Indian Agriculture – UPSC & SSC Exam Notes | JKSSB Mock Test
Indian Agriculture – Complete Notes for UPSC, SSC, JKSSB
Indian Agriculture is a critical sector of the economy, employing over 50% of the workforce and contributing significantly to food security and rural livelihoods. This topic is extremely important for all competitive exams including UPSC, SSC, and JKSSB. Let's understand the key aspects of Indian agriculture in detail.
Role and Importance of Agriculture
- Employment: Largest employer in India.
- GDP Contribution: Approx. 18% of India's GDP.
- Food Security: Backbone of food production.
- Raw Material: Supplies to industries like textiles, sugar, food processing.
Types of Farming in India
- Subsistence Farming: Small-scale, self-consumption based.
- Commercial Farming: Grown for sale and export (e.g., cotton, sugarcane).
- Plantation Farming: Single crop grown on large estates (e.g., tea, coffee).
- Shifting Agriculture: Practiced in tribal regions.
- Mixed Farming: Combination of crop and livestock farming.
Major Cropping Seasons
| Season | Duration | Main Crops |
|---|---|---|
| Kharif | June - October | Rice, Maize, Cotton |
| Rabi | October - March | Wheat, Mustard, Barley |
| Zaid | March - June | Melons, Cucumber |
Green Revolution
Introduced in the 1960s, it led to a sharp increase in food grain production. Focus was on HYV seeds, irrigation, and fertilizers.
- Pioneer: M.S. Swaminathan
- Success Areas: Punjab, Haryana, UP
- Focus Crops: Wheat and Rice
Major Agricultural Crops
| Crop | Top Producing States |
|---|---|
| Rice | West Bengal, UP, Punjab |
| Wheat | UP, Punjab, Haryana |
| Sugarcane | UP, Maharashtra, Karnataka |
| Cotton | Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana |
| Pulses | Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan |
Government Schemes
- PM-KISAN: ₹6000/year to farmers in 3 installments.
- PMFBY: Crop insurance for yield loss.
- e-NAM: Online trading platform for agriculture.
- Soil Health Card: Nutrient management guidance.
Challenges in Indian Agriculture
- Small land holdings
- Dependence on monsoon
- Lack of mechanization
- Low productivity per hectare
- Rural indebtedness
Recent Reforms and Initiatives
- Digital agriculture push
- Kisan Rail and Agri Infra Fund
- Micro irrigation through PMKSY
- Doubling farmer income initiative
Exam‑Relevant One‑Liners (SSC / JKSSB / UPSC)
- Largest rice producing state: West Bengal
- India's rank in milk production: 1st
- Green Revolution focused on: Wheat
- State with highest agricultural exports: Maharashtra
- Biggest challenge: Monsoon dependency
