Modern farming
Modern farming is an emerging approach to agricultural innovation and agricultural practices that is helping farmers increase productivity and reduce the number of natural resources needed to meet global needs for food, fuel, and fiber, such as water, land, and electricity.
Methods of Modern Farming
Significance of Farming
Farming and agriculture are among the oldest and most important professions in the world. Our ancestors discovered from the dawn of civilization that agriculture in its former form was their main source of food. Since then, thanks to various innovations, agriculture has come a long way in the methods by which we operate modern agriculture and farm.
Still, humanity seems to be moving towards very overwhelming nutritional problems. The resources available to us in this world are limited, and when we see how extensively we exploit them as humans, they are quickly depleted. Human development cannot be stopped, so a more sustainable solution must be used. First of all, there are many environmental problems that we are really dealing with.
First of all, we are currently dealing with various environmental issues that have led experts to believe that soil fertility is rapidly declining. And this will certainly have a great impact on food production. Second, the world’s population is supposed to grow to almost 10 billion people by 2050. And analysts say that with the current state of our agricultural system, we will not be able to grow enough food to feed everyone. To keep up with population growth, global food production must increase by 70% by 2050. This may seem surprising and scary to many. So what is the solution? Modern agriculture!
Today we know that modern agriculture has improved the affordability of our food, increased food viability, ensured food security, improved sustainability, and also produced more biofuels. However, since it is based on a high-input, a high-yield technique that uses hybrid seeds of high-yielding variety and abundant irrigation water, fertilizers, and pesticides, it also contributes to some environmental problems that also affect the climate, such as soil erosion, groundwater contamination, waterlogging and salinization, sometimes also eutrophication. But these effects can also be reduced.
Agricultural methods of Indian farmers
Agriculture in India is the oldest activity and the most important livelihood for farmers. Over the years, farming methods have changed in India thanks to a technological invention that has made life easier for farmers. Socio-cultural practices, climatic conditions, and other aspects have also contributed to innovation in Indian agriculture. Both traditional farming methods and modern agriculture are practiced in India today.
Let’s review some of the ancient and modern farming techniques in India.
Primitive Agriculture:
The oldest agricultural technique in India, primitive agriculture is still practiced in many parts of the country. However, it is mainly practiced in small agricultural areas through the use of a hoe, digging sticks, etc. However, farmers continue to depend on heat, soil fertility, and environmental conditions. This method is also known as the “slash and burn” method, in which farmers burn the land as soon as the crops are grown. After burning, move the transparent patch and cultivate.
Subsistence agriculture:
With this method of subsistence agriculture in India, the cultivation takes place in larger areas and is labor-intensive. In addition, due to a large amount of chemical fertilizer production, various irrigation methods are used to support the harvest.
There are two types of crops in subsistence agriculture, which are grown wet and dry. Rice falls under the wet crop and dry crops include wheat, legumes, and corn. modern farming
Commercial Agriculture:
Different Methods of Modern Farming
Commercial agriculture in India involves new techniques and tools that make a great contribution to the Indian economy. Plants grown under this agriculture are also exported to other countries. In commercial agriculture, farmers use a fair amount of fertilizers, insecticides, and pesticides that would stimulate crop growth. However, commercial agriculture in India is quite different in different regions. For example, Haryana, Punjab, and West Bengal rice is grown commercially, but in Orissa, farmers use subsistence methods. modern farming
The plantation is also exploited as part of commercial agriculture. The plantation economy is a mixture of agriculture and industry and is practiced on large areas of arable land. Farmers use both labor and modern agricultural technologies for the sustainable process. The products obtained in the plantations are processed as raw materials. modern farming
Modern farming methods in India
In addition to the cultivation methods mentioned above, there are other methods in India in different regions of the country. Many of these are not included in traditional farming methods in India. These include: modern farming
Aeroponic system
Aeroponic is the process of growing plants without the use of soil in the air or in a foggy environment. It is the subgroup of hydroponics and suspends the root of the plant in the air for it to function. With this method, farmers have better control over the amount of water to be used. modern farming
Aquaponic
Aquaponics is a closed circulatory system that relies primarily on the symbiotic relationship between aquaculture and agriculture for fertilization. This particular farming method combines hydroponics with conventional aquaculture. modern farming
Hydroponics
The hydroponic method is a type of agriculture that conserves the soil and does not require any type of soil. The method consists of growing healthy plants without the addition of a solid medium using nutrients that include a mineral-rich water solution. Hydroponic farming is the subgroup of hydroponics and the nutrients used in hydroponic growing systems come from a variety of sources. modern farming
Monoculture
This method consists of growing a single crop in a specific agricultural area. However, in a country like India, the monoculture technique of agriculture is not widely used. Indoor agriculture, like the cultivation of medicinal plants, is governed by monoculture. Simply put, monoculture is a modern agricultural practice that involves the cultivation of a single crop or plant. modern farming.
FAQ
- What is conventional farming?
A. Conventional farming is a traditional method of farming that involves tilling the soil, using chemical fertilizers, and applying pesticides. This method is widely used in modern agriculture but has been criticized for its negative impact on the environment and its reliance on synthetic inputs.
2. What is precision agriculture?
A. Precision agriculture is a modern farming method that utilizes advanced technology, such as GPS and drones, to increase efficiency and improve yields. Precision agriculture helps farmers to better manage their crops by providing them with real-time data on factors such as soil nutrient levels, crop growth patterns, and weather patterns.
3. What is no-till farming?
A. No-till farming is a modern farming method that emphasizes minimal soil disturbance in order to promote soil health and conserve water. This method is accomplished by leaving the previous year’s crop residue on the surface of the soil and planting the new crop directly into the residue.
4. What is conservation agriculture?
A. Conservation agriculture is a modern farming method that emphasizes the conservation of natural resources, such as soil, water, and energy. This method is achieved by practicing crop rotation, reduced tillage, and the use of cover crops to promote soil health and reduce soil erosion.
5. What is vertical farming?
A. Vertical farming is a modern method of farming that involves growing crops in multi-layer, soil-free environments, such as greenhouses or indoor facilities. This method of farming is becoming increasingly popular in urban areas and offers many benefits, including increased yields, reduced water usage, and year-round growing conditions.
6. What is aquaponics?
A. Aquaponics is a modern farming method that combines traditional aquaculture (fish farming) with hydroponics (soilless plant cultivation). In aquaponics, the waste produced by the fish provides nutrients for the plants, and the plants, in turn, help to purify the water for the fish. This method of farming offers many benefits, including increased efficiency, reduced water usage, and a closed-loop system that helps to conserve natural resources.
7. What is hydroponics?
A. Hydroponics is a modern method of farming that involves growing crops in nutrient-rich water rather than soil. This method of farming offers many benefits, including increased yields, reduced water usage, and year-round growing conditions.