"TYPES OF FARMING"

           Hi everyone! In this blog I am going to explain about some important   "TYPES OF FARMING".

Farming is not only to produce wheat, rice etc. and it is also important to know about Aquafarming , Diary farming, Organic farming, Poultry farming, sericulture, Sheep farming.

   AQUAFARMING

India’s marine food exported 13, 92,559 MT of seafood worth Rs 46,589.37 crore (USD 6,728.50 million) in 2018/19. Most of this growth stemmed from aquaculture – an industry set to advance. Increasing domestic and foreign demand is fueling expansion of India’s aquaculture industry. Stronger commercial orientation is also driving change. Cooperatives and farmers’ associations now need credit to build their business. Banks are reluctant to lend, however, because risks threaten to hamper fish farmers’ ability to service their loans. Disease can kill shrimp, algae blooms can suffocate fish, and typhoons and earthquakes can breach the banks of ponds, washing the harvest into the sea. The insurance industry must rise to these challenges by providing the protection this nascent industry needs. With its international experience in aquaculture risk management and its underwriting expertise, the insurance industry can help the Indian market realize its full potential.

WHY AQUAFARMING IS IMPORTANT ?

overfishing of our oceans and other natural resources is continuously increasing year over year, humans need alternate sources for seafood to feed the planet’s ever-growing population. “Unfortunately, the days of the ocean’s natural productivity providing for the planet is over. Wild fish have been exploited for generations. Some estimate that the annual catch of edible marine protein has already passed its peak. The oceans cannot naturally provide the demand for seafood” (Positive Aquaculture Awareness). Aquaculture is the tool to fill in the gap of seafood supply. Farming fish responsibly and sustainably is the solution to providing future generations with access to healthy and environmentally friendly protein options.

ADVANTAGES OF AQUAFARMING:

1. Alternative food source
2. Alternative fuel source
3. Increase Jobs in the market
4. Reduce Sea Food Trade Deficit
5. Reduces fishing pressure on wild stock
6. Reduced Environmental Disturbance.

DIARY FARMING

A farm devoted chiefly to the production of milk and the manufacture of butter and cheese is called "DIARY FARMING".

                                                   India has the world's largest dairy herd with over 300 million bovines, producing over 187 million tonnes of milk. India is first among all countries in both production and consumption of milk. Most of the milk is domestically consumed, though a small fraction is also exported. Indian cuisine, in particular North Indian cuisine, features a number of dairy products like paneer, while South Indian cuisine uses more yogurts and milk. Milk and dairy products play a part in Hindu religious practice and legend. 

USE OF BUFFALOES  

Dairy farmers in the many states prefer buffaloes due to the difficulty in disposing off dry cows due to the revered status of the cow, whereas water buffaloes are usually sold for slaughter once they are past their milk cycle or when the yield reduces. The slaughter of cows is banned in most Indian states.
Buffaloes metabolize low-quality feed more efficiently than cattle, and buffalo husbandry is less expensive than raising cattle. They also give higher yields than indigenous species of cattle.
Some farmers prefer buffalo milk due to the higher  of the milk, as milk prices are determined by fat content. Buffalo milk contains 7–7.5% fat, which is almost double of that of cow milk. A number of traditional dairy products owe their characteristics to buffalo milk. It is preferred for production of high-fat dairy products such as paneer, though cow milk is preferred for chena.

SERICULTURE IN INDIA

India is the second largest producer of silk in the world with 14.57% share in global raw silk production. India produced around 4,050 M.Ts of Vanya Silks (Tasar, Eri and Muga) in a year, which has very good market. The world production of raw silk as on 2010 was 1,40,051 M.Ts. China produces 1, 15,000 M.Ts being the first in the World. India produced 20,410 M.Ts of silk during 2010-11. An analysis of trends in international silk production suggests that sericulture has better prospects for growth in the developing countries. Silk production in temperate countries like Japan, South Korea, Russia etc., is declining steadily not only because of the high cost of labour and heavy industrialization in these countries, but also due to climatic restrictions imposed on mulberry leaf availability that allows only two cocoon crops per annum. India has a distinct advantage of practicing sericulture all through the year, yielding a stream of about 4 – 6 crops as a result of its tropical climate. In India, sericulture is not only a tradition but also a living culture..

