Commercialization of agriculture is the need of today’s modern agriculture.it helps the farmers to develop and helps in development of economy too.
In this article, we will discuss the commercialization of agriculture in India in detail. We will also analyze the process and effects of the commercialization of Indian agriculture.
Meaning of Commercialization of Agriculture
Commercialization of agriculture means where agriculture is done for consideration purposes. One can say that the commercialization of agriculture means cultivating crops for income. The primary purpose of this approach is consideration through cash crops.
Agriculture of India in Ancient Times
In ancient times Indian agriculture did not have to focus on exports. Indian villages were self-sufficient enough to produce according to their needs. Most of the people grew their food and produced cotton and soil deeds in small quantities. The requirement for money is significantly less as the people themselves produced all the essentials. Farmers have the approach towards satisfying their family needs. He did not have the approach to earn money from agriculture.
During British rule
After 1860 several developments took place, which changed traditional agriculture into commercial agriculture. Now farmers did not only focus on producing their stuff, but they also looked for exports. Initially, the commercialization of agriculture was not supported by Indian farmers. It was imposed through duress. Farmers have to produce commercial crops on this part of the land.
Transport and foreign trade development help introduce various new crops such as groundnuts, and potatoes. In contrast, at a later stage, the Company’s Commercial requirements encouraged indigo, jute, tea, and coffee cultivation.
Agriculture in today’s modern world
Due to changes in approach, now Indian agriculture is more specialized. Nowadays, agriculture is based on concepts like commercialization. Now crops are grown not only for self needs but also for exports according to the demand worldwide. now let’s have a look at the process of commercialisation in agriculture.
The Process of Commercialization of Agriculture
Now farmers are aware of the demand and supply concepts. They are looking for highly profitable crops. A fundamental reason for the rapid growth in the cultivation of cash crops was that the British authorities accepted such development in India. Britishers initially looked to export indigo, tea, coffee, etc. this approach of commercialization has spread among Indian farmers.
Effects of Commercialization of Agriculture in India
The commercialization of agriculture has changed the socio-economic condition of the country. Now farmers are not limited to fulfilling his family’s needs, but he is capable of meeting the requirements of the world.
The commercialization also brought about a massive increase in foreign demand for India’s agricultural produce, which, in turn, resulted in a general but steady rise in prices. In 1859-60, the total value of India’s exports amounted to Rs. 29 crores; it rose to rupees 69 crores in 1879-80 and Rs. 166 crores in 1906-07.
Now India is connected with the world through concepts like globalization. This has changed the fortune of farmers in India.
How Do Modern Technologies Help in Commercialization?
As we discussed above the meaning of commercialization of agriculture, we can say that the primary purpose is to earn money from agriculture products.
Modern technologies help in the commercialization of this sector. For example, modern tractors allow more products such as Sonalika Tractor. It can assist in meeting the demands of the world.
Now let us look at the major advantages and disadvantages of commercial agriculture.
Advantages of commercial agriculture
- It utilizes machinery and electricity; it increases the power supply to areas in the suburb of farming land.
- It increased the production or yield rate of the crops. The use of machines to carry out different farming techniques reduces the time to cultivate the land and add extra acreage to production.
- It helps to create various vacancies in which experts are hired to improve the production and economy.
- The food goods produced from farming are subjected to trade. While exported to other countries, this helps to earn business.
Disadvantage of commercial agriculture
- Generally, Lands for commercial farming are sold at higher rates than for non-commercial, making it difficult for the farmers to purchase the land and enter the business.
- Commercial agriculture promotes fertilizers, herbicides, and other chemicals.
- Commercial farming is destroying the natural rainforests as the area under the coverage of rainforest is best to carry out cultivation.
As per the above information related to the commercialization of agriculture, we can conclude that its primary approach is to earn income through cash crops.
Its effects are very positive in agriculture. It has started in the British era and continues. Modern technologies such as tractors like Swaraj Tractor helps in meeting the increasing demands of food worldwide and leads to commercialization of agriculture.
We hope this blog is relevant for the viewers; kindly stay connected with us for more interesting articles related to agriculture.
