Geography Unit 3: India - Agriculture#

Learning Objectives#

To understand the nature of India’s soil types and their distribution. To know about the importance of irrigation and multi-purpose projects in India. To study about the agriculture, its types and importance. To understand the livestock and fishing resources of India. To comprehend the problems of farming in India.

Introduction#

Soil is one of the most important natural resources. India’s varied natural environments resulted in a great variety of soils compared to any other country of similar size in the world. The rich, deep and fertile soils support high density of population through agricultural prosperity.

3.1 Soils#

Soil is the uppermost layer of the land surface, usually composed of minerals, organic matter, living organisms, air and water. Grains in the soil are of three categories namely, clay, silt, and sand. Soils are generally formed by the weathering of rocks under different conditions. Some soils are formed by the deposition of agents of denudation. Soils can vary greatly from one region to the other.

Types of Soils#

The Indian Council of Agriculture

Research (ICAR) setup in 1953, divides the soils of India into the following eight major groups. They are,

1. Alluvial soil

2. Black soils

3. Red soils

4. Laterite soils

5. Forest and mountain soils

6. Arid and desert soils

7. Saline and alkaline soils

8. Peaty and marshy soils

Soil degradation: Soil degradation is an acute problem in India. According to a 2015 report of the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS). The estimated amount of soil .erosion that occurred in India was 147 million hectares.

The main problems of the Indian soils are i) soil erosion (sheet erosion, rill erosion, gully erosion, ravine and badland) ii) Degradation of Soil, iii) Water-logging, iv) Saline and Alkaline, and v) Salt Flats.

Methods of Conservation and Management of Soil

1. Afforestation

2. Constructing Dams and Barrages

3. Prevention of Overgrazing

4. Improved methods of Agricultural practices Contour method, Rotation of crops, Contour bunding, Strip cropping, Planting of shelter belts, Adopting the techniques of sustainable agriculture are different conservation methods for better soil management.

3.2 Irrigation#

Watering of agricultural plants through artificial means is called irrigation. Being a hot country with seasonal and irregular rainfall, it always needs irrigation to carry out agricultural activities during dry period.

Sources of Irrigation#

In India, different sources of irrigation are used depending upon the topography, soils, rainfall, availability of surface or groundwater, nature of river (whether perennial or nonperennial), requirements of crops etc. The main sources of irrigation used in different parts of the country are

Canal irrigation Well irrigation and Tank irrigation

Other Sources 11%

Tanks 3%

Canals 24%

Other wells 16%

Tube wells 46%

Area under Irrigation

a) Canal Irrigation#

It is the second most important source of irrigation in our country.

Canals are the effective source of irrigation in areas of low level relief, deep, fertile soils, perennial source of water and extensive command area. The canals are of two types:

1. Inundation Canals: In this, water is taken out directly from the rivers without making any kind of barrage or dam. Such canals are useful for the diversion of flood water from the rivers and remain operational during rainy season.

2. Perennial Canals: These are developed from perennial rivers by constructing barrage to regulate the flow of water. About 60 percent of the canal irrigated area falls in the northern plains of India,

b) Well Irrigation#

A well is a hole or trough, usually vertical, excavated in the earth for bringing groundwater to the surface. Well irrigation is the most important source of irrigation. It is a cheap, dependable, and popular source of irrigation in the country. Well irrigation is unavoidable in the region of low rainfall and becomes an essential one where the canals and tank irrigation are not available. Wells are of two types:

i) Open wells ii) Tube wells

1. Open Wells: This type of irrigation is widely practiced in the areas where groundwater is sufficiently available. The areas are in Ganga Plains, the deltaic region of Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery and parts of Narmada and Tapti valleys.

2. Tube Wells: Tube wells are developed in the areas of low water table, sufficient power supply and soft subsurface geological units. Tube wells are predominant in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

c) Tank Irrigation#

A tank is a natural or man-made hollow on the surface developed by constructing a small bund around it, across a stream. It is used to collect and store water for irrigation and other purposes. Irrigation by tanks is a very old system in India. It also includes irrigation from lakes and ponds.

The tank irrigation is popular in the peninsular

India due to the following reasons:

1. The undulating relief and hard rocks make difficult to dig canals and wells.

2. Natural depressions serve as reservoirs.

3. Absence of perennial rivers.

4. Impermeable rock structure which do not permit percolation.

5. The scattered nature of population and agricultural fields.

Modern irrigation methods#

There are many ways in modern irrigation. Among them, mostly practiced in India are drip irrigation, sprinklers and rain gun and central pivot irrigation.

