Agriculture Booster- Commercialization of Agriculture

Commercialization of agriculture

Commercialization of agriculture means production of agricultural crops for sale in the market, rather than for family consumption. For marketization of agricultural products thus ‘surplus’ of production over consumption is required. But agriculture at that time was merely of the subsistence type. It had not been a consequence of conscious response of peasants to the market forces.

Commercialization of Agriculture In India

The transition of India’s agriculture to commercial propositions was the result of a series of developments which took place in the second half of the 19th century.

The introduction of Money–economy: Firstly, the process of commercialization snow-balled with the introduction of money into the village. However, trade and money relations existed in the countryside even during the Mughal reign. As soon as the EIC desperately began to acquire more and more territories it insisted land tax to be paid in cash. The British rule introduced cash assessments in the system of land revenue. Gradually, the former system of payment of land revenue in kind went out of fashion. This compelled the cultivator to sell a part of his produce. This was, however, not the whole problem. A new merchant class appeared in rural India who took advantage of the abysmal indebtedness of the peasantry.

Ease of means of Communication

Secondly, the effect of monetization could not go far until internal means of transport were improved. The railway lines were built by the British rulers. The agricultural crops reached the parts of the then Madras, Calcutta, Bombay or Karachi from self-sufficient villages with the expansion of the railway lines. “The commercialisation of agriculture had progressed most in those tracts where the crops were largely grown for export out of the country. Through the operations of exporters an efficient market organisation for moving the crops quickly to the Ports had come into existence.”

The basic motive behind the tremendous spurt in the construction of the railway lines was to subserve the interests of the British industrialists in England. The colonial commerce brought Industrial revolution there. The raw material of British Cotton Industry was almost entirely colonial, if not purely Indian.

Consequences of Commercialization of Agriculture

The opening up of national and international markets for agricultural goods of India should have served as a catalytic agent in the development of agriculture in India! But the actual results were different. It is said that trade is ‘indirect production’ and ‘efficient production’. But paradoxically, Indian Agriculture lacked responsiveness to these forces of Trade and Commerce. Agriculture became the hand-maiden of trade.

Commercial interests became the guiding star. By the second half of the 19th century, overseas trade came under British control. So the bulk of the profits from the agricultural surplus was appropriated by the British business houses and went out of the country as ‘foreign leakage’. And, in the process, a new merchant class emerged as subsidiary and junior partners of the British mercantile capital. In the ultimate analysis, merchants became the symbol of colonial exploitation.

The Effects of Commercialisation of Agriculture

The Growth of commercialization will impoverish India as the funds earned through this, will get accumulated in companies treasury
The commercialisation of agriculture will add an element of stability to India’s rural economy.
Commercialization will check the growth of labour market, land market, input market and credit market
One of the advantages of commercialisation is that it significantly increases food production, allowing local consumers to buy the same quantity of food for a lower price.

Problem in commercialization Level of Investment required for development of Marketing and storage Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE is very huge. Government is not able to implement the schemes to raise investment in marketing infrastructure. This scheme includes construction of rural godowns, market research and information Network. High cost of agricultural inputs, POVERTY, high interest rates, Corruption, illiteracy, political interferences, unfavourable government regulatory Environment, information gap, among others are some of the challenges in commercialization of agriculture.

Commercialization of Agriculture in india

Till the end of the first half of the 19th century, the Indian village was essentially self-sufficient. It had hardly any contact with the world outside except for the occasional visits of the grain or cloth merchant who carried the surplus of one village to make good the deficiency of another. In such a village, production was dictated by its self-sufficient character.

The development of transport and Foreign Trade led to the introduction of a variety of new crops such as tobacco, groundnuts and potatoes while, at a later stage, the Commercial requirements of the Company led it to encourage the cultivation of indigo, jute, tea and coffee.

Dependent as he became on foreign markets, the farmer now realised that it was more paying to live on the profits earned from his farm than on the products that he grew. This change in Indian agriculture is called the commercialisation of Agriculture.

A point worth noting is that all these crops, which now came in vogue, had been grown for a long time on small patches around every village. The change which now came about was not so much an increase in the total area under commercial crops. This was not possible because India had also to produce sufficient food grains for her increasing Population.

The change which came about with commercialisation was in the direction of increasing localisation and specialisation. The irrigated areas in Deccan took to the cultivation sugar-cane; cotton growing became localised in Berar, Jute in Bengal and wheat in the canal colonies of the Punjab.

