Intensive Subsistence Farming

4.1.2 Intensive Subsistence Farming

Description

Quick Overview

Intensive subsistence farming is characterized by high labor input and the use of biochemical inputs in areas with high population pressure on land.

Standard

In India, intensive subsistence farming is a predominant practice among the majority of farmers, utilizing significant human labor and biochemical fertilizers to maximize crop yield from small land plots, often under economic stress due to land fragmentation and population pressures.

Detailed

Intensive Subsistence Farming

Intensive subsistence farming is a form of agriculture primarily found in regions of high population density in India. This method focuses on maximizing output from small plots of land using labor-intensive techniques alongside significant applications of biochemical inputs and irrigation. The continuous division of land due to the right of inheritance challenges farmers to maintain productivity levels despite shrinking landholdings. Farmers strive to extract the maximum yield from their limited resources due to a lack of alternative livelihood opportunities. This scenario creates monumental pressure on agricultural lands, necessitating higher input efforts to sustain agricultural output.

Additionally, intensive subsistence farming contrasts with other types such as commercial and primitive farming, emphasizing its reliance on intensive labor over mechanization and the high usage of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and modern agricultural techniques. This form of farming significantly shapes the agricultural practices and economic structures of many rural communities.

Key Concepts

  • Labor-Intensive: Farming that requires significant labor input relative to the output produced.

  • Biochemical Inputs: Chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides used to increase crop yields.

Memory Aids

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • Farming with no large expanse, Intensive care gives crops a chance.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Once, in a small village, farmers worked tirelessly on tiny plots, relying on shared knowledge and chemicals to make their crops flourish despite challenges.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • Remember

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • D for Demand, E for Efficient use, N for Numbers of people, S for Small Land, I for Intensive, T for Tradition, Y for Yield.

🎯 Super Acronyms

SLIDE for sustainability issues

  • S: for Sustainability concerns
  • L: for Land degradation
  • I: for Input overuse
  • D: for Dependency
  • E: for Economic constraints.

Examples

  • Rice farming in West Bengal is an example of intensive subsistence farming, where high population density leads to labor-intensive cultivation practices.

  • Tea and coffee plantations in Assam showcase how intensive subsistence methods can yield significant economic produce despite small land areas.

Glossary of Terms

  • Term: Intensive Subsistence Farming

    Definition:

    A farming practice prevalent in densely populated regions, characterized by high labor intensity and the use of biochemical inputs to maximize yield from small land plots.

  • Term: Land Fragmentation

    Definition:

    The division of land among successive generations, leading to smaller and often non-viable landholdings.