"Improvement in food resources" Grade 9th

 Topics to be covered :-

Improvement in crop yield

Crop yield improvement

Crop production improvement 

-Nutrient management

• Manure
• Fertilizers

- Irrigation

- Cropping patterns

Crop protection management

Animal husbandry 

• Cattle farming
• Poultry farming
• Egg and Broiler production
• Fish production 
• Bee keeping

Introduction :-

Why do we need to improve crop yields?

Ans :- We need to improve crop yields to meet needs of growing population. But there is less scope of increasing the area of land under cultivation. Therefore , it is necessary to increase our production efficiency. So we need to improve crop yields.

Efforts used in past to improve food productivity are:-

Green Revolution (Bumper production of food grains)

Blue Revolution (Enhance fish production)

White revolution (increased milk production)

Yellow revolution (increased oil production)

Golden revolution (increased pulse production)

However, these revolutions means more use of natural resources that would destroyed natural resource balance completely. 

So there is a need for sustainable practice in agriculture and animal husbandry.

Can improving crop production solve the problem of malnutrition?

Malnutrition:- It means lack of proper nutrition that is mostly seen in children.

Improved crop yield alone cannot solve the persisting problem of malnutrition and Hunger.

Solution of problem:- 

• Good economic conditions to ensure affordability.
• For good economic conditions, one should give better income to those involved in agriculture.

Improvement in crop yield::

Crops :- 

•Pulaes [Gram , pea, black gram, green gram, Lentil] 

• source of protein.

• Cereals [Rice, wheat, Maize, Millets]

• Source of carbohydrates

Oil seeds[Groundnut, Castor, Soyabean, Sesame, Linseed, Sunflower]

• Source of fats

Vegetables:- Source of vitamin and minerals .

Fruits:- Source of vitamin and minerals

A diet which has a combination of carbohydrates, fats, vitamin, minerals is called a good diet.

Crop seasons:- 

• Different crops require different climatic conditions, temperature and photoperiods for their growth and completion of their life cycle
• Photoperiod means duration of sunlight 
• Plants need sunlight for manufacturing of food by the process called photosynthesis.

In India, there are two different season crops:-

1. Kharif season crops:-

• Grow in rainy season (from month of June to October)
• Example :- Paddy, Soyabean, Pigeon pea, maize, cotton, green gram and black gram.

2. Rabi season crops:-

• Grow in winter season (from November to April)
• Example:- wheat, gram, peas mustard, linseed.

There are certain crops which are grown between March and June called "Zaid crops"

Improvement in crop yields:-

The major groups of activities for improving crop yields can  be classified as:-

- Crop variety improvement.

- Crop production improvement

--Crop protection management.

Crop variety improvement:-

1. Improving /finding a variety of crop that gives better yield.

Why is crop variety improvement done?

1. Better yield [increase the productivity of crop per acre]
2. Improved quality 

• Quality consideration of crop products vary from crop to crop
• Example:- greater the protein contained by pulses, better will be the quality

3.3.Enhanc biotic and abiotic resistance

• - crop production can go down due to biotic and abiotic stresses.
• -Biotic causes are diseases, insects and nematodes.
• Abiotic causes are drought, salinity, water logging, heat, cold and frost.
• Varieties resistance to these stresses can improve crop production.

4. Lesser maturity duration:-

• Maturity duration means time interval from sowing to harvesting.
• The shorter the duration of the crop from sowing to harvesting, the more economical is the variety
• Such short duration allow farmers to grow multiple rounds of crops in a year.
• Short duration also reduces the cost of crop production

5. Wider adaptability:-

• One variety which has ability to adopt differned climate, will be grown in different areas so increase the yield.

6. Desirable agronomic characteristics:-

• If we develop those varieties of crops which contain agronomic traits, then it will help in setting higher production.
• Example:- tallness is the desirable character of fodder.
• Dwarfness is desirable character of Cereals, so that less nutrients are consumed by these crops.

