CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

Crops are plants that are produced and harvested by farmers for profit or subsistence. Crops may be ingested by both animals and humans and are necessary for life to exist. Agriculture is the branch of science that deals with the study of agricultural cultivation and cattle rearing. Crops can be cultivated in two ways: agriculture or aquaculture. Crops are harvested and utilised as food for humans or fodder for livestock.

Crops are plants that are grown on a big scale from the same variety. Crops are classified according to the seasons in which they grow:

Kharif Crops -These crops are planted in the early monsoon season, which varies depending on the crop and region of agriculture. Kharif crops are planted in India between June and July, at the start of the rainy season. These crops are harvested near the conclusion of the monsoon season, between September and October. The principal Kharif crop is paddy.

Rabi Crops – These crops are sown throughout the winter and following the monsoon season, which occurs between October and November. Rabi crops are harvested in India during the spring months of March and April. Wheat is the most important Rabi crop.

Methods of Crop Production and Management

Agriculture is practised by around 70% of the Indian population. As a result, crop production and management are critical to ensuring maximum productivity in the fields. The following are the key agricultural practices involved in crop production and management:

Soil Preparation and Seed Sowing
Manure
Fertiliser addition
Irrigation
Weed Protection
Harvesting
Storage

Soil Preparation

Before the seeds are planted, the earth is loosened and inclined. Ploughs are used to do this. If there are large lumps in the soil, they are broken up with a hoe. This procedure aerates the soil, allowing the roots to breathe freely. Nutrients and minerals are correctly combined with the soil and rise to the surface. As a result, the soil becomes more fertile and suitable for cultivation.

Planting of Seeds

Seeds of high quality and free of the virus are collected and sown on prepared land. The seeds should be planted at the right depths and intervals. The following are the numerous ways for sowing seeds:

Techniques from the past
Broadcasting
Dibbling
Transplanting
Hill descent
Seed Dropping Behind the Plough
Examine row planting
Drilling

Manure and fertiliser addition

The soil may lack the necessary nutrients to support plant growth. As a result, manures and fertilisers are put into the soil to improve its fertility and assist plants to thrive. In compost pits, plant and animal debris decompose to produce manure. Fertilizers, on the other hand, are factory-made compounds that contain nutrients for a certain plant. They produce quicker outcomes than manures. However, when applied extensively, they render the land infertile.

Irrigation

Crops require water at regular intervals to grow properly. Irrigation is the process of supplying water to plants. Rivers, lakes, and tube wells are all distinct types of irrigation sources. Humans and animals are used in traditional agricultural methods. Moats, chain-pump, dhekli, and rahat are some of the old methods. The sprinkler system and the drip system are two current irrigation strategies. Water is critical for the germination of seeds. It promotes the growth of flowers, fruits, seeds, and plants. As a result, it should be present in great numbers in plants.

Weed Protection

Weeds are the undesired plants that grow alongside crops. These weeds feed on the nutrients supplied to the crops, reducing the delivery of nutrients to the crops and, as a result, restricting their growth. The growth of these weeds must be avoided to promote plant growth. Weeding is the process of removing weeds. Weedicides, which are essentially chemicals designed particularly to kill weeds, are used to do this. Typically, they are sprayed before sowing and flowering.

Harvesting

When the crop reaches maturity, it is harvested for further processing. This is referred to as harvesting. It is usually manual labour performed with the aid of a sickle. However, mechanical harvesting is now used – machines such as combine harvesters are used to harvest and thresh crops in one pass.

Threshing is the process of separating grains from harvested crops. It is either done mechanically or by livestock.
Winnowing is the process of separating grains from the chaff. It can be done mechanically or manually.

Storage

If the grains are to be preserved for an extended period, they must be properly stored. They must be safeguarded against pests and wetness. Before storing freshly gathered seeds, they should be dried. This inhibits bacteria and bugs from attacking. Grain that has been harvested and divided is stored in airtight iron containers or jute sacks. To prevent them from being damaged at home, dried neem leaves are added. To preserve grains from pests and insects, large amounts of grain are stored in granaries or silos that have been treated with particular chemical treatments.

Animal Consumption

Animals are a valuable source of food. Animal husbandry is the practice of raising animals for nourishment. Some animals, such as cows and buffaloes, are raised for milk, while others, such as goats and chickens, are raised for meat. Some people eat fish as part of their daily diet. Honey bees are raised for honey production. As a result, animals are an important source of food and food products.