Agriculture is the practice of cultivating Plants and Livestock. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that enabled people to live in cities. The history of agriculture began thousands of years ago. After gathering wild grains beginning at least 105,000 years ago, nascent farmers began to plant them around 11,500 years ago. Pigs, sheep and cattle were domesticated over 10,000 years ago. Plants were independently cultivated in at least 11 regions of the world.

Industrial agriculture based on large-scale Monoculture in the twentieth century came to dominate agricultural output, though about 2 billion people still depended on subsistence agriculture into the twenty-first.

Modern agronomy, plant breeding, agrochemicals such as pesticides and Fertilizers, and technological developments have sharply increased yields, while causing widespread ecological and environmental damage. Selective breeding and modern practices in Animal Husbandry have similarly increased the output of meat, but have raised concerns about animal welfare and environmental damage. Environmental issues include contributions to Global Warming, depletion of aquifers, deforestation, antibiotic resistance, growth HORMONES in industrial meat production and the impact of modern agricultural practices on the Health of farmers.

The commercialization of agriculture is the process by which agriculture becomes increasingly organized around the production of goods for sale in the market. This process has been underway for centuries, but it has accelerated in recent decades. The commercialization of agriculture has had a profound impact on the way that food is produced and consumed.

One of the most significant impacts of the commercialization of agriculture has been the rise of large-scale, industrial agriculture. Industrial agriculture is characterized by the use of large-scale machinery, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides. This type of agriculture is highly efficient, but it can also be environmentally destructive.

Another impact of the commercialization of agriculture has been the decline of small-scale farming. Small-scale farmers are often unable to compete with large-scale industrial farms. As a result, many small-scale farmers have been forced to abandon their farms or sell them to larger corporations.

The commercialization of agriculture has also had a significant impact on the way that food is distributed. In the past, food was typically produced locally and consumed locally. However, with the rise of industrial agriculture, food is now often produced in one part of the world and consumed in another. This has led to a decline in the diversity of food that is available to consumers.

The commercialization of agriculture has also had a significant impact on the way that food is marketed. In the past, food was typically marketed to consumers based on its nutritional value. However, with the rise of industrial agriculture, food is now often marketed based on its taste, appearance, and convenience. This has led to an increase in the consumption of processed foods, which are often high in sugar, fat, and salt.

The commercialization of agriculture has had a profound impact on the way that food is produced, distributed, and marketed. While this process has led to some benefits, it has also had some negative consequences. It is important to be aware of these consequences so that we can make informed decisions about the future of agriculture.

Here are some of the benefits of the commercialization of agriculture:

Increased food production: The commercialization of agriculture has led to a dramatic increase in the amount of food that is produced. This has helped to feed the world’s growing population.
Lower food prices: The commercialization of agriculture has also led to lower food prices. This has made food more affordable for people around the world.
Increased efficiency: The commercialization of agriculture has led to increased efficiency in the production of food. This has helped to reduce the amount of land, water, and energy that is used to produce food.

Here are some of the negative consequences of the commercialization of agriculture:

Environmental damage: The commercialization of agriculture has led to environmental damage, such as deforestation, Soil erosion, and Water Pollution.
Social problems: The commercialization of agriculture has led to social problems, such as rural poverty, farmworker exploitation, and food insecurity.
Health problems: The commercialization of agriculture has led to health problems, such as obesity, heart disease, and cancer.

It is important to weigh the benefits and costs of the commercialization of agriculture before making any decisions about the future of agriculture.

Here are some frequently asked questions about agriculture:

What is agriculture?
Agriculture is the practice of cultivating plants and livestock. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that enabled people to live in cities. The history of agriculture began thousands of years ago. After gathering wild grains beginning at least 105,000 years ago, nascent farmers began to plant them around 11,500 years ago. Pigs, sheep and cattle were domesticated over 10,000 years ago. Plants were independently cultivated in at least 11 regions of the world.
What are the different types of agriculture?
There are many different types of agriculture, but some of the most common include:
Subsistence agriculture: This type of agriculture is used to meet the basic needs of the farmer and their family. It is often practiced in developing countries, where there is a lack of Resources and infrastructure.
Commercial agriculture: This type of agriculture is used to produce crops or livestock for sale. It is often practiced in developed countries, where there is a large market for agricultural products.
Industrial agriculture: This type of agriculture is characterized by the use of large-scale machinery and technology. It is often practiced in developed countries, where there is a need to produce large quantities of food at a low cost.
Organic agriculture: This type of agriculture is based on the principles of sustainability and environmental protection. It does not use synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers.
Sustainable Agriculture: This type of agriculture is designed to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It includes practices such as Crop Rotation, cover Cropping, and no-till farming.
What are the benefits of agriculture?
Agriculture provides many benefits to Society, including:
Food: Agriculture is the primary source of food for humans. It provides us with a variety of nutritious crops and livestock products.
Fiber: Agriculture is also a source of fiber, which is used to make clothing, paper, and other products.
Fuel: Agriculture can be used to produce biofuels, which are a renewable Source Of Energy.
EMPLOYMENT: Agriculture provides jobs for millions of people around the world.
Economic Development: Agriculture can help to stimulate economic development in rural areas.
Environmental protection: Agriculture can be used to protect the environment by conserving water, preventing soil erosion, and reducing pollution.
What are the challenges of agriculture?
Agriculture faces a number of challenges, including:
Climate change: Climate Change is causing extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, which can damage crops and livestock.
Pests and diseases: Pests and diseases can damage crops and livestock, reducing yields and increasing costs.
Water scarcity: Water scarcity is a major problem in many parts of the world, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to meet the demands of agriculture.
Soil erosion: Soil erosion is a major problem in many parts of the world, and it can lead to a loss of productivity.
Pollution: Agriculture can contribute to pollution of air, water, and soil.
Deforestation: Agriculture is a major cause of deforestation, which can lead to a loss of Biodiversity-2/”>Biodiversity and climate change.
What are the future trends in agriculture?
The future of agriculture is uncertain, but some of the trends that are likely to emerge include:
Climate-Smart Agriculture: Climate-smart agriculture is a type of agriculture that is designed to adapt to climate change and mitigate its effects.
Precision agriculture: Precision agriculture is a type of agriculture that uses technology to improve efficiency and productivity.
Vertical farming: Vertical farming is a type of agriculture that uses vertical space to grow crops.
Indoor farming: Indoor farming is a type of agriculture that grows crops in controlled environments.
Aquaculture: Aquaculture is a type of agriculture that raises fish and other aquatic animals.
Robotics: Robotics is likely to play an increasingly important role in agriculture, as robots are used to perform tasks such as planting, harvesting, and milking.
Artificial Intelligence: Artificial intelligence is likely to play an increasingly important role in agriculture, as AI is used to make decisions about things like crop selection, Irrigation, and pest control.

I hope this helps!

Which of the following is not a benefit of commercial agriculture?
(A) Increased food production
(B) Increased profits for farmers
(C) Increased environmental damage
(D) Increased job opportunities
Which of the following is a major challenge facing commercial agriculture?
(A) Soil erosion
(B) Water pollution
(C) Air Pollution
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is a sustainable agricultural practice?
(A) Using chemical fertilizers
(B) Using genetically modified crops
(C) Rotating crops
(D) Using monoculture
Which of the following is a non-sustainable agricultural practice?
(A) Using chemical fertilizers
(B) Using genetically modified crops
(C) Rotating crops
(D) Using monoculture
Which of the following is a goal of sustainable agriculture?
(A) To increase food production
(B) To reduce environmental damage
(C) To improve farmer livelihoods
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is a practice that can help to reduce soil erosion?
(A) Using cover crops
(B) No-till farming
(C) Contour farming
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is a practice that can help to reduce water pollution?
(A) Using Drip Irrigation
(B) Using cover crops
(C) No-till farming
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is a practice that can help to reduce air pollution?
(A) Using windbreaks
(B) Using cover crops
(C) No-till farming
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is a practice that can help to improve farmer livelihoods?
(A) Diversifying crops
(B) Adding value to products
(C) Organizing into cooperatives
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is a goal of the Green Revolution?
(A) To increase food production
(B) To reduce poverty
(C) To improve environmental sustainability
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is a criticism of the Green Revolution?
(A) It has led to increased use of pesticides and fertilizers, which have damaged the environment.
(B) It has led to increased social inequality, as large landowners have benefited more than small farmers.
(C) It has led to the loss of traditional agricultural knowledge and practices.
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is a goal of organic agriculture?
(A) To produce food without using synthetic chemicals
(B) To improve soil health
(C) To protect the environment
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is a criticism of organic agriculture?
(A) It is less productive than conventional agriculture.
(B) It is more expensive than conventional agriculture.
(C) It requires more land than conventional agriculture.
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is a goal of sustainable intensification?
(A) To increase food production without damaging the environment
(B) To improve farmer livelihoods
(C) To reduce poverty
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is a practice that can help to achieve sustainable intensification?
(A) Using cover crops
(B) No-till farming
(C) Contour farming
(D) All of the above