Plantation farming is the practice of clearing forest land and planting the desired crops in huge numbers on the cleared land. This type of farming helps in increasing the production of the desired produce and makes it easier to control the cultivation. Plantation farming entails enormous farmland used to cultivate crops for export. Single yields of rice, vegetables and fruits grew on large fields in plantation agriculture. Natural Farming is a chemical-free alias traditional farming method. It is considered as agroecology based diversified farming system which integrates crops, trees and livestock with functional biodiversity. Natural Farming offers a solution to various problems, such as food insecurity, farmers’ distress, and health problems arising due to pesticide and fertilizer residue in food and water, global warming, climate change and natural calamities. It also has the potential to generate employment, thereby stemming the migration of rural youth.
Plantation cultivation gets successful with large lands and huge capitals. Various studies show that most farmers are unaware of plantation practices and they are unable to differentiate them from other farming. Plantation agriculture has an interface with industry. In respective industries the raw material used those supplies from the plantation. Plantation farming is a type of extensive agriculture where the large size of the farm is utilized to grow a single crop which is even known as monoculture. These plantations are typically located in tropical or subtropical regions where the climate and soil conditions are favorable for the growth of specific crops. The main purpose of this sort of farming is to have abundant production of one crop so that the farmers can gain a huge financial edge. Plantation agriculture is an export-oriented agriculture. Most of the crops grown in plantation agriculture have a life cycle of more than two years.
Fruit plantation is one type of plantation farming that can be performed in almost all regions. Farmers can grow fruits according to the climatic conditions of that area. Fruit farming is one of the oldest most profitable farming in India along with poultry and dairy farming. Although considered conventional, it has passed the test of time in garnering profits with the integration of adequate technology.Fruits are well-known for their nutritional value and inclusion in a healthy diet.
Rice cultivation provides food to more than half of the natives of India, forming the staple food of the population. The crop is cultivated in almost all central states in India.
Hydroponic farming is a farming technique where crops are grown using only water and nutrients in different structures. Hydroponics is an example of modern soil-less agriculture, where plants are grown in a nutrient-rich water medium. In hydroponics, plants are grown in closely monitored conditions, particularly in a greenhouse or any other protective structure. Mostly vegetable crops are grown in hydroponics liberating them of seasonality and ensuring year-round produce.
Vegetable farming systems in India has a significant role to enhance the livelihood of farmers and its daily wagers & increase overall lifestyle. With short crop lifecycle, multiple harvest, higher margin and profit, vegetables farming provides advantage over traditional crop viz paddy, wheat , sugarcane. Recent decade there is rising demand for fresh vegetables and nutritious vegetables both demestically and internationally. Present export opportunity provides diversity , create job, sustainable vegetables farming, increase adaptability of agriculture farming systems and attract foreign reserve significantly.
Plantation agriculture tends to deliver multiple benefits, and few are as follows.
Plantation farming leads to the generation of employment. Due to their extensive size, plantations require a huge workforce to operate various machines in both the farm and processing facilities. Consequently, plantations offer a lot of employment opportunities, raising the level of living in the regions where they are located.
Plantation farms support research that results in better and higher-quality crops. Many plantations include research facilities that focus on creating high-yielding, disease-resistant seeds to secure high-quality crops.
Plantation farming is a sophisticated system that involves building not just industrial facilities but also public infrastructure such as roads, housing developments, educational institutions, medical facilities, administrative buildings, etc. Eventually, the rate of urbanization accelerates. Plantations Farms employ a large number of people, thus to keep them, they provide a variety of social services like hospitals, schools, and markets. Rural areas may become urbanized as a result of the development of these infrastructures.
Plantation farming, when done wisely and with a focus on sustainability, holds significant economic in India. Each variant of plantation farming presents distinct challenges and prospects.
