Land Resources and Agriculture
Introduction
Land is one of the most precious natural resources available to humankind. It forms the foundation of all terrestrial life and provides the space, nutrients, and environment necessary for survival. Unlike other resources, land is finite; it cannot be increased by human effort. The importance of land becomes even more critical when we consider its role in agriculture. Agriculture, the primary occupation of human civilization since the Neolithic period, is dependent almost entirely on land resources. From food production to raw materials for industries, and from maintaining ecological balance to providing livelihood, land and agriculture are interlinked and indispensable for human survival and socio-economic development.
In the context of geography, land resources refer to the natural endowment of the Earth’s surface which can be utilized for various human activities. Agriculture refers to the practice of cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising livestock to provide food, fiber, medicinal plants, and other products for sustaining and enhancing human life. Together, they form the basis of human sustenance, economic development, and cultural growth.
Land Resources
Meaning of Land Resources
Land resources are the natural portions of the Earth’s surface that are usable for human needs such as settlement, agriculture, forestry, mining, and industrial development. These resources include soil, topography, minerals, water stored within the land, and vegetation. Unlike renewable resources such as air and water, land has limitations—it is scarce, non-expandable, and subject to degradation when misused.
Importance of Land Resources
- Foundation of Life: Land provides the physical base for all human activities—residential, industrial, agricultural, and recreational.
- Soil Fertility: Fertile soil supports vegetation and food production essential for human and animal life.
- Mineral Deposits: Land contains mineral wealth like coal, petroleum, iron ore, bauxite, and gold, which are crucial for industries.
- Forest Resources: Land supports forests, which provide timber, fuel, raw materials, oxygen, and habitats for biodiversity.
- Water Storage: Landforms such as valleys, plateaus, and plains influence water storage and flow, affecting agriculture and settlement patterns.
- Cultural & Economic Base: Civilization has always flourished on fertile river valleys (e.g., Indus Valley, Nile Valley, Mesopotamia).
Utilization of Land Resources
Land use patterns vary across regions depending on physical, cultural, and economic factors. The major land use categories are:
- Forests: Provide ecological balance, climate regulation, and raw materials.
- Agricultural Land: Includes net sown area, fallow land, and cultivable wasteland.
- Grazing Pastures: Used for livestock rearing.
- Urban Land: For settlements, industries, and infrastructure.
- Wasteland: Includes barren rocky areas, deserts, and degraded land.
In India, according to the National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA), land utilization can be classified into nine categories:
- Net sown area
- Current fallow
- Fallow other than current fallow
- Forests
- Culturable wasteland
- Land under non-agricultural use
- Permanent pastures and grazing land
- Land under tree crops and groves
- Barren and unculturable land
Land Use in India
India’s total geographical area is about 328.7 million hectares. The land use statistics (approximate):
- Net sown area – 46%
- Forests – 23%
- Non-agricultural uses – 8%
- Permanent pastures and grazing land – 4%
- Fallow lands – 8%
- Barren & wasteland – 11%
The pressure on land in India is high because of overpopulation, urbanization, and industrial growth. Per capita availability of land has been shrinking drastically.
Land Degradation
Land degradation refers to the decline in the quality and productivity of land due to natural or human factors. In India, nearly 130 million hectares of land suffer from degradation. Causes include:
- Deforestation
- Overgrazing
- Soil erosion (by wind and water)
- Salinization and waterlogging
- Industrialization and mining
- Urban sprawl
- Shifting cultivation
Land Conservation Measures
To ensure sustainable use of land resources, conservation practices are necessary:
- Afforestation and reforestation
- Soil conservation methods: contour ploughing, terracing, strip cropping, shelter belts
- Water management: avoiding over-irrigation, promoting drip irrigation
- Control of shifting cultivation
- Regulated mining and proper waste disposal
- Land reclamation projects for desert and wasteland development
Agriculture
Meaning and Importance
Agriculture is both an occupation and a way of life, particularly in countries like India, where nearly 60% of the population depends directly or indirectly on it. It is the backbone of rural economies and a major contributor to GDP in developing nations. Beyond economics, agriculture plays a vital role in food security, employment, cultural traditions, and overall human progress.
Types of Agriculture
Agriculture practices vary worldwide based on climate, soil, technology, and cultural traditions. The major types are:
- Subsistence Agriculture: Farming for family consumption; low productivity (e.g., shifting cultivation, intensive subsistence in Asia).
- Commercial Agriculture: Production for markets; high use of technology (e.g., wheat farming in USA, plantation farming).
- Shifting Cultivation: Practiced in tropical forests; also known as “slash and burn” (e.g., Jhum in North-East India).
- Plantation Agriculture: Large-scale farming of cash crops like tea, coffee, rubber, and sugarcane.
- Mixed Farming: Crops + livestock together for efficient use of land.
- Organic Farming: Avoids chemicals; uses natural manure and bio-pesticides.
- Modern/Mechanized Farming: Use of machinery, HYV seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation for maximum productivity.
Agricultural Development in India
India is predominantly an agricultural country with diverse farming systems. Agriculture contributes around 18% of India’s GDP and employs over 40% of the workforce. The major characteristics are:
- High dependence on monsoon rainfall
- Dominance of food crops like rice, wheat, pulses
- Fragmented land holdings
- Coexistence of traditional and modern practices
Major Crops of India
- Food Crops: Rice, wheat, maize, millet, pulses.
- Cash Crops: Sugarcane, cotton, jute.
- Plantation Crops: Tea, coffee, rubber.
- Horticulture: Fruits, vegetables, spices.
India is the largest producer of pulses, milk, jute, and spices, and the second largest in rice, wheat, cotton, sugarcane, and fruits.
Green Revolution
The Green Revolution (1960s) was a landmark in Indian agriculture.
- Introduction of HYV seeds, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation.
- Major crops: wheat and rice.
- States: Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh.
- Resulted in self-sufficiency in food grains but caused environmental issues like soil degradation and water scarcity.
White, Yellow, and Blue Revolutions
- White Revolution: Boosted milk production through “Operation Flood.”
- Yellow Revolution: Focus on oilseed production.
- Blue Revolution: Increased fish and aquaculture output.
- Golden Revolution: Development of horticulture, fruits, and vegetables.
Problems in Indian Agriculture
- Small and fragmented land holdings
- Dependence on monsoon
- Low productivity compared to global standards
- Poor infrastructure: irrigation, storage, transport
- Soil degradation due to overuse of chemicals
- Lack of credit and insurance facilities
- Market fluctuations and exploitation by middlemen
Future Prospects and Sustainable Agriculture
- Promotion of organic farming
- Use of precision agriculture with drones, AI, and IoT
- Expansion of irrigation networks
- Soil health card schemes and micro-nutrient management
- Diversification to high-value crops
- Farmer cooperatives and digital marketplaces
- Government initiatives like PM-KISAN, e-NAM, Fasal Bima Yojana
Conclusion
Land resources and agriculture form the bedrock of human civilization. The survival of humanity is deeply tied to how wisely we use land and how productively we develop agriculture. With increasing population, urbanization, and industrialization, the pressure on land resources is mounting. Similarly, agriculture faces challenges of sustainability, climate change, and food security. Therefore, it is crucial to adopt conservation practices, modern technology, and sustainable farming methods to ensure that both land resources and agriculture continue to support life on Earth.