IMPROVEMENT IN FOOD RESOURCES

•  All living organisms require food, which provides essential nutrients for body development, growth, and health.
• Food supplies proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals that are necessary for our well-being.
• Agriculture and animal husbandry are the primary sources of food for humans, obtained from plants and animals respectively.
• Efforts are made to improve productivity in agriculture and animal husbandry due to several reasons.
• India, being a populous country with a growing population of over one billion people, requires a significant increase in food production.
• The current levels of production are insufficient to meet the growing demand for food.
• Expanding agricultural land is not feasible in India as the available land is already extensively cultivated.
• Therefore, increasing production efficiency in both crop and livestock farming becomes necessary.
• Previous efforts like the green revolution and white revolution have contributed to increased food-grain production and improved milk availability respectively.
• However, these revolutions have led to the intensive use of natural resources, risking environmental degradation and imbalances.
• It is crucial to increase food production while ensuring sustainability and preserving the environment.
• Merely increasing grain production and storing it in warehouses does not solve the problems of malnutrition and hunger.
• Food security depends not only on food availability but also on people's access to it, which requires adequate income.
• Increasing the incomes of people working in agriculture is necessary to combat hunger and malnutrition.
• Scientific management practices should be adopted to achieve higher yields from farms.
• Sustainable practices such as mixed farming, intercropping, and integrated farming combining agriculture with livestock, poultry, fisheries, and beekeeping should be encouraged.
• The key question is how to increase the yields of crops and livestock sustainably.

12.1 Improvement in Crop Yields

• Cereals such as wheat, rice, maize, millet, and sorghum provide carbohydrates for energy.
• Pulses like gram, pea, black gram, green gram, pigeon pea, and lentil provide protein.
• Oilseeds like soybean, groundnut, sesame, castor, mustard, linseed, and sunflower provide necessary fats.
• Vegetables, spices, and fruits provide vitamins, minerals, and small amounts of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
• Fodder crops like berseem, oats, or Sudan grass are grown as food for livestock.
• Different crops have specific climatic requirements, temperature, and photoperiods for growth and completion of their life cycle.
• Photoperiods, related to sunlight duration, affect plant growth and flowering as they are crucial for photosynthesis.
• Kharif crops, including paddy, soybean, pigeon pea, maize, cotton, green gram, and black gram, are grown in the rainy season (June to October).
• Rabi crops, including wheat, gram, peas, mustard, and linseed, are grown in the winter season (November to April).
• Despite a 25% increase in cultivable land area, India has achieved a four-fold increase in food grain production from 1952 to 2010.
• The increase in production has been achieved through various farming practices.
• The three stages of farming practices involved in improving crop yields are:

a. Crop variety improvement, which includes selecting and using improved seed varieties for planting.
b. Crop production improvement, which involves nurturing crop plants through proper irrigation, fertilization, and cultivation practices.
c. Crop protection management, which focuses on protecting growing and harvested crops from losses due to pests, diseases, and environmental factors.

• These practices, along with advancements in agricultural technology, have contributed to the increase in food production in India.

12.1.1 CROP VARIETY IMPROVEMENT

• Crop variety improvement plays a crucial role in increasing crop yields.
• Varieties or strains of crops are selected based on desirable characteristics such as disease resistance, response to fertilizers, product quality, and high yields.
• Hybridization is one method used to incorporate desirable traits into crop varieties by crossing genetically dissimilar plants.
• Hybridization can occur at different levels: inter varietal (between different varieties), interspecific (between different species of the same genus), or inter-generic (between different genera).
• Another approach to crop improvement is through genetic modification, where a gene providing the desired characteristic is introduced into the crop.
• Acceptance of new crop varieties depends on their ability to produce high yields under different conditions found in various areas.
• Good quality seeds of a specific variety are necessary for farmers, to ensure uniformity and germination under the same conditions.
• Cultivation practices and crop yield are influenced by weather, soil quality, and water availability.
• Crop varieties that can thrive in diverse climatic conditions are valuable, considering unpredictable weather events like droughts and floods.
• Varieties tolerant to high soil salinity have been developed to address specific challenges.
• Variety improvement is done for several factors, including:

a. Higher yield: Increasing crop productivity per acre.
b. Improved quality: Addressing specific quality considerations for different crops.
c. Biotic and abiotic resistance: Developing varieties resistant to diseases, pests, and environmental stresses.
d. Change in maturity duration: Shorter duration allows for multiple crop cycles in a year and reduces production costs.
e. Wider adaptability: Developing varieties that can adapt to different environmental conditions and stabilize crop production.
f. Desirable agronomic characteristics: Developing varieties with specific characteristics beneficial for fodder crops, cereals, etc.

