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Farming Practices & Challenges in India

🎓 Class 7 Social Science CBSE Theory Ch 1 — India’s Agricultural Landscape ⏱ ~15 min

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Farming Practices & Challenges

Exploring Society: India and Beyond Part-II | The Story of Indian Farming

Agricultural Practices: Traditional Wisdom and Modern Innovations

Over centuries, Indian farmers have developed a wide array of farming methods. Some draw on ancient knowledge and traditions, while others employ modern technology. Many farmers today use a combination of both approaches.

From the Arthasastra

The text provides instructions for preparing seeds of various types for planting. Cotton seeds are to be treated with cow dung. Cereals, beans, and pulses are to be soaked in dew for a set number of days and then sun-dried before sowing. Sugarcane cuttings are to be treated with a mixture of honey, ghee, and covered with cow dung.

— Kautilya's Arthasastra (paraphrased)

Traditional Farming Systems

Traditional agriculture views the plant and soil as a complete, interconnected system. The soil is regarded as the primary nutrient source, supplemented by farmyard manure. Bacteria and fungi in the soil help convert nutrients into forms that plants can readily absorb, while the plants in turn support these organisms by supplying energy through their roots.

Traditional farming typically involves small-scale, resource-reliant methods that are closely aligned with the natural environment. The Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) has documented nearly 5,000 traditional practices and tested over a hundred of them. Remarkably, over 85 per cent were validated by modern science and found useful for reducing chemical use and enhancing soil health.

DON'T MISS OUT — Traditional Farming Systems and the Ritu Chakra

L2 Understand

Traditional farming systems are typically aligned with natural cycles, such as the ritu chakra (cycle of seasons). They often rely on family involvement and domestic animals. Two notable examples are kulagar and gokrishi.

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Kulagar

A homestead farming system from the Konkan Plains (Goa) where families cultivate food crops, cash crops, fruits, vegetables, spices, and medicinal plants around their homes using structured irrigation.

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Gokrishi

A holistic method where cows provide manure used as organic fertiliser, and bullocks are used to plough the fields — creating a self-sustaining farming cycle.

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Terrace Farming

A method used on hilly slopes where farmers cut steps into the hillside, creating flat platforms that prevent soil erosion and conserve water.

Contemporary Agriculture and the Green Revolution

A major turning point in Indian agriculture came with the Green Revolution^? of the 1960s and 1970s, led by M.S. Swaminathan (recipient of the Bharat Ratna). This movement introduced:

High-yielding varieties (HYV) of seeds
Increased irrigation infrastructure
Chemical fertilisers and pesticides
Mechanised equipment (tractors, harvesters)

The Green Revolution led to a massive increase in food grain production, particularly wheat and rice. India achieved self-sufficiency in food^?, and agriculture came to be recognised as the backbone of the Indian economy.

Traditional vs. Modern Farming: A Comparison

The Limits of the Green Revolution

Over time, the downsides of this approach have become visible:

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Soil Impoverishment

Long-term use of chemical fertilisers has depleted soil nutrients and damaged the soil ecosystem.

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Groundwater Depletion

Intensive irrigation has caused groundwater reserves to fall drastically in many regions.

☣

Chemical Contamination

Pesticides and fertilisers have polluted soil and water, harming human and animal health.

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Ecosystem Damage

Chemicals harm pollinators like bees and disrupt the natural balance essential for healthy agriculture.

Sustainable Pathways — Blending Old and New

In recent years, there has been growing interest in combining modern productivity with the wisdom of traditional practices to create sustainable agriculture^?. This approach, inspired by Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), focuses on environment-friendly, long-lasting farming methods.

Organic farming: Avoids chemical fertilisers and pesticides; relies on compost, seed cake, and animal manure.
Neem-based pesticides: Natural and far less harmful to the environment than chemical alternatives.
Efficient irrigation: Drip and sprinkler systems that use water wisely.

DON'T MISS OUT — Sikkim: World's First 100% Organic State

L2 Understand

Sikkim became the world's first fully organic state by banning chemical fertilisers and pesticides in 2014 and committing entirely to natural farming practices. This demonstrated that an entire state can successfully transition to sustainable agriculture.

