BRANCHES OF AGRICULTURE Crop production - It deals with the production of various crops, which includes food crops, fodder

crops, fiber crops, sugar, oil seeds, etc. It includes agronomy, soil science, entomology, pathology, Microbiology, etc. The aim is to have better food production and how to control the diseases. Horticulture - Branch of agriculture deals with the production of flowers, fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants, spices, condiments (includes narcotic crops-opium, etc., which has medicinal value) and beverages. Agricultural Engineering - It is an important component for crop production and horticulture particularly to provide tools and implements. It is aiming to produce modified tools to facilitate proper animal husbandry and crop production tools, implements and machinery in animal production. Forestry - It deals with production of large scale cultivation of perennial trees for supplying wood, timber, rubber, etc. and also raw materials for industries. Animal Husbandry - The animals being produced, maintained, etc. Maintenance of various types of livestock for direct energy (work energy). Husbandry is common for both crop and animals. The objective is to get maximum output by feeding, rearing, etc. The arrangement of crops is done to get minimum requirement of light or air. This arrangement is called geometry. Husbandry is for direct and indirect energy. Fishery Science - It is for marine fish and inland fishes including shrimps and prawns. Home Science - Application and utilization of agricultural produces in a better manner. When utilization is enhanced production is also enhanced. e.g., a crop once in use in south was found that it had many uses now.

MILESTONES IN INDIAN AGRICULTURE

GREEN REVOLUTION (1968): Green Revolution refers to the transformation of agriculture that began in 1945. One significant factor in this revolution was the Mexican government's request to establish an agricultural research station to develop more varieties of that could be used to feed the rapidly growing population of the country. The associated transformation has continued as the result of programs of agricultural research, extension, and infrastructural development. These programs were instigated and largely funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, along with the Ford Foundation and among other major agencies. The Green Revolution allowed food production to keep pace with worldwide population growth. The Green Revolution has had major social and ecological impacts, making it a popular topic of study among sociologists. EVER-GREEN REVOLUTION (1996): Between 1870 and 1900, according to British records, 30 million people died of hunger and starvation. Nearly three million people died in the great Bengal famine--in what is now Bangladesh and India--at the time of Independence. After Independence, both Nehru and Indira Gandhi laid great emphasis on bringing more land under irrigation, in order to insulate our farming from being a gamble.

BLUE REVOLUTION (WATER, FISH): During 2oth century, due to the more focus towards water revolution and fishery, there was sharp rise in the production of agriculture sector. New types of fertilizer and seeds were used and every resource was fully utilized.

WHITE REVOLUTION: Operation Flood was a rural development programme started by India's National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in 1970. One of the largest of its kind, the programme objective was to create a nationwide milk grid. It resulted in making India the largest producer of milk and milk products, and hence is also called the White Revolution of India. It also helped reduce malpractices by milk traders and merchants. This revolution followed the Indian green revolution and

helped in alleviating poverty and famine levels from their dangerous proportions in India during the era.

YELLOW REVOLUTION: INDIA recorded a spectacular increase both in area under oilseeds as well as its output, with production doubling from 11 million tonnes in 1986-87 to 22 million tonnes in 199495, thereby justifying the term ``yellow revolution''. The near self-suffice of edible oils was, however, not palatable to the economic pundits and the so-called market forces. But this was not palatable to the World Bank. While acknowledging that oilseeds had demonstrated a rate of growth that exceeds the national trend, it actually called for discarding the policies that had brought about the positive change. BIOTECHNOLOGY REVOLUTION: Biotechnology processes are fundamentally changing the nature of the products being produced in the industry. Since 1990 when the commercialization of a variety of genetically modified (GM) tobacco first appeared in the agri-food system, a host of other GM crops including corn, cotton, soybeans, canola and flax have been released. ICT REVOLUTION: In view of technology/extension gaps in Indian agriculture and to exploit ICT revolution, International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad, A.P., India had developed e Sagu model of extension system and implemented it for the cotton crop in three villages of Oorugonda, Gudeppad and Oglapur covering 749 farmers and 1041 farms during 2004-05 crop season. The main objective is to build a cost effective and scalable agricultural expert advice dissemination system to all the farmers. The three-tier system consists of farmers as end users, coordinators as intermediaries to obtain crop status through digital photographs and text and communicate the advice to the farmers. The scientists with knowledge system prepare farm advices.