Drip Irrigation Method#

It was first developed. In this method, water is supplied in the form of drops through nassals. Water can be saved up to 70%.

Springler Method#

It is the simplest and easiest method of all. In this method, water is supplied to the field from the source through the pipes, which have small holes. It can be used in the areas of uneven surface also.

Rain Gun#

Rain gun is used to spread water like rain. It can be used to water the crops which grow up to 4 feet. It is useful to irrigate the crops like sugarcane and maize.

Central - Pivot Irrigation#

It is also called water wheel and circle irrigation. It is a method of crop irrigation in which equipment rotates around a pivot and crops are watered with springlers.

Multipurpose River Valley Projects#

It is a scientific management of water resources in our country. Construction of dam across rivers is aimed to serve many purposes. Hence, it is termed as multipurpose river valley projects. The dam serves various purposes including irrigation, hydro-power generation, water supply for drinking and industrial purpose, controlling floods, development of fisheries, navigation, etc. Generally, majority of multipurpose projects are combination of irrigation and hydro-power, which are the major aims of the projects.

3.3 Agriculture#

Agriculture is the process of producing food for people, fodder for cattle, fiber and many other desired products by the cultivation of certain plants and the raising of domesticated animals (livestock).

Determinants of Agriculture#

Agriculture in India is determined by a set of factors. Some of the important factors:

1. Physical factors: relief, climate and soil.

2. Institutional factors: Size of farm holdings, land tenure, and land reforms.

3. Infrastructural factors: Irrigation, power, transport, credit, market, insurance and storage facilities.

4. Technological factors: High yielding varieties of seeds, chemical fertilisers, insecticides and machinery.

Types of Farming a) Subsistence Farming#

A considerable proportion of farmers in the country practice subsistence farming. Farmers grow crops with the help of family members and consume almost the entire farm produce with a little surplus to sell in the market. Preference is given to food crops. In addition to the food crops, sugarcane, oilseeds, cotton, jute and tobacco are also cultivated. Traditional farming method results in low productivity.

b) Shifting Agriculture#

This type of agriculture is performed by tribal people in a piece of forest land after clearing the trees through felling and burning the trunks and branches. Once the land is

cleared, crops are grown for two to three years and the land will get abandoned as the fertility of the soil decreases. The farmers then move to new areas and the process will be repeated. They cultivate some grains and vegetable crops using the manual labour. It is also called as “Slash and burn” cultivation.

c) Intensive Farming#

Intensive farming is an agricultural intensification and mechanization system that aims to maximize yields from available land through various means, such as heavy use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers.

d) Dry Farming#

This type of farming is practiced in arid areas, where irrigation facilities are lacking. Crops cultivated in these areas can withstand dry conditions. The crops grown generally with the help of irrigation are also grown under dry farming. In such circumstances, the yields are generally low. Most of the areas under dry cultivation entertain only one crop per year.

e) Mixed Farming#

Mixed farming is defined as a system of farm which includes crop production, raising livestock, poultry, fisheries, bee keeping, etc., to sustain and satisfy as many needs of the farmer as possible.

Mixed Farming Agriculture

f) Terrace Farming#

This type of cultivation is practiced specially in hilly areas, where lands are of a sloping nature. The hill and mountain slopes are cut to form terraces and the land is used in the same way as in permanent agriculture. Since the availability of flat land is limited, terraces are made to provide small patches of level land. Soil erosion is also checked due to terrace formation on hill slopes.

3.4 Major Crops Cultivated in India#

The major crops of India are divided into four major categories as follows:

1. Food crops (wheat, maize, rice, millets, pulses, etc.).

2. Cash crops (sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, jute, oilseeds, etc.).

3. Plantation crops (tea, coffee and rubber).

4. Horticulture crops (fruits, flowers and vegetables).

1. Food Crops#

Due to its large population, Indian agriculture is largely dominated by the food crops.

Rice#

Rice is an indigenous crop. India is the second largest producer of rice in the world after China. It is mainly a tropical crop, growing mainly with mean temperatures of 24°C and annual rainfall of 150 cm. Deep fertile clayey or loamy soils are suited well for rice cultivation. It also needs abundant supply of cheap labour.

Paddy Cultivation

Rice in India is sown in three ways:

i) Broadcasting, ii) Ploughing or drilling iii) Transplanting

Due to increased use of High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds (CR Dhan 205, AR Dhan 306, CRR 451 etc.), many of the indigenous varieties had disappeared. In 2016, the first 10 leading rice producing states were West Bengal (First in India) Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Assam and Haryana.

Wheat#

Wheat is the second most important food crop of the country, after rice. It accounts for 22 percent of the total area and

34 percent of the total production of food grains in the country. It requires 10-15°C at the time of sowing and 20-25°C at the time of ripening of grains.

