultivation is a traditional method of farming in which a piece of forest land is cleared, cultivated for a few years, and then abandoned when the soil fertility decreases. Farmers then move to another piece of land and repeat the same process.
After 2–3 years, when the land begins to lose its fertility, a new forest area is selected and cleared for cultivation.
Problems of this practice
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Large-scale destruction of forests
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Soil erosion
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Decline in groundwater level
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Floods and droughts
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Pollution
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Loss of biodiversity
Also, continuous cultivation of a single crop makes the soil deficient in specific nutrients, reducing its natural fertility.
E–Agriculture
E-Agriculture is a system in which agriculture-related information is provided to farmers through the internet.
Objectives
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Encourage agricultural development using modern technology
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Provide important information to farmers
Benefits
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Farmers can directly contact buyers
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They can know the actual market price of produce
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Information about crop harvesting and crop protection
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Access to land records and online loan applications
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Guidance on agricultural management
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Information related to education and health
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Helps farmers get better prices for their produce
Important Agricultural Notes
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In overall food grain production, China holds the first position, followed by United States and India.
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Due to very high maize production, United States ranks second in world food grain production.
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United States is the world’s largest exporter of agricultural products.
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The United States produces ethanol from maize and mixes it with petroleum as a biofuel.
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In millet production (Jowar, Bajra, Ragi), India holds the first position.
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India is the largest consumer of sugar and the second largest producer with more than 15% share of world sugar production.
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At present, Brazil is the world’s largest producer of sugar.
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Cuba is known as the “Sugar Bowl of the World.”
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Soybean is considered the cheapest source of protein.
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Basmati rice is mainly grown in the Terai region (Uttarakhand and parts of Uttar Pradesh). India and Pakistan are the only two countries producing traditional Basmati rice.
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Mixed Farming refers to the rearing of animals along with crop cultivation
Mixed Farming :
Mixed farming is a type of agricultural system in which crop cultivation and livestock rearing are carried out together on the same farm. Farmers grow crops and also keep animals such as cows, buffaloes, sheep, goats, or poultry.
Key Features
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Both crop production and animal husbandry are practiced together.
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Animal manure is used as natural fertilizer for crops.
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Crop residues like straw and fodder are used to feed animals.
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Provides multiple sources of income to farmers.
Advantages
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Improves soil fertility through animal manure.
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Reduces risk of crop failure because farmers have livestock income.
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Ensures efficient use of farm resources.
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Provides regular income and employment throughout the year.
Examples
A farmer grows wheat, rice, or maize and at the same time raises cattle for milk or poultry for eggs.
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Disclaimer
This content is prepared for educational and informational purposes only. The notes are simplified for better understanding and exam preparation (UPSC and State Exams). Readers are advised to refer to standard textbooks and official sources for detailed study.
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