Scope of Agriculture and Allied Occupations
A farmer’s home keeps hens, goats and cows besides crops. All these are occupations linked with farming.
All occupations that use plants and animals for food and clothing fall under agriculture. Growing crops is the main occupation; animal husbandry, poultry, beekeeping, pisciculture etc. are allied occupations.
Key idea 1 : Scope of agriculture — Agriculture is a large field. Besides crops, rearing cattle, sheep and goats, poultry, beekeeping, silkworms, orchards and flowers, pisciculture, pig and emu farming are all included. These use manpower, animals and implements and also modern technology. Earlier the wandering human gathered forest produce; later he learnt farming and began many allied occupations while staying at one place.
Key idea 2 : Animal-based occupations — Dairy farming rears cows, buffaloes and oxen; it has become commercial. Sheep and goat rearing is done in hilly and semi-arid regions; sheep give wool and goats give mainly meat in India. Poultry is done at household and commercial scales; in India it is mostly near big cities for the ready market. Bees give honey and wax and pollinate flowers, increasing fruit and crop yields.
Key idea 3 : Fish farming, silk, nurseries, greenhouse — In fish farming freshwater fish seed is released in farm ponds and raised scientifically: wam, rohu, rawas, prawns. Silk thread comes from cocoons; silkworms feed on mulberry leaves and a mulberry once planted lasts at least 15 years. Good seedlings are needed for flowers, medicinal plants and orchards, so nurseries have grown. In a greenhouse climate, heat and humidity are controlled to grow flowers like lily and gerbera for maximum income.
- Easy : Main occupation of agriculture? — Growing crops.
- Medium : Benefit of bees? — Pollination.
- Exam-type : Greenhouse controls? — Climate, heat, humidity.
In the figure: Agriculture and allied occupations.
Crops main; the rest allied.
Agriculture is not only crops; animal rearing and fish farming are included.
Memory clue: Crops + animals + fish + bees + flowers = agriculture.
Spot the difference
| Occupation | Product | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Dairy | Milk | Now commercial |
| Beekeeping | Honey, wax | Pollination |
| Pisciculture | Fish | Farm pond |
Practice questions
- 1Which occupations are included in agriculture?
- 2What are allied occupations?
- 3Why is beekeeping important for agriculture?
- 4How is fish farming done?
- 5Why have nurseries grown?
- 6State the benefits of greenhouse farming.
- 7Why is poultry near cities in India?
- 8What changed between earlier and present farming?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Crops, animals, poultry, bees, fish etc.
- 2Occupations linked to the main crop occupation.
- 3Pollination raises yield.
- 4Releasing freshwater fish seed in ponds.
- 5Flowers, medicinal plants, orchards need good seedlings.
- 6Climate control, fewer pests, more income.
- 7Because of a ready market.
- 8He settled and took up many occupations.
Subsistence and Commercial Farming
Some farmers grow just for the family; others grow to sell. Their methods differ.
Growing just for the family’s need is subsistence farming (intensive and shifting). Growing for sale on a large scale is commercial farming (extensive grain and plantation).
Key idea 1 : Intensive farming — Getting maximum production from minimum area marks intensive farming. Holdings per head are small due to a large population or limited land. It is mostly seen in developing regions. Production suffices only for the family, which is fully dependent on farming. Mostly animal energy is used and some vegetables are grown beside grain. Farming is done on the same farm for years.
Key idea 2 : Shifting cultivation — This primitive farming is done in the tropics in dense forest or hilly tracts. The farmer chooses forest land, fells trees, burns them once dry, and the ash mixed into soil becomes manure. Sowing and harvesting finish before the rains. Production is insufficient so people also hunt, fish and gather bulbs and roots. The fallow period is longer than the crop period; after two or three years the productivity falls and a new plot is chosen.
Key idea 3 : Extensive grain farming and plantations — Extensive grain farms exceed 200 hectares; with sparse population tractors and machines are used and spraying is done by helicopter or plane. A single crop like wheat or corn is grown; it is done in temperate grasslands and needs big capital. Droughts, pests, locusts and market fluctuations are problems. Plantations are 40 hectares or more in hilly tropical areas; as machines cannot be used local labour is important. A single commercial crop such as tea, rubber, coffee, coconut, cocoa or spices, not grain. This farming began and spread in the colonial period.
- Easy : More from less land? — Intensive farming.
- Medium : Clearing land by burning? — Shifting cultivation.
- Exam-type : Tea, coffee, rubber? — Plantation.
In the figure: Subsistence and commercial farming.
Intensive = small land; extensive = huge land.
Plantations do not grow grain; they grow commercial crops like tea and coffee.
Memory clue: 200 ha = extensive; 40 ha = plantation.
Spot the difference
| Type | Farm size | Crop/Note |
|---|---|---|
| Intensive | Small | For the family |
| Shifting | Burnt forest plot | 2–3 years |
| Extensive grain | >200 ha | Wheat, corn |
| Plantation | ≥40 ha | Tea, rubber |
Practice questions
- 1State the main types of farming.
- 2State the characteristics of intensive farming.
- 3How is shifting cultivation done?
- 4Why is land changed in shifting cultivation?
- 5State the features of extensive grain farming.
- 6Why does it need more capital?
- 7State characteristics of plantation farming.
- 8Why does plantation farming need skilled labour?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Subsistence (intensive, shifting) and commercial (extensive grain, plantation).
- 2Small land, high yield, family use.
- 3Clear and burn forest; ash manure; sow before rain.
- 4Productivity falls after 2–3 years.
- 5>200 ha, machines, monocrop.
