Farming Based Livelihood Systems

3 (2+1)

Chatper-1: Status of Agriculture in India & different States

M. P. Parmar
Assistant Professor & Head,
Dairy Business Management Division,
College of Dairy Science,
Kamdhenu University, Amreli
 Indian Agriculture
• Indian agriculture begun around 11,000 years before present with
the domestication of animals and early cultivation of plants found
place in the ancient scripts of Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana and
Mahabharata.

• Agriculture in India has been a complex mosaic of district agro-

ecosystems, differentiated by climate, soil, vegetation and other
natural features.

• Food shortage in Pre-Independent India caused serious impacts as

agriculture was monsoon-dependent and unfavourable rains and
natural calamities resulted in crop failures.
• After Independent, Agriculture as the Most
Prioritized sector. "Everything else can wait, but
not agriculture". Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

• The food grain production was merely 51 million

tons(Mt) in 1950/51 and increased over 6 times to
over 314 Mt in 2022.

• The country became the largest producer of milk,

pulses and jute and the second-largest producer of
rice, wheat, cotton, fruits and vegetables in the
world.
• We are now reimagining the Indian agriculture and
prioritized for enhancing farmers income (200%),
reducing fertilizer use (25%) and water use (20%),
increasing use of renewable energy (50%), reducing
greenhouse gas emission intensity (45%) and
rehabilitating degraded land of 26 million ha (Mha).
•A multi-pronged strategy with integration,
diversification, customization, farm mechanization,
value addition and market access are the way forward to
realize the full potentials of Indian farming with focus
on profitable commercialization and export, ecosystem
approach, sustainable agri-food system involving smart
farmers and farming, post-harvest value addition and
entrepreneurship engaging youth and women.
 Agricultural research in India
• Establishment of Imperial Council of Agricultural Research ICAR (1929) in
Delhi.
• Now, The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) was established on
16th July 1929 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• It is an autonomous organization under the Department of Agricultural Research
and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare,
Government of India.
• With 113 ICAR research institutes and 74 agricultural universities, 4 deemed
university, 3 central universities, and 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendra spread across
the country this is one of the largest national agricultural systems in the world.
It’s headquartered situated at New Delhi.
• It is the apex body for coordinating, guiding and managing research and
education in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in
the entire country.
• The ICAR has played a pioneering role in ushering Green Revolution
• India, approx. 30,000 scientists and more 1 lakh technical staff in Indian
National Agricultural Research & Education System (NARES).
Landmark achievements in Indian agriculture
• In the year 1950-51, have been producing about 135Mt from
agriculture and allied sectors. In 2021-22, total production of food
and non-food items was about 1300 Mt.
• This achievement is one amongst the very few noticeable
landmarks in the history of Independent India.
• There has been multi-fold increase in the production of all the
commodities, in spite the net sown area remaining almost constant
at about 140 Mha.
• Rainbow Revolution indicate various farm practices such as Green
Revolution (Foodgrains),
• White Revolution (Milk), Yellow Revolution (Oil seeds),
• Blue Revolution (Fisheries); Golden Revolution (Fruits);
• Silver Revolution (Eggs), Revolution (Potato),
• Pink Revolution (Meat), Grey Revolution
(Fertilizers)
• India now is one of the largest agri-producers globally,
ranking with the top 5 countries.

• These have enabled not only self-sufficiency in food but also

export of agri-commodities worth US$ 50 billion.
Food shortage in pre-independent India: Agriculture was monsoon-
dependent and unfavorable rains and natural calamities resulted in crop
failures.
The planning process in independent India: It identified agriculture as
the most prioritized sector and emphasized that ‘everything can wait but
agriculture’.
Increase in the food grain production: From merely 51 million tons
(Mt) in 1950/51 increased over 6 times to over 314 Mt in 2022.
• India is a global agricultural powerhouse.

• It is the world’s largest producer of milk, pulses, and spices, and

has the world’s largest cattle herd (buffaloes).

• It is the second largest producer of rice, wheat, cotton, sugarcane,

farmed fish, sheep & goat meat, fruit, vegetables and tea.

• The country has some 195 m ha under cultivation of which some

63 percent are rainfed (roughly 125m ha) while 37 percent are
irrigated (70m ha).
 Agricultural Production and Yields
• Top 10 Leading Agricultural States of India
1) Punjab: Known as the “Granary of India,” Punjab is
renowned for its wheat and rice production. It is also a
major producer of cotton and sugarcane.

