Question

A group of students may visit an agricultural farm, prepare a case study on the method of farming used, that is, types of seeds, fertilisers, machines, means of irrigation, cost involved, marketable surplus and income earned. It will be beneficial if the changes in cultivation methods could be collected from an elderly member of the farming family:

1. Discuss the findings in your class.
2. The different groups can then prepare a chart showing variations in cost of production, productivity, use of seeds, fertilisers, means of irrigation, time taken, marketable surplus and income of the family.

Answer 1

I visited an agricultural farm in Maharashtra and collected information on farming methods, seeds, fertilisers, irrigation, production costs, marketable surplus, and income. I also compared present farming methods with those used by the older generation.

Information Collected from the Farm:

1. Method of farming: The farmer uses tractors, pumps and other modern machines for cultivation.
2. Type of seeds: Improved and high-yielding variety seeds are used to increase production.
3. Fertilisers: Chemical fertilisers are used along with organic manure.
4. Machinery: Tractors, power pumps, sprayers and threshers are commonly used.
5. Irrigation: Water is supplied through wells, borewells and drip irrigation.
6. Cost of production: Major expenses include seeds, fertilisers, labour, irrigation, fuel, and machinery.
7. Marketable surplus: After keeping some produce for family use and seeds, the farmer sells the remaining crop in the market.
8. Income: The farmer’s income depends on the quantity produced, market price and total cost of cultivation.

Comparison of Earlier and Present Farming:

Basis	Earlier Farming	Present Farming
Seeds	Traditional seeds	Improved and high-yielding seeds
Fertilisers	Mainly animal manure	Chemical fertilisers and organic manure
Machinery	Bullocks and wooden ploughs	Tractors and modern machines
Irrigation	Mainly rainfall and wells	Higher because of machinery and inputs
Cost of production	Comparatively low	Higher because of machinery and inputs
Productivity	Lower production	Higher production
Time required	More time	Less time
Marketable surplus	Small amount	Larger amount
Income	Comparatively low	Generally higher

The findings are as follows:

1. Modern technology has made farming faster and more productive.
2. Improved seeds and irrigation have increased crop production.
3. The cost of farming has also increased because farmers must buy machinery, fertilisers, and fuel.
4. Farmers today produce a larger marketable surplus than in the past.
5. Modern farming can provide higher income, but income still depends on crop prices, rainfall and production costs.

Hence, agriculture has changed greatly over time. Earlier, farmers depended mainly on traditional seeds, bullocks and rainfall. Today, they use modern machines, improved seeds, fertilisers and better irrigation methods. These changes have increased productivity and income, although cultivation costs have also risen.