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in Brazil, tea plantations in India and banana
plantations in West India.
Dairy Farming
Dairy farming has been developed to meet the
needs of industrial cities. Its growth and develop-
ment has its roots in Europe, where the climate is
suitable for natural pastures. Cattle are reared for
milk near big cities to meet the needs of people
working in factories. Dairy farms need a large
labour force to look after the cattle. At present,
Extensive Farming
machines are widely used for milking, feeding
In some regions, the winter season is long. This and cleaning the cattle. Huge capital investments
restricts the growing season. In such areas only a are thus needed.
single crop can be grown. A FARM IN INDIA
Mixed Farming
The plot size is usually smaller in India. The
In mixed farming, livestock are reared along with Indian farmer usually lives in the main village.
crop farming. Fodder crops are cultivated along He buys high yielding varieties of seeds and
with food crops. Cattle rearing and meat is an chemical fertilisers from shops which sell them at
important feature of mixed farming. It is mostly subsidised rates. As the land is fertile in a major
practised in the thickly populated areas of part of the country, most of the farmers grow at
Europe, eastern USA. least two crops in a year. Rice, wheat and pulses
Argentina, South East Australia, New Zealand are the main crops.
and South Africa. The farmer follows a well- An Indian farmer takes advice from his friends
developed system of crop rotation which also and elders. He also takes advice from govern-
helps in retaining the soil fertility. The yield is ment agricultural officers. Some farmers use
generally high. Efficient methods of farming, bullocks for ploughing, while some others hire a
quick means of transportation and a ready tractor. Irrigation is done by tubewell or with the
market in the nearby thickly populated areas help of canals.
ensure goods returns for the farmers. Many Indian farmers are also engage in animal
Plantation Agriculture husbandry to support their income. Some of the
Plantation agriculture is a type of commercial
farming. It was introduced by the Europeans in
the tropical and subtropical regions. The farms,
called estates, are very large. Efficient and
scientific methods are used. Cheap and skilled
labour and huge capital investments are
required. Mostly a single crop of tea, coffee,
sugarcane, rubber, banana, spices and cotton is
grown. The plantations are managed like indus-
trial units. Examples of such farming are the
rubber plantations in Malaysia, coffee plantations
Farmer Ploughing his field.
Social Science-8 165
