Agriculture-the lifeline of the nation
Similarly, the development of agriculture and growth of particular crop depends on the rainfall in the area, the farmer’s traditional practices, governmental pricing policies, transport and the market.
The basic difference between agriculture and industry is that agriculture, even today, continues largely as a family owned concern. Hence the tradition of conservation governs it at least to an extent. On the other hand, the industry has drawn employees largely from outside who mostly focus on extraction and exploitation of natural resources.
Agriculture has always been the mainstay of villages in our country. In ancient times, agricultural implements were made either in the farmer’s house or in the village itself. Largely, agriculture depends on fertility, climatic conditions and the availability of water. Farmers traditionally grew selected crops. Where water was scarce, they grew jawar, bajra, ragi and castor. Where water was plentiful, they grew rice, wheat and sugarcane. Since barter system prevailed, their crops could be exchanged. As times changed, they began to buy and sell them in fairs.
Then the made of production changed. Instead of producing implements on small scale for local markets, people began to produce on a large scale for national markets. This led to the diversion of land from agricultural to non –agricultural or industrial use. Factories were built to meet agricultural needs for farm implements.
Agriculture now depends on industry for its very survival. Synthetic chemical insecticides, fertilizers, harvesting, threshing, storing and transportation to markets, all require industry support. Even to process foods, the help of the industry has become necessary.
Andhra Pradesh scenario
The changes in farming in Andhra radish are destroying balance in agriculture. While water –intensive crops such as rice, peanut, sugarcane, pulses, maize and others are increasingly being cultivated, crops like ragi and jawar that consume less water are being neglected. The result is that the groundwater level has fallen steeply in many places. Cultivation of dry land crops is reducing year after year.
The land is the south coastal region of Andhra Pradesh in 50% more fertile than the national average. In Telangana, it is 40% less fertile. Despite this, rice is being cultivated even in this region. Now everybody is dependent on rice! The government, by subsidizing rice through the ration shops, has encouraged the cultivation of rice neglecting less water –intensive crops. This has caused large scale reduction in the cultivation and consumption of less water intensive millets like jawar and bajra. Thus, you see, water availability, soil fertility, crop selection subsidies and people’s diet are all inter-dependent.
With the success of the green revolution, agriculture has seen an increase in investments. As part of this, important of some seeds was encouraged. Consequently, new varieties of seeds, alien to the land and its climate, were obtained and continue to be used all over the state.
With the advent of the industrial age, synthetic chemical pesticides, insecticides and chemical fertilizers produced by industries began to be used on a large scale. The arrival of tractors and mills further mechanized agriculture-agricultural markets promoted trade and commercial crops. There has now become an industry. At this stage, the basic needs of the agricultural sector were extensively met and loans were given for various needs as well.
Agriculture and investment
Today, seeds are being sold by multinationals. Once sown, they yield crop, but this cannot be used as seed again as they produce only sterile seeds. After investing heavily in costly seeds, synthetic chemical fertilizers and insecticides, farmers are losing everything they had when he rains fail. Farmers caught in the debt –trap are facing.
Multinational companies now claim rights on crops that farmers have been growing for generations. Or instance, they have tried, though unsuccessfully at times, to claim patents on basmati rice, neem, and turmeric. If we examine the cropping patterns, pulses, rice, wheat and other commercial crops are grown in south Andhra Pradesh and in north Telangana. Corn, ragi, bajra ad such other non-commercial crops are being cultivated in south Telangana. The Rayalaseema region cultivates oilseeds like peanuts and sunflower.
Under capital-intensive agriculture, the market controls the growth. Instead of saving seeds from their own produce, farmers today, buy them in the market along with synthetic chemical pesticides and fertilizers. The Indian farmer has, within no time, become completely dependent on the market.
With globalization, farmers have started producing for a global market and not the domestic market. The global market may be attractive at present but is governed by many forces and factors that are not sustainable. If farmers do not find local markets, they will be in deep trouble and middlemen in the market will reap al the profits.
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