Crop Production and Management - Class 8 Notes & Olympiad Questions

Crop Production

a) Crop production and management are essential aspects of agriculture, and they involve the process of growing plants (crops) for human consumption or other purposes.
b) Crops are plants of the same type that are cultivated in vast fields and grown in large quantities to provide food for people. They are specifically grown for this purpose and play a crucial role in feeding communities and even entire nations.
c) These cultivated plants are carefully selected based on factors like climate, soil type, and water availability to ensure they thrive and produce abundant yields.
d) By growing crops on a large scale, farmers can efficiently provide a steady supply of food to meet the needs of a growing population. Crops are the backbone of agriculture, and their successful cultivation is essential for global food security and sustaining human life.

Basic Practices of Crop Production

Crop production involves a series of essential practices farmers follow to successfully grow crops. Some basic practices are:

1. Choosing the Right Crop

The first step in crop production is deciding which plants to grow. Different crops have different needs, such as the amount of sunlight, water, and temperature they require. Farmers choose crops that will thrive in their specific region and climate.

2. Preparing the Soil

a) Good soil is crucial for healthy plant growth. Preparing the soil for sowing seeds involves several important steps. First, the soil is loosened and turned over through ploughing or tilling.
b) This helps create a better environment for the seeds to grow. After ploughing, the soil is carefully levelled using a wooden leveller to prevent erosion and ensure an even surface.
c) To enrich the soil with nutrients, manure is added. Manure acts like a natural fertiliser, providing essential elements that the crops need to grow strong and healthy. Sometimes, farmers add manure even before ploughing to ensure that the soil is well-nourished right from the start.
d) By following these soil preparation practices, farmers create a fertile and favourable environment for their crops to thrive, leading to better yields and healthier plants.

3. Sowing

a) Sowing is the process of placing seeds in the soil to grow crops. It involves carefully placing the seeds at the right depth and spacing in the soil.
b) Farmers choose high-quality seeds that come from healthy plants. They sow the seeds either by using a seed drill, a special machine that plants the seeds in neat rows, or by hand, where they carefully put the seeds in the soil.
c) This important step sets the foundation for the crops to grow and eventually produce the food we rely on for our meals.
d) Some seeds, like corn and beans, are sown directly into the soil, while others, like tomatoes and cucumber, are planted as small plants called seedlings.

4. Irrigation

a) Irrigation is a crucial process that supplies water to crops at regular intervals. Just like all living beings need water to survive and grow, plants also require water for their proper growth and development.
b) When plants absorb water through their roots, they also take in essential minerals and fertilisers dissolved in it. In fact, plants are made up of nearly 90% water, showing how vital it is for their well-being.
c) Water plays various roles in plant life. It helps seeds germinate, ensures nutrients are transported throughout the plant, and acts as a protective shield against frost and hot air.
d) To keep the soil moist and provide the right conditions for healthy crop growth, fields need to be watered regularly.
e) The frequency of irrigation can vary depending on factors like the type of crop, the type of soil, and the season. During hot summer months, crops may need more frequent watering due to the increased rate of evaporation from the soil and the leaves.
f) Water for irrigation can come from various sources like wells, ponds, lakes, rivers, dams, and canals. These water sources ensure that crops get the water they need to flourish and produce bountiful harvests.

Methods of Irrigation

1. Sprinkler System

a) The sprinkler system is excellent for uneven land or areas with limited water availability.
b) Perpendicular pipes with rotating nozzles are connected to the main pipeline at regular intervals.
c) When water under pressure flows through the main pipe with the help of a pump, it escapes from the rotating nozzles and falls like rain on the crops below.
d) This method is highly beneficial for lawns, coffee plantations, and various crops.

2. Drip System

a) The drip system is designed to deliver water drop by drop directly to the roots of the plants.
b) It is like giving the plants a precise and gentle drink. This method is perfect for watering fruit plants, gardens, and trees.
c) The drip system is a game-changer because it doesn't waste water, making it ideal for regions where water availability is limited or poor.

Both these irrigation techniques not only save water but also ensure that crops receive the right amount of water where and when they need it the most. These methods have significantly improved water efficiency in agriculture and are a boon for sustainable farming practices.

5. Adding Manures and Fertilisers

Manures and fertilisers are substances that farmers add to the soil to make it more fertile and productive. They act like food for the plants, providing them with the necessary nutrients they need to grow well.
Adding manures and fertilisers to the soil is an essential practice in agriculture to enhance soil fertility.

1. Manures - Natural and Organic: Manures are natural substances that come from the decomposition of plant and animal matter. They are rich in organic matter, like humus, which improves soil structure and retains moisture. Manures also release nutrients slowly, feeding the plants over time.