2) Uttar Pradesh: This state is the largest producer of

sugarcane, wheat, and potatoes in India. It also
contributes significantly to the production of rice, pulses,
and oilseeds.

3) Maharashtra: Maharashtra is the leading producer of

cotton, sugarcane, and grapes in India. It is also known
for its production of rice, wheat, and pulses.
4) Madhya Pradesh: This state is a major producer of soybeans,
wheat, and pulses. It also contributes to the production of rice,
cotton, and sugarcane.

5) Rajasthan: Rajasthan is the largest producer of bajra (pearl

millet) in India. It is also known for its production of wheat, pulses,
and oilseeds.

6) Bihar: Bihar is a major producer of rice, wheat, and maize. It

also contributes to the production of pulses, oilseeds, and sugarcane.

7) Andhra Pradesh: This state is known for its production of rice,

sugarcane, and cotton. It also contributes to the production of
chillies, tobacco, and oilseeds.
8) Karnataka: Karnataka is a major producer of coffee, sugarcane,
and rice. It is also known for its production of cotton, pulses, and
oilseeds.

9) Tamil Nadu: This state is the leading producer of coconuts,

bananas, and sugarcane in India. It also contributes to the
production of rice, pulses, and oilseeds.

10) West Bengal: West Bengal is a major producer of rice, jute, and
tea. It also contributes to the production of wheat, pulses, and
oilseeds.
 Top 3 Rice-Producing States of India
India is the world’s largest producer of rice, accounting for over

25% of global production.

1) West Bengal: West Bengal is the largest rice-producing state in India,

contributing around 15% to the country’s total production.

2) Uttar Pradesh: Uttar Pradesh ranks second in rice production in India,

contributing around 12% to the country’s total output.

3) Punjab: Punjab is another major rice-producing state in India, contributing

around 10% to the country’s total production.

• These three states account for over 35% of India’s total rice production. Other

significant rice-producing states include Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh,

Odisha, and Bihar.

 Top 3 Wheat-Producing States of India
• India is one of the largest producers of wheat in the world.

1. Uttar Pradesh: Uttar Pradesh is the largest wheat-producing state in India,

contributing around 30-35% of the country’s total wheat production.

2. Punjab: Punjab is another major wheat-producing state in India,

accounting for approximately 20-25% of the country’s total wheat
production.

3. Madhya Pradesh: Madhya Pradesh ranks third in wheat production in

India, contributing around 15-20% of the country’s total wheat output.

• These three states together account for more than 60% of India’s total wheat
production.
Top 3 Maize-Producing States of I
ndia
• Maize, also known as corn, is a widely cultivated cereal grain that
serves as a staple food for millions of people around the world.

• In India, maize is an important crop grown in various regions,

contributing significantly to the country’s agricultural production.
1. Karnataka: The state has favorable climatic conditions and
fertile soils, making it suitable for maize cultivation.
2. Maharashtra: The state has a significant area under maize
cultivation, particularly in the western and central regions.
3. Andhra Pradesh: The state has suitable agro-climatic conditions
for maize cultivation, especially in the northern and coastal districts.
 Top 3 Total Food Grains-Producing States of India
• India is the world’s second-largest producer of food grains, after
China.
• The country produces a wide variety of food grains, including rice,
wheat, maize, sorghum, millets, and pulses.
1) Uttar Pradesh: Uttar Pradesh is the largest food grains-producing
state in India. The state produces a wide variety of food grains,
including rice, wheat, maize, sorghum, millets, and pulses. In 2020-21,
Uttar Pradesh produced a total of 109.4 million tonnes of food grains.
2) Madhya Pradesh: Madhya Pradesh is the second-largest food
grains-producing state in India. The state produces a wide variety of
food grains, including rice, wheat, maize, sorghum, millets, and pulses.
In 2020-21, Madhya Pradesh produced a total of 89.4 million tonnes of
food grains.
3) Rajasthan: Rajasthan is the third-largest food grains-producing state
in India. The state produces a wide variety of food grains, including
rice, wheat, maize, sorghum, millets, and pulses. In 2020-21, Rajasthan
produced a total of 78.4 million tonnes of food grains.