Over 85% of the India’s wheat production comes from 5 states namely Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Apart from these regions, the black soil tract of the Deccan covering parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat also contribute a major wheat production.

Jowar#

Jowar is the third important food crop of our country. It is an indigenous plant of Africa. The plant has a tendency to grow in adverse climatic conditions. Its grains are rich in carbohydrates, protein, minerals, and vitamins. Hence, it provides cheap food to the large section of the poor population. It is also used as fodder in many parts of the country. Jowar is essentially a crop of the Peninsular India. Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh are the leading producers of Jowar.

Bajra#

Bajra is an indigenous plant of Africa. This forms the staple food for poor people. Its stalks are used as fodder for cattle and for thatching purposes. Bajra is a crop of dry region. Rajasthan is the largest producer of bajra followed by Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Barley#

Barley is one of the important cereals of our country. Besides, being poor man’s diet, it is used for making barley water, beer and whiskey. Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh are the two leading producers of Barley.

Pulses#

Pulses include a large number of crops which are mostly leguminous and rich in vegetable protein. They are used as human food and feeding cattle. They fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil and hence are usually rotated with other crops. India is the largest producer of pulses.

2. Cash Crops#

The crops which are cultivated for commercial purpose are called cash crops. These crops include sugarcane, tobacco, fibre crops (cotton, jute, and mesta) and oilseeds.

Sugarcane#

India is the second largest producer of sugarcane in the world. This crop provides raw material for the sugar industry which is the second largest industrial category of our country. Besides providing sugar, gur and khandsari, it supplies molasses for alcohol industry and bagasse for paper industry. India is ranked third in sugar production in the world after Cuba and Brazil. At the state level, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are the leading producer of sugarcane followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.

Cotton#

Cotton is the most important cash crop of India. It provides raw material to the largest industry of India. India ranks second next to China in the production of cotton.

About 79% of the total area and production in the country were contributed by four states viz., Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab.

Jute#

It is a tropical fibre crops, grows well in the alluvial soil. It provides raw material for Jute industry. It is used for manufacturing of gunny bags, carpets, hessian, ropes and strings, rugs, clothes, tarpaulins, upholstery etc. West Bengal is the leading state both in cultivation and production of jute. The other cultivators of jute are Bihar, Assam and Meghalaya.

Oil Seeds#

Oil seeds, the premier source of fat in the Indian diet are derived from number of crops like groundnut, rapeseed, mustard, sesame, linseed, sunflower, castor seed, cotton seed, niger seed, etc. These provide oil and oil cake which are used for making lubricants, varnish, medicine, perfume, candles, soaps, manure and cattle feed. Gujarat is the India’s largest oilseeds producing state. In groundnut production, India is the second largest producer in the world after China.

3. Plantation Crops#

Plantation crops are cultivated for the purpose of exports. These are cultivated in large estates on hilly slopes. Tea, coffee, rubber and spices are the major plantation crops of India.

Tea#

Tea is an evergreen plant that mainly grows in tropical and subtropical climates. Tea is a labour intensive crop and grows faster under light shade. Tea plants require high rainfall but its root cannot tolerate water logging. Two major varieties of tea are cultivated in India. They are,

i) BOHEA - originated from China

ii) ASSAMICA - from India

A number of hybrid varieties have been developed by mixing these two. India is the second largest producer of tea after China in the world. Assam is the largest producer of tea in India. Other states are Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal.

Coffee#

Coffee is grown in shade and it grows effectively in the altitudes between 1,000 and 1,500 m, above mean sea level. There are two main varieties of coffee. They are,

i) Arabica (High quality-cultivated more

in India)

ii) Robusta (Inferior quality).

India is the 7th largest producer of coffee globally. Karnataka is the leading producer of coffee in India. It produces 71% in India, and 2.5 % in the world (source; coffee board of India-2018).

Rubber#

Rubber plantation was first established in Kerala in 1902. It needs hot and wet climatic conditions (temperature above 20°C and rainfall above 300cm). Most of the land for rubber plantation belongs to small land holders. The major rubber growing areas are Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Spices#

India has been world famous for its spices since ancient times. These spices are mostly used for flavouring or tampering cooked food and for preparing medicines, dyes, etc. Pepper, chillies, turmeric, ginger, cardamom, clove and areca nut are the major spices cultivated in India. Kerala is the leading producer of spices in India.

4. Horticulture Crops#

It refers to the cultivation of fruits, flowers and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are important supplement to the human diet, as they provide essential minerals, vitamins, and fibres required for maintaining health. India is in the second position in the production of fruits and vegetables.

