Agriculture Sector

Agriculture in India can be best defined as the practice of cultivating plants and livestock. Plant and wild grains cultivation began years ago. Pigs, sheep, and cattle were also domesticated over 10,000 years ago. The Agriculture sector was broadly classified into groups like food, fibres, fuels, and raw material. India ranks one among the leading exporters of agricultural products in the world. India ranks second in the production of rice, wheat, sugarcane, and many other fruits and vegetables. 

Agriculture in India gives employment to one-third of the world’s workers. The processed food market also has good growth in India’s agriculture sector. Studies show that India can easily feed its growing population with the available resources in its agriculture sector.

The sugar industry in India is one of the most significant agro-based industries. This helps in the livelihood of many farmers and their families. One fastest-growing industry in India is the agricultural sector. Over the past 60 years, the sector of agriculture in India has shown a wide increase of mass annual production for many agricultural products. There are many terms that help and also affect farming in India.

Benefits Of Agriculture In India

India has a diverse agriculture sector. India also has the largest herds of buffalo and cattle. This is the reason for the largest producer of milk and fastest-growing poultry industries in India. 

1. Major Products And Yields – Statistical database of Agriculture Organization Corporate shows the major growth of products with their amount of yields in a particular year.
2. World’s Largest Producer – India’s agricultural sector has brought much fame to the nation. India has ranked and topped among many other nations as leading producers of a variety of agricultural products.
3. Horticulture – Fruits, vegetables, and nuts have also doubled in their production in India. The production of horticulture also exceeded grain production in 2012.
4. Organic Agriculture in India – Organic agriculture in India has fed the nation for many years. It achieves a premium place in today’s market.

Types Of Farming In India

Farming is one of the important activities followed in India. Geographical conditions and demand for a product are the main factors of farming in India. There are three main types of farming in India:

Subsistence Farming

• It is also known as family farming. Subsistence farming meets the daily needs of the farmer’s family.
• A small plot of land, low-cost tools, and more labour are involved in this type of farming.
• Since electricity and irrigation are not available, this type of farming in India is done manually.
• Sunny days are more helpful for this farming.
• This type of farming is a quick regeneration of growth

Commercial Farming

• Unlike the other types of farming in India, where crops are grown for sale in the market.
• Large areas and a high level of technology are involved in this type of farming.
• Grains are harvested in this type of farming.
• The Winter season is more favourable for this type of farming. At a time only one single crop can be grown

Home Farming

• This farming is done by people at home for their own recreation.
• This is one of the easiest types of farming in India.
• A small space at home and simple tools are enough for this farming. It requires only less labour.
• Any type of weather is suitable for the plants grown in this type of farming.
• Many flowering or non-flowering are cultivated in home farming

Problems Of Agriculture In India 

Food and Agriculture Organization, in 2003 analyzed systematic problems of agriculture in India, for the agricultural growth from 1970 to 2001.

• Productivity – India has a sufficient supply of food staples, yet the productivity of its farms is less when compared to Brazil, the United States and France. For example, Compared to France, wheat farms in India produce only about one-third of the wheat per hectare.
• Infrastructure – Poor rural roads in agricultural roads affect harvesting and reaping from Indian farms. Inadequate irrigation systems lead to failures in crops in many parts of the country due to a lack of water supply.
• Deaths of Farmer –  Monsoon failure, public mental health, personal issues, high debt burdens, government policies, and family problems are reasons for farmer suicides in India.
• Land Used For Non-Agricultural Purpose – The main reason for problems of agriculture in India is that lands are being used for building purposes. Trees are cut down which brings natural disasters in India.

Environmental Impact

Environment and nature are a great cause for good agricultural growth in India. There are various causes that lie behind the environment. The following become the problems of agriculture in India.

• Effects and costs – The agriculture sector seeks to reduce cost and increase yield
• Livestock Issues – Deforestation and land degradation are the main reason for driving the reduction in livestock
• Land And Water Issues – Land and water are being highly polluted with chemicals that affect the mineral growth of the soil.
• Pesticides – Pesticides is an alternative way of replacing good agronomic ways like crop rotation in many types of farming in India
• Climate Change – Agricultural sector and climate change are both interrelated. Though global warming affects the growth of agricultural farms, climatic changes help their growth
• Sustainability – Advancements in technology help farmers with different tools and techniques to make the agricultural sector more sustainable
• Energy Dependence – Fossil fuels are used in Industrialized agriculture. Direct and Indirect consumption of energy can be used to operate farm vehicles

Conclusion

Start-ups in agriculture have been started by young ones. They understand the needs and availability. Efforts are being put to face all the challenges in the agricultural sector into opportunities and this helps in the future of agriculture. More new technologies are being implemented for faster and better growth of agricultural farms. 

Overall, the agricultural sector in India is a huge employer to many in the country. Increasing population, globalisation effects and increasing average income increases the demand for the agriculture sector in India. There is high demand for quantity, quality and nutritious food for people throughout the world. Therefore, the importance and need for the agricultural sector keep increasing day by day in the nation.