HomeFarming TipsTypes of Farming in India – Procedure, Benefits and Role

Types of Farming in India – Procedure, Benefits and Role

Three Major Types of Farming in India and Their Procedure

Welcome to all farmers, now we are back with three major types of farming and its procedure. Farming is an important activity for any country. It includes growing crops, vegetables, fruits, and flowers. The economy of any country only depends on farming. Additionally, farming depends upon the geographical condition, the demand for a product, labor, and level of technology. 

Top 10 Types of Farming in India

There are many types of farming, but we are here describing 10 types of farming / types of agriculture, and they are as follows:-

1. Subsistence Farming

Subsistence farming

  • Subsistence farming in India is described as family farming because it meets the needs of the farmer’s family. It also required a low level of technology and household labour. 
  • These types of farming produce small output. Moreover, they do not use high yielding varieties of old seeds and fertilizer.
  • Facilities like electricity and irrigation are not available for them. Along with this, the most subsistence farming is done manually. 

Subsistence Farming can be Classified in Four Types

1. Intensive subsistence farming
  • It includes a small plot of land and for growing crops, simple and low-cost tools, and more labour. The word intensive means hard work, so it means it requires more labour. 
  • The climate of this farming with a large number of days with sunshine and fertile soils permit growing more than one crop annually in the same land.
  • Rice is the main crop of this farming. Other types of crop production include wheat, maize, pulses, and oilseeds.
  • This farming is spread in the thickly populated area of the monsoon regions. These regions are south, South East, East Asia.
2. Primitive subsistence farming

Primitive subsistence farming impacts farmers’ lifestyle in a different essence. It includes shifting cultivation and nomadic herding. It is one of the best types of farming in India that any farmer can consider.

3. Shifting cultivation
  • Shifting cultivation is the 3rd that comes under the list of types of farming in India. This type of cultivation spread in thickly forested areas like amazon basin, tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, and northeast India. These are the areas of heavy rainfall.
  • It is a quick regeneration of vegetation.
  • The process of shifting cultivation is that first of all the land is cleared by falling trees and burning them. Then the ash of the trees is mixed with the land soil. 
  • This type of cultivation farming is grown on crops like maize, yam, potatoes, and cassava. Crops are grown in this land for 2 or 3 years. Then the land left out because fertilizer of the soil decreases. 
  • The farmers move to the other land to repeat this process of farming. This is also called ‘slash and burn agriculture’.

Shifting cultivation is different types of cultivation known in the different parts of the world –

1. Jhumming North East India
2. Milpa Mexico
3. Roca brazil
4. Ladang Malaysia

4. Nomadic Herding
  • These types of farming done in semi-dry areas and dry areas. Like central Asia, some parts of India like Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Nomadic herding process of this farming is that the herdsmen move from one place to another for grazing and water, along defined routes.
  • The process of this farming is that the herdsmen move one place to another place for feed and water, along defined routes.
  • The most used animals in this farming are sheep, camel, yak, and goats.
  • The product of this farming is milk, meat, and other to the herdsman and their families.

    2. Commercial Farming

  • In this type of cultivation, crops are growing for sale in the market. The main purpose of this farming is to do business.
  • It required large areas and a high level of technology.
  • It’s done with the high cost of tools.

There are 3 Types of Commercial Farming

1. Commercial mixed farming in India

  • These types of cultivation in India done for grains.
  • This farming is done in the winter season.
  • In this farming, only a single crop can be grown at one time.
  • This farming spread in North America, Europe, and Asia.
  • These areas are populated with large farmers.

2. Commercial mixed farming

  • This type of farming is done for growing foods, fodders crops.
  • In this farming, one or more crops are grown together.
  • It has good rainfall and irrigation.
  • The crops are cared for carefully.
  • Commercial mixed crops are done almost at the same duration.
  • This farming is most used in Europe, eastern USA, Argentina, southeast Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. 

3. Commercial plantation farming

  • This farming required a large amount of labour and large areas.
  • It used simple crops like tea, coffee, cotton, rubber, banana, and sugarcane.
  • The products are processed in the farm itself of nearby factories.
  • These products do not directly go to the sale. After growing these products, the leaves are roasted in the factories or farms. These are all tree crops.
  • This farming required large transportation because the products of this farming are transported to one area to another area.

Areas of plantation farming in tropical regions of the world – 

1. Like rubber in Malaysia.
2. Tea in India.
3. Coffee in Brazil.

  • This farming mostly done in hilly areas like sub-Himalayan, Nilgiri and west Bengal.
  • Commercial plantation farming takes a long period to mature the products but these produced for long periods.

