Inputs Of Agriculture

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Seed

Seed is technically defined as ripened ovule containing embryo. Another definition says that the seed is a living embryo which is vital and basic input for attaining sustained Growth in agricultural production in different agro-climatic conditions. The embryo in the seed remains almost suspended for sometimes and then revives to new development.  Seed is the symbol of beginning in scientific agriculture, seed is the basic input and the most important Catalyst for other inputs to be cost effective. For ensuring sustainability the seed supports high productivity, enhancing profitability, creating bio-diversity at a reasonable level and gives environmental protection. Thus the seed plays a vital and remarkable role in agriculture.

Fertilizer

In the traditional agriculture nutrient supply to Plants was from the organic sources except a few Fertilizers like sodium nitrate, (NaNO3, or ammonium sulphate (NH4SO4) was used which were used by progressive  fanners otherwise Farm Yard Manure, compost and oilcakes like neem were applied to Soil.  

These organic manures supplied a smaller Percentage of major nutrients to plant as well as micro-nutrients but there were other ancillary advantages.These organic manures improved the Soil fertility in an indirect manner by improving the physical and biological properties of soil like the water holding capacity of soil increased in direct proportion of the supply of OM (organic matter), by the improvement in soil colour the heat absorbing capacity increased, the OM made the soil more pours by improving the Soil Structure resulting in proper aeration. In addition the Population of beneficial microorganism increased which readily released the nutrient for the plant intake.

With the development of scientific agriculture and introduction of modern technology the importance of chemical fertilizer increased. Mere application of organic matter does not fulfill the nutrient requirements of the crop and therefore has to be made up through the application of fertilizers.  The crops and their varieties vary in the nutrient requirement and to reap the benefits of the full potential a balanced application of plant nutrient is a must. The three major Elements are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash known as NPK. There is a certain proportion in which these elements are required by the plants.

The fertilizers currently used are urea, di- ammonium-phosphate, mutate of potash, ammonium sulphate, sodium nitrate etc. These fertilizers have different composition in terms of the three elements. As per recommendation of scientists a calculation is made depending on the source of OM and fertilizer and it is calculated as to how much quantity of these OM and fertilizer be mixed for the basal or later applications.

Since these fertilizers become an essential part of the modern farming these should be available to the farmers in each season in the quantity required at the reasonable cost and at the time needed.  

The ideal utilization of fertilizer could only be possible when proper Marketing of this important input is undertaken. It is, therefore, important to predict the demand for fertilizers with reasonable accuracy at the national and regional levels.

Farm Power

The world is entering in the twenty-first century so that every sector of the economy should prepare itself to face the challenges of the coming century. There will be need to produce more than what is being produced and there would be greater demand for food, fiber and other commodities.  The land area is limited and moreover from the already scarce cultivated or cultivable area the land shall be coming under the agricultural uses like housing, entertainment etc. With the technological development more power will be needed to fulfill the growing demand.

Power is much sought for right from land preparation till marketing. There is a shortage of power in India specially electrical power. Despite of the fact that there is a lot of Stress on rural electrification but it sounds like hypocrisy the power supply is so erratic that there would be load shedding, break downs, power stealing which goes uncared for causing a lot of misery to the power consumers.

 

Implements and Machinery

There are a variety of implements used in the modern scientific agriculture but the most basic implements used in Indian Agriculture are: Khurpi, sickle, spade, pickage, desi plough, patella and other local models are—local, models of hoes, harrows, cultivators, seed drill (malabasa) etc.  Efforts toward developing better implements started in 1900 by L.K. Kirloskar in his firm the manufacturing of agricultural implement and machinery started.

Mould board ploughs became very popular in India. At the Allahabad Agricultural Institute under the guidance of Prof. Mason Waugh Wahwah plough and cultivators and Shabash plough and cultivators were manufactured besides hand implements like hoe and rake which were very convenient to operate and least tiring were manufactured.

Irrigation

Irrigation is the artificial application of water to crops. In the rainy season if the spread of rainfall is evenly distributed and rains in the right intensity the crops are raised as rainfed crops, if the rainfall is erratic and insufficient then supplemental irrigation is needed. In the Rabi season, during the period of receding monsoon irrigation is needed which depends on the nature of the crop and its requirement.

During this period the crop production is highly successful if assured irrigation is in existence. Therefore, irrigation is as much a basic Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE in the development efforts as roads, market facilities, credit agencies and other rural structures are.

