Question

Why is subsistence farming largely practised in India?

Answer 1

Subsistence farming is largely practiced in India due to the following core reasons:

1. Fragmented Landholdings: Laws of inheritance have continuously divided agricultural land among generations, resulting in very small and uneconomical farm sizes.
2. High Population Density: A massive rural population depends heavily on a limited amount of agricultural land for basic survival and food security.
3. Lack of Capital: Most small farmers are economically disadvantaged and cannot afford expensive modern machinery, commercial fertilizers, or advanced irrigation facilities.
4. Consumption Focus: Cultivation is driven by the immediate need to feed the farmer's own family, leaving little to no surplus for commercial market sales.