Agriculture in India

1. Historical Aspects

1.1 Ancient Period (3000 BCE – 500 CE)

• Indus Valley Civilization (3000 BCE – 1300 BCE): Early agriculture based on wheat, barley, millet, and cotton.
• Vedic Period (1500 BCE – 500 BCE): Introduction of rice cultivation in the Ganga basin.
• Mauryan Empire (321 BCE – 185 BCE): Agricultural surplus supported urbanization and military campaigns.
• Ashoka’s Era (3rd century BCE): Emphasis on irrigation and agricultural development through state intervention.

1.2 Medieval Period (500 CE – 1500 CE)

• Introduction of New Crops: Champa rice (from China), sugarcane, and cotton.
• Land Revenue Systems: Establishment of land revenue systems like the Chauth and Sardeshmukhi under Marathas.
• Mughal Period (1526 – 1707): Development of irrigation systems and canals; introduction of crop rotation.

1.3 British Colonial Period (1757 – 1947)

• Land Revenue Policies:
  • Permanent Settlement (1793): Fixed revenue from zamindars, led to neglect of agriculture.
  • RYOTWARI SYSTEM: Direct revenue collection from peasants.
  • Mahalwari System: Revenue collection from village communities.
• Commercialization of Agriculture: Shift from subsistence to cash crops like indigo, tea, and jute.
• British Agricultural Revolution: Introduction of modern farming techniques, seeds, and machinery.
• Impact of Colonial Policies: Led to land fragmentation, degradation of soil, and food insecurity.

2. Current Stage

2.1 Major Crops

2.2 Agricultural Structure

• Small and Marginal Farmers: Account for 86% of total holdings.
• Land Fragmentation: Average landholding size is less than 2 hectares.
• Use of Technology: Limited adoption of precision farming, GPS-based tools, and drones.
• Irrigation: Only 45% of cultivated land is under irrigation.
• Water Scarcity: Overuse of groundwater in Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat.

2.3 Challenges

• Climate Change: Unpredictable monsoons, droughts, and floods.
• Soil Degradation: Loss of fertility due to overuse of chemical fertilizers.
• Market Access: Poor infrastructure and lack of cold storage facilities.
• Labour Shortage: Migration of rural workforce to urban areas.
• Input Costs: High cost of seeds, fertilizers, and machinery.

3. Policies

3.1 Pre-Independence Policies

• British Land Revenue Systems: As discussed earlier.
• Colonial Agricultural Policies: Focused on export crops and commercialization.

3.2 Post-Independence Policies

3.2.1 Land Reforms

• Land Ceiling Acts (1950s): Limited land holdings to prevent concentration of land.
• Tenancy Reforms: Abolition of zamindari system and sharecropping.
• Land Redistribution: Aimed at improving land ownership among peasants.

3.2.2 Green Revolution (1960s – 1970s)

• Key Features:
  • Introduction of high-yielding varieties (HYVs) of wheat and rice.
  • Use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
  • Irrigation expansion through canals and tube wells.
• Impact:
  • Increased food production and self-sufficiency.
  • Regional Disparities: Benefited Punjab, Haryana, and Western UP more than other regions.
  • Environmental Issues: Soil degradation, waterlogging, and salinity.

3.2.3 Modern Agricultural Policies

3.2.3.1 National Food Security Mission (NFSM)

• Objective: Enhance production of rice, wheat, and pulses.
• Focus: Soil health, organic farming, and crop diversification.

3.2.3.2 Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)

• Launched in 2018.
• Beneficiaries: Small and marginal farmers.
• Amount: Rs. 6,000 per farmer annually in three installments.
• Purpose: To provide financial support and reduce input costs.

3.2.3.3 Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)

• Launched in 2015.
• Objective: Promote organic farming and certified organic products.
• Focus: Training, infrastructure, and market linkages.

3.2.3.4 National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)

• Launched in 2019.
• Focus: Climate resilience, sustainable resource use, and technology adoption.
• Key Components: Soil health cards, water conservation, and crop insurance.

3.2.3.5 e-NAM (National Agricultural Market)

• Launched in 2016.
• Objective: Create a national market platform for agricultural produce.
• Features: Online trading, price discovery, and transparency.
• Impact: Reduced middlemen, improved market access, and better prices for farmers.

3.3 Key Acts and Schemes

3.4 Important Terms and Definitions

• Green Revolution: A period of rapid increase in agricultural productivity in the 1960s-1970s.
• Land Ceiling: Legal limit on the amount of land an individual can own.
• Tenancy Reforms: Measures to improve the rights and conditions of tenant farmers.
• High-Yielding Varieties (HYVs): Seeds that produce higher yields but require more water and fertilizers.
• Soil Health Card: A document providing information on soil nutrients and recommendations for fertilizers.
• e-NAM: Electronic National Agricultural Market for online trading of agricultural products.

3.5 Frequently Asked Questions (SSC, RRB)

• What was the main crop during the Indus Valley Civilization?
  • Wheat, barley, millet, and cotton.
• Which British policy led to the concentration of land in the hands of zamindars?
  • Permanent Settlement (1793).
• Which state is the largest producer of rice in India?
  • West Bengal.
• What is the purpose of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi?
  • To provide financial support to small and marginal farmers.
• What is the main objective of the National Food Security Mission?
  • To increase production of rice, wheat, and pulses.
• Which act abolished the zamindari system?
  • Zamindari Abolition Act (1950s).
• What is the main challenge in modern Indian agriculture?
  • Climate change, soil degradation, and water scarcity.
• Which scheme promotes organic farming in India?
  • Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY).