Introduction to Agriculture

What is agriculture?
Agriculture is the science, art, and practice of cultivating crops and rearing animals for human use.

Why is agriculture important to humans?
Agriculture provides food, raw materials, employment, and supports economic development and food security worldwide.

What are the main branches of agriculture?
The main branches include agronomy, horticulture, animal husbandry, forestry, fisheries, and agricultural engineering.

What is subsistence agriculture?
Subsistence agriculture is farming primarily for family consumption with little or no surplus for sale.

What is commercial agriculture?
Commercial agriculture focuses on large-scale production of crops or livestock mainly for market sale.

What are Kharif crops?
Kharif crops are grown during the monsoon season and harvested in autumn, requiring warm and wet conditions.

What are Rabi crops?
Rabi crops are grown in winter and harvested in spring, needing cool temperatures and moderate rainfall.

What are Zaid crops?
Zaid crops are short-duration summer crops grown between Rabi and Kharif seasons using irrigation.

What is crop rotation?
Crop rotation is growing different crops sequentially on the same land to maintain soil fertility.

Why is crop rotation important?
Crop rotation improves soil nutrients, reduces pests, controls weeds, and increases overall crop productivity.

What is mixed farming?
Mixed farming involves cultivating crops along with rearing livestock on the same agricultural land.

What is soil fertility?
Soil fertility is the soil’s ability to supply essential nutrients to plants for healthy growth.

What are manures?
Manures are organic substances from plant or animal waste used to improve soil fertility naturally.

What are fertilizers?
Fertilizers are chemical or inorganic substances supplying specific nutrients to crops for higher yields.

Difference between manure and fertilizer?
Manure improves soil structure naturally, while fertilizers provide quick nutrients but may affect soil health.

What is irrigation?
Irrigation is the artificial supply of water to crops to meet their water requirements.

Why is irrigation necessary?
Irrigation ensures proper crop growth, especially during inadequate rainfall or dry climatic conditions.

What are traditional irrigation methods?
Traditional irrigation methods include canals, wells, tanks, and river lift systems.

What are modern irrigation methods?
Modern irrigation methods include drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation, conserving water efficiently.

What is drip irrigation?
Drip irrigation supplies water directly to plant roots drop by drop, minimizing water wastage.

What is sprinkler irrigation?
Sprinkler irrigation sprays water over crops like rainfall using rotating nozzles and pipes.

What is organic farming?
Organic farming avoids synthetic chemicals and uses natural inputs for sustainable agricultural production.

Why is organic farming important?
Organic farming protects soil health, environment, human health, and promotes sustainable agriculture.

What is animal husbandry?
Animal husbandry involves breeding, feeding, and managing animals for milk, meat, wool, and labor.

What is dairy farming?
Dairy farming focuses on raising cattle or buffaloes primarily for milk production.

What is poultry farming?
Poultry farming involves rearing birds like chickens for eggs and meat production.

What is fisheries?
Fisheries involve breeding, catching, and managing fish for food and commercial purposes.

What is apiculture?
Apiculture is the scientific rearing of honeybees for honey, wax, and pollination benefits.

What is sericulture?
Sericulture is the cultivation of silkworms to produce silk fibers.

What is horticulture?
Horticulture is the branch of agriculture dealing with fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants.

What is agronomy?
Agronomy focuses on crop production and soil management to improve agricultural productivity.

What are cash crops?
Cash crops are grown mainly for sale and profit, such as cotton, sugarcane, and coffee.

What are food crops?
Food crops are grown primarily for human consumption, including rice, wheat, and maize.

What is soil erosion?
Soil erosion is the removal of fertile topsoil by wind, water, or human activities.

How can soil erosion be prevented?
Soil erosion can be prevented using afforestation, contour plowing, terracing, and crop rotation.

What is sustainable agriculture?
Sustainable agriculture meets present food needs without compromising future environmental resources.

What is green revolution?
Green Revolution introduced high-yield seeds, fertilizers, irrigation, and modern techniques to increase food production.

Who is the father of Green Revolution in India?
Dr. M. S. Swaminathan is known as the father of the Green Revolution in India.

What are high yielding variety seeds?
HYV seeds produce higher yields under proper irrigation, fertilizers, and favorable conditions.

What is mechanized farming?
Mechanized farming uses machines like tractors and harvesters to increase efficiency and reduce labor.

What is precision agriculture?
Precision agriculture uses technology like GPS and sensors to optimize crop production and resource use.

What is agricultural biodiversity?
Agricultural biodiversity includes different crops, livestock, microorganisms, and genetic resources used in farming.

What is monocropping?
Monocropping is growing a single crop repeatedly on the same land over time.

What is multiple cropping?
Multiple cropping involves growing more than one crop on the same land in a year.

What is intercropping?
Intercropping is growing two or more crops simultaneously in the same field.

What is shifting cultivation?
Shifting cultivation involves clearing forest land, farming temporarily, then moving to another area.

What is plantation agriculture?
Plantation agriculture involves large estates growing single cash crops like tea, coffee, or rubber.

What are agricultural inputs?
Agricultural inputs include seeds, fertilizers, water, labor, machinery, and pesticides.

What are pesticides?
Pesticides are chemicals used to control pests, weeds, and diseases affecting crops.

What is integrated pest management?
IPM combines biological, cultural, and chemical methods to control pests sustainably.

What is food security?
Food security ensures availability, accessibility, and affordability of sufficient nutritious food for everyone.

What is agricultural marketing?
Agricultural marketing involves storage, transportation, pricing, and sale of agricultural produce.

What is minimum support price?
MSP is a government-fixed price to protect farmers from price fluctuations.

What is agricultural labor?
Agricultural laborers work on farms performing activities like sowing, harvesting, and irrigation.

What is climate-smart agriculture?
Climate-smart agriculture increases productivity while adapting to climate change and reducing greenhouse emissions.

What is soil conservation?
Soil conservation involves practices that protect soil from degradation and maintain fertility.

What is agricultural extension?
Agricultural extension provides farmers with training, information, and modern farming techniques.

What is rainfed agriculture?
Rainfed agriculture depends solely on rainfall without using irrigation systems.

What is irrigated agriculture?
Irrigated agriculture uses artificial water supply to support crop growth.

What is agroforestry?
Agroforestry integrates trees with crops or livestock for ecological and economic benefits.

What is farm management?
Farm management involves planning, organizing, and controlling farm operations for maximum profit.

What is seed germination?
Seed germination is the process where a seed develops into a seedling under favorable conditions.

What are soil nutrients?
Soil nutrients are essential elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium needed for plant growth.

What is nitrogen fixation?
Nitrogen fixation converts atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms by bacteria or lightning.

What is green manure?
Green manure involves growing plants and plowing them into soil to improve fertility.

What is tillage?
Tillage is the agricultural preparation of soil by plowing, digging, or turning.

What is zero tillage?
Zero tillage involves growing crops without disturbing soil, conserving moisture and structure.

What is agricultural sustainability?
Agricultural sustainability balances productivity, environmental health, and economic viability long-term.

What is food chain in agriculture?
Agricultural food chains connect producers, processors, distributors, and consumers.

What is agro-climatic region?
Agro-climatic regions are areas classified based on climate, soil, and crop suitability.

What is soil texture?
Soil texture refers to the proportion of sand, silt, and clay particles.

What is loamy soil?
Loamy soil is fertile soil with balanced sand, silt, and clay content.

What is agricultural productivity?
Agricultural productivity measures output per unit of land, labor, or input.

What is farm mechanization?
Farm mechanization replaces manual labor with machines to increase efficiency and reduce time.

What is biotechnology in agriculture?
Biotechnology uses scientific techniques to improve crop yield, resistance, and quality.

What are genetically modified crops?
GM crops are altered genetically to enhance traits like pest resistance and yield.

What is agricultural diversification?
Agricultural diversification involves growing multiple crops or enterprises to reduce risk and increase income.

What is farm income?
Farm income is earnings from agricultural activities after deducting production costs.

What is agricultural census?
Agricultural census collects data on land use, crops, livestock, and farmers.

What is sustainable food production?
Sustainable food production ensures long-term food availability while protecting natural resources.

What is post-harvest management?
Post-harvest management involves handling, storage, and processing of crops after harvesting.

What is agricultural research?
Agricultural research develops improved practices, technologies, and crop varieties for farming.

What is agricultural education?
Agricultural education trains individuals in farming science, technology, and management.

What is soil pH?
Soil pH measures acidity or alkalinity affecting nutrient availability to plants.

What is cropping pattern?
Cropping pattern refers to the arrangement and sequence of crops grown on land.

What is agricultural development?
Agricultural development improves productivity, farmer income, and rural livelihoods.

What is land use in agriculture?
Land use refers to how agricultural land is allocated for crops, grazing, or forestry.

What is agricultural sustainability index?
It measures economic, environmental, and social performance of agricultural systems.

What is organic manure?
Organic manure is decomposed plant or animal waste improving soil fertility naturally.

What is composting?
Composting is the process of decomposing organic waste into nutrient-rich manure.

What is agricultural modernization?
Agricultural modernization adopts advanced technology, improved seeds, and efficient practices.

What is agricultural policy?
Agricultural policy includes government decisions influencing farming, pricing, and rural development.

What is rural development?
Rural development improves living standards and economic conditions of rural populations.

What is agricultural sustainability goal?
The goal ensures food security, environmental protection, and farmer welfare long-term.

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