AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA

AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA

1. Why is Indian agriculture known as “gamble with the monsoons”?

            Indian agriculture is called “gamble with monsoon” because agriculture greatly depends on monsoons. The monsoons are uncertain, seasonal and unevenly distributed. As a result crops cannot be cultivated throughout the year.

2. Mention any 4 items of the 20-Point Programme.

            The Twenty Point programme was introduced in 1975. It provides for:-

• distribution of --------------- non-agricultural season.

3. What were the reasons for the abolition of Zamindari System?

            Before independence, 40% of the land was under Zamindars and it was a hindrance to our country’s progress. Farmers had no right on the lands they cultivated. This was affecting agriculture adversely. To correct this and to make tillers the owners of the land, Zamindari system was abolished.

4. What do you mean economic holding?

            An economic holding is one which allows the farmer a chance of earning sufficient income to support himself and his family in reasonable comfort after paying necessary cultivation expenses.

5. Why was crop insurance introduced? or How crop insurance is helpful to farmers?

            Farmers often suffer because of the vagaries of weather. To overcome these difficulties and to protect farmers the scheme of crop insurance was introduced. The crop insurance scheme guarantees compensation in the event of crop failure or due to natural calamities of failure of monsoons.

6. How are regulated markets formed?

            There is a committee consisting of representatives of traders, farmers, local bodies and government which monitors a regulated market.

7. Why was Food Corporation of India started? What are its functions?

            Food Corporation of India was established in 1865 to facilitate proper storage of agricultural produce.

            The important functions of the Food Corporation of India are:-

v  Purchase of agricultural produce at a proper price.

v  Transportation of the purchased products to warehouses

v  Scientific storage of the food grains.

v  Selling of the products through fair price shops.

8. What are the benefits, which the farmers derive by storing their produce in marketing co-operative societies?

            The co-operative marketing societies help the farmers –

§  to get better prices for their produce by eliminating exploitation by middlemen.

§  by providing warehousing and cold storage facilities

§  by undertaking processing of agricultural produce

§  by supplying fertilizers, seeds, pesticides and agricultural implements to the farmers.

II. 1. What are the measures taken to improve the living conditions of the agricultural labourers?

            Some of the measures taken to improve the living conditions of the agricultural labourers are:

      Abolition of bonded labour

      Fixation of minimum wages

      Creation of employment opportunities during non-agricultural seasons

      distribution of free houses and house sites

      distribution of surplus land acquired through land reforms

      Starting industries in rural areas

      loans at low rate of interests, etc

2. What are the advantages of regulated markets to our farmers?

            The regulated markets :

ü  fix the market charges

ü  issue license to the traders

ü  provide warehousing facilities

ü  provide market information like prevailing market prices, etc

ü  decide the prices by auction

ü  cancel licenses of traders who indulge in irregular and unscrupulous practices

3. What are the problems which our farmers experience in marketing their produce?

            Farmers face many problems in marketing their produce. Some of these problems are :

v  high trade commission

v  the cost of transportation is high

v  Perishable goods have no storage facilities

v  exploitation by traders and commission agents

v  Cheating in weights and measures

v  delay in payment of cues to the farmers after the sale

v  lack of information regarding prices, etc.

4. What is the need for ceiling on the land holdings? What are the maximum limits of land prescribed under it?

            Under the Zamindari system one could own any amount of land. This had created inequality and hardship to the farmers. To overcome this and achieve a fair distribution of land, ceiling on land holdings is need.

            The maximum limits on land holdings in Karnataka are :-

• fully irrigated land 4 to 8 hectares
• partly irrigated land 8 to 12 hectares
• dry land 21.85 hectares

III. 1. Why is agriculture considered as the backbone of our economy?  Or  What is the importance of agriculture in India?

ü  India is an agricultural economy where 58% of the people depend on agriculture.

ü  It accounts for about 35% of our national income.

ü  It provides food for the people and fodder for the animals.

ü  Agriculture is the main source of raw materials to the agro-based industries.

ü  Agriculture provides market for many of the finished products.

ü  Foreign exchange is earned through exports of agriculture-based produce.

ü  Agriculture, being less capital-intensive, is of great importance as there is less capital for investment in India.

ü  It helps in better distribution of income and wealth.

2. What are the causes for the backwardness of Indian agriculture?

            Indian agriculture has remained backward on account of a number of reasons. They are :-

• Our farmers still follow old methods of cultivation.
• Illiteracy and conservatism have come in the way of adopting scientific methods of cultivation.
• In many parts of the country farmers are still tenants and have no security of tenancy.
• Uneconomical holdings are a result of our laws of inheritance, but they adversely effect agriculture.
•  Rural indebtedness and non-availability of capital also act as hindrances.
• Defective marketing and low prices have affected farming.
• Over-dependence on monsoons has also contributed for the backwardness of agriculture.