Technologies for sustainable agriculture development

BIO-TECHNOLOGY: Genetic engineering can be used to modify the genetic compositions of plants, animals, and microorganisms. The number of genes that have been isolated and are available for transfer is growing daily. Currently, the technology is used primarily to modify crops, although a number of other applications are in the wings. ENERGY SAVING TECHNOLOGY: In detail later. ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION TECHNOLOGY: One of these centurys major challenges is to intensify food production as environmentally friendly and sustainable as possible. The concept of sustainability also includes recycling of waste.. INFORMATION AND COMM. TECHNOLOGY: The Indian agricultural sector is leveraging the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to disseminate the right information at the right time. The cost factor in face-to-face information dissemination and the difficulties in reaching the target audiences have necessitated the introduction of ICT in agriculture INTERNET/INTRANET TECHNOLOGY: The internet facilitates the farmers greatly.

NATIONAL AGRICULTURE POLICY 2000 National Agriculture Policy Aims at above 4 per cent Growth :This is the first ever National Agriculture Policy (2000) of India and seeks to actualize the vast untapped growth potential of Indian agriculture, strengthen rural infrastructure to support faster agricultural development, promote value addition, accelerate the growth of agro business, create employment in rural areas, secure a fair standard of living for the farmers and agricultural workers and their families, discourage migration to urban areas and face the challenges arising out of economic liberalization and globalization. Over the next two decades, it aims to attain:

A growth rate in excess of 4 per cent per annum in the agriculture sector; Growth that is based on efficient use of resources and conserves our soil, water and biodiversity; Growth with equity, i.e., growth which is widespread across regions and farmers; Growth that is demand driven and caters to domestic markets and maximizes benefits from exports of agricultural products in the face of the challenges arising from economic liberalization and globalization; Growth that is sustainable technologically, environmentally and economically.

The policy seeks to promote technically sound, economically viable, environmentally non-degrading, and socially acceptable use of countrys natural resources - land, water and genetic endowment to promote sustainable development of agriculture. It is a production system which favors maximum use of organic materials (crop residue, animal residue, legumes, on and off farm wastages, growth regulators, and bio-pesticides) and discourages use of synthetically produced agro-inputs, for maintaining soil productivity and fertility and pest management under conditions of sustainable natural resources and healthy environment. ORGANIC FARMING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Fertilizer Pollution: In the developed countries, there has been intensive fertilizer use for the last four decades. If the polluting effects of fertilizers are being observed now, similar problems in developing countries should be expected in the near future. Some important problems associated in fertilizers pollution are summarized below. Eutrophication of Water: It is the process of enrichment of surface water bodies like lakes, reservoirs and dreams with nutrients. Nutrient enrichment of water bodies results in intense proliferation and accumulation of algae and higher aquatic plants in excessive quantities which can result in detrimental changes in water quality and can significantly interfere with the use of water resources. Pesticide Pollution: By the use of different types of poisonous substances as pesticide it contributes towards imbalances in the ecosystem and polluting the environment. Pesticides are now extremely used to control various pests which are harmful to the crops raised by man for food, feed and fiber production. Bad Effect in Farmer's Health: More energy of farmer required, agri system does not sustains itself. Principles of Organic Farming The major widely used term "organic farming" describes two major aspects of alternative agriculture. A. The substitution of manure and other organic matter as organic fertilizers. B. The use of biological pest control instead of chemical pest control. Organize the production of crops and livestock and the management of farm resources so that they harmonize rather than conflict with natural system. Use and develop appropriate technologies based upon an understanding of biological systems. Achieve and maintain soil fertility for optimum production by relying primarily on renewable resources. Use diversification to pursue optimum production. Strive for equitable relationship between those who work and live on the land. Maintain and preserve wildlife and their habitats. Components of Organic Farming

