Significance of Agriculture in Indian Culture

• Historical Importance
  • Agriculture: The cornerstone of Indian civilization since 3000 B.C.
  • Evident in the rich agricultural practices of the Aryan and Indus Valley civilizations.
• Economic Role
  • Primary economic support for states, including Karnataka.
  • Celebrated in Kannada literature as “Meti Vidye” (agricultural science), considered superior to other sciences.

Ancient Agriculture

Vedic Period (4500–1000 B.C.)

• Scriptural References
  • Arthashastra of Atharvanaveda discusses agricultural laws and land legislation.
• Poetic Perspectives
  • Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar: Agriculture sustains all life and independence.

Agricultural Practices in Karnataka

• Crops and Cultivation
  • Prehistoric crops: Ragi, wheat, paddy, and Huruli.
  • Historical staples: Rice, ragi, jowar, and spices (pepper, cardamom, cinnamon).
• Portuguese Influence
  • Introduction of new crops: Maize, tobacco, groundnut, potato, and tomato.
• Farming Techniques
  • Categorization of lands: Wetlands, rain-dependent lands, and dry lands.
  • Use of natural and city waste as manure.

Evolution of Agricultural Practices

Innovations and Introductions

• New Techniques
  • Use of wild tree leaves and city garbage for manure.
  • Grafting techniques described in Lokopakara.
• Reclamation Efforts
  • Clearing forests and constructing tanks by local leaders.
  • Incentives like tax exemptions for new cultivators.

Influence of Foreign Contacts

• Portuguese Contributions
  • Popularized crops like maize, chillies, and papaya.
  • Shared agricultural techniques and flora varieties.
• Tipu Sultan’s Initiatives
  • Introduction of mulberry cultivation for sericulture.

Transition to Modern Agriculture

Continued Practices

• Ploughs and other implements remained largely unchanged from ancient designs.

Advancements

• Introduction of cash crops during the Industrial Revolution.
• Expansion of cotton cultivation during the American Civil War.

Regional Adaptations

• Bonded laborers in Kodagu helped improve land cultivation.
• Spread of modern agricultural methods was gradual but steady.

Agriculture During the British Period

Introduction of Commercial Crops

• American Cotton:
  • Long-fibred American cotton was introduced, especially in the Bombay-Karnataka region.
  • The Cotton Boom during the American Civil War (1860s) boosted cotton cultivation in India.
• Coffee Plantations:
  • Large-scale coffee plantations were established during the 19th century.

• Department of Agriculture (1871):
  • Established to enhance agricultural activities.
• Sir John Russel’s Contributions (1936–37):
  • Provided a blueprint for overall agricultural development in India.
  • Initiated dry farming research.
  • Introduced commodity-specific committees (e.g., cotton, sugarcane, coffee, tea, rubber, spices).

Irrigation Challenges

• Despite attention to tank irrigation in Karnataka, irrigated land remained below 5% before Independence.

Post-Independence Initiatives

• Strengthening Agricultural Education:
  • Agricultural colleges were set up in each state.
  • Research stations focused on various crops and allied fields.
• Rural Universities (1949):
  • Recommended by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan’s Education Commission to address agricultural challenges.
• Agriculture Universities:
  • Joint Indo-American Committee (1955–60) inspired the establishment of institutions based on the US Land Grant College model.
  • Pantnagar Agriculture University (1960): Inaugurated by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
  • Expansion in Karnataka:
    • University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru (1966).
    • University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad (1986).
    • University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur.
    • University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga.

Early British Era Contributions

• Sir Mark Cubbon (1834–1861):
  • Recognized the potential of agriculture and established the Mysuru Agricultural Society (1836).
• Horticultural Improvements (1857):
  • Visternew enhanced horticultural practices at Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Bengaluru.
• Sericulture Innovations (1862):
  • Signorde Vichi introduced new mulberry varieties and silkworm strains.
• Scientific Forestry (1869):
  • Initiated by Mr. Von Somerin as Conservator of Forests.

