Food Resources and Crop Yield Improvement

The need for sustainable practices in agriculture and animal husbandry is crucial for ensuring enough food for the growing population.

Food security means having both enough food available and the ability to access it. This includes having money to buy food.

The Green Revolution led to a significant increase in food production, especially grain.

India's population is very large and still growing, leading to a significant need for more food production.

Increasing the efficiency of crop and livestock production is vital for feeding India's growing population.

Mixed farming involves combining different agricultural activities like livestock, poultry, or fisheries to create a more sustainable and diversified system.

Intercropping is a method of planting different crops together in the same field to increase overall yield and resource utilization.

Integrated farming combines different agricultural practices, such as livestock and crop production, to create a sustainable ecosystem.

Nutrients needed by plants in tiny amounts, like iron, manganese, boron, zinc, copper, molybdenum, and chlorine.

Nutrients needed by plants in large amounts, like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.

A method of converting biological waste into nutrient-rich soil amendment using earthworms.

Compost made from decomposed biological waste like livestock excreta, vegetable waste, animal refuse, domestic waste, sewage waste, straw, and weeds.

Planting a crop, like sun hemp or guar, before the main crop and then mulching it into the soil to enrich it with nutrients.

Using biological waste material as fertilizer, which is more sustainable and reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers.

The deficiency of essential nutrients in plants can lead to problems like reduced growth, poor reproduction, and increased susceptibility to diseases.

The process of decomposing organic waste material, like manure, in pits to produce compost.

Finding the best crop variety for a specific environment by selecting for desired traits like disease resistance, good yield, or response to fertilizer.

Improving the overall methods of growing crops to maximize yield and quality, using techniques like efficient irrigation or soil management.

Protecting crops from pests, diseases, and other threats that can reduce yield and quality.

A process of combining genes from different plants to create offspring with desirable traits, like disease resistance or high yield.

Crossbreeding between different varieties within the same species.

Crossbreeding between two different species of the same genus.

Crossbreeding between two different genera.

A crop that has been genetically modified to incorporate desirable traits.

Intercropping helps crops use nutrients more efficiently, promoting healthy growth.

Intercropping can deter pests and diseases by ensuring they don't completely overtake a single crop.

Weeds compete with crops for resources like water, sunlight, and nutrients.

Removing weeds during the early stages of a crop's life is essential for a successful harvest.

Insect pests can harm plants in various ways, such as cutting parts, sucking sap, or boring into the stem.

Plant diseases are caused by pathogens like bacteria, fungi, and viruses, which can spread through soil, water, and air.

Pesticides are used to control weeds, insects, and diseases, but they can have negative environmental impacts.

Fertilizers provide quick nutrient boost, increasing yields in the short term. Manure provides slow-release nutrients, improving soil structure and fertility over time.

Organic farming avoids synthetic chemicals. It relies on natural fertilizers like manure, compost, and biofertilizers.

Blue green algae produce biofertilizers, enriching soil naturally. Neem leaves and turmeric are used as natural pesticides for safe insect control.

Mixed cropping, intercropping, and crop rotation are methods used in organic farming to create healthy cropping systems.

Dug wells access water from shallow strata, while Tube wells tap deeper levels. Pumps lift water for irrigation.

A network of canals, fed by reservoirs or rivers, delivers water to fields through a system of branches and distributaries.

Irrigation systems provide water to farmlands, ensuring consistent water supply for crops regardless of rainfall variations.

India's diverse climate and water resources necessitate various irrigation systems, such as wells, canals, rivers, and tanks, to suit different conditions and needs.

Fishing in the ocean, using nets and boats, often locating fish schools with technology like satellites and echo-sounders.

Raising fish in controlled environments, like ponds or tanks, for harvest. This can involve freshwater or seawater.

A system of fish farming where multiple species with different feeding habits are raised together in one pond to maximize food utilization and reduce competition.

The practice of raising marine fish in controlled seawater environments, typically for commercial purposes.

The production of broilers, chickens raised for meat, requires careful management of housing, nutrition, and disease prevention.

India's diverse coastline and deep seas are important sources of marine fish such as pomphret, mackerel, tuna, sardines, and Bombay duck.

The practice of raising shellfish like prawns, mussels, and oysters, often in controlled environments, for food.

Seaweed cultivation is being practiced in some areas to add to the diversity of marine food production.

Raising oysters for the valuable pearls they produce.