Crop and Soil Management: Organic farming system encourages the use of rotations and measures to maintain soil fertility. Carefully managed soil with a high production of humus offer essential advantages with respect to water retention ion exchange, soil erosion and animal life in the soil. On-farm Waste Recycling: Increase price of chemical fertilizers have enables organic wastes to regain an important role in the fertilizer practices on the farm. Good manure management means improved fertilizers value of manure and slurry and less nutrient losses. Non-chemical Weed Management: Weed management is one of the main concerns in organic agriculture. Generally, all aspects of arable crop production play an important role in a system approach to problems. The elements to consider in preventing weed problems are crop rotation, green manuring, manure management and tillage. Mulching on a large scale by using manure spreaders may also be useful in weed control. Domestic and Industrial Waste Recycling: Sewage and sludge use for crop production can form an important component of organic farming if treatment and application methods are improved further. Energy Use: In the energy requirement for production measured per rupees of produce for organic farms is only one third of what it is for their conventional counterparts. Because N-fertilizer and pesticides are not used by biological farmers, the comparison of total energy input/ha. With total energy output favors biological farming systems. Food Quality: Food quality is one of the main issues, which concerns both scientists and consumers. Nitrates in water and farm produce, desirable components, pesticides residues, keeping quality and physiological imbalances are some of the important aspects of food quality. Ecological Agriculture: The growing concern about environmental degradation, dwindling natural resources and urgency to meet the food needs of the increasing population are compelling farm scientist and policy makers to seriously examine alternative to chemical agriculture. FOOD PROBLEM IN INDIA Food Production Trends: The trends in food grains output in recent years have exhibited some significant qualitative changes. On the other hand, there was significant effect of drought on the food grains production during the year 198788 and 20022003. Food Problem: Indias food problem dates back prior to independence. In the beginning, Indias food problem was one of scarcity, shortage of rice after the separation of Myanmar (Burma) from India in 1937 and shortage of wheat, also after the partition of the country in 1947. Initially, the major concern of the Government was to increase the domestic supplies either through increased production or through imports or through both. In the second half of the 1950s and during the 1960s the major concern of the Government shifted to control of food grains prices. The Government set up the Food grains Policy Committee in 1966 to review the food problem afresh. The committee found Indias dependence on food imports was not likely to be easy in future. It took serious note of the fact that the food aid was used openly to influence the internal economic policies and foreign affairs policies of the Government. Between 196768 and 198990, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh had recorded annual growth rates of 5.4, 4.0 and 3.4 per cent, respectively in food grains production the Government had succeeded in accumulating over 30 million tones of buffer stock of food grains during the 1980s. Actually, it was the huge reserves of food grains which helped the Government to tide over successfully the three years of poor food grains production, culminating in the widespread drought of 198788. The food problem is not any more one of shortage or of high prices but how to enable the lower income groups to purchase the available food grains and how to make use of the huge food stocks to help accelerate the process of economic growth. The food for work programme has been designed

since 197778 to provide work for the rural poor, the unemployed and the famine stricken people and at the same time create durable community assets. The Government is also implementing a scheme to provide food grains to the weaker sections, especially in the tribal areas at a price well below the already subsidized price in the public distribution system. There has been a general agreement that the food problem in India is mainly due to the increasing population (consequently increasing food demand), inadequate supply of food grains and some aspects of the Governments policy on food. Measures to Increase Production Technological changes: Among the measures to increase the production of food grains, the least Controversial are technological changes. Intensive cultivation through use of improved varieties and the liberal use of irrigation and fertilizers is being vigorously extended in the country ushering in the green revolution. The latest step is to bring about a breakthrough in rain fed and dry land agriculture. Organizational approach: The second approach to agricultural development is the organizational approach i.e., by adequate and efficient organization, which includes not only the governmental administrative system but the entire framework of official and semi-official institutions and agencies. It is opined that the efforts to increase agricultural production through technological changes have not been very successful mainly because of an inadequate and ineffective organization. Distributional changes: In the last few years, the Government has expanded the public distribution System (PDS) considerably. From over two million tons in 1956, the public distribution system Has handled over 19 million tons in 198788. In 1991, steps were taken to revamp the PDS and its Reach extended to 1700 blocks in far-flung and disadvantaged areas like economically backward, drought prone, desert and hilly areas. Allocation of rice, wheat, etc., Stabilization of food grains prices: The main objective of the food policy in recent years has been To hold the food grains prices in check. The Government has been adopting such short-term measures AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES Preparation of soil: This is an important practice which helps to enrich the soil and make it more fertile and aerated. It involves addition of manure followed by turning, loosening and leveling of the soil, using agricultural implements like spade, plough or mechanical farm implements. Seed treatment: Seeds can easily be attacked by micro-organisms. The crops that grow out of diseased seeds will also be unhealthy. So farmers treat these seeds by dipping them in certain chemicals like cerosan or agrosan. These chemicals do not allow the microorganisms to attack the seeds and damage them. Such chemicals are called Fungicides. Once the seeds are treated, they can be sown. Preparing the seed bed and care of the seedlings: In certain crop plants like paddy and some of the vegetables, seeds are not sown directly in the main field. First these seeds are sown in a nursery bed. Once they grow to a certain age they are transferred and planted in the main field. These small plants are called seedlings. When the farmers prepare a nursery bed they take care of the following: The soil of the bed should be soft and loose so that the tender roots of the seedlings can grow well. This can be achieved by digging or ploughing the field well. Transplanting: The process of removing the seedlings from the nursery bed and planting them in the main field is called transplanting. When we transplant, we must select those seedlings which have 4 to 5 healthy leaves. These are sowed at proper distance from each other. The main field must be ploughed and manure before transplanting. Generally rice and vegetables like tomato and brinjal are sown by transplanting. Adding fertilizers: Crops need nutrients like phosphorus, calcium, nitrogen etc. for their growth and pick up these nutrients from the soil. It is very important to add fertilizers to the soil. They provide nutrients to the soil and help to obtain a better crop yield. Depending on the type of soil and the crop to be grown, we use different fertilizers. The way we use a fertilizer also depends upon what type of fertilizer is being added to the soil. A fertilizer which contains nitrogen (nitrogenous fertilizer) is

