Agricultural Practices: Modern Farming Systems PDF

Okay, here is the conversion of the provided document into a structured Markdown format: ### (6) Rainfed Farming Farming that depends solely on rainfall for water, with little to no irrigation. * **Advantages**: Minimal cost irrigation infrastructure; promotes local crop varieties suited to rain...

Okay, here is the conversion of the provided document into a structured Markdown format: ### (6) Rainfed Farming Farming that depends solely on rainfall for water, with little to no irrigation. * **Advantages**: Minimal cost irrigation infrastructure; promotes local crop varieties suited to rainfall patterns. * **Disadvantages**: Highly vulnerable to weather changes, droughts, and inconsistent rainfall. ### Modern Farming Systems #### (1) Monoculture The practice of growing a single crop on a large scale over a vast area. * **Advantages**: Simplifies management, efficient use of machinery, and maximizes output for high-demand crops. * **Disadvantages**: Depletes soil nutrients, increases the vulnerability to pests and diseases, and leads to biodiversity loss. #### (2) Commercial Farming Large-scale production of crops or livestock for sale and profit, usually relying on advanced technologies, high inputs of fertilizers, and mechanization. * **Advantages**: High yields, increased efficiency through mechanization, and contribution to exports and food security. * **Disadvantages**: High inputs costs, environmental damage from the overuse of fertilizers and pesticides, and social inequalities in land ownership. #### (3) Agroforestry A system that integrates trees and shrubs into crop and livestock farming systems to improve land use and diversify production. * **Advantages**: Increases biodiversity, improves soil fertility, and provides multiple products (timber, fruits, fuelwood). * **Disadvantages**: Complex management system and longer time to see economic returns from tree crops. #### (4) Hydroponics and Aquaponics Soilless farming systems where plants are grown in nutrient-rich water solutions (hydroponics) or integrated with fish farming (aquaponics). * **Advantages**: Uses less water, no soil degradation, high efficiency in small spaces, and reduced use of pesticides. * **Disadvantages**: High setup costs, need for technical expertise, and dependence on external inputs. #### (5) Precision Farming A technology-driven approach that uses GPS, sensors, and data analytics to optimize farm inputs (fertilizers, water, seeds) and monitor crop conditions in real-time. * **Advantages**: Increases efficiency, reduces waste, and enhances production by fine-tuning inputs to specific field conditions. * **Disadvantages**: High initial investment and dependence on technology. #### (6) Vertical Farming Growing crops in vertically stacked layers or vertically inclined surfaces, often in controlled environments (indoors or greenhouses). * **Advantages**: Efficient use of space, controlled environment allows year-round production, reduces the need for pesticides. * **Disadvantages**: High energy costs for artificial lighting and climate control, expensive setup, and limited crop variety. #### (7) Protected cultivation Protected cultivation, also known as greenhouse or controlled environment agriculture (CEA), is a method of growing crops in a controlled environment to protect them from environmental stresses and produce healthier, higher-quality crops. * **Advantages**: Higher yield, better quality, reduced pesticide use, precise application of inputs. * **Disadvantages**: High energy costs for structure and climate-control, expensive setup, requires technical knowledge, suitable for high-value crops. #### (8) Genetically Modified (GM) Crops A system that utilizes genetically modified crops that are engineered for traits like pest resistance, herbicide tolerance, and improved nutritional content. * **Advantages**: Higher yields, reduced use of pesticides, resistance to environmental stresses. * **Disadvantages**: Ethical concerns, potential environmental risks, and market resistance to GM products. ## Components of farming system/farming-based livelihood systems ### CROPPING Cropping is the most important component of the farming system. It is considered the backbone of the farming system because it can be implemented in all types of situations like wetland, garden land and dry land. There are many types of crops and cropping systems raised by the farmers to fulfil their food, fiber and fuel requirements. Cereals, pulses, oilseed, fiber, fodder and cash crops are the important crops cultivated by the majority of farmers. Cropping component also serves as the base for many other components as it provides raw material inputs to other components. ### HORTICULTURE The demand and production of different horticultural crops viz., fruit, flower and vegetable crops are increasing day to day. A large number of farmers have included cultivation of horticultural crops as