- 6Machinery, fertiliser, godowns, transport.
- 740 ha, one crop, hilly, local labour.
- 8Machines cannot be used; experienced labour needed.
Market Gardening, Horticulture, Organic Farming and Agrotourism
Fresh vegetables arrive daily near a city because farmers grow them close to it.
Growing vegetables near cities is market gardening (truck farming). Fruit and flower farming is horticulture/floriculture. Farming without chemical fertilisers and pesticides is organic farming.
Key idea 1 : Market gardening — Urbanisation and ready city markets grew this modern farming. Vegetables and other items are grown near cities for city dwellers; the principle of demand and supply applies. Land is small with irrigation and fertilisers, low investment and manpower. It depends on good transport; speed decides quality and price, hence the name truck farming.
Key idea 2 : Horticulture and floriculture — Fruit and flower farming is a sub-type of market gardening. Modern and traditional methods are used; farms are small and every plant is cared for. Irrigation, fertilisers and greenhouses are used. Lily, gerbera, tulip, dahlia, chrysanthemum and marigold fetch good prices. Mangoes, custard apples, grapes, bananas, pomegranates, strawberries etc. are grown at Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, Pune, Nagpur, Jalgaon and Nashik. France and Italy, with Mediterranean climate, are famous for horticulture.
Key idea 3 : Organic farming and agrotourism — Crops use soil nutrients so these must be replenished. In organic farming litter is decomposed in the ground, sesbania or jute is buried as green manure, and cowdung, compost and vermicompost from organic waste are used; neem-like organic pesticides control pests. No chemical fertilisers or pesticides are used and the crop is of high quality. Agrotourism is a new field of tourism; city people visit to see farmers’ life, rural customs and culture, benefiting the farmer and the village financially.
- Easy : Truck farming? — Vegetable farming near cities.
- Medium : Fertiliser in organic farming? — Cowdung, compost.
- Exam-type : Orchards in Maharashtra? — Nashik, Jalgaon.
In the figure: City demand drives market gardening.
City + transport = truck farming.
Organic farming uses no chemical fertiliser, only natural manure.
Memory clue: Organic = cowdung + compost + vermicompost.
Spot the difference
| Type | Feature | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Market gardening | Near city, small farm | Vegetables |
| Horticulture | Careful | Mango, rose |
| Organic | No chemicals | Vermicompost |
Practice questions
- 1What is market gardening?
- 2Why is it called truck farming?
- 3Give examples and places of horticulture.
- 4What is organic farming?
- 5How are organic manures made?
- 6State the benefits of agrotourism.
- 7Why does market gardening need good transport?
- 8Which farming grew due to urbanisation?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Growing vegetables etc. near cities.
- 2It depends on fast transport.
- 3Mango – Jalgaon, grape – Nashik, orange – Nagpur.
- 4Farming without chemicals.
- 5Cowdung, compost, green manure, vermicompost.
- 6Financial benefit to farmer and village.
- 7Goods are perishable and must be sold quickly.
- 8Market gardening.
Marketing of Farm Produce
Whether the farmer sells directly in the market or through an agent affects the price. A fair market system gives a fair price.
A marketing system makes farm goods reach consumers at a fair price and in time. In India Agricultural Produce Market Committees exist at taluka level.
Key idea 1 : Why a marketing system — Agriculture in India is scattered over vast areas. Farmers are not all organised and mostly economically weak so cannot market their produce themselves. So Agricultural Produce Market Committees exist at taluka level where farmers bring goods and sell to traders. As farm produce is perishable a proper arrangement for sale is needed. Farmers’ organisations and consumer societies protect farmers from exploitation by agents.
Key idea 2 : Modern sales routes — Some farm produce goes directly to industries as raw material. Globalisation has made international markets easily available. Progressive farmers use modern technology and sell with proper packaging. Hotels and malls also need produce on a large scale. By advertising on the internet farmers sell in local and international markets.
Key idea 3 : Risk of improper practices — Sometimes chemicals and pesticides are used heavily to get produce earlier. This makes fruits and vegetables look fresh and attractive but harmful to health, and they do not last after purchase. So choose naturally ripened produce and avoid wastage of water in farming.
- Easy : Taluka-level body? — Market committee.
- Medium : Farm produce is perishable? — It spoils quickly.
- Exam-type : Internet benefit? — Larger market.
In the figure: Farmer to consumer.
As per the textbook Israel is a major exporter of fresh produce and the most advanced in agricultural technology. Despite adverse climate, water scarcity and more than half its land being hot desert it took a giant leap in farming. (as per the textbook)
Perishable goods = quick and fair sale.
A shiny fruit is not always good; it may be artificially ripened.
Memory clue: Committee + organisation = exploitation stops.
Spot the difference
| Route | Who | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Market committee | Farmer-trader | Safe sale |
| Industry | Factories | Direct raw material |
| Internet | Progressive farmers | Larger market |
Practice questions
- 1Why does farm produce need a marketing system?
- 2State the function of an Agricultural Produce Market Committee.
- 3How do farmers’ organisations help?
- 4What follows from farm produce being perishable?
- 5Why is artificially ripened produce harmful?
- 6How has globalisation affected farm produce?
- 7State the features of Israel’s farming.
- 8Suggest ways to avoid water wastage in farming.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Farms are scattered; farmers unorganised and weak.
- 2Connects farmers and traders for sale.
- 3Protect from exploitation.
- 4Quick sale arrangements are needed.
- 5Harmful to health and short-lived.
- 6International markets became easy.
- 7Advanced technology; export; farming despite desert.
- 8Drip irrigation, ponds, storing water etc.