CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

Introduction
During the summer vacation, Paheli and Boojho visited their uncle, who is a farmer.

 They observed various farming tools like Spade, sickle, shovel, and plough in the
fields.
 This experience made them curious about agriculture and the tools used in it.
 To provide food for a large population, it is essential to ensure regular
production, proper management, and distribution of food.

Agricultural Practices
 Before 10,000 B.C.E., people were nomadic, wandering in groups in search of
food and shelter.
 They consumed raw fruits and vegetables and relied on hunting animals for
food.
 Eventually, people learned to cultivate land and produce crops like rice and
wheat, marking the beginning of agriculture.

What is a Crop?
Plants of the same kind that are grown and cultivated as a source of food in a large
cultivable land is called a crop .

Wheat Crop
 For example, if you see a field full of wheat plants, that's a wheat crop.
  Crops can be different types like cereals (e.g., wheat, rice), vegetables (e.g.,
carrots, beans), and fruits (e.g., apples, bananas).

Types of Crops
Different types of crops like cereals, vegetables and fruits etc., can be classified on the
basis of the season in which they grow.

 India is a vast country. Here climatic conditions like temperature, humidity and
rainfall vary from one region to another. Hence, a rich variety of crops can be
grown in different parts of India.
 Despite this diversity, two broad cropping patterns can be identified: Kharif Crops
& Rabi Crops

Types of Crops
1. Kharif Crops
Plants that are planted during the rainy season are called Kharif crops.

 The rainy season in India is generally from June to September.

 The rain provides them with the necessary moisture for growth.
 Examples: Paddy, Maize, Soybean, Groundnut, Cotton, etc.

2. Rabi Crops
Crops that are grown in the winter season are called rabi crops.

 The time period for Rabi crops is generally from October to March.
 The cooler temperatures and gentle sunlight create just the right conditions for
these crops to grow.
 Examples: Wheat, Gram, Pea, Mustard and Linseed

Question: What is the difference between Kharif crops and Rabi crops?
Ans: Listed below are the differences between Kharif& Rabi Crops

Try yourself: Which of the following is not an example of a kharif crop?

 A. Maize
 B. Bajra
 C. Soyabean
 D. Wheat

Explanation
 Kharif crops are sown at the beginning of the monsoon season (June-July) and
harvested in September-October.
Examples: Maize, Bajra, Soyabean, Rice, Cotton.
 Wheat is a Rabi crop, which is sown in winter (October-December) and
harvested in spring (March-April).
So, wheat does not belong to kharif crops.

Basic Practices of Crop Production

The several activities undertaken by the farmers for the cultivation of crops over a period
of time are referred to as agricultural practices which are listed below:

 Preparation of soil
 Sowing
 Adding manure and fertilisers
 Irrigation
  Protecting from weeds
 Harvesting
 Storage

Preparation of Soil
The preparation of soil is the first and most important step before growing a crop. Turning
and loosening the soil helps the roots penetrate deeper and allows them to breathe easily.

Importance of Loosening and Turning Soil

 Loosened soil allows plant roots to penetrate deeper and breathe easily, even at
greater depths.
 It promotes the growth of earthworms and microbes, which are beneficial to
farmers as they help further loosen the soil and add humus (organic matter).
 Soil contains minerals, water, air, and living organisms that support plant
growth.
 Soil organisms decompose dead plants and animals, releasing nutrients back into
the soil for plants to use.
 Only a few centimetres of the top layer of soil support plant growth, so turning
and loosening the soil brings nutrient-rich soil to the surface for plants to use.

Levelling of soil
Tilling or Ploughing
 The process of loosening and turning the soil is called tilling or ploughing.
 Ploughs, made of wood or iron, are used for this purpose. If the soil is dry, it may
need to be watered before ploughing.
 After ploughing, the field may have large soil clumps called crumbs, which must
be broken down.
  Leveling the soil helps with sowing and irrigation and is done with a leveler.

Agricultural Implements
Before sowing, it is necessary to break soil clumps using various tools.
Some commonly used implements include:
1. Plough
2. Hoe
3. Cultivator

Plough
A plough is a device that is used by farmers for different purposes such as adding
fertilizers, tilling, and loosening the soil.

A Traditional Wooden Plough

 Used since ancient times for tilling the soil, adding fertilisers, removing weeds,
and turning the soil.
 Made of wood or iron, it has a ploughshare (a strong triangular iron strip) and
a ploughshaft (a long log of wood).
 Operated by a pair of bulls or other animals like horses and camels.

Hoe
The hoe is like a gardener’s multi-tool. It’s simple but super useful.

 A simple tool used for removing weeds and loosening the soil.
 It has a long rod of wood or iron, with a broad, bent iron plate fixed at one end
for easy soil management .
Cultivator
Nowadays ploughing is done by tractor-driven cultivator. The use of cultivator saves labour
and time.

