Q.Explain the features of Indian agriculture.

Indian agriculture is characterised by subsistence farming, monsoon dependence, small and fragmented holdings, low productivity, dominance of foodgrains, disguised unemployment, traditional methods and its role as the chief source of livelihood for the majority.

This 5-mark question in the AP Intermediate 2nd-year Economics agriculture unit asks for the special features of Indian farming.

Features of Indian agriculture

1. Subsistence in nature. Much farming is done to meet the family's own needs rather than mainly for the market.

2. Dependence on the monsoon. A large area is rain-fed, so output depends heavily on the timing and amount of rainfall — agriculture is often called a 'gamble on the monsoon'.

3. Small and fragmented holdings. Most farms are tiny and scattered in several plots, making modern methods and machinery difficult.

4. Low productivity. Output per hectare and per worker is low compared with developed countries.

5. Predominance of foodgrains. Cultivation is dominated by food crops such as rice and wheat rather than commercial crops.

6. Disguised unemployment. More workers are engaged on the land than are really needed, so surplus labour hides on farms.

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