Agricultural development in India heavily depends on the availability of irriga­tion. However, water for irrigation appears to be potentially in short supply in the country but according to R.K. Sivaappa, “India is endowed with abundant water Resources. The Average Precipitation (1250 mm over 328 million hectares) is about 400 MHM. Annual Water Resources in basins are estimated about 187 MHM. Due to tropical Climate. India experiences spatial and temporal variations in the precipitation. About one-third area in the country is drought prone. There is a vast variation in the average per capita availability of water. Of the available water resources of 187 MHM about 69 MHM of the surface and 45 MHM of ground water is available through conventional structures. The present utilization is 60 MHM which is likely to go up to 105-110 MHM by 2010-2020 AD. But many areas like Tamil Nadu, are facing water shortages. At the same time certain regions have surplus due to large water resources potentials.”

 



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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.

Inputs of agriculture are the resources that are used to produce agricultural products. These resources include land, labor, capital, management, and Natural Resources.

Land is the most important input of agriculture. It provides the space for crops to grow and livestock to graze. Land is also used for infrastructure such as roads, irrigation systems, and storage facilities.

Labor is another important input of agriculture. Farmers need workers to plant, cultivate, and harvest crops. They also need workers to care for livestock and to operate machinery.

Capital is the Money that is used to purchase land, equipment, and other inputs. Capital is also used to finance research and development, marketing, and other activities.

Management is the process of organizing and directing the resources of a farm. Farmers need to make decisions about what crops to plant, how to plant them, and when to harvest them. They also need to make decisions about how to manage their livestock.

Natural resources are the resources that are found in nature and that are used in agriculture. These resources include water, soil, air, and sunlight.

Outputs of agriculture are the products that are produced by farmers. These products include crops, livestock, and processed foods.

Production is the process of converting inputs into outputs. Production takes place on farms, in factories, and in other facilities.

Marketing is the process of selling agricultural products. Farmers need to find buyers for their products and to negotiate prices.

Finance is the process of managing money. Farmers need to make sure that they have enough money to cover their costs and to make a profit.

Risk management is the process of reducing the risk of losses. Farmers need to protect themselves from the risk of crop failure, livestock disease, and other events.

Government policy is the set of laws and regulations that affect agriculture. Government policy can affect the prices of agricultural products, the availability of credit, and the use of natural resources.

International trade is the exchange of agricultural products between countries. International trade can affect the prices of agricultural products, the availability of food, and the Environment.

Sustainable Agriculture is a type of agriculture that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable agriculture practices include using renewable resources, conserving water, and protecting the environment.

Food Security is the availability of food and the access to food that people need. Food security is a major challenge in many parts of the world.

Nutrition is the process of getting the nutrients that the body needs. Nutrition is important for good Health.

POVERTY alleviation is the reduction of poverty. Poverty is a major problem in many parts of the world.

Environmental protection is the protection of the environment from damage. Environmental protection is important for the health of people and the planet.

Climate Change adaptation is the process of adjusting to the effects of climate change. Climate change is a major challenge that the world is facing.

Water management is the management of water resources. Water management is important for agriculture, Industry, and human consumption.

Soil conservation is the protection of soil from erosion and degradation. Soil conservation is important for agriculture and the environment.

Pest management is the control of pests. Pests can damage crops and livestock.

Integrated pest management is a system of pest control that uses a combination of methods to reduce pest populations. Integrated pest management is a sustainable approach to pest control.

Biological control is the use of natural enemies to control pests. Biological control is a sustainable approach to pest control.

Genetic engineering is the modification of genes. Genetic engineering is used to improve crops and livestock.

Biotechnology is the use of living organisms to produce products or Services. Biotechnology is used in agriculture, medicine, and industry.

Nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter at the atomic and molecular level. Nanotechnology is used in a variety of fields, including agriculture.

Precision agriculture is a type of agriculture that uses technology to improve efficiency and productivity. Precision agriculture uses tools such as GPS, sensors, and drones to collect data about crops and soil. This data is then used to make decisions about irrigation, fertilization, and pest control

What are the inputs of agriculture?

The inputs of agriculture are the resources that farmers use to produce crops and livestock. These include land, labor, capital, and management.

What are the different types of inputs in agriculture?

The different types of inputs in agriculture can be classified into four main categories: land, labor, capital, and management.

