Improvement In Food Resources

What you will learn

• There are several nutrients essential for crops. Of these, some are required in large quantities and are known as macro-nutrients whereas rest of the nutrients are required in small quantities and are known as micro-nutrients.

• Manure and fertilizers are the main sources of nutrient supply to crops.

• Organic farming is a farming system with minimal or no use of chemicals as fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides etc. and with a maximum input of organic manures, recyled farm wastes, and bio-agents, with healthy cropping systems.

• Mixed farming is a system of farming on a particular farm which includes crop production, raising of livestock etc.

• Mixed cropping is growing of two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land.

• Growing two or more crops in definite row patterns is known as inter-cropping.

• The growing of different crops on a piece of land in pre-planned succession is called crop rotation.

• Varietal improvement is required for higher yield, good quality, biotic and abiotic resistance, shortening the maturity duration, wider adaptability and desirable agronomic characteristics.

• Farm animals require proper care and management such as shelter, feeding, breeding and disease control. This is called animal husbandry.

• Poultry farming is done to raise domestic fowls. Poultry production includes egg production and broiler production for poultry meat.

• To enhance poultry production, cross breeding is done between Indian and exotic breeds for variety improvement.

• Fish may be obtained from marine resources as well as inland resources.

• To increase production of fish, they can be cultured in marine and inland ecosystems.

• Marine fish capture is done by fishing nets guided by echo-sounders and satellites.

• Composite fish culture system is commonly used for fishfarming.

• Bee-keeping is done to get honey and wax.