Improvement in Food Resources

Introduction

With a growing population, there is a constant need for more food. This can be achieved by increasing the efficiency of production for both crops and livestock.

1. Improvement in Crop Yields

Various crops like cereals (wheat, rice, maize), pulses (gram, pea), oil seeds (soyabean, groundnut), and vegetables/fruits provide different nutrients.

Crop Season

Kharif Season: Crops grown from June to October (Rainy season). Examples: Paddy, soyabean, pigeon pea, maize.
Rabi Season: Crops grown from November to April (Winter season). Examples: Wheat, gram, peas, mustard.

Approaches to Improve Yield

Crop Variety Improvement: Selecting varieties with good yields, disease resistance, and response to fertilizers.
Crop Production Improvement: Proper use of nutrients, irrigation, and cropping patterns.
Crop Protection Management: Protecting crops from weeds, pests, and diseases.

The Green Revolution The Green Revolution led to a massive increase in food grain production in India, primarily through the use of high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds and modern agricultural techniques.

2. Nutrient Management

Plants require nutrients for growth, obtained from air, water, and soil.

Macronutrients: Required in large quantities (e.g., Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium).
Micronutrients: Required in small quantities (e.g., Iron, Manganese, Zinc).

Manure vs. Fertilizers

Manure: Organic matter prepared by decomposition of animal excreta and plant waste. It improves soil structure and water-holding capacity.
Fertilizers: Commercially produced plant nutrients. They provide quick results but can harm soil health and cause water pollution if overused.

3. Irrigation

Since Indian agriculture is mostly rain-fed, proper irrigation is crucial.

Wells: Dug wells and tube wells.
Canals: Large systems drawing water from rivers.
River Lift Systems: Drawing water directly from rivers in areas where canal flow is insufficient.
Tanks: Small storage reservoirs.

4. Cropping Patterns

Mixed Cropping: Growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land (e.g., Wheat + Gram).
Inter-cropping: Growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same field in a definite pattern (e.g., Soyabean + Maize).
Crop Rotation: Growing different crops on a piece of land in a pre-planned succession.

5. Animal Husbandry

The scientific management of livestock.

Cattle Farming: For milk (milch animals) and draught labour (draught animals).
Poultry Farming: To produce eggs and meat.
Fish Production: Capture fishing (from natural sources) and Culture fishery (fish farming).
Beekeeping (Apiculture): For honey and wax.

Honeybee Diversity The Italian bee (Apis mellifera) is commonly used for commercial honey production in India because it has a high honey-collection capacity and stings less.

1. Improvement in Crop Yields

Various crops like cereals (wheat, rice, maize), pulses (gram, pea), oil seeds (soyabean, groundnut), and vegetables/fruits provide different nutrients.

Kharif Season: Crops grown from June to October (Rainy season). Examples: Paddy, soyabean, pigeon pea, maize.

Rabi Season: Crops grown from November to April (Winter season). Examples: Wheat, gram, peas, mustard.

Crop Variety Improvement: Selecting varieties with good yields, disease resistance, and response to fertilizers.

Crop Production Improvement: Proper use of nutrients, irrigation, and cropping patterns.

Crop Protection Management: Protecting crops from weeds, pests, and diseases.

2. Nutrient Management

Plants require nutrients for growth, obtained from air, water, and soil.

Macronutrients: Required in large quantities (e.g., Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium).

Micronutrients: Required in small quantities (e.g., Iron, Manganese, Zinc).

Manure: Organic matter prepared by decomposition of animal excreta and plant waste. It improves soil structure and water-holding capacity.

Fertilizers: Commercially produced plant nutrients. They provide quick results but can harm soil health and cause water pollution if overused.

4. Cropping Patterns

Mixed Cropping: Growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land (e.g., Wheat + Gram).

Inter-cropping: Growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same field in a definite pattern (e.g., Soyabean + Maize).

Crop Rotation: Growing different crops on a piece of land in a pre-planned succession.

5. Animal Husbandry

The scientific management of livestock.

Cattle Farming: For milk (milch animals) and draught labour (draught animals).

Poultry Farming: To produce eggs and meat.

Fish Production: Capture fishing (from natural sources) and Culture fishery (fish farming).

Beekeeping (Apiculture): For honey and wax.

Honeybee Diversity The Italian bee (Apis mellifera) is commonly used for commercial honey production in India because it has a high honey-collection capacity and stings less.

Improvement in Food Resources

Improvement in Food Resources

Introduction

1. Improvement in Crop Yields

Crop Season

Approaches to Improve Yield

2. Nutrient Management

Manure vs. Fertilizers

3. Irrigation

4. Cropping Patterns

5. Animal Husbandry

On this page

Improvement in Food Resources

Improvement in Food Resources

Introduction

1. Improvement in Crop Yields

Crop Season

Approaches to Improve Yield

2. Nutrient Management

Manure vs. Fertilizers

3. Irrigation

4. Cropping Patterns

5. Animal Husbandry

On this page