Crop Production and Management

Contents

From Where We Get Food From?

Plants can make their own food through Photosynthesis.
We humans cannot produce our own food.
We humans are just capable of cooking the vegetables that we get from the market.
We humans get our food from Plants and animals.
To feed a large population regular production and proper management is needed.
And then it is distributed on a large scale.
We also get food from animals.
When animals are reared on a large scale , then it is called as Animal Husbandary.

Agriculture is a method of farming in which soil is cultivated for the growing of crops.
Animals are also reared in this practice.
Agriculture is needed for the production of food and various other products.
70% of Indian population depends on the practice of agriculture for food and money.

A crop is a product that is produced or cultivated on a large scale.
The crops are cultivated in agriculture.
Crops refers to the plants of the same kind or of same species that are cultivated at one place on a large scale.
For example, crop of sugarcane means that all the plants that are grown on that field are of sugarcane.
Cereals, vegetables all come under various types of crops.

There are 2 different types of crops based on their season or temperature of growth:-

Kharif Crops

Kharif crops are also called as monsoon crops.
It is cultivated and harvested between June and September.
Examples of Kharif Crops are: Rice, cotton, pulses, brinjal etc..
Rice needs a lot of water to grow , that is why it is grown in the rainy season.

Rabi Crops

Crops which are cultivated in the winter season and harvested in the Spring season are called Rabi Crops.
It is cultivated and harvested between the month of October and March.
Examples of Rabi Crops are:- Wheat, mustard, barley, pea etc..

The various Practices needed for crop production are:-

1. Preparation of Soil:

Soil is need to get loosen so that the roots get penetrated deep into the soil.
This loosened soil results into the growth of various microorganisms that help in the production of crops.
Humus is the added to the soil.
The nutrients of dead animals also get absorbed by the soil which is beneficial for the crops.
The above process is also known as Ploughing of the soil.
Soil clumps are broken with the help of plough , hoe and cultivator.

2. Sowing:

Good quality of seeds are selected for this process.
Good quality seed gives high yield.
Traditional tool and seed drill are used for sowing seeds.
Traditional tool is shaped like a funnel.
Tractors are needed for seed drills.
Seed drills save time and labour.
We should plant the seeds at a certain distance so that it can get proper sunlight, nutrients and water from the soil.

3. Adding Manures And Fertilizers:

Adding manures and fertilizers to the soil results into healthy growth of the plants.
They are needed if there is a continuous cultivation of the crops on the same field.
This process is also called Manuring.
Adding manure improves the texture of the soil and also increase the soil water holding capacity.
Decomposition of plants or animal waste results into an organic substance which is known as manure.
Fertilizers are man made as it is produced in factories and is rich in a particular type of nutrient.
Fertilizers are inorganic substances.
Examples of some fertilizers are: Nitrogen, urea, potash etc..
We should use these fertilizers in a limited amount as these are chemicals and overdose of it makes the soil infertile.

4. Irrigation:

Proper consumption of water by the soil is very necessary for healthy crops.
On dry soil, crops do not get proper nutrients.
Proper supply of water to the soil is known as Irrigation.
Irrigation should be done on a regular basis , at least one time a day.
Various crops needs various amount of water to get cultivated.
We can water the crops through various sources such as lakes, canals, pipes etc..
Traditional methods which are used for irrigation such as pulley-system, chain pump , lever system etc..
Modern methods which are used in irrigation are: Sprinkler system, drip system etc..

5. Protection From Weeds:

Undesirable plants are called weeds. They could be toxic to us.
They grow naturally with other plants.
Weeds should be removed as they take almost half of the nutrients of the soil which is mainly for the healthy crops.
This process is called weeding.
Certain ways to remove the weeds are: Tilling , manual removal, seed drill, weedicides etc..
Weeds should be removed before the production of flowers in it.
Manual removal needs a ‘khurpi’ for the removal of weeds.
Weedicides are chemicals used to control weeds. Example : 2,4-D, Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) etc..
These weedicides are sprayed on the fields to kill the weeds.
They are made in such a way that they do not harm the original crops.

6. Harvesting:

When the crop is fully grown up and is ready to cut then this process is known as Harvesting.
Harvesting of crops is usually done by sickle or by a harvester.
While doing harvesting the grain seeds are separated from the chaff. This process is known as Threshing.

7. Storage:

After a high yield, we need to store the crops for a longer use.
And it should be kept away from the moisture and various insects who can eat the crop.
The crops which are to be kept for storage are dried in sun so that there is no moisture left.
Generally the grains are stored in jute bags and metallic bins.
But if the amount of grains to be stored is larger, then it is kept in Silos and Granaries.