Traditional Farming and Modern Farming

Traditional farming in the Indian context refers to farming that is done with embedded knowledge and wisdom that has been accumulated over many generations of experience. The majority of information is conveyed via visual and aural instructions. It is often well adapted to the circumstances of the area. The gene pool that was employed was developed in-house and was well acclimated to the local environment. It is said to be more self-sufficient. Traditional agricultural practices, on the other hand, have received less attention in terms of documentation. Therefore, the current educated population is completely uninformed of it and, as a consequence, unable to appreciate it. When it comes to any activity, it takes a holistic approach and is integrated into the daily lives of those who engage in it.

Farming under the traditional farming system is characterised by the absence of modernization and the absence of any degree of commercialization in the agricultural sector. The use of traditional ways, from labour to seeds, is made throughout. It is an old food production technique that has been in use for thousands of years without the benefit of modern technology or advancement. The majority of this sort of farming is done for subsistence purposes. Ploughs and other conventional agricultural equipment are still in use in the country.

The following are some of the benefits of Traditional Agriculture:

• Because we can utilise natural manures such as vermicompost and cow dung manure instead of chemical fertilisers, we can save money on fertilisers

• Because of the absence of chemical fertilisers, there is a reduction in the amount of water required

• Because we are just utilising natural fertilisers, the cultivable area is well suited for the multi-crop style of agriculture

• The old approach has a cheap cost of production since it uses fewer resources

• Because organic farming is used, the food is completely safe to ingest

Disadvantages of Traditional Farming

• Traditional farming requires farmers to spend around 15 hours harvesting their crops, but high-tech farming requires just a few hours

• Because it takes a long time to harvest, it must be sold at a high price in order to recoup the costs of the time spent maturing the crops

• Farming in the traditional manner makes use of soil
• As a result, decomposition consumes the vast majority of available time
• Furthermore, the crops are at a greater risk of contracting soil disease as a result of this

• In order to keep pests from attacking crops, pesticides are applied
• As a result, plants are not in good health

Modern Farming

“Modern” farming is a form of farming that disregards this ingrained knowledge and claims to be superior to conventional ways of production. Furthermore, the contemporary is more capital-intensive and large-scale in nature, and it makes little use of the massive gene pool that India has to provide. It is a monoculture that does not take into consideration local resources, context, climate, or other factors, and it sticks out like a sore thumb in the community.

Modern farming refers to the practice of farming employing contemporary methods and technology. Modern science, as well as many new features of discoveries and innovations, make it possible to practise farming. Modern agriculture makes use of modern irrigation systems as well as new sources of capital investment. 

Agriculture in the present day offers the farmer a commercialised vocation and a wide range of job opportunities. From drip irrigation to spray irrigation to canal systems to the employment of modern technology for cultivation to harvesting, new methods are being used, as well as high-yielding hybrid HYV seeds being used. Furthermore, the contemporary agricultural system provides sufficient resources and opportunities for side companies, as well as for any service-providing operations, in addition to supporting the principal activity.

Advantages of Modern Farming

• Provision of food to the whole public without a lack of food grains

• The land is being used to its full potential (Crop intensity of more than 300 per cent)
• Foodgrain output has increased as a result

• Global Market – even our mangoes are accessible in the United States, and we are importing California apples as well as other fruits

• Because of the growth of factories and the usage of machines, this sector is expanding and creating excellent jobs

Disadvantages of Modern Farming

• Excessive use of fertilisers results in soil salinization and depletion of micronutrients

• It results in the creation of a false sense of security

• Modern devices are expensive, and hence out of reach for most people

• The uniqueness of the product is eroding

Conclusion

Because the conventional agricultural system is geared toward meeting the food requirements of farmers, it is unsuitable for meeting the demands of an ever-increasing population of people. Modern agriculture, on the other hand, is focused on attempts to fulfil human food demands as well as species breeding agriculture, with the goal of optimising farming to provide high-quality food.