    3. Home Farming

    Home Farming

  • Home farming includes terrace farming, gardening.
  • It required small space and small tools like a garden rake, pruning shear, etc. 
  • This farming has the ability to grow any vegetable, fruits, flowers, and small trees in the same land. 
  • This farming also used as a decorated thing for the home.
  • It required small labour. 
  • This farming used as both commercial and subsistence.

4. Dry Land Farming

Dry Land Farming

Dry Land Farming also connected to arid conditions, areas that are drought-prone and have a scarcity of water resources. It requires specific farming techniques to cultivate non-irrigated crops. This type of farming also known as dry farming in many areas. In short, dryland farming is growing crops totally through rainfall and soil moisture. Artificial means not used in this method of agriculture. It is one of the most popular types of farming in India among the farmers.

The following are some important aspects of dryland farming: 

  • Dry Land Farming is cost-effective as its crops are wholly dependent on soil moisture and rainfall. 
  • It is a sustainable method to do farming; hence, it is good for the environment. 
  • This farming method also prevents soil erosion and helps conserve water resources.

5. Wetland Farming

Wetland Farming

Wetland farming takes place in places like riverlines and floodplains where the soil is more fertile. Actually, wetlands have promoted many important cultural developments around the world, the most important being the reclamation and drainage of wetlands for farming. 

Following are some importance of Wetland Farming: 

  • Wetland agriculture promotes biodiversity by restoring and maintaining the habitats of animals and plants.
  • It encourages traditional and cultural heritage as many farmers have a profound understanding of the local ecosystem and sustainable ways to use natural wetlands. 

6. Organic Farming

Organic Farming

Organic farming is a sustainable technique for agricultural practices around the world. In this farming method, you have to use a minimal amount of fertilizers, chemicals and pesticides. Other than this, you should use organic manure like cow dung and others when growing crops. Organic farming helps in maintaining soil health and promotes healthy life. 

The following are some important aspects of organic farming:

  • Organic farming helps in promoting eco-friendly crops and sustainable agriculture
  • This farming practice helps in improving soil health and soil fertility, which is good for the environment
  • It is economical for the farmers as it reduces the cost of inputs like fertilizers, pesticides, etc 

7. Cooperative Farming

Cooperative Farming

Cooperative farming refers to farming practices that operated jointly with other agencies and farmers by individuals on their landholdings and resources. These agencies also known as cooperative societies, which also help farmers to sell their agricultural produce. They act on behalf of the farmers in purchasing agricultural inputs like farming equipment, seeds, fertilizers and others. 

The following are some important aspects of cooperative farming: 

  • This type of farming helps small farmers economically and helps them to gain more profit. 
  • As resources like men and material money increase, productivity also increases. 

8. Crop Rotation

Crop Rotation

It is the method of planting different types of crops in India sequentially in the same area of land to optimize soil nutrients, enhance soil health, and counteract pest and weed pressure. The following are some important aspects of crop rotation farming. It is one of the different types of farming in India.

  • Crop Rotation reduces soil crust and improves soil workability and yield
  • It also helps in reducing erosion and deposition
  • This method of farming also helps with financial risk by using multiple cultures

9. Dairy Farming

Dairy Farming

Dairy Farming is the domestication of animals like goats, sheep and cows for the production of dairy products and milk. India is one of the top milk producers and also the largest consumer of milk products and milk. Following are some importance of Dairy Farming. 

  • Daily is the major source of milk produced as milk comes with numerous nutrients, including vitamin D, protein, calcium and other minerals. 
  • Manure from dairy farming used to enhance soil fertility and organic fertilizer. These are the importance of farming in India. 

10. Ley Farming

Ley Farming

Ley farming is one of the types of agriculture in India, which carried out on dry land to restore soil fertility. In this, rotation of grains and grasses in the targeted area practiced. Lay farming provides compensation and repairs for losses of crops caused by droughts. Thus, for this farming method, soil fertility maintained and improved by applying natural soil biological practices. 

The other two types of farming are-

Do you know how many types of farming done in India? If not, then we are classified below types of farming in India. Have a look for detailed information about types of farms.

1. Container Farming

Container Farming This farming used when you have limited space in gardens, it a small yard, courtyard or balcony. This farming has the ability to grow almost any vegetable, fruit, and flowers.

2. Vertical Farming:-

It is a popular types of agriculture in India described as a window garden. Most vertical farming is used for small plant crops and vine crops. It includes gheeya, Loki, tomato, chili, and coriander. The production of vine crops is less in the traditional way, vertical farming is very useful for vine crops. 

Types of Farmers in India & Importance of Farmers

Types of Farmers in India

Farmers are the annadata in India. They work hard to provide food to the world. The farmers classified according to their landholdings. Following, we are showing the types of farmers in India. Check out the Farmer type and importance of farming in India.