12.1.2 CROP PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT

• Farming in India, as in other agriculture-based countries, varies from small to large farms.
• Farmers have different amounts of land, financial resources, access to information, and agricultural technologies.
• The financial conditions of farmers determine their ability to adopt different farming practices and agricultural technologies.
• There is a correlation between higher inputs (financial investments) and yields in farming.
• The purchasing capacity of farmers for inputs influences the choice of cropping systems and production practices.
• Production practices can be categorized into different levels based on cost:

a. 'No cost' production practices: These practices require minimal or no financial investment.
b. 'Low cost' production practices: These practices involve relatively lower financial investments.
c. 'High cost' production practices: These practices require significant financial investments.

• The choice of production practices depends on the farmer's financial capacity and the resources available to them.
• Different farmers may adopt different production practices based on their financial conditions and access to resources.
• The level of investment in inputs and production practices can impact the overall yield and productivity of the farm.
  

12.1.2 (i) NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT

• Plants require nutrients for their growth and development, which are obtained from air, water, and soil.
• There are macro-nutrients required in large quantities and micro-nutrients needed in small quantities by plants.
• Deficiency of nutrients can affect plant processes such as reproduction, growth, and susceptibility to diseases.
• Manure is prepared from the decomposition of animal excreta and plant waste. It contains organic matter and supplies small quantities of nutrients to the soil.
• Manure helps in enriching the soil with nutrients, improve soil structure, and increasing soil fertility.
• Compost and vermicompost are types of manure prepared by decomposing farm waste material. Compost is rich in organic matter and nutrients, while vermicompost involves the use of earthworms in the decomposition process.
• Green manure is obtained by growing certain plants and ploughing them into the soil before sowing crop seeds. It enriches the soil with nitrogen and phosphorus.
• Fertilizers are commercially produced plant nutrients that supply nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. They promote vegetative growth and higher yields in high-cost farming.
• Care should be taken in the proper application of fertilizers, including dosage, timing, and precautions to ensure their complete utilization and prevent water pollution.
• Continuous use of fertilizers without replenishing organic matter can lead to soil fertility depletion.
• Organic farming is a farming system that minimizes or avoids the use of chemicals and emphasizes the use of organic manures, recycled farm waste, and bio-agents to maintain soil fertility and control pests and diseases.
• Healthy cropping systems, such as mixed cropping, intercropping, and crop rotation, are beneficial in controlling insects, pests, and weeds, as well as providing nutrients in organic farming.

12.1.2 (ii) IRRIGATION

• Most agriculture in India is rain-fed, making it highly dependent on timely monsoons and sufficient rainfall throughout the growing season.
• Poor monsoons can lead to crop failure, highlighting the importance of ensuring water availability at the right stages of crop growth.
• Various measures are taken to bring more agricultural land under irrigation to mitigate the impact of rainfall variability.
• Different types of irrigation systems are used in India based on available water resources, including wells, canals, rivers, and tanks.
• Dug wells and tube wells are used to collect water from water-bearing strata, with tube wells tapping into deeper strata.
• Canals receive water from reservoirs or rivers, and the main canal is divided into branch canals and distributaries for field irrigation.
• River lift systems draw water directly from rivers to supplement irrigation when canal flow is insufficient or irregular.
• Tanks are small storage reservoirs that capture and store runoff from smaller catchment areas.
• Fresh initiatives for increasing water availability in agriculture include rainwater harvesting and watershed management.
• Rainwater harvesting involves capturing and storing rainwater, often through the construction of small check-dams, which increase groundwater levels and reduce soil erosion.
• These initiatives aim to optimize water resources and enhance water availability for agricultural purposes, improving crop yields and water use efficiency.

12.1.2 (iii) CROPPING PATTERNS

Mixed cropping:

•  It involves growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land. 
• For example, wheat + gram, wheat + mustard, or groundnut + sunflower. 
• This practice reduces the risk of crop failure as it provides insurance against the failure of one crop. 
• It also optimizes the use of available resources.