How is crop variety improvement done?

By hybridisation

• crossing between genetically dissimilar plants
• - Inter varietal,
• - Inter specific

• - Inter genetic
• Hybridisation introduces desired characteristics resulting in genetically modified crops.

Another way of improving the crop is by introducing a gene that would provide the desired characteristics.

For new varieties of crops to be accepted, it is necessary that 

• - Good quality seeds to be provided to farmers,
• - Crop variety suitable for diverse climatic conditions are good.
• - Crop varieties tolerant to high soil salimity are good.

Crop production management:-

Several practices followed to increase crop production.

Crop production is directly proportional to inputs

• -No cost production 
• - Low cost production
• - High cost production

How is crop production management done?

• Nutrient management,
• Irrigation
• Cropping pattern

Nutrient management:-

• Nutrient is a substance that provides nourishment to the plants.

Plants need 16 nutrients

• - Carbon (by air)
• - Oxygen (by air and water)
• - hydrogen (by water)
• - Nitrogen (by soil)
• - Phosphorus (by soil)
• - Potassium (by soil)
• - calcium (by soil)
• -Magnesium (by soil)
• - Sulphur (by soil)
• - Iron (by soil)
• - Manganese (by soil)
• - Boron (by soil)
• - Copper (by soil)
• - Zinc (by soil)
• - Molybdenum (by soil)
• - Chlorine (by soil) 

Note:- nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, Magnesium, sulphur are macronutrients i.e. needed in large amount

Whereas iron, manganese, boron, copper , zinc , molybdenum and chlorine are micronutrients i.e needed in small amount.

Along with these nutrients plants also need sunlight.

Why is nutrient management needed?

Because deficiency of nutrients can results in :-

- reduced growth, 

- Adverse effect on reproduction,

- More prone/ susceptibility to disesdis.

How is nutrient management done?

Enrich the soil with nutrients in the form of manure and fertilizers

Manure:- substance that increases soil fertility

Preparation of manure:- decomposition of animal excreta and plant wastes.

Constituents:- organic matter + nutrients

Functions:- organic matter improves soil structure.

- by increasing waste soil structure

- helps in drainage ( in clayey soil)

- avoid water logging (in clayey soil)

Advantages of its uses:- 

• Non toxic ,
• Recycled biological product,
• Eco friendly

Classification of manure:- two types

Compost and vermi compost:-

• The process in which animal and vegetable waters decomposed in pits is called composting.
• Compost is rich in organic matter and nutrients.
• Compost is also prepared by earthworm. This is called vermicompost.
• Earthworms act as a decomposers and thus increases the rate of Compositing.

Green manure:-

• Some green plants uprooted and stuffed under the soil.
• Prior to the sowing of crop seeds , these plants are grown for a specific period of time.
• Then these crops will be mulched by ploughing them into soil.
• Such green plants thus turn into green manure.
• This manure helps in enriching the soil in nitrogen and phosphorus which are macronutrients.

Fertilizers:- commercially produced plant nutrient that results in higher  yields and healthy plants.

Advantages of fertilizers:- 

• Provide nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to the soil.
• Results in higher yields if given in proper dose 

Disadvantages  of fertilizers:- 

• Cause water pollution, if followed by excessive irrigation .
• Excessive use can soil soil fertility (organic matter and micro organisms are harmed).

Organic farming :-

• Farming with no /minimum use of chemicals 
• Maximum use of manures 
• Healthy cropping pattern.

Irrigation:- Artificial applications of water to soil to ensure growth of agricultural crops 

Why is irrigation needed?

• Agriculture is largely dependent on rains but there is irregular distribute of rainfall in India.
• So , to ensure that crops get proper water at the right stages during their growing season can increase the expected yield  of any crop. That's where irrigation needed.

How is irrigation done?

• Different types of irrigation methods are used depending on the different water resources.