  • Land is the natural resource that farmers use to grow crops and raise livestock. It includes both the physical land and the natural resources that are found on it, such as water, soil, and Minerals.
  • Labor is the human effort that is used to produce agricultural products. This includes both the physical labor of working in the fields and the mental labor of planning and managing a farm.
  • Capital is the money and other resources that farmers use to purchase land, equipment, and other inputs. It also includes the knowledge and skills that farmers need to manage their farms.
  • Management is the process of planning, organizing, and directing the use of resources to produce agricultural products. It includes decisions about what to produce, how to produce it, and when to produce it.

What are the factors that affect the productivity of agricultural inputs?

The productivity of agricultural inputs is affected by a number of factors, including the quality of the land, the availability of water, the climate, the level of technology, and the prices of inputs and outputs.

What are some examples of agricultural inputs?

Some examples of agricultural inputs include:

  • Land
  • Labor
  • Capital
  • Seeds
  • Fertilizer
  • Pesticides
  • Irrigation water
  • Machinery
  • Fuel
  • Buildings
  • Equipment
  • Livestock
  • Feed
  • Veterinary care
  • Insurance
  • Taxes
  • Interest
  • Depreciation
  • Rent
  • Wages
  • Salaries
  • Management fees
  • Marketing costs
  • Research and development costs

What are some of the challenges facing agriculture today?

Some of the challenges facing agriculture today include:

  • Climate change
  • Water scarcity
  • Soil degradation
  • Pests and diseases
  • Food safety
  • Poverty
  • Hunger
  • Malnutrition
  • Inequality
  • Conflict
  • Political instability
  • Economic instability
  • Trade barriers
  • Market volatility
  • Technological change
  • Regulatory change
  • Consumer preferences

What are some of the solutions to these challenges?

Some of the solutions to the challenges facing agriculture today include:

  • Investing in research and development
  • Promoting sustainable agriculture practices
  • Improving access to Education and training
  • Increasing access to credit
  • Developing new markets
  • Investing in infrastructure
  • Promoting Good Governance
  • Reducing poverty and inequality
  • Addressing climate change
  • Conserving water and soil
  • Managing pests and diseases
  • Improving food safety
  • Promoting nutrition
  • Reducing hunger and malnutrition
  • Building resilience to shocks and stresses
  • Promoting peace and security
  • Supporting Economic Development
  • Facilitating trade
  • Addressing technological change
  • Regulating markets
  • Influencing consumer preferences

What is the future of agriculture?

The future of agriculture is uncertain. However, it is likely that agriculture will continue to play an important role in the global economy. The challenges facing agriculture today are significant, but there are also many opportunities for innovation and progress. The future of agriculture will depend on the choices that we make today.

  1. Which of the following is not an input of agriculture?
    (A) Land
    (B) Labor
    (C) Capital
    (D) Fertilizer
    (E) Machinery

  2. Which of the following is the most important input of agriculture?
    (A) Land
    (B) Labor
    (C) Capital
    (D) Fertilizer
    (E) Machinery

  3. Which of the following is the most expensive input of agriculture?
    (A) Land
    (B) Labor
    (C) Capital
    (D) Fertilizer
    (E) Machinery

  4. Which of the following is the most variable input of agriculture?
    (A) Land
    (B) Labor
    (C) Capital
    (D) Fertilizer
    (E) Machinery

  5. Which of the following is the most important input of agriculture in the developing world?
    (A) Land
    (B) Labor
    (C) Capital
    (D) Fertilizer
    (E) Machinery

  6. Which of the following is the most important input of agriculture in the developed world?
    (A) Land
    (B) Labor
    (C) Capital
    (D) Fertilizer
    (E) Machinery

  7. Which of the following is the most important input of agriculture in the future?
    (A) Land
    (B) Labor
    (C) Capital
    (D) Fertilizer
    (E) Machinery

  8. Which of the following is the most important input of agriculture in a sustainable agriculture system?
    (A) Land
    (B) Labor
    (C) Capital
    (D) Fertilizer
    (E) Machinery

  9. Which of the following is the most important input of agriculture in a high-yield agriculture system?
    (A) Land
    (B) Labor
    (C) Capital
    (D) Fertilizer
    (E) Machinery

  10. Which of the following is the most important input of agriculture in a low-input agriculture system?
    (A) Land
    (B) Labor
    (C) Capital
    (D) Fertilizer
    (E) Machinery