LET'S EXPLORE — Traditional Practices in Modern Agriculture

L3 Apply

Identify modern agricultural solutions that are inspired by traditional practices (for example, neem-based pesticides). Research one such practice and present your findings to your class: What was the traditional method? How has science adapted it? What are its benefits?

DON'T MISS OUT — FAO-Recognised Agricultural Heritage Systems

L2 Understand

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has recognised three globally significant agricultural heritage systems in India: (1) Saffron farming in Kashmir, (2) Traditional agricultural systems in Odisha integrating forest management, and (3) Below-sea-level farming in Kerala combining crop plantation and fishing.

The Role of the Government

The government supports farmers in many ways across different states:

Access to seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, and weather forecasts
Research and training on new farming practices
Subsidised electricity for irrigation to reduce costs
Crop insurance through schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
Government purchase of crops to ensure fair prices for farmers
Promotion of cold storage facilities and digital technology for better market access

DON'T MISS OUT — Hydroponics

L2 Understand

Hydroponics^? is a method of growing plants in nutrient-rich water solutions rather than soil. Essential minerals are delivered directly to the roots. This technique is gaining popularity for urban farming and areas with poor soil quality.

LET'S EXPLORE — Farmer Information Programmes

L3 Apply

Listen to special programmes for farmers on the radio or watch agricultural shows on television for a few days. Write down the information shared through these media. Prepare a short report on the categories of information you gathered and questions that came to mind during this activity.

Challenges Facing Indian Farmers

Despite progress, Indian farmers continue to face serious challenges:

Challenge	Details
Shrinking Landholdings	As land is divided among family members over generations, the average holding has fallen to about three-fourths of a hectare (roughly the size of a football field). Small farms make it hard to earn sufficient income.
Machinery Limitations	Tractors and harvesters are designed for larger farms and are expensive to buy or rent, although machines for small farms are now emerging.
Climate Change	Increasingly unpredictable weather, untimely rains, severe droughts, and heavy rainfall events raise the risk of crop destruction.
Debt Traps	Farmers often take loans during hardship and struggle to repay them. As many as 2,300 farmers abandon agriculture daily according to some estimates.
Declining Diversity	Traditional income sources (livestock, forest produce, fruit trees) are becoming insufficient to provide a decent quality of life.

Key Terms

Hectare: A unit of area equal to 10,000 square metres. The older unit of an acre (about 4,047 sq m) is still widely used in India.

Landholding: An area of land that a person owns for farming purposes.

THINK ABOUT IT — The Ganga Basin Under Stress

L4 Analyse

The Ganga basin, with its rich alluvial soil, has fed over 500 million people for millennia. But the river is increasingly under stress: Himalayan glaciers are melting rapidly due to global warming; vast amounts of water are diverted for irrigation; agriculture and industry extract huge quantities of groundwater; and hundreds of dams interfere with the river's natural flow.

Discuss: If this condition persists, what could be the impact on farming in the Ganga basin? What solutions can you think of to address these challenges?

Before We Move On — Key Takeaways

Indian agriculture blends traditional and modern methods, involving crops, livestock, forestry, and more.
Agriculture is deeply connected with India's diverse climates and monsoons, with three cropping seasons: kharif, rabi, and zaid.
Six major soil types influence which crops grow where. Soil health is essential for sustainable farming.
Seeds are passed down traditionally or bought as high-yield varieties, sometimes creating dependence on companies.
Sustainable farming combines modern technology with eco-friendly practices like efficient irrigation and organic methods.
Farmers face challenges like shrinking landholdings, climate change, equipment costs, and market difficulties.
The government helps through information, research, training, and financial support schemes.

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Competency-Based Questions

Case Study: A village in Punjab saw tremendous wheat production during the 1970s Green Revolution. Fifty years later, the same village faces problems: the soil has lost fertility, groundwater has fallen by 20 metres, and farmers are spending more on chemicals but getting lower yields. A group of young farmers wants to switch to organic methods but fears lower output.

Q1. Which of the following was NOT a feature of the Green Revolution?

L2 Understand

(A) Introduction of high-yielding seed varieties
(B) Increased use of chemical fertilisers
(C) Promotion of organic farming methods
(D) Mechanisation of farming equipment

Q2. Why has the village's soil lost fertility despite decades of farming with modern methods?