These includes :-

• - wells
• - canals
• - river- lift system
• - tank.

Wells:- ground water extraction is done.

Water is lifted from wells by pumps for irrigation.

Types:- two types 

- tube wells , Dug wells

• In dug wells , water is collected from water bearing strata.
• In tube well , water is collected from deep strata.

Canals:-

• In this system, water is received from rivers by canals.
• The main camal is divided into branch canals
• Branched canals further distributed to irrigate fields.

River lift systems:- 

• In some areas where canal flow is inadequate , the river lift system is used.
• Water drawn directly from rivers from irrigation in nearby areas.

Tanks:-  

• Artificial water reservoir used for irrigation .
• These are small storage reservoirs.

How to ensure water availablity needed for irrigation:- 

Rainwater harvesting 

• - Accumulation of Rainwater for reuse 
• Watershed management 
• Check dams

Advantages:- 

• Checkdams stop the rainwater from flowing away and also reduce soil erosion.

Cropping patterns:-

• Different cropping pattern can be adopted for better results .
• Mixed cropping ,
• Inter cropping ,
• Crop rotation

Mixed cropping:-

• Growing multiple crops on same piece of land .

Example:- wheat + gram 

Wheat + mustard

Groundnut + sunflower

Advantages :-Insurance against failure of one of the crops.

Intercropping :-

• Growing multiple crops on same field in a specific pattern.
• Crops to be chosen so that their nutrient requirements are different.
• In this, a few rows of one crop alternate with a few rows of a second crop.

Example - Soyabeans + maize.

Millet + cowpea 

Advantage:- Maximum utilisation of the nutrients

• Prevents pests and diseases from spreading to all the plants belonging to one crop.

Crop rotation:- 

• Growing different crops on a piece of land in a pre- planned succession.
• Availability of moisture and irrigation facilities decide the choice of the crop to be cultivated after one harvest
• If one rotation is done properly then two three crops can be grown in a year with good harvest.

Crop protection management:-

Why do we need crop protection management?

To protect the crop from weeds, insects and diseases.

Weeds:- unwanted plants in a cultivated field.

• Compete for nutrients space , water and light, therefore adversely affect crop growth.
• Example:- Xanthium , Parthenium.

Insects:- insects can affect the crop health by sticking cell sap, cut root /stem/leaf and bore into stem /fruits

Diseases:- caused by micro organisms

• Transmitted through various means like air , water or soil 

How to ensure crop protection management?

• Chemicals sprayed on plants to getrid of (weeds and insects) pest.
• However, excessive use can spoil the crop health and cause pollution.

Intercropping and crop rotation:-

• Prevents spreading of pests and diseases

Summer ploughing:-

• Fields are ploughed deep to kill weeds and insects.

Storage of grains:- 

• Storage losses in agricultural  produce can be very high

Factors responsible for such losses are 

• Biotic factors:- insects, rodebts, fungi, mites and bacteria
• Abiotic factors:- Inadequate moisture and temperature in the place of storage.

Results:- Loss in weigh, quality, germination ability and discoloration of produce.

• All leads to poor marketability

How to control these factors?

- By proper treatment and systematus management of warehouses.

Preventions and control measures used before grain storage are:-

• Cleaning of produce
• Drying of produce (first in sunlight and them in shade)
• Use of chemical to kill pest

Animal husbandry:- 

• It is the scientific management of animal livestock .
• It includes feeding , breeding and disease control

Animal based farming includes cattle farming, paultry farming, fish farming, bee kekeep.

Cattle farming:-

• Purpose of cattle farming is to get milk and help in agriculture.

Classification :- two types

• Dairy animals (mulch animals), Drought animals.
• Dairy animals are milk producing female animals.
• Drought animals are ones used for farm labour .

Feeding :- the food requirements of dairy animals are of two types:-

(a) maintenance requirement:-needed for healthy survival of the animal

(b) Milk producing lactation period. 