Cultivator Driven by Tractor

Sowing
Sowing is the most important part of crop production. Before sowing, good
quality seeds are selected. These are clean and healthy seed of good variety.

Selection of seeds
 Farmer prefer to use seeds that give a high yield.
 Seed test: using water to test seed is asmart way to separate good seed from
damaged ones. Healthy seeds sink, while damaged seed float. This help farmers
ensure that only the best seed are planted.

Tools for sowing

Before sowing, one of the important task is to know about the tool used for sowing seeds:
a) Traditional tool: It is the tool-shaped like funnel used traditionally for sowing
seeds. These seeds are filled into funnel, passed down through two or t hree pipes
having sharps ends. These ends pierce the soil and place seeds there.
b) Seed Drill: Nowadays, the seed drill is used for sowing with the help of tractors. This
tool sows the seed uniformly at proper distance and depths. It ensures that seeds
get covered by the soil after sewing and prevent damaged caused by birds. It save
time and labour.

While sowing seeds it is make sure that,

(a)Seeds are healthy and of high quality.
(b)They are planted at the correct distance from each other so that they can get proper
light, water, and nutrients from the soil.
(c) They must be sown deep enough to protect them from animals and birds (which might
eat them) and wind (which might blow them away) but not so deep that they may not get
enough air to germinate.

Adding Manure and Fertilizers

Manure and fertilisers are essential substances added to soil to provide nutrients for
healthy plant growth.

Manure
Role of Nutrients in Soil
 Soil provides mineral nutrients to crops, which are necessary for plant growth.
 Continuous farming without leaving the field fallow depletes these nutrients,
making the soil poor.
 To replenish soil nutrients, farmers add manure, a process known as manuring.
Without proper manuring, plants become weak.

Manure
 Manure is an organic substance made from decomposed plant or animal waste.
 The decomposition process is carried out by microorganisms.
 Farmers create manure by allowing plant and animal waste to decompose in
open pits.
Adding Fertilizers to soil :
 Fertilisers are chemical substances rich in specific nutrients and are produced in
factories.
 Examples include urea, ammonium sulphate, super phosphate, potash,
and NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium).
 Fertilisers help increase crop yields for crops like wheat, paddy, and maize.
 However, overuse of fertilisers can reduce soil fertility and cause water pollution.

Manure has several advantages over fertilisers, including:

 Improving water retention of the soil.
 Making the soil porous, allowing better air exchange.
 Increasing the population of beneficial microbes.
 Enhancing the texture of the soil.

Question: What is the difference between Manure and Fertilizer?

Ans: Listed below are the differences between Manure & Fertilizer:

Crop Rotation:
 Another method to replenish soil nutrients is crop rotation, which involves
growing different crops alternately.
 For example, earlier farmers in northern India grew legumes as fodder in one
season and wheat in the next. This practice enriched the soil with nitrogen.

Try yourself: What is the disadvantage of using Fertilisers?

 A. It makes the soil porous

  B. It can destroy the soil fertility of an area
 C. They increase the water holding capacity of the soil.
 D. They improve soil texture.

Explanation

 Fertilizers are chemicals that are rich in nutrients and can help farmers get better
crop yields but It can destroy the soil fertility of an area
 One advantage of using manure is that they increase the water holding capacity
of the soil.
 This means that the soil can retain more water, which is im portant for the proper
growth and development of plants.
 By increasing the water holding capacity, fertilizers ensure that the plants have
enough water even during dry periods.
 This can lead to higher crop yields and better overall plant health.

Irrigation

The supply of water to crops at regular intervals is known as irrigation.

 Irrigation depends on factors like crop type, soil type, and season.
 In summer, irrigation frequency is higher due to increased evaporation.

Importance of Water for Plants

 Absorption of nutrients: Water allows plants to absorb minerals and fertilisers
through their roots.
 Seed germination: Seeds cannot germinate in dry conditions.
  Transportation of nutrients: Water helps transport nutrients to various parts of
the plant.
 Protection: Water protects crops from frost and hot air currents.
 Soil moisture: Regular watering maintains the soil's moisture, promoting healthy
crop growth.

Sources of Irrigation:
Water for irrigation is obtained from various natural and man -made sources, including:

 Wells
 Tube wells
 Ponds
 Lakes
 Rivers
 Dams
 Canals

Traditional Methods of Irrigation

Traditional irrigation methods involve lifting water from wells, lakes, and canals using
simple mechanisms. These methods are economical but less efficient and include:

 Moat (Pulley-system): A pulley system to draw water.

 Chain Pump: A rotating chain with buckets to lift water.
 Dhekli: A lever system to draw water manually.
 Rahat (Lever system): A lever-operated water lifting system.

These methods often rely on human or animal labour.

Modern Methods of Irrigation
Modern irrigation methods aim to conserve water and increase efficiency.