L4 Analyse

Q3. Advise the young farmers: how could they transition to sustainable farming while maintaining reasonable yields?

L3 Apply

Q4. Why is it important for India to find a balance between traditional and modern farming methods?

L4 Analyse

Creative Q: Imagine you are the agriculture minister of a state. Draft a 3-point action plan to help small farmers become more sustainable and profitable.

L6 Create

🎯 Practice Questions

✔ True or False

1. The Green Revolution made India dependent on imported food grains.

2. ICAR has found that over 85% of tested traditional farming practices are scientifically valid.

3. Sikkim was the world's first 100% organic state.

4. The average landholding of an Indian farmer is about five hectares.

Answers:
1. FALSE — The Green Revolution made India self-sufficient in food grains, not dependent on imports.
2. TRUE — Over 85% of traditional practices tested by ICAR were validated by modern science.
3. TRUE — Sikkim banned chemical fertilisers and pesticides in 2014.
4. FALSE — The average is approximately three-fourths of a hectare, roughly the size of one football field.

🔗 Match the Following

1. Green Revolution

→

(a) World's first organic state

2. Kulagar

→

(b) High-yielding seeds and chemicals

3. Sikkim

→

4. Gokrishi

→

(d) Homestead farming in Konkan Plains

5. PM Fasal Bima Yojana

→

(e) Cow-based farming using manure and bullocks

Answers: 1→(b), 2→(d), 3→(a), 4→(e), 5→(c)

✨ Think & Create

✨ Write a short essay (5-6 sentences) titled "What Farming Might Look Like When I Am 60 Years Old." Consider how climate change, technology, traditional wisdom, and government support might shape agriculture in the future. You could also draw or paint a picture to accompany your essay.

Guidance

Think about trends: drones monitoring crops, AI predicting weather, hydroponics in cities, organic farming expanding, solar-powered irrigation, community seed banks. Balance optimism with realism — climate change is a real threat. You might envision rooftop farms in cities, or traditional methods being revived with modern tools. Be creative and thoughtful!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the traditional farming practices in India NCERT Class 7?

Traditional farming practices in India include subsistence farming using simple tools, crop rotation, mixed cropping, and organic manure. The NCERT Class 7 Geography textbook explains that many farmers still rely on age-old methods passed down through generations. These practices are adapted to local conditions and use indigenous knowledge of soil, weather, and crop cycles to sustain agriculture without heavy chemical inputs.

What is the Green Revolution and how did it change Indian farming?

The Green Revolution was a period of agricultural transformation in the 1960s–70s that introduced high-yielding variety seeds, chemical fertilisers, pesticides, and modern irrigation to Indian farming. It dramatically increased wheat and rice production, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh. The NCERT Class 7 textbook explains that while it solved food shortages, it also created environmental concerns.

What challenges do Indian farmers face according to Class 7 Geography?

Indian farmers face multiple challenges including dependence on monsoon rains, small and fragmented landholdings, rising input costs, soil degradation, water scarcity, and inadequate storage facilities. The NCERT Class 7 textbook also highlights issues like lack of access to credit, low market prices for produce, and the impact of climate change on crop yields.

How does the Indian government support farmers Class 7?

The Indian government supports farmers through various schemes including Minimum Support Price for crops, subsidies on fertilisers and seeds, crop insurance programmes, and irrigation projects. The NCERT Class 7 Geography textbook discusses how organisations like NABARD and cooperative societies provide financial assistance, while agricultural extension services offer technical guidance to farmers.

What is sustainable agriculture in India Class 7 NCERT?

Sustainable agriculture involves farming methods that protect the environment while maintaining productivity for future generations. In the Indian context, this includes organic farming, water conservation techniques, integrated pest management, and crop diversification. The NCERT Class 7 textbook emphasises that balancing modern techniques with traditional wisdom is key to making Indian agriculture sustainable.

What is the difference between subsistence and commercial farming?

Subsistence farming is practiced on small plots where farmers grow food mainly for their own families, using traditional methods with limited resources. Commercial farming involves large-scale production of crops for sale in markets, using modern technology, machinery, and chemical inputs. The NCERT Class 7 Geography chapter explains that India has both types, with commercial farming growing in irrigated regions.

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