Contributions by Maharaja Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar

• Recognized agricultural potential and spearheaded numerous developmental initiatives.
• Dr. Lehman’s Contributions (1899):
  • Established the Soils Laboratory and multidisciplinary agricultural laboratory in 1901.
• Dr. Leslie C. Coleman’s Achievements:
  • Appointed in 1905 for entomology and pathology research.
  • Became the first Director of Agriculture (1913).
  • Initiated the first Agriculture Diploma Course in Asia (1913).

Establishment of Agricultural Schools and Research Stations

• Schools:
  • Established in Chikkanahalli (Tumakuru), Anekal (Bengaluru), and Somanahalli (Mandya).
• Research Stations:
  • Thirthahalli (Areca nut), Balehonnur (Coffee), V.C. Farm Mandya (Sugarcane, Paddy, Ragi), and Babbur (Oilseeds).
  • Mandya station (1930): India’s first irrigated ecosystem research center.

Post-Independence Initiatives in Karnataka

• Agriculture Colleges (1946):
  • Set up at Hebbal and Dharwad, later forming part of the University of Agricultural Sciences (1966).
• Dr. Coleman’s Comprehensive Plan (1950):
  • Formulated a state-wide agricultural development plan upon revisiting Karnataka.

Agriculture Around 1951

Progressive Agriculture in Mysore (1951)

• Improved Crop Varieties:
  • H-22 ragi, Halubbalu, and Bangar-kovi paddy.
  • HM-320 sugarcane and MA-5 cotton.
  • Enhanced groundnut varieties.
• Infrastructure for Agriculture:
  • Extensive network of tanks and open irrigation wells.
  • Major irrigation projects in place.
• Institutions and Factories:
  • Agricultural school and Serum Institute at Hebbal.
  • Fertilizer factory at Belagola, sugar factory at Mandya.
  • Agricultural implements factory at Hassan.
  • Spinning and textile mills at Davangere, Hubballi, Gokak, and Gulbarga.
  • Sugar factories at Ugar Khurd and Kittur (Athani Taluk).

Systematic Agricultural Development

• Crop Focus:
  • Major crops: Paddy, jowar, ragi, maize, wheat, and bajra.
  • Greater importance to cotton and sugarcane.
  • Equal importance to pulses (e.g., Bengal gram) and oilseeds (e.g., safflower).
• High Yielding Varieties (HYV):
  • Extensive adoption across food crops.
  • Notable achievements in maize (highest productivity in India).
  • Introduction of “Varalakshmi,” a long-staple cotton variety.
  • Progress in sugarcane cultivation.
• Institutional Expansion:
  • Strengthened agricultural development base.

Agricultural Development under Five-Year Plans

Overview

• Formation of New State:
  • November 1956 marked the creation of the new State.
  • Second Five-Year Plan was already underway; thus, no new comprehensive plan was formulated.
  • Integrated piecemeal schemes successfully implemented.

Third Five-Year Plan (1961-1966)

• First comprehensive agricultural development plan for the new State.

Four Phases of Agricultural Development

1. First Phase (1956-1966):
   • Focus:
     • Expand cultivated area.
     • Increase irrigation sources.
     • Promote chemical fertilizers and improved agricultural practices.
   • Methods:
     • Japanese method of rice cultivation.
     • Use of improved seeds.
2. Second Phase (1966-1980):
   • Focus:
     • Emphasis on hybrid crops and high-yielding varieties.
     • Transition to intensive cultivation over extensive cultivation.
3. Third Phase (1980-1995):
   • Focus:
     • Special attention to underprivileged farming communities:
       • Small and marginal farmers.
       • Scheduled Castes and Tribes.
     • Dry land farming initiatives.
4. Fourth Phase (1995 Onwards):
   • Adoption of the State Agricultural Policy (1995):
     • Response to globalization and liberalization of international trade.
     • Aim for integrated and high growth in agriculture and allied sectors.