(i) Sprinkler System

 Ideal for uneven land with limited water availability.
 Perpendicular pipes with rotating nozzles are connected to a main pipeline.
 Water is sprayed over crops through rotating nozzles, simulating rainfall.
 Widely used in lawns, coffee plantations, and other crops.

Sprinkler System
(ii) Drip System

 Water is delivered drop by drop directly to the plant's roots.

 This method is best suited for fruit plants, gardens, and trees.
 It conserves water and is particularly effective in water-scarce regions.

Drip System

Protection from Weeds

In a crop field, many unwanted plants, called weeds, often grow alongside the main crops.
These weeds are not helpful as they compete for vital resources such
as water, nutrients, space, and light, which can harm the growth and yield of the crops.
What are Weeds?
 Weeds are unwanted plants that grow alongside crop plants in a field.
 They are not purposely planted and compete with crops for resources, affecting
crop growth and yield.
 Some weeds can interfere with harvesting and may even be poisonous to
animals and humans

Weeding (Removal of Weeds)

 Weeding is the process of removing weeds from the crop fields.
 It is important to prevent weeds from competing with crops for essential
nutrients, water, space, and light.
 Best time to remove weeds is before they produce flowers and seeds

Methods of Weed Control

To keep crops healthy, farmers need to remove weeds, a process known as weeding. Here
are some common methods:
(I) Tilling

 Tilling before sowing helps in uprooting and killing weeds.

 The uprooted weeds dry up and mix with the soil, adding organic matter.

(ii) Manual Removal

 Physical removal of weeds by uprooting or cutting them close to the ground is a

common practice.
 This is done using tools like a Spade or a seed drill.
(iii) Use of Weedicides

 Weedicides are chemical substances used to kill weeds.

 Common weedicides include 2,4-D, which is diluted with water and sprayed on
the fields.
 These chemicals do not harm the crops but specifically target weeds.
 Weedicides are usually sprayed during the vegetative growth phase of weeds,
before they flower and produce seeds.

Safety Measures during Weedicide Application

 Spraying weedicides can be harmful to farmers' health.
 Farmers should take precautions like covering their nose and mouth with a cloth
during the application to avoid inhaling harmful chemicals.

Harvesting
Cutting down a crop once it has reached maturity or once the crop has ripened is
called Harvesting.

 Harvesting refers to the process of cutting or pulling out the mature crops.
 The crops are either pulled out or cut close to the ground.
 For cereal crops, it typically takes 3 to 4 months to reach maturity.

Methods of Harvesting
 Manual Harvesting: Done using a sickle (a curved blade used for cutting crops).
 Machine Harvesting: Done using a machine called a harvester.
 Winnowing: Farmers with small holdings of land do the separation of grain and
chaff by winnowing

Winnowing is a process to separate grain from chaff by tossing the mixture into the air,
where the wind blows away the lighter chaff, leaving the heavier grains to fall back down.
Winnowing
Threshing
 Threshing is the process of separating grain seeds from the chaff (outer husks).
 It can be done using a machine called a combine, which acts as both
a harvester and thresher.

A combined machine is a combination of a thresher and a harvester

Combine machine
Try yourself: The process of separation of grain from the chaff after harvesting is known
as

 A. Tilling
 B. Threshing
 C. Spraying
 D. Weeding

Explanation

 The process of separating grains from the chaff after harvesting is

called threshing.
 Threshing is a key step in obtaining the usable part of the grain.
 It can be done by hand or with large machinery

Storage
Storing harvested grains properly is really important to keep them fresh and safe.

 If grains aren't stored correctly, they can get ruined by moisture, bugs, rats,
and germs.
  Right after harvesting, grains still have a lot of moisture. If they're stored without
drying first, they can spoil or become infested with pests, making them unusable.
 To prevent this, grains are spread out in the sun to dry before being stored. This
helps keep away insects, bacteria, and fungi.
 Farmers usually store grains in jute bags or metal bins.
 For bigger amounts, they use large storage buildings called silos, which protect
the grains from pests like rats and insects.
 At home, dried neem leaves can be used to help keep food grains fresh. For very
large quantities, special chemical treatments are used to keep the grains safe
from pests and germs.
 Proper storage keeps the grains in good condition until they're needed!

Question: What are Granaries?

Granaries are the place where freshly obtained food grains are stored.

Granary

Food from Animals

 Food comes from many sources, and it's not just plants that provide it. For
example, people living near the coast often eat fish (cod liver oil from fish which
is rich in vitamin D) as a big part of their meals.
 Animals also play a big role in providing us with food, and they need proper care
too. When we take care of animals by giving them good food, shelter, and
attention, it's called animal husbandry.

Animal husbandry is like farming, but for animals. It involves making sure they are healthy
and well-cared for, so they can provide us with things like milk, eggs, and meat. Just like
crops, animals need the right conditions to thrive!
Animal Husbandry

THANK YOU!!!!!!