Describe the farming methods used by Indian farmers.
Agricultural Methods used by the Indian Farmer
Farming is one of the oldest work activities in India. The different regions have used different methods of farming. However, all these methods have significantly transformed over the years with changes in weather and climatic conditions, technological innovations and socio-cultural practices. The Farming methods common in India are as follows:
1) Primitive Subsistence Farming
2) Intensive Subsistence Farming
3) Commercial Farming
1. Primitive Subsistence Farming:
The primitive farming method and farmers are still used in some parts of the country. This type of subsistence farming is normally done on the small areas of land with the uses of indigenous tools like a hoe, dao, digging sticks, etc. Usually, a family or the local communities of Indian farmers are engaged in these farming methods that use the output for their own eating use. This is the most natural method, where the growth of crops but dependent on the rain, heat, fertility of the soil and other environmental conditions.
The key to this farming technique is the ‘slash and burn’ technique. In this method, once the crops are grown and harvested, the farmers used to burn the land. Then they move to a clear patch of land for a new batch of cultivation of land. Because of these the land gains back its fertility, naturally. Because no fertilizers are used for cultivation, the primitive subsistence method yields good quality crops and also retains the properties of the soil back.
2. Intensive Subsistence Farming:
Intensive Subsistence Farming another variation of subsistence farming. In this method, cultivation happens across the large areas of land and thus, it required more labor for work. Also, to get a high amount of produce chemical fertilizers and different irrigation methods are used to yield more crops.
The Intensive subsistence farming yields two types of crops one is wet and the second is dry. The wet crops include paddy and for dry ones varies from wheat, pulses, maize, millets, soya-beans, tubers, and vegetables.
3. Commercial Farming
In this farming method, the Indian farmer uses a high amount of fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides to enhance and maintain the growth of the crops. Depending on the crop best suited to the respective weather and soil, commercial farming in India varies across different regions.
For example, Haryana, Punjab and West Bengal grow rice commercially, while it is a subsistence crop in Orissa. Major crops grown commercially in India are wheat, pulses, millets, maize and other grains, vegetables, and fruits.
This type of farming is what contributes to the country’s economy with huge volumes of yield. In fact, the crops grown commercially in India are used as an export item across the world.
Agricultural Methods used by the Indian Farmer
Farming is one of the oldest work activities in India. The different regions have used different methods of farming. However, all these methods have significantly transformed over the years with changes in weather and climatic conditions, technological innovations and socio-cultural practices. The Farming methods common in India are as follows:
1) Primitive Subsistence Farming
2) Intensive Subsistence Farming
3) Commercial Farming
1. Primitive Subsistence Farming:
The primitive farming method and farmers are still used in some parts of the country. This type of subsistence farming is normally done on the small areas of land with the uses of indigenous tools like a hoe, dao, digging sticks, etc. Usually, a family or the local communities of Indian farmers are engaged in these farming methods that use the output for their own eating use. This is the most natural method, where the growth of crops but dependent on the rain, heat, fertility of the soil and other environmental conditions.
The key to this farming technique is the ‘slash and burn’ technique. In this method, once the crops are grown and harvested, the farmers used to burn the land. Then they move to a clear patch of land for a new batch of cultivation of land. Because of these the land gains back its fertility, naturally. Because no fertilizers are used for cultivation, the primitive subsistence method yields good quality crops and also retains the properties of the soil back.
2. Intensive Subsistence Farming:
Intensive Subsistence Farming another variation of subsistence farming. In this method, cultivation happens across the large areas of land and thus, it required more labor for work. Also, to get a high amount of produce chemical fertilizers and different irrigation methods are used to yield more crops.
The Intensive subsistence farming yields two types of crops one is wet and the second is dry. The wet crops include paddy and for dry ones varies from wheat, pulses, maize, millets, soya-beans, tubers, and vegetables.
3. Commercial Farming
In this farming method, the Indian farmer uses a high amount of fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides to enhance and maintain the growth of the crops. Depending on the crop best suited to the respective weather and soil, commercial farming in India varies across different regions.
For example, Haryana, Punjab and West Bengal grow rice commercially, while it is a subsistence crop in Orissa. Major crops grown commercially in India are wheat, pulses, millets, maize and other grains, vegetables, and fruits.
This type of farming is what contributes to the country’s economy with huge volumes of yield. In fact, the crops grown commercially in India are used as an export item across the world.
