Farming Techniques in India Every Farmer Should Know
India's agricultural sector is a rich mosaic fashioned from ancient roots and modern innovations. With more than 60% of the rural populace involved in farming, the country's farming methods are as variegated as its culture.
This article explores the different types of farming techniques in India, emphasizing eco-friendly methods, technology, and government schemes that are revolutionizing Indian agriculture.
Developed in the hilly regions of Uttarakhand, Barahnaja (literally "twelve seeds") is an ancient polyculture system in which twelve crops are grown together. It increases the fertility of the soil, suppresses pest infestations, and promotes food security. Crops such as ragi, amaranth, buckwheat, and kidney beans grow well under this system, which does not require chemical fertilizers or pesticides.
Agroforestry is the intentional combination of trees into farming systems. In India, windbreaks, silvopasture, and alley cropping are on the increase. These practices enhance soil quality, save water, and generate income from timber and fruits.
Formulated by Subhash Palekar, ZBNF is one of the best farming techniques in India,an input-free farming system that relies on indigenous microorganisms and natural inputs such as cow dung and urine to improve soil health. The system decreases the cost of inputs and maintains ecological balance, making it especially appropriate for smallholder farmers .
IPM integrated biological, cultural, and mechanical approaches to pest management. Methods include the introduction of natural enemies, pheromone traps, and biopesticides such as neem oil. It is a non chemical method that reduces chemical use and increases biodiversity.
Increased demand for organic farming in India has made many farmers transition from chemical-intensive to more environmentally friendly and sustainable models. If you're interested in learning the process, advantages, and where to start, here's an extensive guide on organic farming in India in Hindi that explains everything to you.
In water-scarce regions, micro drip irrigation is one of the best farming techniques in India,providing a solution by applying water directly to plant roots, minimizing wastage. It is best suited for crops such as sugarcane, vegetables, and fruits, conserving up to 70% of water.
Polyhouse cultivation is cultivating crops in controlled ecosystems, safe from harsh weather conditions as well as from pests. This method is becoming popular in states such as Tamil Nadu for raising high-value crops like capsicum, cucumber, and flowers .
The Super Seeder is a no-till seeder where farmers can directly plant wheat seeds after paddy harvest without the pre-requisite stubble burning. The machine machines and removes paddy straw, plants wheat seeds, and drops the straw as mulch in one go, which enhances the health of soil and diminishes air pollution .
Rolling out in 2019, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) program seeks to supply farmers with solar-powered irrigation pumps. Up to 90% of the subsidies are provided by the government to break the reliance on diesel and encourage renewable energy in farming.
Realizing the nutritional and environmental advantages of millets, their cultivation is being promoted by the government. Steps are being taken to set up millet boards and encourage farmer producer organizations to increase millet cultivation and consumption.
Labor shortages during cotton picking are being addressed by the government through supporting the growth of cotton plucking machines. Multiple workers' work can be done by these machines, making the process more efficient and cost-effective.
Women farmers in Gujarat developed Bhungroo Technology, a new water harvesting method of injecting surplus rainwater into the soil to replenish groundwater levels. This is highly useful in flood-prone regions with the possibility of double-season farming.
Farming community is embracing rainwater harvesting practices and farming techniques in India to harvest and conserve rainwater for irrigation in dry seasons. This helps lower the reliance on groundwater and provides a constant water supply to crops.
In cities, beekeeping and the conservation of pollinators are becoming possible substitutes for soil-based farming. They utilize nutrient solution rich in water and vertical supports for plant growth, and they best suit cities with high space limitations.
Aware of the value of pollinators for plant reproduction, farmers are taking up beekeeping and other pollinator conservation activities. These activities increase biodiversity and enhance plant production through effective pollination.
In the countryside, farmers also integrate animal rearing with the rearing of crops to diversify earnings and become more resilient. A rapidly expanding area is dairy farming. To learn more about this topic, read this informative post on how to master dairy farming practices in India, including breeds, methods, and business ventures.
The face of farming techniques in India is changing, integrating old methods with new innovations. Right from ancient systems such as Barahnaja to advanced technologies such as polyhouse farming, Indian agriculture is looking towards diversity and sustainability. All this is further supported by government initiatives, paving the way for a greater tomorrow for farmers and the country.
Looking to the future, a convergence of technology, eco-friendly practices, and nurturing policies will drive the growth of Indian agriculture, leading to resilience and prosperity among rural communities.
Traditional methods (such as Barahnaja), sustainable practices (ZBNF, IPM), and advanced equipment (such as drip irrigation and Super Seeder) are used by farmers in India.
Types include:
The style is diverse—mostly small-scale, seasonal, and rain-dependent, but evolving with technology and sustainable practices.
Most farmers use semi-traditional methods, blending natural inputs with basic tools, though modern techniques like ZBNF and mechanized sowing are growing.
It's nature-based, seasonal, and communal, with increasing use of digital instruments and gradual assimilation of modern techniques.
