CHARACTERISTICS AND PROBLEMS OF INDIAN AGRICULTURE

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<<–2/”>a >p style=”text-align: justify;”>CHARACTERISTICS AND PROBLEMS OF INDIAN agriculture

  1. Subsistent in Character
  2. Heavy Pressure of Population
  3. Predominance of Food Grains
  4. Mixed Cropping
  5. High Percentage of the Reporting Area under Cultivation
  6. Small Size of Holdings and Fragmentation of Fields
  7. Limited Intensive Agriculture
  8. Primitive Technology
  9. Indian Agriculture is Labour Intensive
  10. Rain-fed Agriculture
  11. Less Area under Leguminous and Fodder Crops
  12. Tradition Bound
  13. Low Productivity
  14. Government Policy
  15. Lack of Definite Agricultural Land Use Policy
  16. Lack of Marketing and Storage Facilities
  17. Low Status of Agriculture in the Society
  18. Land Tenancy
  19. POVERTY and Indebtedness of the Farmers
  20. Inadequacy of Extension Service
  21. Inadequate Agricultural Research and Education, Training, and Extension
  22. Soil Erosion and Soil Degradation
  23. Other Characteristics and Problems

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Indian agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy, employing over 50% of the country’s workforce and contributing about 15% to the GDP. However, the sector is facing a number of challenges, including small and fragmented landholdings, low productivity, dependence on monsoon rains, use of outdated agricultural practices, poverty and Malnutrition, inefficient marketing system, lack of Irrigation facilities, inadequate credit facilities, pests and diseases, natural calamities, and government policies.

Small and fragmented landholdings

One of the major problems facing Indian agriculture is the small size of landholdings. The Average landholding size in India is just 1.15 hectares, which is much smaller than the average landholding size in other major agricultural countries such as China (1.6 hectares) and the United States (171 hectares). This fragmentation of landholdings makes it difficult for farmers to adopt modern agricultural practices and to achieve economies of scale.

Low productivity

Another major problem facing Indian agriculture is low productivity. India’s agricultural productivity is about half of that of China and one-third of that of the United States. This low productivity is due to a number of factors, including the small size of landholdings, the use of outdated agricultural practices, and the lack of irrigation facilities.

Dependence on monsoon rains

Indian agriculture is heavily dependent on monsoon rains. About 60% of the country’s annual rainfall occurs during the monsoon season, which runs from June to September. This dependence on monsoon rains makes Indian agriculture vulnerable to droughts and floods.

Use of outdated agricultural practices

Many Indian farmers still use outdated agricultural practices, which results in low productivity. For example, many farmers still use traditional methods of irrigation, such as flooding and manual irrigation, which are inefficient and wasteful.

Poverty and malnutrition

Poverty and malnutrition are widespread in rural India. About 22% of the Indian population lives below the Poverty Line, and about 40% of children under the age of five are malnourished. Poverty and malnutrition are major obstacles to agricultural development, as they limit the ability of farmers to invest in their farms and to adopt modern agricultural practices.

Inefficient marketing system

The marketing system for agricultural produce in India is inefficient. There are a large number of intermediaries between farmers and consumers, which results in high prices for consumers and low prices for farmers. The inefficient marketing system also makes it difficult for farmers to get fair prices for their produce.

Lack of irrigation facilities

About 60% of India’s cultivated land is rain-fed. This means that farmers in these areas are at the mercy of the monsoon rains. The lack of irrigation facilities makes it difficult for farmers to grow crops during the dry season, which reduces their productivity.

Inadequate credit facilities

Farmers in India often face difficulty in getting credit from banks. This is because banks are reluctant to lend to farmers, who are seen as a risky proposition. The lack of credit facilities makes it difficult for farmers to invest in their farms and to adopt modern agricultural practices.

Pests and diseases

Pests and diseases are a major problem for Indian agriculture. Every year, pests and diseases cause billions of dollars in damage to crops. The use of outdated agricultural practices and the lack of irrigation facilities make Indian agriculture more vulnerable to pests and diseases.

Natural calamities

India is prone to a number of natural calamities, such as droughts, floods, and Earthquakes. These natural calamities can cause widespread damage to crops and Livestock, and can lead to loss of life.

Government policies

Government policies have also played a role in the problems facing Indian agriculture. For example, the government’s policy of subsidizing food grains has led to overproduction of food grains, which has depressed prices for farmers. The government’s policy of providing free electricity to farmers has also led to overuse of water, which has depleted groundwater Resources.

The problems facing Indian agriculture are complex and interrelated. There is no easy solution to these problems. However, the government and the private sector need to work together to address these problems and to improve the productivity and efficiency of the agricultural sector.

What are the Characteristics of Indian Agriculture?

