AGR-101 Basics of Agriculture 2(1-1)

Dr. Tasneem Khaliq

Agro-climatology Lab.,
Department of Agronomy
1

Agriculture

Agriculture, history, importance and

branches

It is derived from two Latin words

Ager or agri mean soil/field
Culture mean cultivation
Agriculture is an applied science which
encompasses all aspects of crop production
including horticulture, livestock rearing, fisheries,
forestry etc.
3

As a Science

Definition
Agriculture is an art, science, as well as business
concerned with cultivation of the soil for growing of
crops and rearing of animals to provide food, wool,
and other products.

Agriculture utilizes all technologies developed on

scientific principles such as crop breeding,
production techniques, crop protection, economics
etc. to maximize the yield and profit.

As an Art
Agriculture embrace knowledge to perform the
operations of the farm in a skillful manner, but does
not necessarily include an understanding of the
principles underlying the farm practices.

SCOPE AND IMPORTANCE OF

AGRICULTURE

As a business
Agriculture production is bound to consumption
from producer to end user.

Provision of basic necessities of life (food, cloth and

shelter)
16% contribution to the gross domestic product
(GDP)
Provides livelihood support to about two-thirds of
country's population.
Provides employment to 58% of country's work
force and is the single largest private sector
occupation.

It aims at maximum net return through the

management of land, labour, water and capital and
employing the knowledge of various sciences for
production of food, feed, fiber and fuel.

SCOPE AND IMPORTANCE OF

AGRICULTURE
Provision of basic necessities of life (food, cloth
and shelter)
16% contribution to the gross domestic product
(GDP)
Provides livelihood support to about two-thirds of
country's population.
Provides employment to 58% of country's work
force and is the single largest private sector
occupation.
9

Agriculture

Crop
Husbandry
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Agronomy
P. Breeding
Soil science
Horticulture
Entomology
P. Pathology
Biochemistry

Forestry

Agricultural
Engineering

Contd.
15% of the total export earnings e.g textiles, silk,
sugar, rice, flour mills, milk products.
The agriculture sector acts as a wall in
maintaining food security and in the process
national security as well.
It has important role in improving the overall
economic conditions, health and nutrition of the
rural masses.
10

BRANCHES OF AGRICULTURE
Animal
Husbandry
1. Poultry
science
2. Fishery
science
3. Livestock
manageme
nt
4. Dairy
science11

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Agronomy
Horticulture
Forestry
Animal husbandry
Fishery science
Agricultural
Engineering
7. Home science

12

Agronomy
Deals with the production of various crops which includes food
crops, fodder crops, fibre crops, sugar, oilseeds, etc. The aim is
to have better food production and how to control the
diseases.
Horticulture
Deals with the production of fruits, vegetables, flowers,
ornamental plants, spices, condiments and beverages.

Animal husbandry
Deals with agricultural practice of breeding and raising
livestock in order to provide food for humans and to provide
power (draught).
Fishery science
Deals with practice of breeding and rearing fishes including
marine and inland fishes, shrimps, prawns etc. in order to
provide food, feed and manure.
Agricultural Engineering
Deals with farm machinery for field preparation, intercultivation, harvesting and post harvest processing including
soil and water conservation engineering and bio-energy.

Forestry
Deals with production of large scale cultivation of perennial
trees for supplying wood, timber, rubber, etc. and also raw
materials for industries.

13

14

Evolution of man and Agriculture

Home Science
Deals with application and utilization of agricultural produces
in a better manner in order to provide nutritional security,
including value addition and food preparation.

There are different stages in development of

agriculture, which is oriented with human
civilization. These are
Hunting
Pastoral
Crop culture
Trade (stages of human civilization)

15

16

Hunting
It was the primary source of food in old days. It is the important
occupation and it existed for a very long period.

Period and events

Pastoral
Human obtained food through domestication of animals, e.g. cow,
buffalo, dogs, horse, etc.

Earlier than 10000 BC Hunting & gathering

Crop culture
Living near the river bed, they had enough water for their animals and
domesticated crops and started cultivation.
Trade
When they started producing more than their requirement the excess
was exchanged, this was the basis for trade.

7500 BC Cultivation of crops- Wheat & Barley

3400 BC Wheel was invented
3000 BC Bronze used for making tools

17

18

2900 BC Plough was invented, irrigated farming started

2300 BC Cultivation of chickpea, cotton, mustard

1000 BC Use of iron plough

2200 BC Cultivation of rice

1500 BC Cultivation of sugarcane

1500 AD Cultivation of orange, brinjal,

pomegranate

1400 BC Use of iron

1600 AD Introduction of several crops to India

i.e. potato, tapioca, tomato, chillies

19

20

Agronomy

Principles of crop production

Combination of two Greek words

Agros mean field
Nomos mean to manage

Branch of agriculture deals with principles and

practices of crop production and soil
management"

1. Improved cultural practice

2. Pure and good quality seed (approved
varieties)
3. Timely application of manure in correct
amount
4. Irrigation application at right time and right
amount
5. Adequate plant protection measures

21

22

Practices of crop production

Way to perform particular farm operation

Leveling

of soil/land

Ploughing
Removal
Digging

of harmful/unwanted vegetation
of water channels and their cleaning

Soil is defined as the top layer of the earth's

crust. It is formed by mineral particles, organic
matter, water, air and living organisms

23

24

THANKS

http://cufagradforum.files.wordpre ss.com/2007/05/questions.gif

25