It is a farm-based, labour intensive and commercially attractive economic activity falling under the cottage and small-scale sector. It particularly suits rural-based farmers, entrepreneurs and artisans, as it requires low investment but, with potential for relatively higher returns. It provides income and employment to the rural poor especially farmers with small land-holdings and the marginalized and weaker sections of the society. India has the unique distinction of being a producer of all the five commercially traded varieties of natural silks namely, Mulberry, Tropical Tasar, Oak Tasar, Eri and Muga. Silk obtained from sources other than mulberry are generally termed as non-mulberry or Vanya silks. The bulk of the commercial silk produced in the world is mulberry silk that comes from the domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori L. which feeds solely on the leaves of the mulberry (Morus sp.) plant. The insect producing mulberry silk is a domesticated variety of silkworms, which has been exploited for over 4000 years. All the strains reared at present belong to the species Bombyx mori that in believed to be derived from the original Mandarina silkworm, Bombyx mandarina Moore. China in the native place of this silk worm, but now it has been introduced in all the silk producing countries like Japan, India, Korea, Italy, France and Russia.

ORGANIC FARMING

Organic farming in India has been reinvented and getting more popularity with each passing day. Farmers, entrepreneurs, researchers, administrators, policy makers and of course consumers are showing increasingly greater interest in promotion and development of organic farming in the country. Organic food products are considered to be much safer and nutritious than the products produced by the conventional farming. Organic farming also helps to restore the soil health, protect environment, enhance biodiversity, sustain crop productivity and enhance farmers’ income. Seeing the long-term benefits of organic farming, the Government of India has taken many important steps for its promotion in the country. With the support of all kinds of stakeholders and the Government, the scope of organic farming movement has widened tremendously in India.   

Growth

At present, organic farming is practiced in 179 countries at about 50.9 million hectares of agricultural land (2015).  The market research company ‘Organic Monitor’ estimated the global market for organic food to have reached 81.6 billion US dollars in 2015. Out of 2.4 million organic producers in the world, India continues to have highest number of organic producers, i.e. 5.85 lakhs. This is mainly because of small land holdings with each producer. Currently, India ranks 9th among the top ten countries of the world in terms of cultivable land under organic certification. In recent years, there has been a considerable increase in certified cultivated area in the country. It has increased from a meagre 0.24 million hectares in 2010-11 to 1.49 million hectares in 2015-16, an over 6-fold increase in five years. Similarly, the certified area (including cultivated and wild harvest area) under organic farming has grown from 4.43 million hectares in 2010-11 to 5.71 million hectares in 2015-16, a 28.9% increase in five years. The organic production has also increased in almost same proportion as increase in area under organic cultivation in recent years. For example, the total certified production (including cultivated and wild harvest area) under organic farming has increased from 0.69 million tonnes in 2011-12 to 1.35 million tonnes in 2015-16, almost two-fold increase in four years. At present, India is producing a great diversity of certified organic products including sugarcane, oil seeds, cereals & millets, cotton, pulses, medicinal plants, tea, fruits, spices, dry fruits, vegetables and coffee etc. Thus, slowly but steadily, India is moving towards organic farming.

With the increasing awareness of consumers about the safety and quality of organic foods, long-term sustainability of agricultural system and accumulating proofs of being equally productive, the organic farming is going to be adopted by more number of farmers. The domestic as well as international market is expanding at a much faster rate in recent times.  Seeing the economic, social, health and environmental benefits of organic farming, the Government of India has supported it in a big way. A number of schemes and programs are being supported by the Government for promotion of organic farming in the country. A great opportunity for employment of rural youth exists in production, processing and marketing of organic products and inputs. However, it is also important to overcome certain constraints being faced by farmers and other stakeholders in organic farming. Seeing the number of farmers involved in India and support by the Government, it can be easily realized that India is slowly but steadily moving towards organic farming. 

-BY DERA VINAY