5th Standard Social Science Term-III
Agriculture
Introduction
Agriculture is the art and science of preparing the soil for cultivation, growing crops and raising livestock. It has become necessity for the humans. Agriculture led to the development of human civilisation.
India is an agricultural country. One - third of our nation's income comes from agriculture. Agricultural development contributes to the economy of our country.
Farmers in India
A farmer is a person who cultivates crops and rears animals (poultry and other livestock). India is a land of farmers. It is called so because majority of Indians are directly or indirectly involved in agricultural activities. Agriculture is the backbone of our economy.
Farmers who cultivate in an area less than 1 hectare are called micro farmers.
Types of Farming
There are several types of farming.
⦿ Subsistence farming
⦿ Commercial farming
⦿ Plantation farming
⦿ Mixed farming
Subsistence Farming
In subsistence farming, crops are cultivated and used only for own family consumption. Such type of farming is adopted by small and marginal farmers on fragmented land holdings. The cultivated crops are usually food crops. The method of this farming is generally archaic.
Commercial farming
Unlike subsistence farming, here the crops are cultivated or commercial use and is sold in markets. This method of farming is done by using modern tools and techniques.
Plantation Farming
Plantation Farming is done in an estate where a single cash crop is cultivated on a large scale.
Examples : Tea, Coffee and Rubber.
Mixed Farming
Mixed farming refers to the rearing of animals along with the cultivation. This type of farming is economical.
In order to eliminate the middlemen between farmers and consumers, the Government of Tamil Nadu introduced the new scheme, namely UZHAVAR SANTHAI.
Continue. . .
Water Resource for Agriculture
There are no perennial rivers in Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu depends on Northeast and Southwest monsoon. Hence agriculture in Tamil Nadu is dependent on ground water.
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) monitors the level and nature of ground water.
Irrigation
Irrigation is the artificial supply of water to land or crops for the purpose of agricultural production.
Types of Irrigation
⦿ Well Irrigation
⦿ Canal Irrigation
⦿ Sprinkler Irrigation
⦿ Drip Irrigation
Well Irrigation
Well Irrigation has been practised in Tamil Nadu for many generations. It is a less expensive type of irrigation.
Canal Irrigation
Canal Irrigation is the most important form of irrigation in India. Most of the North Indian canals are perennial. The main canal irrigated areas are in the northern plains of India such as Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Bihar.
Green revolution is a process which brought an increase in crop production by using new varieties of seeds, pesticides and new agricultural techniques.
Dr.M.S. Swaminathan of Tamil Nadu is known as Father of Green Revolution in India.
Sprinkler Irrigation
Sprinkler irrigation is similar to natural rainfall. Water is sprayed through pipes in the air through sprinklers.
Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation is a type of micro - irrigation system that saves water and soil nutrients. In this system water drips slowly into the roots of plants through pipes. Pipes can be either above the soil surface or buried below the surface. The water directly reaches the roots and minimises evaporation.
Horticulture is the science or art of cultivating fruits, vegetables, flowers and ornamental plants.
Important Crops in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu has different types of soil, rainfall and weather across its districts. It is suitable for the production of fruits, vegetables, spices, plantation crops, flowers, medicinal and aromatic plants. Horticulture is the fastest growing sector within agriculture in Tamil Nadu.
Paddy is grown in large areas because rice is the main staple food of the state.
The principal food crops are rice, maize, jowar (cholam), bajra (Kambu), ragi and pulses (bengalgram, redgram, greengram blackgram and horsegram).
The cash crops include cotton, sugarcane, oilseeds, coffee, tea, rubber, coconut, gingelly and chillies.
Mango and Banana are the leading fruit crops of Tamil Nadu.
The main flowers grown in Tamil Nadu are Jasmine, Chrysanthemum, Marigold and Rose.
Thanjavur is an important agricultural centre located in the Cauvery Delta. It is known as the Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu.
LET US KNOW
Cropping seasons in Tamil Nasu
⦿ Navarai
⦿ Kuruvai
⦿ Sornavari
⦿ Samba
⦿ Kar
⦿ Thaladi
Coimbatore is the largest cotton producing district in Tamil Nadu. It is known as the Manchester of South India.
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