Is there a way one can grow more from the same land?
The village of Palampur exemplifies efficient agricultural practices, with well-utilized land for crop cultivation. Farmers grow multiple crops throughout the year: jowar and bajra in the rainy season, potatoes in winter, and wheat in the rabi season. This method, known as multiple cropping, enhances productivity significantly, with farmers also cultivating sugarcane.
The primary reason for this agricultural productivity is the effective irrigation system supported by early access to electricity, which replaced traditional irrigation methods with electric tubewells. However, these advancements are not uniform across India, as many regions remain largely dependent on rainfall for farming.
The section introduces the role of modern farming methods, emphasizing High Yielding Varieties (HYVs) of seeds, which have drastically increased the volume of crops produced per plant – in contrast to traditional seeds. While HYVs require more cash upfront for necessary chemical inputs and irrigation, their returns are substantially higher, contributing to significant agricultural growth. Understanding these practices is vital, as less than 40% of cultivated land in India is presently irrigated, making irrigation techniques a critical area for improvement.