Indian agriculture is characterized by its small size, low productivity, and high dependence on rainfall. The majority of farms in India are small, with an average size of just 2 hectares. This makes it difficult for farmers to achieve economies of scale and invest in new technologies. Low productivity is another major problem facing Indian agriculture. Yields of major crops such as rice and wheat are significantly lower than those in other countries. This is due to a number of factors, including poor irrigation facilities, lack of use of Fertilizers and pesticides, and outdated Farming practices. High dependence on rainfall is another major characteristic of Indian agriculture. About 60% of the country’s farmland is rain-fed, which means that farmers are at the mercy of the weather. This can lead to crop failures and food shortages in times of drought.

What are the Problems of Indian Agriculture?

The problems of Indian agriculture are numerous and complex. Some of the most pressing problems include:

  • Low productivity: Yields of major crops such as rice and wheat are significantly lower than those in other countries. This is due to a number of factors, including poor irrigation facilities, lack of use of fertilizers and pesticides, and outdated farming practices.
  • Small size of farms: The majority of farms in India are small, with an average size of just 2 hectares. This makes it difficult for farmers to achieve economies of scale and invest in new technologies.
  • High dependence on rainfall: About 60% of the country’s farmland is rain-fed, which means that farmers are at the mercy of the weather. This can lead to crop failures and food shortages in times of drought.
  • Poverty and malnutrition: Millions of farmers and agricultural workers in India live in poverty. This is due to low incomes, lack of access to education and healthcare, and poor Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE. Malnutrition is also a major problem, affecting about 40% of children under the age of five.
  • Environmental Degradation: Agriculture is a major contributor to environmental degradation in India. This includes deforestation, soil erosion, Water Pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Farmer suicides: In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in the number of farmer suicides in India. This is due to a number of factors, including debt, crop failures, and low prices for agricultural produce.

What are the solutions to the problems of Indian agriculture?

There are a number of solutions to the problems of Indian agriculture. Some of the most important include:

  • Investing in irrigation: One of the most important ways to improve agricultural productivity is to invest in irrigation. This will help farmers to grow crops even during dry spells.
  • Using modern agricultural technologies: Farmers need to adopt modern agricultural technologies, such as high-yield seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. This will help them to increase yields and reduce costs.
  • Encouraging land consolidation: The government should encourage land consolidation, which will help farmers to achieve economies of scale. This will make it easier for them to invest in new technologies and improve their productivity.
  • Increasing the use of RENEWABLE ENERGY: The government should promote the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, in agriculture. This will help to reduce the use of fossil fuels, which contribute to environmental degradation.
  • Improving rural infrastructure: The government should improve rural infrastructure, such as roads, electricity, and telecommunications. This will help to make rural areas more attractive to live in, which will help to reduce rural-urban Migration.
  • Providing education and healthcare: The government should provide education and healthcare to farmers and agricultural workers. This will help to improve their Quality Of Life and productivity.
  • Protecting the Environment: The government should take steps to protect the environment, such as by planting trees and reducing pollution. This will help to ensure the sustainability of Agriculture In India.
  • Reducing poverty and malnutrition: The government should take steps to reduce poverty and malnutrition in rural areas. This can be done by providing subsidies, EMPLOYMENT opportunities, and education and healthcare.
  • Addressing the issue of farmer suicides: The government should address the issue of farmer suicides by providing financial assistance, counseling, and other support Services.

  1. Which of the following is not a characteristic of Indian agriculture?
    (A) It is a labor-intensive sector.
    (B) It is a rain-fed sector.
    (C) It is a capital-intensive sector.
    (D) It is a small-scale sector.

  2. Which of the following is not a problem of Indian agriculture?
    (A) Low productivity.
    (B) Low Investment.
    (C) Low profitability.
    (D) High Growth rate.

  3. Which of the following is not a measure taken by the government to improve Indian agriculture?
    (A) Providing subsidies to farmers.
    (B) Investing in irrigation and infrastructure.
    (C) Providing crop insurance.
    (D) Promoting agricultural exports.

  4. Which of the following is the main crop grown in India?
    (A) Rice
    (B) Wheat
    (C) Sugarcane
    (D) Cotton

  5. Which of the following is the main source of irrigation in India?
    (A) Canals
    (B) Wells
    (C) Tanks
    (D) Tube wells

  6. Which of the following is the main type of farming in India?
    (A) Subsistence farming
    (B) Commercial farming
    (C) Plantation farming
    (D) Mixed Farming

  7. Which of the following is the main livestock in India?
    (A) Cows
    (B) Buffaloes
    (C) Sheep
    (D) Goats

  8. Which of the following is the main agricultural export of India?
    (A) Rice
    (B) Wheat
    (C) Sugar
    (D) Cotton

  9. Which of the following is the main agricultural import of India?
    (A) Fertilizers
    (B) Pesticides
    (C) Machinery
    (D) Seeds

  10. Which of the following is the main agricultural organization in India?
    (A) The Ministry of Agriculture
    (B) The Indian Council of Agricultural Research
    (C) The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
    (D) The Agricultural Produce Market Committee