3.5 Livestock#

Livestock is an integral component of the farming system in India. The livestock sector is socially and economically very significant due to its multifunctional outputs and contribution to sociocultural security. It also helps to improve food and nutritional security by providing nutrient-rich food products, generates income and employment and acts as a cushion against crop failure, provides draught power and manure inputs to the crop subsector.

Cattle#

Cattle constitute 37.3 percent of livestock population in India. India has the second largest cattle population after Brazil at World level. Cattle population in India belongs to different breeds. These include:

1) Milch Breed.

2) Draught breed.

3) Mixed or General breed.

Goats#

The goat is the poor man’s cow providing milk, meat, skin and hair. It is the main source of meat for the country.

Buffaloes#

Buffaloes are an important source of milk supply for India. Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of buffaloes (28.2%) followed by Rajasthan (9.6%) and Andhra Pradesh (7.9%).

Livestock Census: First Livestock Census in India was conducted with the title of Dairy Cattle Census in 1919.

How is livestock census conducted in Tamil Nadu?

State Government is conducting Livestock Census with the help of Department of Animal Husbandry at state level and Regional Joint Director at district level under the guidelines of Government of India Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Department of Animal Husbandary Dairying and Fisheries.

Dairy, Meat and Wool Production#

According to 2016-17 Census held by State/UT Animal Husbandry Department, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

While looking at the meat, Uttar Pradesh is the leading producer following Maharashtra and West Bengal.

The leading state in the wool production is Rajasthan followed by Karnataka

3.6 Fisheries#

Fisheries in India are a very important economic activity and a flourishing sector with varied resources and potentials. Fishing in India is a major industry in its coastal states, employing over 14 million people. It produces about 3 percent of World’s fish and occupies second place among the fish producing nations of the world after China. It also helps in augmenting food supply, generating employment, raising nutritional level and earning valuable foreign exchange. In India, fishing is categorised into two types, they are,

1. Marine or Sea Fisheries

2. Inland or Fresh Water Fisheries

Fisheries

1. Marine or Sea Fisheries: It includes coastal, off-shore and deep sea fisheries mainly on the continental shelves. Kerala leads in the marine fish production in India.

2. Inland or Fresh Water Fisheries: Rivers, lakes, canals, reservoirs, ponds, tanks, etc., are the sources of fresh water fisheries. About 50 percent of the country’s total fish production comes from the inland fisheries and Andhra Pradesh is the leading producer in India.

In India, the important varieties of fishes caught by the fisherman are Cat fish, Herrings, Mackerels, Perches, Eels, Mullets, etc.

3.7 Major issues faced by farmers in India#

Small and fragmented land-holdings

The problem of small and fragmented holdings is more serious in densely populated and intensively cultivated states in India.

High Costs of Inputs

Good quality seeds are out of reach for many small and marginal farmers due to their high price.

Infertile Soil

Indian soils have been used for growing crops over thousands of years without caring much for replenishing. This has led to depletion and exhaustion of soils resulting in low productivity.

Lack of Irrigation

Only one-third of the cropped area falls under irrigated area. To make agriculture reliable, irrigation facility has to be developed.

Lack of mechanization

In spite of the large scale mechanization of agriculture in some parts of the country, most of the agricultural operations in larger parts are carried on by human hand using simple and conventional tools.

Soil erosion

Large tracts of fertile land suffer from soil erosion by wind and water.

Agricultural marketing

Due to the absence of sound marketing facility, the farmers have to depend on local traders and middlemen for the disposal of their farm products which is sold at low price. Besides, there is a fluctuation in the prices of agriculture products.

Inadequate storage facilities

Storage facilities in the rural areas are either totally absent or grossly inadequate. Under such conditions the farmers are compelled to sell their products immediately after the harvest irrespective of the condition of market.

Inadequate transport

One of the main handicaps with Indian agriculture is the lack of cheap and efficient means of transportation.

Scarcity of capital

Agriculture is an important industry which requires a huge capital. The role of capital plays a major role in the purchase of advanced farm machineries and equipments.

SUMMARY#

Soil is the finest particle found on the earth surface.

The main sources of irrigation found in India are canal irrigation, well irrigation and tank irrigation, etc.

Kharif, Rabi, and Zaid are the three cropping seasons of India.

The agricultural crops of India can be divided into food crops, cash crops, plantation crops and horticultural crops.

Fishing in India is categorized into marine fishing and inland fishing.

