6.3 Food Production: Agriculture

Introduction to Agriculture

  • Definition: Cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising livestock for food, fiber, and other products.
  • Encompasses science, art, and occupation involved in these activities.

Agricultural Practices

  • Soil Preparation: Ploughing, leveling, manuring.
  • Sowing: Dispersing seeds.
  • Manuring and Fertilization: Supplying nutrients.
  • Irrigation: Controlled water supply.
  • Weeding: Removing unwanted plants.
  • Harvesting: Gathering mature crops.
  • Storage: Storing produce.
  • Crop Rotation: Growing different crops in sequence.
  • Cover Cropping: Planting for soil health.
  • Animal Husbandry: Raising domesticated animals.

Cultivated Crops

  • Food Crops: Grown for human consumption (e.g., Rice, Wheat, Pulses, Vegetables, Fruits).
  • Cash Crops: Grown for sale to generate income (e.g., Cotton, Jute, Sugarcane, Tea, Coffee).

Crops Grown in India

  • Cereals: Rice, Wheat, Maize, Jowar, Bajra.
  • Pulses: Gram, Arhar, Moong, Urad.
  • Oilseeds: Groundnut, Mustard, Soybean, Sunflower.
  • Cash Crops: Sugarcane, Cotton, Jute, Tea, Coffee, Rubber, Spices.

Importance of Agriculture

  • Food and Raw Material Provision: Primary source of food and raw materials for industries.
  • Economic Development: Significant contributor to GDP, employment, and trade.
  • Employment Generation: Provides jobs for millions.
  • Food Security: Ensures national self-sufficiency in food.
  • Environmental Sustainability: Contributes to environmental health (sustainable practices).
  • Cultural and Social Impact: Preserves traditions, strengthens communities.