Chronology of Agricultural technology development in India One Liner
Here are 100 key facts about the Chronology of Agricultural Technology Development in India:
- Agriculture in India dates back to 9000 BCE, beginning with the cultivation of wheat and barley.
- By 8000 BCE, wheat, barley, and cattle were domesticated in Mehrgarh (modern-day Pakistan).
- Early Indian farming included threshing, planting in rows, and grain storage in granaries.
- By 5000 BCE, agricultural communities were widespread in Kashmir.
- Cotton cultivation began by 5000-4000 BCE in India, with the Indus Valley being an early center.
- The Indus Valley Civilization had sophisticated irrigation systems by 4500 BCE.
- 3000 BCE: The Indus Valley built artificial reservoirs for irrigation.
- 2600 BCE: The first canal irrigation system was constructed in the Indus Valley.
- 2500 BCE: The first archaeological evidence of an animal-drawn plough in the Indus Valley.
- 2000 BCE: Rice cultivation was practiced in the Kashmir and Harrappan regions.
- 1500 BCE-200 CE: Vedic period; Indian agriculture saw systematic cultivation, ploughing, and irrigation.
- The Mauryan Empire (322-185 BCE) made meteorological observations for agriculture.
- Kautilya’s Arthashastra (3rd century BCE) outlined irrigation and land management systems.
- Jute cultivation began in India during the Vedic period, used for ropes and cordage.
- Ayurveda, the ancient holistic medical system, mentioned medicinal plants cultivated for agriculture.
- By 1000 BCE, soil ploughing, seed broadcasting, and crop rotation were practiced.
- During the Gupta period (322-550 CE), sugar was crystallized and refined.
- The Tamil people cultivated rice, sugarcane, and millets by 200-1200 CE.
- The Chola Empire (875-1279 CE) improved irrigation systems and water management.
- The Kallanai Dam, built during the Chola Empire, is one of the oldest functioning water-regulation structures.
- The spread of crops like cotton, sugar, and citric fruits during the medieval period affected economies in North Africa and the Middle East.
- The Mughal period (1200–1757 CE) saw the introduction of Persian irrigation systems in India.
- Akbar the Great (1556–1605 CE) implemented agricultural land reforms, improving productivity.
- The introduction of crops such as cotton and indigo to the global market occurred during the Mughal period.
- In the British Colonial Era (1757-1947 CE), the first modern irrigation canals were built in Punjab, Narmada valley, and Andhra Pradesh.
- The British Raj introduced commercial agriculture focusing on crops like cotton, indigo, opium, and rice.
- The British introduced extensive canal networks in India for irrigation during the 19th century.
- The government of India created the Department of Revenue, Agriculture, and Commerce in 1871.
- The Famine Commission Report (1880) initiated the foundation of agricultural departments in India.
- Dr. J.A. Voelcker (1890) laid the foundation for agricultural research in India.
- In 1901-05, Agricultural Colleges were established in Pune, Kanpur, Sabour, Nagpur, Coimbatore, and Lyallpur.
- The Imperial Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) was established at Pusa, Bihar, in 1905.
- The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) was founded in 1929 for comprehensive agricultural research.
- In 1931-47, new agricultural committees were formed to improve research on various crops.
- The Grow More Food Campaign (1940s) aimed to increase food supply in India.
- The Integrated Production Program (1950s) focused on enhancing both food and cash crop production.
- The All India Coordinated Maize Improvement Project was launched in 1957 to enhance maize cultivation.
- The Green Revolution began in the 1960s with the introduction of semi-dwarf wheat varieties.
- Semi-dwarf rice varieties (TN1 & IR 8) were introduced in 1966 to enhance rice production.
- The government promoted land reclamation, mechanization, and chemical use in farming during the 1960s.
- The Green Revolution in India led to increased wheat and rice production during the 1960s-1980s.
- The Yellow Revolution (1986-1990) aimed to increase oilseed production in India.
- Operation Flood (1970-1996) transformed the dairy industry and made India the largest milk producer.
- The Blue Revolution (1973-2002) enhanced the fishing industry, improving fish production.
- The National Agricultural Research Project (NARP) was launched in 1979 to strengthen agricultural research.
