In total, India has nine main types of agriculture or farming. It relies on the land's characteristics, the presence of irrigation facilities, and the local weather. Here is a list of India's nine main agricultural types:
- Commercial agriculture
- Plantation agriculture
- Subsistence agriculture
- Shifting agriculture
- Large-scale farming
- Terrace farming
- Intensive agriculture
- Wetland farming
- Rainfed Agriculture
Introduction
India is the country with the second-largest amount of arable land on earth. Every one of the 15 major habitats on the planet—20 Agro-climatic locales—exists in India. In addition, 46 of the world's 60 soil types are present in this country. India ranks first in the production of tastes, beats, milk, tea, cashews, and jute and second in the production of wheat, rice, agricultural products, sugarcane, cotton, and oilseeds.
An important role for horticulture in India's economy. For more than 58% of rural families, farming is their primary source of income. The Indian food industry has huge potential for growth. Its dedication to global food exchange is continuously growing as a result of the enormous potential for esteem growth, particularly within the food handling business. Indian continues to hold onto sixth place in the global food and staples industry, with 70% of transactions coming from retail. The food handling sector makes up 32% of the country's market for complete foods. It is most likely India's largest industry. Regarding use, creation, sendout, and predicted growth, it comes in fifth place. It contributes 8.80 percent of the Gross Value Added (GVA) in manufacturing, 8.39 percent of the GVA in agriculture, 6% of all out contemporary speculation, and 13% of India's exports.
Types of Agriculture
- Commercial agriculture - Important commercial crops include corn, sugarcane, wheat, and cotton. Commercial agriculture is primarily done to grow large crops and export crops to other countries for good income. This type of agriculture is practised in the states of Maharashtra, Punjab, Gujarat and Haryana in India.
- Plantation agriculture- This type of agriculture is done to grow fruit trees, spices, tea, coffee, rubber, coconut, etc. Farm farming is done with the aim of exporting it to other countries and earning huge income. Plantation farming is mainly practised in the Indian states of Maharashtra, Assam, Karnataka and Kerala.
- Subsistence agriculture - This type of farming is mainly done on small plots owned by poor farmers. Here, agricultural products are mainly consumed by poor farming families. High-yielding seeds and fertilisers are not used in this type of agriculture.
- Shifting Agriculture- The tribal communities frequently employ this method of farming to raise crops. Crops are sown once the land has been cleared of its forest cover. Another plot of land is cleared, and crops are moved there as the original area loses its fertility. In this form of farming, dry paddy, maize, millets, and vegetables are the most popular crops. Different parts of India have different names for this technique. For instance, it is known as Podu in AP and Odisha, Jhum in Assam, Onam in Kerala, Bewar, Masha, Penda, and Bera in MP. However, governments have tried to prohibit this practice of indigenous people cultivating since it causes significant soil erosion.
- Large-scale farming- Large-scale agriculture involves growing large areas of land to produce food. Low input is known as low output. This type of agriculture is usually practised by people who live in areas where the quality of the soil is not suitable for growing agricultural crops, such as forests and pastures. Animals suitable for sunny and rainy areas. Most people in developed countries prefer large-scale agriculture. This is because most of the land in these countries is used for intensive cultivation or is protected. This type of agriculture requires large areas of land to produce food for human consumption. soil and precipitation, rather than intensive methods that use chemicals.
- Terrace farming- hillsides and mountains are cleared to create terraces and use land like permanent agriculture. Due to the scarcity of flat land, terraces are built to create small patches of flat land. Soil erosion due to the formation of terraces on the hillsides is also investigated.
- Intensive agriculture- In regions where irrigation has been available, farmers utilise fertilisers and pesticides extensively to cover their land with seeds that have a high yield. It is also known as industrial agriculture. It entails a larger use of resources like labour and capital per unit of land area. Inputs per unit of land are lower in traditional agriculture, which is where it differs.
- Wetland farming- Severe monsoon rains and associated flooding impact several parts of India. All well-irrigated locations, including those in northeast India and the Western Ghats, are suited for this.
- Rainfed Agriculture- Rainfed agriculture is practised in drier, desert-like regions of the country, including the northwest and central India. In these conditions, crops such as gram, bajra, and chickpeas are grown. Arid and semi-arid regions with rainfall of 750-1150 mm and low availability of water for crops are selected for such cultivation.