a component of the farming system in garden land and dry land areas to fulfil the market demand and receiving higher economic returns. The horticulture-based food processing industries are also developing which support this component and create a parallel economy and employment opportunities for the people. ### LIVESTOCK/DAIRY FARMING For the centuries, farmers of India are growing crops and livestock together. The Livestock has been an integral part of the system. Apart from contributing to the food basket and nutritional security, it provides constant income to farmers throughout the year. This system plays a significant role in generating employment to landless, small and marginal farmers and farm women. Many farmers are shifting their activities to livestock and agroforestry when crop production becomes difficult due to the failure of monsoon. Majority of the cattle owners in the country only maintain 1 or 2 milch animals as an integral part of the mixed farming system. They utilize family labor for various practices concerned with dairying. Successful dairy farming needs sound management practices. It is imperative to provide good managerial inputs (feed, fodder, housing, health care, breeding, general management and marketing) to exploit the full genetic potential of livestock and to make it economically viable. The success of dairy farming depends on the availability of inputs and better marketing the facilities for milk. Besides producing milk, dairy animals are also a good source of draft power and farmyard manure, which is a good source of organic matter for improving soil fertility. The farm byproducts in turn are gainfully utilized for feeding the animals. #### *(a) Cattle* Cattle rearing in India is carried out under a variety of adverse conditions of climate and environment. The breeds are classified into three groups. (i) **Draft breeds**: The bullocks of these breeds are good for draft animals, but the cows are poor milkers, e.g. Khillari, Nagore, Hallikar,, Mall. (ii) **Dairy breeds**: The cows are high milk yielders, but the bullocks are of poor craft quality, e.g., Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, Gir. (iii) **Dual purpose**: The cows are fairly good milkers and the bullocks are of good draft work capacity, examples Tharparkar, Haryana and Gorkha. **Exotic breeds**: The exotic breeds are high milk yielder examples Jersey, Holstein, Friesian, Aryshire, Brown Swiss and Guernsey. #### *(b) Buffalo* Buffaloes digest more of roughage than cows and thrive well on dry fodder. Buffaloes are able to utilize coarse feed even rejected also. Majority of dairy products in the country are based on buffalo. The higher fat percentage in buffalo milk is more profitable in dairy enterprises, particularly for toned and double toned milk. The higher fat content around 7- 8%, and sometimes up to 12-15% enables that farmers to get a higher income, as the price of the milk is based on fat content. Buffalo milk is comparatively cheaper produce, since a buffalo Isable to utilize coarse feed even rejected also. Buffaloes are also utilized a source of power for various field operations. They are slow, but heavy and strong and are suited to work in the muddy and submerged fields where they are able to pull heavier loads than cattle. **Breeds:** The important buffalo breeds are Murrah, Nili Ravi, Kundi, Bhadawari, Tarai, Nagpuri, Pandharpuri, Mandya, Kalahandi, Sambalour (Central region), Toda, Surti, Jaffarbadi and Mahsani, Dharwari. #### *(c) Goat Farming* India is blessed with the largest population of goats i.e., about 23% of the world population. Employing goat rearing in integrated farming systems is profitable and gives assured dividends. Goats are small animals, and are easy to manage. Goats are also a source of bones, hooves, glands, offal, fiber, urine and dropings. Goats are browsing rather than grazing. They obtain their intake from a wide variety of vegetation throughout the year. Goat farming can be more profitable if good pastures are available. The average milk production is 1 litre/day/animal. Goats produce a low-fat meat. The smallest viable unit of goats comprise 50 does (female) + 2 bucks (male). One can establish organized goat farms in multiples of 50+2. **Breeds** * Milk & Meat: Jamnapari, Osmanabadi, Barbari, Beetal * Meat and skin: Black Bengal, Kanni adu * Meat, skin and milk: Barvari, Malabari (Tellicherry), Sirohi, Surti * Meat, hair and skin: Gaddi, Kutchi, Marwari * Fibre: Angora, Gaddi, Pashmina, Chegu, Changthangi Surti Goat is one of the best breeds in India for dairy. This breed is very small and is native of Surat in Gujarat They are most economical to the rear. Surti female goats are bigger than male goats. #### *(d) Sheep Farming* Sheep Is also a small ruminant with a high and stability to and extreme climate. Sheep can thrive well in all agroclimatic conditions except in high rainfall areas. Sheep plays important role in animal protection arid