  • Marginal Farmers – Farmers who have less than 1 hectares of land called Marginal farmers.
  • Small Farmers – Farmers who have 1 or 2 hectares of land called small farmers.
  • Semi-medium farmers – Farmers who have 2 to 4 hectares of land are called semi medium farmers.
  • Medium Farmers – Farmers who have 4 to 10 hectares of land are called medium farmers.
  • Large Farmers – Farmers who have 10 hectares and above land called Large farmers. This is also a type of farmer.

Factors Affecting Farming in India

Following are the list showing factors affecting farming in India. 

  • Climate – Climatic factors like rainfall, water and light are affecting climate. It consists of extreme weather conditions and climate changing patterns. 
  • Soil – In India almost every region has different soil type and agro climatic conditions. 
  • Technology – Technology used in types of agriculture farming known as agritech includes satellites, mobile devices, robotics, drones, vehicles, software and computers.
  • Capital – Capital is the money used in different types of agriculture in India to increase agriculture inputs such as fertilizer, fences, machinery, seeds and renewing buildings. 
  • Irrigation – Irrigation provides essential moisture to the crop and it is the most important factor in farming systems in India. 
  • Labour – Laborers in agriculture are farmers and the role of farmers in India is not hidden from anyone. In India, Laborers are underpaid and migrants farmers for mainstream agriculture. 
  • Light – Light is essential for agriculture because it influences factors like phototropism, photomorphogenesis, stomatal movement, mineral absorption and abscission. 
  • Market – According to the marketing demand farmers produce like how much produce? What to produce? And how to manage agriculture operations. 
  • Subsidies – Subsidies are the support from the government to the farmers as subsidies encourage farmers to produce for the country and export. 
  • Water and rainfall – Water plays an important role in the life of farmers for their crops and animals. Development and crop growth affected by the availability of water and rainfall. 

Some Other Factors

  • Inadequate transport – The transportation system is a bridge between farmers and the market. The movement outputs and inputs completely influenced overall profitability and efficiency.  
  • Air Pollution – Next factor that is affecting farming is air. As polluted air has a negative impact on the development of fruits and seeds.
  • Commodity prices – The next factor is commodity prices as the most of the farm produces are perishable commodities. So, There is pressure on farmers to sell their produce immediately after harvest, due to which they sometimes have to sell their produce even at low prices.
  • Environment – The environment in India is also an important factor in shaping farming practices. Regional hot, cold, drought, heavy rainfall, etc., all are directly affecting crops and animals too. For that, you have to select methods of farming in India more accurately. 
  • Topography – Topography is the physical features of the land and impacts farming practices in many senses. The altitude, slope and shape of the terrain also directly affect the soil erosion, drainage, sunlight exposure and other crops suitability. 
  • Temperature – High temperature can cause global warming and can also damage certain types of crops. 
  • Relative humidity – The quantity of water vapor that air can hold at a given temperature is represented by relative humidity. Low humidity means dry air, whereas high humidity means moisture-rich air.

Conclusion 

Farming system in India is the major source of income and there are many types of farming. so, these are all the types of farming with detailed explanations. I hope you like this post, for more updates like types of agriculture stay tuned with us. You can also update yourself with daily Agriculture news with us.

For information related to Crop Farming stay tuned.

FAQ’s

Q1. What type of farming practiced in India?

Ans. The types of farming practiced in India are Subsistence farming, industrial farming and organic farming.

Q2. What is the importance of agriculture in India?

Ans. Agriculture contributes 17% to the total Indian GDP and generates employment for over 60% of the population. 

Q3. What are modern farming methods in India?

Ans. Monoculture, Precision agriculture, Aquaponics, Organic farming and many more are the modern farming methods in India.

Q4. What is organic farming?

Ans. An agricultural method known as “organic farming” makes use of biological pesticides and fertilizers derived from plant or animal waste.

Q5. What is inorganic farming?

Ans. Modern agriculture uses synthetic pesticides and chemicals to boost productivity per unit of types of agricultural land, as well as hybrid seeds that genetically manipulated to generate higher yields. These practices referred to as inorganic farming.

Q6. What is the role of farmers in India?

Ans. They put forth a lot of effort to provide food for all citizens of the country for the duration of their lives. Approximately two thirds of Indians make their living from agriculture. They are a farmer’s primary source of income and produce food, fodder, and other raw materials.

Q7. What is the main occupation of India?

Ans. India’s traditional industry is agriculture. The majority of people in rural areas employed in agriculture. It is also the main economic sector in India. The largest number of people in India are dependent on agriculture.

Q8. How many farmers are there in India?

Ans. Crop growers by trade known as Indian farmers. There are between 37 million and 118 million farmers in the nation, according to various government estimates (Census, Agricultural Census, National Sample Survey assessments, and Periodic Labour Force Surveys), depending on the definition used.

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