generally given in two or three doses. Other fertilizers are phosphatic and complex fertilizers. Some fertilizers are added to the soil before transplanting. Irrigation: Irrigation is necessary for proper development of plants. Roots fail to develop and penetrate in the dry soil. The crop is irrigated according to its requirement and soil characteristics. Irrigation is essential during the seedling, flowering and grain filling stages of the crop. Rice crop needs standing water. Harvesting: Harvesting machines have now replaced the back breaking job of hand harvesting with the sickle and scythe. Harvesting machines cut or dig out the plant or its parts as required. The machines gather the plant parts, separate desired parts and eliminate parts not needed. Certain harvesting machines may even load the crop for transport. However, the above mentioned functions of harvesting machines depend on kind of crop, plant parts to be harvested, crop use, stage of maturity, etc. SOME OTHER PRACTICES Rotation of crops: Crop rotation has a lot of benefits, (i) the land gets utilized, (ii) the pulse crop uses up different nutrients from the soil but it fixes the nitrogen from the air and makes the soil richer in nitrogen and so more fertile. This way the next cereal crop gives a better yield. If we do not practice crop rotation by growing different crops on a piece of land, but continue to grow the same crop, year after year, they will keep on using the same nutrients from the soil till all the nutrients in the soil get used up. Multiple cropping: Multiple cropping is possible, when we make use of crop varieties that grow for a short period of time. However, to get best results there must be a properly managed field. In fact, multiple cropping is the best solution for a country with food problem because same piece of land is used to grow different kinds of crops. Improving the variety of seeds: which encourage farmers to buy new and better varieties of seeds. Some of these new varieties are resistant to diseases and give a very good crop. Protection of crops in the field: As crops grow in the field, they have to be protected such that they produce a healthy yield. The weeds growing along with crops have to be removed and growing crops have to be saved from the attack of pests especially insects pests. Weed control: Weeds must be removed as they use up the nutrients in the soil and thereby make them unavailable for the crop itself. Control of plant diseases and pests: A lot of plants die due to some diseases and pests which attack and damage them. Generally plant diseases are caused by fungi, bacteria, and viruses. These diseases are transmitted either through the seed itself (seed-borne) or by air (airborne) or soil (soilborne). Rust of wheat and Blast of rice are two common fungal diseases of plants. Insects are generally pests which eat and destroy crops. To control plant diseases and pests we can spray fungicides and pesticides on the crops or on the soil. Preservation and Storage: Once harvested, food grains have to be safely stored. They have to be saved from being attacked and eaten up by rodents, birds or insects. Also they have to be protected from spoilage due to improper temperature and moisture in the storage place or due to growth of fungi. Some of the methods to prevent loss and spoilage of agricultural products are as follows: Drying: The grains can be dried in the sun or by blowing hot air on them. Maintaining storage containers: Godowns or gunny bags or tanks or earthen pots used for storage should be free of the cracks and holes and should be clean. Chemical treatment: Spraying or fumigation (insecticide solution converted into fumes) of godowns and containers with insecticides and fungicides should be done before storage. Use of improved storage structures: Structures which are airtight, rat proof, moisture proof and can maintain a steady temperature are now used for storage.