Agriculture

Class 10 Geography � Chapter 04

1. Types of Farming

1. Primitive Subsistence Farming

Small patches of land. Primitive tools (hoe, dao, digging sticks).
Depends on monsoon. Slash and burn (Jhumming).
Low productivity. For family consumption only.
Names: Jhumming (North-east), Milpa (Mexico), Roca (Brazil).

2. Intensive Subsistence Farming

High population pressure on land.
High doses of biochemical inputs/irrigation for higher production.
Problem: Division of landright of inheritance leads to uneconomic holdings.

3. Commercial Farming

Use of HVY seeds, chemical fertilizers, insecticides.
Plantation: Single crop grown on large area. Capital intensive. E.g., Tea (Assam), Coffee (Karnataka), Rubber (Kerala).

2. Cropping Pattern

Rabi: Sown in winter (Oct-Dec), Harvested in summer (April-June). E.g., Wheat, Barley, Peas, Gram, Mustard. (Success due to Green Revolution in Punjab/Haryana).
Kharif: Sown with onset of monsoon (June-July), Harvested in Sept-Oct. E.g., Paddy, Maize, Jowar, Bajra, Cotton, Jute.
Zaid: Short season between Rabi and Kharif. E.g., Watermelon, Muskmelon, Cucumber, Fodder.

3. Major Crops

Grains

Rice: Staple food. Kharif. High temp (>25�C), High humidity, High rainfall (>100cm). Areas: Plains of North/North-East, Coastal/Deltaic regions.
Wheat: Second most important. Rabi. Cool growing season, Bright sunshine at ripening. Rainfall: 50-75cm. Areas: Ganga-Satluj plains, Deccan black soil.
Millets (Coarse Grains): Jowar, Bajra, Ragi. High nutritional value (Ragi has iron/calcium). Rain-fed crops.
Maize: Food and Fodder. Kharif. Old alluvial soil. Temp 21-27�C.
Pulses: India is largest producer/consumer. Protein rich. Leguminous (restore fertility by fixing nitrogen, except Arhar). Less moisture needed.

Non-Food Crops

Rubber: Equatorial crop. Moist/Humid climate. Rainfall >200cm. Temp >25�C. Kerala is main producer.
Cotton: Kharif. Drier parts of black soil. 210 frost-free days needed. Bright sunshine.
Jute (Golden Fibre): Well-drained fertile soil in flood plains. High temp. Used for gunny bags, mats. Losing market to nylon (cost). West Bengal is hub.

4. Technological and Institutional Reforms

Agriculture sustains 60% of population. Reforms were urgent.

Post-Independence: Abolition of Zamindari, Consolidation of holdings.
Green Revolution (1960s/70s): HVY seeds, fertilizers. (Concentrated in few areas).
White Revolution (Operation Flood): Milk production.
1980s/90s: Crop Insurance (against drought/flood), Grameen Banks (low interest loans), KCC (Kisan Credit Card), PAIS (Accident Insurance).
MSP (Minimum Support Price): Govt announces prices to check exploitation by speculators.

BHOODAN - GRAMDAN Initiated by Vinoba Bhave.
Some Zamindars offered to distribute growing villages/land to landless (Gramdan). Some offered land to landless (Bhoodan).
Also known as Bloodless Revolution.

5. Food Security

Govt system to ensure food availability to all. Components:

Buffer Stock: Stock of foodgrains (wheat/rice) procured by FCI via MSP.
PDS (Public Distribution System): Ration shops distributing food at subsidized price.

[IMAGE PLACEHOLDER: CROP MAPS]

Two Maps of India: 1. Major Rice Growing Areas (Eastern/Coastal) vs Wheat Growing Areas (North-West). 2. Major Rubber, Coffee, Tea, Cotton, Jute areas.