Horticulture Crops

4.2.2.5 Horticulture Crops

Description

Quick Overview

This section discusses the significance of horticulture crops in India, detailing the types of farming, major agricultural practices, and notable crops grown in the country.

Standard

India plays a crucial role in agriculture, with a significant portion of its population engaged in farming. The section explores different types of farming systems such as primitive subsistence, intensive subsistence, and commercial farming, emphasizing the diversity of crops produced, especially fruits and vegetables. Notable horticulture products and their growing conditions are presented.

Detailed

Horticulture Crops in India

India's vast agricultural landscape supports a diverse range of farming practices, where horticulture plays a vital role. Approximately two-thirds of the Indian population is involved in agriculture, which produces not only food grains but also a variety of raw materials for industries. This section delves into various types of farming prevalent in the country, including:

  • Primitive Subsistence Farming: Utilizes traditional methods and tools, relying on natural soil fertility and the monsoon. Known as 'Jhumming' in Northeast India, this method involves clearing land and shifting cultivation when soil fertility declines.
  • Intensive Subsistence Farming: Found in high-density areas, this labor-intensive farming employs modern techniques and inputs.
  • Commercial Farming: Capitalizes on modern agricultural practices and includes plantation crops grown on large scales.

The crops are classified based on seasonal growth patterns, with major cropping seasons being rabi, kharif, and zaid. Specifically, India is the second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables globally, contributing to the significant horticulture sector that encompasses mangoes, oranges, bananas, and various vegetables. Understanding these farming types and crop specifics is essential for grasping India's agricultural framework.

Key Concepts

  • Horticulture: The branch of agriculture that deals with the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and plants.

  • Types of Farming: Includes subsistence farming, intensive farming, and commercial farming.

  • Crop Diversity: India's wide range of climatic zones allows for a variety of horticultural crops.

Memory Aids

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • Mangoes are sweet, in heat they thrive, in warm states of India where they come alive!

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Once upon a time, in the lush states of India, farmers grew mangoes and bananas, thriving under the sun and rain, feeding their families and the world.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • Fruits Like MANGO means they thrive in Warm Areas with Moisture.

🎯 Super Acronyms

TIC

  • Types include Intensive
  • Commercial
  • and subsistence.

Examples

  • Mangoes are cultivated in Maharashtra for their warm, humid climate.

  • Bananas from Kerala are known for their quality and demand.

Glossary of Terms

  • Term: Horticulture Crops

    Definition:

    Crops that are grown for food, comfort, beauty, and medicinal purposes, primarily consisting of fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants.

  • Term: Subsistence Farming

    Definition:

    Farming system where farmers grow food primarily for their family’s consumption.

  • Term: Commercial Farming

    Definition:

    Farming intended for sale in the market, often using modern techniques and high-yield varieties.

  • Term: Intensive Farming

    Definition:

    An agricultural production system characterized by the use of large amounts of labor and capital relative to land area.

  • Term: Plantation Agriculture

    Definition:

    A form of commercial farming where large lands are devoted to the production of a single crop.