EXERCISE#

I Choose the correct answer

1. The soil which is rich in iron oxides is __________. a) Alluvial b) Black c) Red d) Alkaline

2. Which of the following organization has divided the Indian soils into 8 major groups? a) Indian Council of Agricultural Research b) Indian Meteorological Department c) Soil Survey of India d) Indian Institute of Soil Science

3. The soils formed by the rivers are: a) Red soils b) Black soils c) Desert soils d) Alluvial soils

4. _________ is the highest gravity dam in India. a) Hirakud Dam b) Bhakra Nangal Dam c) Mettur Dam d) Nagarjuna Sagar Dam

5. __________ is a cash crop. a) Cotton b) Wheat c) Rice d) Maize

6. Black soils are also called as: a) Arid soils b) Saline soils c) Regur soils d) Mountain soils

7. The longest dam in the world is ___________. a) Mettur Dam b) Kosi Dam c) Hirakud Dam d) Bhakra-Nangal Dam

8. Which crop is called as “Golden Fibre” in India?

a) Cotton b) Wheat c) Jute d) Tobacco

II Consider the given statements and

choose the right option given below

1. Assertion

(A):

Horticulture involves cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and flowers.

Reason (R): India ranks first in the world in the production of mango, banana, and citrus fruits.

(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) explains (A)

(b) Both (A) and (R)are true: (R) does not explain (A)

(c) (A) is correct (R) is false

(d) (A) is false (R) is true

2. Assertion (A): Alluvial soil is formed by the deposition of eroded and decayed materials brought by the rivers.

Reason (R): Paddy and wheat are grown well in the soil.

(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) explains (A)

(b) Both (A) and (R)are true and (R) does not explain (A)

(c) (A) is correct (R) is false

(d) (A) is false (R) is true

III Pick the odd one out

1. a) Wheat b) Rice c) Millets d) Coffee

2. a) Khadar b) Bhangar c) Alluvial soil d) Black soil

3. a) Inundational canals b) Perennial canals c) Tanks d) Canals

IV Match the following

1. Sugar bowl of India

• Mahanadi

2. Coffee

• Golden revolution

3. Tehri

• Karnataka

4. Hirakud

• Uttar Pradesh and Bihar

5. Horticulture - Highest dam in the India

V Answer in brief

1. Define soil.

2. Name the types of soil found in India.

3. State any two characteristics of black cotton soil.

4. Define Agriculture.

5. State the types of agriculture practices in India.

6. Name the seasons of agriculture in India?

7. Mention the plantation crops of India.

8. Write a brief note on the categories of fisheries in India?

VI Give reasons

1. Agriculture is the backbone of India.

2. Rain water harvesting is necessary.

VII Distinguish between the following

1. Rabi and Kharif crop seasons.

2. Inundational canal and perennial canal.

3. Marine fishing and Inland fishing.

4. Alluvial soils and Black soils.

VIII Answer in a paragraph

1. State any five types of soil in India and explain the characteristics and distribution of soil.

2. What is multipurpose projects and write about any two multipurpose projects of India.

3. Bring out the characteristics of Intensive and mixed farming.

4. Examine the geographical conditions favourable for the cultivation of rice and wheat.

IX Hot questions

1. Can you imagine a world without agriculture?

2. Can you give solutions for the prevailing water disputes in South India?

X Map exercise

1. Demarcate the major tracts of alluvial soils.

2. Delineate the main regions of black soil.

3. Locate the Hirakud Dam, Mettur Dam and Damodar Dam.

4. Shade the regions of jute cultivation..

5. Mark any three tea and coffee growing areas.

6. Demarcate the regions of desert soil.

7. Locate the fishing hubs: Tuticorin, Chennai, Cochin, Mumbai, Machilipatnam

8. Demarcate: Cauveri delta, Godavari delta

REFERENCE BOOKS#

1. Singh, G. (1976). A Geography of India. Atma Ram & Sons Publications, New Delhi.

2. Siddhartha, K. and Mukherjee, S. (2013). Geography through Maps (11th Edition). Kisalaya Publications Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi.

3. Husain, M. (2015). Geography of India (6th Edition). McGraw Hill Education, New Delhi.

4. Sharma, T.C. and Coutinho, O. (1978). Economic and Commercial Geography India (2nd Edition). Vikas Publishing House Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi.

5. Mamoria, C.B. (1980). Economic and Commercial Geography of India. Shiva Lal Agarwala & Company, Agra.

INTERNET RESOURCES#

1. https://extension.psu.edu/introductionto-soils-managing-soils

2. http://mospi.nic.in/statistical-year-bookindia/2017/181

3. http://www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/ wrpinfo/index.php?title=Multi_ Purpose_Projects

4. http://dahd.nic.in/sites/default/filess/ Volume%20I.pdf