Inter-cropping

•  It involves growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same field in a specific pattern. 
• For instance, soybean + maize or finger millet (bajra) + cowpea (lobia). 
• The crops selected have different nutrient requirements, allowing for efficient utilization of nutrients and minimizing the spread of pests and diseases. 
• Inter-cropping maximizes returns by utilizing resources effectively.

Crop rotation

• It refers to the planned succession of different crops on a piece of land. 
• The choice of crops for rotation depends on factors such as moisture availability and irrigation facilities. Proper crop rotation enables the cultivation of two or three crops in a year, leading to good harvests. 
• It helps in maintaining soil fertility, managing pests and diseases, and optimizing resource utilization.

12.1.3 CROP PROTECTION MANAGEMENT

Weeds:

• Weeds are unwanted plants in cultivated fields that compete with crops for nutrients, space, and light.
• Weeds should be removed from fields during the early stages of crop growth to ensure a good harvest.
• Common weeds include Xanthium (gokhroo), Parthenium (gajar ghas), and Cyperinus rotundus (motha).

Insect Pests:

• Insect pests damage crops by cutting roots, stems, and leaves, sucking cell sap, or boring into stems and fruits.
• They negatively affect crop health and reduce yields.

Diseases:

• Plant diseases are caused by pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, which can be transmitted through soil, water, and air.

Control Methods:

• Pesticides, including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides, are commonly used to control weeds, insects, and diseases.
• Excessive use of pesticides can lead to environmental pollution and harm non-target organisms.
• Mechanical removal and preventive measures such as proper seedbed preparation, timely sowing, intercropping, and crop rotation can aid in weed control.
• Other preventive measures against pests include using resistant varieties and implementing summer ploughing.

Storage of Grains:

• Storage losses in agricultural products can be significant and caused by biotic factors (insects, rodents, fungi, mites, and bacteria) and abiotic factors (inappropriate moisture and temperatures).
• Proper treatment and systematic management of warehouses are essential to control these factors.
• Preventive and control measures include cleaning the produce, proper drying in sunlight and shade, and fumigation using pest-killing chemicals.

12.2 Animal Husbandry

Animal-Based Farming:

• Animal husbandry includes various forms of livestock farming such as cattle, goat, sheep, poultry, and fish farming.
• The demand for milk, eggs, and meat is increasing due to population growth and rising living standards.
• There is a growing awareness of the need for humane treatment of livestock, leading to new limitations in livestock farming practices.

Feeding:

• Proper feeding of animals is crucial for their growth, health, and productivity.
• Balanced diets with appropriate nutrients are provided to different livestock species based on their nutritional requirements.
• Feeding practices may involve the use of natural forage, grazing, supplementation, and formulated animal feeds.

Breeding:

• Selective breeding and genetic improvement programs are implemented to enhance desirable traits in livestock, such as high milk production, meat quality, and disease resistance.
• Artificial insemination, crossbreeding, and genetic selection techniques are employed to improve the genetic makeup of animal populations.

Disease Control:

• Livestock diseases can significantly impact animal health and production.
• Disease control measures include vaccination programs, regular health check-ups, proper sanitation, and hygiene practices.
• Veterinarians play a crucial role in diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases in livestock.

Improved Livestock Production:

• Livestock production methods are continuously being improved to enhance efficiency, productivity, and animal welfare.
• Advancements in animal nutrition, housing, breeding techniques, and disease management contribute to improved livestock production.
• Sustainable and eco-friendly practices are emphasized to minimize the environmental impact of livestock farming.

12.2.1 CATTLE FARMING

Purpose of Cattle Husbandry

• Cattle husbandry serves two main purposes: milk production and draught labor for agricultural work.
• Indian cattle consist of two species: Bos indicus (cows) and Bos bubalis (buffaloes).
• Milk-producing females are called milch animals (dairy animals), while those used for farm labor are called draught animals.

Milk Production

• Milk production is influenced by the duration of the lactation period, which starts after the birth of a calf.
• Exotic breeds (e.g., Jersey, Brown Swiss) are selected for long lactation periods, while local breeds (e.g., Red Sindhi, Sahiwal) show disease resistance.
• Cross-breeding can be done to obtain animals with desirable traits from both exotic and local breeds.

Shelter and Cleaning

• Proper cleaning and shelter facilities are essential for humane cattle farming and the animals' health.
• Regular brushing is needed to remove dirt and loose hair.
• Well-ventilated roofed sheds should protect cattle from rain, heat, and cold, with sloping floors for cleanliness.

