Question

Your penfriend, who lives in Australia, has read that India is an agricultural country. He wants to know the details about the nature of agriculture practised in India and the problems faced by the farmers. Write to your friend replying to his queries.

Answer 1

Dear [Penfriend's Name],

I hope you're well. I'm happy to provide information on agriculture in India, as you requested. Agriculture is extremely important to our economy. Agriculture in India is diversified, including subsistence and commercial agricultural. Subsistence farming cultivates crops for personal consumption, while commercial farming focuses on cash crops such as cotton, sugarcane, tea, coffee, and spices for commercial use. During the 1960s and 1970s, India saw a large Green Revolution that included high-yielding crop types, new farming practices, and increasing fertiliser and irrigation use. The revolution increased agricultural output, resulting in self-sufficiency for food production. However, our farmers face a variety of challenges:

1. Fragmented Land Holdings: Small and fragmented land holdings make it difficult for farmers to implement modern practices.
2. Dependence on Monsoons: Agriculture relies significantly on monsoons for irrigation, which can cause problems during low or unpredictable rainfall.
3. Lack of Access to Credit: Farmers often lack access to formal financing, creating a cycle of debt and financial risk.
4. Inadequate Infrastructure: Insufficient rural infrastructure prevents efficient storage, transportation, and selling of produce.
5. Climate Change Impact: Crop production are affected by changing weather patterns and pest outbreaks.

I hope this provides a comprehensive overview. Feel free to ask if you have more questions!

Warm regards,

Karan