The
cultivation methods depend upon the characteristics of the physical
environment, technological know-how and socio-cultural practices.
Farming
varies from subsistence to commercial type. In different parts of India, the
following farming systems are practised.
Primitive
Subsistence Farming
It is a
‘slash and burn’ agriculture. Farmers clear a patch of land and produce cereals
and other food crops. When the soil fertility decreases, the farmers shift and
clear a fresh patch of land for cultivation. It is known by different names in
different parts of the country. It is known as jhumming in
north-eastern states.
·
Land productivity is low in this type of
agriculture.
·
This type of farming depends on monsoon.
·
This farming is practised in a few parts of
India.
Intensive
Subsistence Farming
·
This type of farming is practised in areas of
high population pressure on land.
·
It is labour-intensive farming, where high
doses of biochemical inputs and irrigation are used for higher production.
Commercial
Farming
·
This type of farming uses higher doses of
modern inputs such as high yielding variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilisers,
insecticides and pesticides to obtain higher productivity.
Plantation is a type of commercial
farming in which a single crop is grown on a large area. Plantations cover
large tracts of land, using capital intensive inputs, with the help of migrant
labourers. All the produce is used as a raw material in industries.
Eg: Tea, Coffee, Rubber, Sugarcane, Banana.