- The National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP) was initiated in 1998 for location-specific agricultural solutions.
- The National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP) was launched in 2006 for solving end-to-end agricultural problems.
- The development of biotechnology in agriculture began in the 1990s in India.
- The economic reforms of 1991 led to the growth of the agricultural sector.
- The introduction of genetically modified crops such as Bt cotton began in India in the late 1990s.
- The introduction of hybrid seeds and high-yielding varieties significantly increased crop production in the 20th century.
- The government introduced mechanization in agriculture during the 1980s to enhance productivity.
- The National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) was launched in 2014 to promote sustainable farming.
- The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) was launched in 2015 to improve irrigation infrastructure.
- The Soil Health Management (SHM) initiative was launched in 2015 to promote soil fertility.
- The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) was introduced in 2015 to promote organic farming.
- The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) was initiated in 2007 to enhance food grain production.
- The National Horticulture Mission (NHM) was launched in 2005 to promote horticultural production.
- The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) was introduced in 2007 for agricultural development.
- The National Livestock Mission (NLM) was initiated in 2014 to enhance livestock productivity.
- The MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) helps in enhancing rural agricultural infrastructure.
- India’s agricultural export market grew rapidly during the post-independence period, especially for rice and spices.
- The introduction of drip irrigation technology in the 1990s revolutionized water use in agriculture.
- The Fertilizer Control Order (FCO) of 1957 regulated the quality of fertilizers used in India.
- India’s first fertilizer plant was established in 1951 at Trombay.
- The development of agricultural credit systems began with the establishment of NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) in 1982.
- The establishment of the National Seed Corporation in 1963 helped improve seed distribution and quality.
- The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) developed the first high-yielding varieties of wheat in the 1960s.
- The establishment of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in 1974 helped in spreading agricultural knowledge.
- The government’s Minimum Support Price (MSP) policy helped ensure fair prices for farmers.
- The Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act, 1960, regulated agricultural markets in India.
- The introduction of Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) in 1998 provided farmers with easier access to credit.
- The Green Revolution led to increased dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
- India’s agricultural exports included tea, coffee, and spices, with increasing global demand in the 20th century.
- India became the world’s largest producer of milk in the 1990s.
- The commercialization of agriculture increased in the 1990s with the rise of contract farming.
- The National Commission on Farmers (NCF) was established in 2004 to address issues related to farmers’ welfare.
- The crop insurance scheme for farmers was introduced to protect against natural calamities.
- The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) promotes organic and climate-resilient farming.
- India began exporting genetically modified crops like Bt cotton from the 2000s.
- Precision farming techniques were introduced to optimize resource use in the 21st century.
- The concept of agri-business parks and food processing industries gained prominence after the 1990s.
- Soil testing programs were expanded nationwide to improve soil fertility and productivity.
- National Agricultural Extension Programmes (NAEP) were launched to improve rural outreach.
- Agro-processing industries contributed significantly to India’s rural economy in the post-independence era.
- The introduction of satellite technology in agriculture improved crop forecasting and pest control.
- The use of bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides increased as part of sustainable agriculture initiatives.
- The introduction of hydroponics and vertical farming technology in India started in the 21st century.
- The Digital India initiative began promoting the use of technology in agriculture for better access to information.
- The PM Kisan Yojana, launched in 2018, provided direct financial assistance to farmers.
- The use of mobile apps for agricultural information and weather forecasting became widespread.
- The focus on water use efficiency became central with the promotion of irrigation technology like sprinklers and drip irrigation.
- The Government of India has promoted agro-tourism as an additional source of income for farmers.
- The National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) integrates ecological and environmental considerations.
- Organic farming has gained a significant presence in India, supported by government schemes.
- Agricultural mechanization programs saw a significant rise in farm equipment sales in the 21st century.
- India adopted Conservation Agriculture practices to improve soil health and reduce water use.
- Crop diversification programs have been introduced to improve farmers’ incomes and reduce monoculture dependency.
- The government focused on post-harvest management technologies to reduce crop wastage.
- The National Policy for Farmers (2007) aims to improve agricultural productivity, income, and welfare for farmers.
Chronology of Agricultural technology development in India One Liner