Question

Give main characteristics of subsistence agriculture in India.

Answer 1

Feature of Subsistence farming:

1. It is characherised by small and scattered land holdings use of primitive tools.
2. Farmers donot use fertilizers and high yielding varieties of seeds as they are poor.
3. Electricity and irrigation facilities are not generally available to them which results in lo w productivity
4. Most of the food production ids consumed by farmers and their families.
5. Where facilities like electricity and irrigation are available farming has improved.
6. Important cash crops like sugar cane, oilseeds, cotton and jute are not grown.
7. Dryland farming is practidsed in areas where rainfall is low and irrigation facilities are inadequate
8. High population pressure
9. Many crops from same field
10. More limits of human labour
11. Ordinary tools of agriculture are used
12. Extensive use of fertilizers are used