Timeline of Agriculture in India UPSC

Timeline of Agriculture in India

Early History

• By 9000 BCE, Wheat, Barley, Jujube were domesticated in the Indian subcontinent. This was soon followed by domestication of sheep and goat.
• During the Indus Valley Civilization, cotton industry was well developed. Rice was cultivated in the Indus Valley Civilization.
• Mixed farming formed the basis of the Indus valley economy. Also, irrigation developed around 4500 BCE.

Vedic period – Post Maha Janapadas period (1500 BCE – 200 CE)

• In the later Vedic texts (c. 1000–500 BC), there are repeated references to iron. Cultivation of a wide range of cereals, vegetables, and fruits is described. Meat and milk products were part of the diet as animal husbandry was important. The soil was plowed several times. Seeds were broadcast. Fallowing and a certain sequence of cropping were recommended. Cow dung provided the manure. Irrigation was practiced. 

The Mauryan Empire (322–185 BCE)

• Soils were categorized and meteorological observations for agricultural use were prepared.
• In addition, the administration facilitated construction and maintenance of dams, and provision of horse-drawn chariots.

Early Common Era – High Middle Ages (200–1200 CE)

• The Tamil people cultivated a wide range of crops such as rice, sugarcane, millets, black pepper,various grains, coconuts, beans, cotton etc.
• Systematic ploughing, manuring, weeding, irrigation and crop protection was practiced for sustained agriculture. 
• Spice trade involving gained momentum as India started shipping spices to the Mediterranean.

Late Middle Ages – Early Modern Era (1200–1757 CE)

• There were advancements in Irrigation technologies along with division of agricultural 'Zones' into producing rice, wheat or millets.
• Cultivation of tobacco (introduced by the Portuguese) spread rapidly. Malabar Coast became the home of spices, especially black pepper.
• New species of fruit, such as the pineapple, papaya, and cashew nut, also were introduced by the Portuguese.
• Land management was particularly strong especially during the regime of Akbar, under whom Todarmal formulated and implemented elaborated methods for agricultural management.

Colonial Era (1757–1947 CE)

• Agriculture in India during this time was marked by a downward spiral. The new methods of Land revenue system led to massive agrarian distress and poverty.
• In addition, deliberate de-industrialisation led to massive pressure of land leading to further poverty.
• The emphasis on Commercial Crops over food crops led to series of famines and increases risks for agriculture.
• The state of agriculture during the interwar period was even more tragic and marked by high population growth but almost stagnant food output. The crisis was most acute in Bengal leading to infamous Bengal famine.

Republic of India (1947 CE onwards)

• Post-Independence, India was faced problems of food shortage, war with Pakistan and refugee crisis. Hence, tackling food shortage became utmost priority and formed the basis of first five year plan.
• Gradually, there was a more coherent and balanced approach to agricultural development. 
• “Agenda of Land reforms” led the strategy of agricultural development followed by development of Dams which were touted as “Temples of Modern India”.
• Grow More Food Campaign (1940s) and the Integrated Production Programme (1950s) focused on food and cash crops supply respectively. In addition Land reclamation, land development, mechanization, electrification, use of chemicals—fertilizers in particular, and development of agriculture oriented 'package approach' of taking a set of actions instead of promoting single aspect soon followed under government supervision. 
• Introduction of a series of production revolutions from 1960s -: Green Revolution; Yellow Revolution (Oilseed - 1986-1990), Operation Flood (Dairy - 1970-1996), and Blue Revolution (Fishing - 1973-2002) etc. 
• Institutional support -Indian Council of Agricultural Research; Dairy Development Board; National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
• Post 1991 - Growth in agricultural sector benefiting from the earlier reforms and the newer innovations of Agro-processing and Biotechnology.
• As of today - Food security as well as export house for the world; Contract farming along with e-commerce in agriculture is propelling agricultural sector; Organic farming has become a major potential for export.
• Challenges - Declining public expenditure, small landholdings, exposure to global glut in agri-commodities, inadequate governance capacity continue to create problems for India's farmers.