Agriculture in India - Introduction (Class VIII)

1. Leguminous plants contain symbiotic bacteria called Rhizobia within nodules in their root system, producing nitrogen compounds that help the plant to grow and compete with other plants.
2.  This bacteria absorbs molecular nitrogen from the atmosphere and converts it into inorganic nitrogenous compounds which is used for organic nitrogenous compounds synthesis.
3. When the plant dies, the fixed nitrogen is released, making it available to other plants and this helps to fertilize the soil.

Subsistence farming is a system of farming where the farmer grows crops and keeps livestock for the needs of his or her family. There is no surplus for sale.

Indian institute of agricultural research is an autonomous body established in 16 July 1929 by department of Agricultural Research and Education and functions under the ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Before independence it was called Imperial Council of Agricultural Research.

It has its head quarters in New Delhi. There are 101 ICAR institutes and 71 agricultural institutes spread across India which manage and monitor research and education in the fields pertaining to agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences.

In order to enlighten farmers about the advanced techniques and mechanized agricultural methods many steps were taken up by the government. One such step includes the use of television to improve skills of farmers in agriculture. This has shown an immense improvement in the quality of Indian agriculture achieving unimaginable results. 

Intensive cultivation.

Bhakra nangal Dam is contrcuted on River Sutlej. The dam is located in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. Nehru decribed the dams as "New Temples of Resurgent India". It is a multipurpose project.

'Marginal Farmer' means a farmer cultivating (as owner or tenant or share cropper) agricultural land up to 1 hectare (2.5 acres). ' Small Farmer' means a farmer cultivating (as owner or tenant or share cropper) agricultural land of more than 1 hectare.

Ground water and surface waters are the major sources of Fresh water in India. Ground water is the water present beneath the earth's surface which can be extracted through various ways.

• Koyna dam is constructed on Koyna river which is a tributary of Krishna river.
• Koyna dam is located in Maharashtra state.
  

FCI stands for the Food Corporation of India, which is a statutory body under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

All life on earth is either contained in or springs forth from the soil. In natural systems, when water is available and sunlight shines on photosynthetic green leaves, the soil and the air provide all else that is required for plant growth.

In India the problem of utilisation of agricultural wastes is in conversion of cellulose into sugar.

After imposition of ceilings on the landholding in India, it is estimated that 2.98 million hectares of land had been declared surplus of which 2.18 million hectares has been distributed to 5.58 million beneficiaries.

• IADP stands for Intensive Agriculture Development program and is launched in the year 1960.
  
• The main aim was to provide loan for seeds and fertilizers to farmers, to impart technical knowledge and to suggest adaptable innovations.
  

• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) was established in New Delhi
• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is an autonomous organization under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education. It was established on 16 July 1929.

• Ploughing along contour lines prevents soil erosion.

• Contour lines create water breaks which helps in non formation of gullies during water runoff.

• Strip cropping is a type of cropping technique practiced to reduce wind speed
• Strip farming is nothing but the growing of crops in strips that are oriented normal to the winds flowing in the region.