Agricultural Policy of Karnataka

• Karnataka’s agricultural landscape is diverse and segmented due to a mix of semi-arid conditions and patches of high-value, high-tech agriculture.
• The state has been proactive in addressing agricultural issues, including the impact of WTO agreements on agriculture and the distress in the farming sector.

Key Goals of the Agricultural Policy (1995)

1. Enhancing Farmer Incomes
   • Primary focus on increasing net farm income.
   • Recognizes the critical role of markets and prices alongside aggregate production.
2. Target Growth Rate
   • Agricultural growth rate target set at 4.5% per annum to ensure farm income growth outpaces inflation (measured by the Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers).
3. Components Addressed
   • Crop planning and production.
   • Technology development and adoption.
   • Marketing and price stabilization.

Pancha Sutra: Five Principles for Accelerated Agricultural Growth

1. Protect and improve soil health.
2. Conserve natural resources, emphasizing water and micro-irrigation.
3. Ensure timely availability of credit and inputs to farmers.
4. Integrate post-harvest processing with production.
5. Bridge the gap between research (lab) and practical application (land).

Focus Areas

• Bypassed regions and marginalized farmer groups.
• Transition from supply-driven to demand-driven technological changes.
• Conservation of stressed natural resources.
• Improved access to factor markets and quality inputs.

Agricultural Census 2010-11

• Conducted quinquennially since 1970-71 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation.
• Provides data on agricultural holdings, land use, irrigation, cropping patterns, and more.
• Includes an Input Survey to gather data on factors like fertilizers, implements, and credit usage.

Key Findings

1. Operational Holdings
   • Total holdings increased by 3.3% from 75.81 lakh (2005-06) to 78.32 lakh (2010-11).
   • Male-dominated holdings: 80.86% (63.33 lakh); female holdings: 18.97% (14.86 lakh).
   • Marginal holdings (<1 ha) dominate with 49.1% of total holdings.
2. Area Operated
   • Total operated area: 121.62 lakh hectares, a marginal decrease of 1.8% since 2005-06.
   • Male-operated area: 83.78%; female-operated area: 15.61%.
3. Average Size of Holdings
   • Decreased from 1.63 ha (2005-06) to 1.55 ha (2010-11) due to land subdivision and fragmentation.
   • Marginal holdings: 0.48 ha; large holdings: 14.71 ha (average size by category).
4. Social Groups
   • Scheduled Caste holdings increased by 3.6%, while Scheduled Tribe holdings grew by 7.7%.
   • Average size of holdings: SC: 1.18 ha, ST: 1.49 ha.
5. Types of Holdings
   • Individual holdings dominate: 99.13% of total holdings.
   • Average size: Individual: 1.54 ha, Joint: 1.85 ha, Institutional: 5.78 ha.

Trends

• Operational holdings have increased by 121% from 35.51 lakh (1970-71) to 78.32 lakh (2010-11).
• Average holding size reduced from 3.20 ha (1970-71) to 1.55 ha (2010-11).

Climate and Agro-Climatic Zones in Karnataka

Climate

• Karnataka’s agriculture is influenced by two monsoons:
  • Southwest Monsoon (June-September): Supports Kharif crops.
  • Northeast Monsoon (October-November): Aids Rabi crop sowing.
• Southwest monsoon provides the majority of rainfall.

Agro-Climatic Zones

• Karnataka lies in:
  • Zone X: Southern plateau and hilly region.
  • Zone XII: West coast plain and ghat region.
• Based on rainfall, soil type, elevation, and crops, Karnataka is divided into 10 agro-climatic zones:
  1. North Eastern Transition Zone
  2. North Eastern Dry Zone
  3. Northern Dry Zone
  4. Central Dry Zone
  5. Eastern Dry Zone
  6. Southern Dry Zone
  7. Southern Transition Zone
  8. Northern Transition Zone
  9. Hilly Zone
  10. Coastal Zone