regions and largely in marginal and small holdings. Sheep with its multi-facet facility with wool, meat, milk, skins and manure, form an important component of the rural economy Sheep wearing can be recommended as an operation to rural people especially to be weaker sections in hilly, drought prone and desert area. In the event of failure of seasonal rains and crops, sheep wearing gives a heeping hand to the farmers. Sheep can subsist on now set and sparse vegetation. **Breeds:** Deccani, Nellore, Bellari, Mandya, Banur, Nilgiri, Gurez, Bhakarwal, Gaddi, Lohi, Bikaneri, Marwari, Kutchi, Coimbatore white, etc. ### Poultry Poultry is one of the fastest growing food industries in the world. Poultry meat counts for about 27 percentage of total meat consumed worldwide, and its consumption is growing at average of approximately 5% annually. Poultry industry in India is relatively new agriculture industry Poultry in IFS plays a pivotal rule fulfilling the ever-increasing demand for meat, and the demand for eggs in the country. Rearing poultry in a backyard system is an age-old practice. Poultry is a means of livelihood for large number of small and marginal farmers in India. Poultry farming in a wide range of conditions system (iii). Intensive system. Under free-range extensive system, the birds are not confined and can scavenge over a wide area. Under backyard extensive systems, poultry are housed at the day. Semi-intensive system consists of a Some feed is provided. Birds are reared in a poultry house, where they provided with feed, water and all other The birds are not allowed to move outside the house. Deep litter system, and cage system are two popular methods of housing the birds. In Deep litter system, the birds are kept small compartments of into cages. Cage systems are designed to maximize space utilization and provide a controlled environment for efficient egg production. #### *(a) Chicken Farming* Chichen Farming incldes (1) Broiler farming meat and 2) Layer farming for eggs Besides the nuatritive value, eggs. have many industrial uses in preparation, printers inks - shampoos; The elgshells are used as for animalsand birds.The Feathures are used for making cussions, matresses ect. *Breeds*: poultry Stocks are available for egg and broiler production and majority of to a stocks involve in bred lines extent breeds Rhode Island Red, California, Grey and Australop are used #### *(b) Duck Farming* The birds are being occupied and for meat purposes marshy and land areas are ideal for duck farming duck farming It suitable for mixed for integration with fish farming #### *(c) Guinea Fowl Farming* India has a large birds ranks a thrid .The birds are suited to diverse agro under free-range birds under feeding birds or highly resistant for all breeds #### *(d) Quail Farming* Mostly used in indian form poultry farming is mostly for the poultry and its are for chickens there is requires less space for investment #### *(e) Turkey Farming* Is mostly reard for meat products contains less fat compaired most of the poulty hens can for marketed more expensive more expensive . they grow the poulty breeds so rare . ### *(f) Emu Farming* The emu the most recent addition commuted to the poultry The emu mostly is used for medical reasons ### *Piggery* Pigs are maintained for the production of pork. Pig farming is adapted to both diversified and intensive agriculture. Pigs convert inedible feeds, forages, certain grain byproducts into valuable nutritious meat. The faeces of pigs are useful in maintaining soil fertility. Pig raising fits very well with integrated farming system. The reproduction interval of pig is short and pigs give birth to many off springs at a time. **Breeds:** White Yorkshire, Barkshire, Poland china, Duroc Hampshire, Chester white Yorkshire is the most extensively used exotic breed in India. It is a prolific breed having good growth rate and feed conversion ability. ### Fishery Aquaculture Form the domestic water for higher the soil Species of fish: (1) Catla (Catla catla) (2) Rohu (Labeo rohita) (3) Calbasu (Labeo calbasu) (4) Silver carp. (5) Grass Carps In this with Sericulture is defined as #### *(1) Moriculture* Moriculture refers to the cultivation of mulberry plants, whose leaves are used as silkworm eed. Silkworm rearing Silkworm rearing process begins with the laying. #### *(2) Silkworm Rearing* Silkworm rearing process begins with the laying of mulberry leaves onto it. #### *(3) Silk Reeling* Inside Types silk worm (i) Mulberry silk worm (ii) Eri silk worm (iii) Tassar silk worm (iv) muga silk worm ### Apiculture Apiculture for and by for more and and for agriculture most Lac Farming Lack is the for production for ### Mushroom Cultivation This is the way Agra Forestry Culticvation of crops . #### Agri silva Cultivation in #### Multi Pastural Most and and degraded is #### Horti silva pastel It and with #### Agi silvy pastel crops I tried my best to interpret and transcribe the image.