Food Resources and Crop Yields in India

Food Resources

• All living organisms need food, including proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
• Plants and animals are primary sources of food.
• Food production from agriculture and animal husbandry is essential.
• India's growing population requires significantly more food.
• Increased production efficiency in both crops and livestock is vital.
• The green revolution increased grain production.
• The white revolution improved milk production.
• Intensified agriculture has negative impacts on natural resources.
• Sustainable practices in agriculture and animal husbandry are necessary.
• Food security depends on both availability and accessibility.
• Increased farmer income is essential to combat hunger.

Crop Yields

• Cereals (wheat, rice, maize, millets, sorghum) provide carbohydrates.
• Pulses (gram, pea, black gram, green gram, pigeon pea, lentil) provide protein.
• Oilseeds (soybean, groundnut, sesame, castor, mustard, linseed, sunflower) supply fats.
• Vegetables, spices, and fruits provide vitamins and minerals.
• Fodder crops like berseem, oats, or sudan grass are used for livestock feed.

Crop Variety Improvement

• Finding high-yielding crop varieties resistant to diseases and other factors is essential.
• Breeding for desirable traits like disease resistance, fertilizer response, and high yield.
• Hybridisation (intervarietal, interspecific, intergeneric) improves crop varieties.
• Genetically modified crops also improve traits.
• Planting quality seeds is critical for success.

Crop Production Management

• Managing nutrients for optimal crop growth is essential.
• Maintaining soil fertility involves appropriate application of manure and fertilizers.
• The use of biological waste products in manure and compost is beneficial.

Irrigation

• Water availability is crucial for successful agriculture.
• Wells, canals, rivers, and tanks are used as water sources for irrigation.
• River lift systems, tanks, and rainwater harvesting are important water management techniques.

Cropping Patterns

• Mixed cropping involves growing different crops simultaneously.
• Intercropping involves growing two or more crops in a definite pattern on the same land.
• Crop rotation involves growing different crops in sequential cycles to maintain soil fertility.

Crop Protection Management

• Weed control, pest control, and disease control are crucial for effective crop management.
• Chemical pesticides are commonly used, but excessive use has detrimental effects.
• Crop protection practices that minimize environmental impact are preferable.
• Using resistant varieties and other preventive methods can help.

Animal Husbandry

• Managing animal livestock scientifically includes feeding, breeding, and disease control.
• Dairy cattle production involves milk and draft animals.
• Specific feed requirements, adequate housing, and disease management are essential.
• Improved poultry breeds focus on egg and/or chicken meat production.

Fish Production

• Fish are an important protein source.
• Fish farming techniques include capture fishing, mariculture, and aquaculture.
• Composite fish culture uses multiple fish species within the same pond.
• Optimal fish farming practices include consideration of local conditions and environmental impact.

Bee-Keeping

• Honey production is widely practiced.
• Bee varieties suitable for honey production are essential.
• Factors like pasturage (availability of flowers for nectar) influence honey quality.