Questions & Answers: "Agriculture"

Common items made of rubber that we use include:

• Vehicle Tyres and Tubes: For cars, motorcycles, and bicycles.
• Footwear: Soles of shoes and sandals.
• Household Goods: Gloves, hot water bottles, and elastic bands.
• Industrial Products: Hoses, belts, and gaskets.

Tea is an important beverage crop. It requires a tropical or sub-tropical climate, deep and fertile well-drained soil rich in humus, and warm, moist, frost-free weather with frequent showers throughout the year.

Rice is a major staple crop of India. It is primarily produced in the plains of north and north-eastern India, coastal areas, and the deltaic regions, particularly in states like West Bengal, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh.

Key institutional reforms include the establishment of Grameen banks and cooperative societies for providing loans, the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme, crop insurance against natural calamities, and announcing Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for crops.

The government has taken several key initiatives to boost agricultural production. Firstly, it has promoted the use of modern inputs through subsidies on fertilizers, pesticides, and high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds. Secondly, significant investment has been made in irrigation infrastructure, including canals and dams, through schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) to reduce dependency on monsoons. The government also established the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and agricultural universities to foster research and development. Furthermore, schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) provide crop insurance to mitigate risks, while the establishment of a nationwide e-market (e-NAM) aims to ensure better price discovery for farmers, thereby incentivizing production.

Rice is a kharif crop that requires specific geographical conditions for optimal growth. It thrives in hot and humid climates, needing a high temperature, typically above 25°C. High humidity is also essential. Most importantly, rice requires abundant water and is best grown in areas with an annual rainfall of over 100 cm. In regions with less rainfall, it depends heavily on irrigation. The ideal soil for rice cultivation is deep clayey or loamy soil, which can hold water for a long time. The crop requires flooded fields during the initial part of its growing season. These conditions are typically found in the plains of northern and eastern India, coastal regions, and river deltas.

Literacy is increasingly necessary for modern farmers to succeed and improve their livelihoods. A literate farmer can read and understand new research, government policies, and information on modern agricultural techniques, such as the use of high-yielding seeds, fertilizers, and pest control methods. They can access weather forecasts and market information through newspapers or mobile apps, enabling them to make better decisions about when to sow, harvest, and sell their produce. Literacy also empowers farmers to access institutional credit, understand the terms of loans and insurance schemes like the Kisan Credit Card and PM Fasal Bima Yojana, and avoid being cheated by middlemen. In an era of globalisation and agricultural technology, literacy is a crucial tool for enhancing productivity and profitability.

Rice and Wheat.

Zaid.

Protein.

Jowar and Bajra.

Cotton, Jute, Hemp, and Natural Silk.