2. Fertilisers - Inorganic and Factory-made: On the other hand, fertilisers are inorganic compounds that contain specific nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. These nutrients are crucial for plant growth. fertilisers are manufactured in factories to ensure a balanced and consistent supply of nutrients to the soil.

6. Protection from Weeds

a) Weeds compete with crops for essential resources like water, nutrients, space, and sunlight. If weeds are left unchecked, they can steal these resources from the crops, making it difficult for the crops to grow well.
b) Farmers use different methods to get rid of weeds. One common way is to remove them manually by hand or using a tool called a trowel. This process is known as hand weeding. By uprooting the weeds, farmers create more space and resources for the crops to thrive.
c) In some cases, when the weed infestation is severe, farmers may use special chemicals called weedicides. These chemicals are designed to kill or control weeds, making it easier for the crops to grow without competition.

7. Harvesting

Harvesting is the time when crops are ready to be collected after they have fully grown.

Cutting and Gathering: Harvesting involves cutting the matured crops and gathering them from the fields. It's like picking ripe fruits from a tree or collecting vegetables from a garden when they are ready to be eaten.

Manual or Machine Harvesting: There are two main ways to harvest crops. One is manual harvesting, where farmers use tools like sickles or scythes to cut the crops. The other way is using a machine called a harvester, which does the cutting and gathering automatically, making the process faster and more efficient.

Threshing: After harvesting, the crops need to be separated from the unwanted parts like the chaff (husk or outer covering). Threshing is the process of loosening the grains from the chaff. It's like taking the seeds out of a fruit.

Winnowing: Once the grains are separated from the chaff, the process of winnowing begins. It's like separating the heavier seeds from the lighter chaff using the help of the wind. The chaff is lighter and gets blown away by the wind, while the heavier grains fall down, making it easier to collect the clean, edible seeds.

8. Storage

Once the crops are harvested, they need to be stored properly to protect them from spoilage and ensure a steady supply of food throughout the year.

Grains in Granaries or Silos: Grains like wheat, rice, and corn are typically stored in special storage structures called granaries or silos. These are designed to keep the grains safe from pests, rodents, and other potential damage.

Importance of Drying: Before storing the grains, they must be dried. Drying is essential because moisture in the grains can lead to the growth of fungus and moulds, which can spoil the crops. Properly dried grains have a lower risk of spoilage and can be stored for longer periods without losing their quality.

By ensuring proper storage, farmers can safeguard their hard-earned harvests and have a stable supply of food even during times when crops cannot be grown. This way, they can avoid wastage and make the most of their efforts in agriculture.

Animal Husbandry

Animal husbandry is a vital branch of agriculture focused on the rearing, breeding, and raising of animals for various purposes, primarily to obtain meat, fibre, eggs, milk, and other essential food products. This practice plays a significant role in supporting the livelihoods of many farmers worldwide.

Types of Animal Husbandry

1. Dairy Farming

a) Dairy farming involves the long-term production of milk, which is then processed to obtain dairy products like curd, cheese, yoghurt, butter, and cream.
b) This type of animal husbandry centres around the careful management of dairy animals, such as cows, buffaloes, sheep, and goats.
c) These animals are regularly inspected and cared for by veterinary doctors to ensure their well-being and health. The milk obtained from them is preserved and further processed to create a range of dairy products used commercially.

2. Poultry Farming

a) Poultry farming focuses on the raising and breeding of birds for commercial purposes. Domesticated birds like ducks, chickens, geese, pigeons, and turkeys are reared for their eggs and meat.
b) To ensure healthy food products, it is crucial to maintain proper sanitation and hygienic conditions for these animals.
c) Poultry farming not only provides a rich source of protein through eggs and meat but also contributes to the economy by generating employment opportunities for many people.

3. Fish Farming

a) Fish farming, also known as aquaculture, involves raising fish in closed tanks or ponds for commercial purposes.
b) The demand for fish and fish protein is continuously increasing, making fish farming a crucial aspect of animal husbandry. Fish species like salmon, catfish, cod, and tilapia are raised on these farms.

4. Bee Farming (Apiculture)

a) Bee farming, also known as apiculture, focuses on maintaining bee colonies in man-made hives. Honey bees are the primary target of beekeepers, as they provide honey and wax, and play a vital role in pollinating flowers.
b) Honey bees are also used by other beekeepers for similar purposes. The places where bees are kept are known as apiaries or bee yards.

Importance of Animal Husbandry

Animal husbandry is of paramount importance as it ensures a steady supply of nutrient-rich food products, supporting the nutritional needs of the population. Additionally, this practice significantly contributes to the economy, especially in rural areas, by providing employment opportunities to numerous farmers and workers involved in various aspects of animal care and product processing.