Lactation period:- period during which animal produces milk

Animal feeding includes:-

• Roughage (fibres), concentrates (low fibres and high protein and other nutrients)

Breeding:- 

• Cross breeding of animals to get the desired quality.
• Example:- Foreign breeds e.g. Jersey are selected for long lactation period.

• Local breeds e.g Red Sindhi show resistance to diseases. 

Two can crossbreed to get animals with both desired qualities.

Disease control :- 

Causes of diseases:-

• External parasites (cause skin diseases)
• Internal parasites (cause stomach , intestine and liver diseases)
• Bacterial infection
• Viral infection
• These diseases can cause death or reduce milk production

Disease control measures:- 

• Cleanliness and proper hygiene, 

Vaccination

Cleanliness:- clean , dry, covered and we'll ventilated roofed sheds. 

• Regular cleaning of animals to remove dirt and loose hair.

Bee Keeping:-

• Purpose of bee keeping is to get honey and wax .
• It has low investments  give good income.
• Local varieties of bee used for commercial honey production are Apis indica, Apis veranda 
• Italian bee variety Apis mellifera has been brought in to increase yield of honey .
• This variety is used for high honey production.
• For commercial honey production bee farms or apiaries are established.
• The value or quality of honey depends upon pasturage.
• Pasturage means availability of flowers to the bees for nector and pollen collection 

These flowers will determine the taste of the honey.

Poultry farming :- 

• It is undertaken to raise domesticated fowls for egg production and chicken meat.

It's purpose is to get

• - egg production,
• - chicken meat (broilers)

Breeding :- 

• Cross breeding is done to get desired improved qualities.
• Example:- Aseel X Leghorn

Reasons for cross breeding is to get:-

• Number and quality of chicks ,
• Dwarf of broiler parent for commercial production,
• Summer adaptation capacity / tolerance to high temperature
• Low maintenance requirements,
• Low body weight, hence reduced feed cost.

Broilers:-

• Provided with vitamin rich food
• Ensure better growth
• Avoid mortality
• Sent to markets for meat purposes.

Egg production:-

• Proper hygiene to be maintained in housing and poultry feed.
• Disease and pest control measures to be adapted.

Feeding:- 

• Broilers:- protein rich food, sufficient fat
• Poultry birds :- rich in vitamins A and K

Disease control:-

Causes of diseases:-

• Nutritional deficiencies
• Microbes like bacteria, virus fungi 
• Parasites

Disease control measures:-

• Cleanliness and proper hygiene,
• Use of appropriate disinfectants,
• Vaccination

Fish production:- 

• Fish is a protein rich diet

Two ways to obtain fish:-

Capture fishery:- 

• Fish from natural resources like pond, river sea are caught.

Culture fishery:-

• Commercially raising fish in tank/ enclosures

On the basis of water sources, types of fisheries:- 

Two types:- marine fisheries, inland fisheries

Marine fisheries:- 

• Fishes found in oceans/sea water
• Popular marine fishes are:- 
• - pomphret,
• - Mackerel,
• - Tuna,
• - Bhetki,
• - Prawns,
• - Oysters,
• - Bombay duck

How can we obtain Marine fishes?

Capture fishing:-

• Using fishing nets from fishing boats

Culture fishing:-

• Commercially raising marine fishes in enclosed portion of ocean/tanks/ enclosures.
• Also called mariculture.

Inland fisheries:-

• Fresh water resources like canals ,ponds, reservoire and rivers.
• Brackish water (fresh + sea water) resources like estuaries and lagoons.

Freshwater fishes are:-

Catla, silver carp, Rohu, Grass carp, Mrigal

How do we obtain freshwater fishes?

Capture fishing:- yield is not good

Culture fishing :- 

• Termed as aquaculture.
• Few fish species are used in a single fish pond, selected such that they have different food habits.

Thankyou :-)