Food Requirements:

• Cattle have two types of food requirements: maintenance requirement and milk-producing requirements during lactation.
• Animal feed includes roughage (fiber) and concentrates (low fiber, high nutrient content).
• Balanced rations containing all necessary nutrients are crucial for cattle health and milk production.
• Feed additives with micronutrients can promote animal health and milk output.

Diseases and Parasites:

• Cattle are susceptible to various diseases that can cause reduced milk production and even death.
• Parasites can be external (skin parasites) or internal (worms affecting the stomach and intestine, flukes damaging the liver).
• Infectious diseases caused by bacteria and viruses also affect cattle.
• Vaccinations are administered to farm animals to protect against major viral and bacterial diseases.

12.2.2 POULTRY FARMING

Purpose and Breeds:

• Poultry farming is undertaken for egg production and chicken meat.
• Improved poultry breeds are developed and farmed, such as layers for eggs and broilers for meat.
• Cross-breeding programs aim to develop new varieties with desirable traits like chick quality, dwarf broiler parents, summer adaptation, low maintenance, and smaller egg-laying birds that can utilize cheaper, fibrous diets.

Egg and Broiler Production:

• Broiler chickens are fed with vitamin-rich supplementary feed for optimal growth and feed efficiency.
• Emphasis is placed on reducing mortality, maintaining feathering and carcass quality, and sending broilers to the market for meat production.
• Good management practices, including temperature control, hygienic conditions, disease prevention, and pest control, are crucial for poultry bird production.

Housing and Nutritional Requirements:

• Proper housing, temperature control, and hygienic conditions are essential for both egg layers and broilers.
• Broilers require a protein-rich diet with adequate fat and high levels of vitamins A and K in their feed.

Diseases and Prevention:

• Poultry birds are susceptible to various diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and nutritional deficiencies.
• Regular cleaning, sanitation, and disinfectant spraying are necessary to maintain a healthy environment.
• Appropriate vaccination helps prevent infectious diseases and reduce poultry losses during disease outbreaks.

12.2.3 FISH PRODUCTION

Types of Fish Production:

• Fish production involves both capture fishing (obtaining fish from natural resources) and fish farming (culturing fish).
• Fish can be sourced from seawater or freshwater ecosystems.

Marine Fisheries:

• India's marine fishery resources consist of a 7500 km coastline and the deep seas.
• Marine fish varieties such as pomphret, mackerel, tuna, sardines, and Bombay duck are caught using various fishing nets and techniques.
• Some high-value marine fish are also farmed in seawater, including finned fishes like mullets, bhetki, pearl spots, shellfish like prawns, mussels, oysters, and seaweed.

Inland Fisheries:

• Freshwater resources like canals, ponds, reservoirs, and rivers, as well as brackish water resources like estuaries and lagoons, are important for inland fisheries.
• Aquaculture (fish farming) plays a significant role in fish production in these water bodies.
• Rice-fish culture combines fish farming with rice cultivation, while composite fish culture systems involve growing multiple fish species in a single pond to optimize food utilization and increase fish yield.

Challenges and Solutions:

• The availability of good-quality fish seed is a challenge in fish farming.
• Hormonal stimulation techniques have been developed to breed fish in ponds, ensuring a steady supply of pure fish seed in desired quantities.

12.2.4 BEE-KEEPING

Importance of Beekeeping:

• Beekeeping has become an agricultural enterprise due to the widespread use of honey.
• It offers farmers an additional income-generating activity with low investments.
• Apart from honey, beeswax obtained from beehives is used in medicinal preparations.

Bee Varieties for Commercial Honey Production:

• Local bee varieties used for commercial honey production include Apis cerana indica (Indian bee), A. dorsata (rock bee), and A. florae (little bee).
• The Italian bee variety, A. mellifera, has been introduced to increase honey yield and is commonly used for commercial honey production.
• Italian bees have high honey collection capacity, sting less, stay in a beehive for long periods, and breed well.

Bee Farms or Apiaries:

• Bee farms or apiaries are established for commercial honey production.
• These farms provide suitable conditions for beekeeping and honey collection.

Factors Affecting Honey Quality:

• The value and quality of honey depend on the availability of flowers for bees to collect nectar and pollen (known as pasturage).
• The taste of honey is influenced by the types of flowers from which the bees collect nectar.