Agricultural Geography
By contributing nearly one-fourth of the GDP and providing livelihood to around 70 per cent of the population, agriculture continues to be the backbone of the Indian economy. Spatially it is the most widespread economic pursuit claiming more than 40 per cent of the country’s total area. It is also equally important that the diverse cultural landscapes that rural India manifests are basically the product of peoples’ judicious response to the available land and other environmental resources for raising crops and livestock. Not surprisingly therefore Indian geographers have been paying serious attention to the study of agriculture and associated issues during last several decades.
Landuse/Landcover and Land Capability Studies
Landuse/land cover and land capability studies have got a renewed emphasis asthe process of agricultural use of land has been in a flux in the wake of fast changing national economy under the new global order. A number of studies on land use/overland land capability using both conventional and modern techniques appeared during thelast four years. Tribedi and Dubey (2006) using satellite imageries and aerial photographsdelineated various landuse categories in Damoh area of Madhya Pradesh for planningpurposes. They determined the changes in forest area, urban area, agricultural land, etc. and suggested measures for improvement in the landuse condition. Das (2006) analyzed the changes in landuse pattern in Assam and its implications for sustainable conomicdevelopment in the state. The study carried out by Narayanakumar and Kumaraswamy(2006) using remote sensing techniques pointed to the fact that the agricultural practicealong the fringe of the lake Oussudu contributes both nutrients and contaminants to degrade the natural aquatic environment. While discussing the causes of landuse/landcover changes in Ukhrul district of Manipur, Singh and Shah (2007) held thetraditional practice of jhuming responsible for rapid shrinkage of forest cover.
Thangamani and Rao (2007) on the other hand, evaluated the land capability of the Polarbasin of Andhra Pradesh on the basis of physical characteristics. The study suggested cultivation of certain crops suitable for each of the land units. Joji and Nair (2004) dealt with problems associated with the wetland ecosystem, deforestation and landuse/landcover for sustainable management of environment in Vamanapuram riverbasin of Kerala. Most of these studies represent continuation of earlier attempts usingsimilar methods and techniques.
Shifting Cultivation
Among the agricultural systems, shifting cultivation has a long history of itsassociation with the tribal communities living in the tropical hilly tracts. Continuation ofthis primitive ractice, defying changes through modernization witnessed in the adjoiningplains, has been attracting the attention of agricultural geographers since long. A vast fund of research wealth has accumulated by Indian geographers on various issues concerning shifting cultivation.
An attempt by Dikshit et al. (2004) to probe into the historical background, persistence and modification of shifting cultivation in course of time in an area like theKonya valley, Western Ghat is quite refreshing in this context. They discussed theevolution, spatial extent, crops cultivated, yield, suitability level and other aspects of thistype of agriculture which may be helpful in exploring better alternatives. Bora and Saikia(2007) in a similar study suggested measures and a workable landuse model for viableand eco-friendly control and management of jhumming (shifting cultivation) practiced inthe hills of Assam.
Argo-Ecological Concern
Till recently, the ago-ecosystems in most parts of India were almost in tune with local natural environment. Cropping pattern and farming methods practiced were largely determined by the prevalent ecological conditions and socio-cultural traditions . But rapid population growth, technological development and growing-market forces have recently encouraged the farmers to opt for cropping intensification using modern infrastructure, techniques and inputs. These changes are responsible fordeterioration of the agro-ecosystems in different regions of the country, especially in thedrier areas.
By contributing nearly one-fourth of the GDP and providing livelihood to around 70 per cent of the population, agriculture continues to be the backbone of the Indian economy. Spatially it is the most widespread economic pursuit claiming more than 40 per cent of the country’s total area. It is also equally important that the diverse cultural landscapes that rural India manifests are basically the product of peoples’ judicious response to the available land and other environmental resources for raising crops and livestock. Not surprisingly therefore Indian geographers have been paying serious attention to the study of agriculture and associated issues during last several decades.
Landuse/Landcover and Land Capability Studies
Landuse/land cover and land capability studies have got a renewed emphasis asthe process of agricultural use of land has been in a flux in the wake of fast changing national economy under the new global order. A number of studies on land use/overland land capability using both conventional and modern techniques appeared during thelast four years. Tribedi and Dubey (2006) using satellite imageries and aerial photographsdelineated various landuse categories in Damoh area of Madhya Pradesh for planningpurposes. They determined the changes in forest area, urban area, agricultural land, etc. and suggested measures for improvement in the landuse condition. Das (2006) analyzed the changes in landuse pattern in Assam and its implications for sustainable conomicdevelopment in the state. The study carried out by Narayanakumar and Kumaraswamy(2006) using remote sensing techniques pointed to the fact that the agricultural practicealong the fringe of the lake Oussudu contributes both nutrients and contaminants to degrade the natural aquatic environment. While discussing the causes of landuse/landcover changes in Ukhrul district of Manipur, Singh and Shah (2007) held thetraditional practice of jhuming responsible for rapid shrinkage of forest cover.
Thangamani and Rao (2007) on the other hand, evaluated the land capability of the Polarbasin of Andhra Pradesh on the basis of physical characteristics. The study suggested cultivation of certain crops suitable for each of the land units. Joji and Nair (2004) dealt with problems associated with the wetland ecosystem, deforestation and landuse/landcover for sustainable management of environment in Vamanapuram riverbasin of Kerala. Most of these studies represent continuation of earlier attempts usingsimilar methods and techniques.
Shifting Cultivation
Among the agricultural systems, shifting cultivation has a long history of itsassociation with the tribal communities living in the tropical hilly tracts. Continuation ofthis primitive ractice, defying changes through modernization witnessed in the adjoiningplains, has been attracting the attention of agricultural geographers since long. A vast fund of research wealth has accumulated by Indian geographers on various issues concerning shifting cultivation.
An attempt by Dikshit et al. (2004) to probe into the historical background, persistence and modification of shifting cultivation in course of time in an area like theKonya valley, Western Ghat is quite refreshing in this context. They discussed theevolution, spatial extent, crops cultivated, yield, suitability level and other aspects of thistype of agriculture which may be helpful in exploring better alternatives. Bora and Saikia(2007) in a similar study suggested measures and a workable landuse model for viableand eco-friendly control and management of jhumming (shifting cultivation) practiced inthe hills of Assam.
Argo-Ecological Concern
Till recently, the ago-ecosystems in most parts of India were almost in tune with local natural environment. Cropping pattern and farming methods practiced were largely determined by the prevalent ecological conditions and socio-cultural traditions . But rapid population growth, technological development and growing-market forces have recently encouraged the farmers to opt for cropping intensification using modern infrastructure, techniques and inputs. These changes are responsible fordeterioration of the agro-ecosystems in different regions of the country, especially in thedrier areas.
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