Maharashtra Board Class 11 Agriculture Science and Technology Chapter 3 Agriculture A Modern Approach PDF Download

Agriculture - A Modern Approach

Can you tell?

Why farmers should be motivated to start organized farming?

Any example of organized farming in your region?

Organised Farming

Though India has agriculture as a major occupation, productivity and profitability is far below the expectations. In spite of favorable and abundant natural resources of soil and crop, potentials are not being exploited. It may be due to non adoption of advanced technologies, lack of transport, storage and marketing facilities. Decrease in total land holding per capita is also a restricting factor for developments in agriculture. Need is to organise the farm and farmers for efficient farming. There are some patterns of organised farming which can be discussed.

Recall A Little

Agriculture is the back bone of Indian economy.

Lack of technology adoption is the cause for low productivity in agriculture.

Government is promoting organized farming in the form of Farmer Producer Organization / Company.

Modern agricultural technologies have the potential to change this scenario.

Teacher's Note

Organized farming helps farmers work together to sell more crops. For example, many vegetable farmers in your village can join together to sell to big markets.

Exam Trick

Remember: Organized farming = Farmers unite = More power. Just like a group is stronger than one person, farmer groups are stronger than single farmers.

Points to Remember

Organized farming reduces cost of cultivation.
It increases productivity and profit for farmers.
Farmers with small land can unite for better results.
Modern technology can change farming completely.

3.1 Community Farming

Meaning And Description

When number of individuals come together for collective farming on a certain piece of land, it is called as community farming. Here the land may be owned or leased by the participants.

Decisions and actual practices may be the responsibility of the group or of same authorised persons. Generally, the purpose of community farming is to reduce cost of cultivation, increase productivity and to harness the benefit of large scale farming. Farmers having small land holding also tend to unite for community farming.

Currently, people having interest in farming but do not have cultivable land also use to participate in community farming. Agencies providing such facility are active on websites. Here, the participants from different occupations can register their names, hire a piece of land and select the crops to be grown. Charges are applied according to crop selected. All operations are carried out by the agency, regular updates are provided on website and through messages. The participant can also visit the farm and enjoy actual working in the field. Produce from the hired land is delivered to the owner in the form of goods or money.

Teacher's Note

Community farming means many farmers work together on one farm. In your area, several small farmers can share one big farm and share the cost of water and machines.

Exam Trick

Remember: Community = Many people together. All farmers share cost and profit equally in community farming.

Points to Remember

Many farmers farm together on shared land.
It reduces cost of farming for each farmer.
Productivity increases because of teamwork.
Farmers can hire land if they do not own any.

3.2 Farmers Producer Organization / Company

3.2.1 Meaning

Farmers from a locality come together to form a Farmers Producer Organization (FPO). Through FPO, farmers adopt commercial practices like tie up with market, primary processing, branding, marketing, etc. For convenience of banking and to give professional framework, the FPO may be registered under company act as Farmer Producer Company (FPC).

3.2.2 Advantages

Following advantages can be obtained by formation of FPO / FPC

Limitations of decreased land holding are eliminated.

Minimizes cost of production by collective purchasing of inputs.

Production of uniform quality crop as per demand and market linkage gives premium rates to the produce.

Working together in the organization facilitate communication and exchange of ideas. This favours transfer of information and adoption of advanced technologies.

Funding agencies and government departments give support on priority.

Role and responsibilities can be devided among members.

Resources and machinery can be utilized more efficiently e.g. lift irrigation, combine harvester, etc.

Key Points For Formation Of FPO / FPC

Agency for Technology Management in Agriculture (ATMA) is a division of government agriculture department having authority to register such organization and support for further activities.

As per current guidelines, group of minimum 20 farmers is eligible to form FPO.

Application in format should be submitted to ATMA, Taluka Agriculture Office (TAO).

Project Director, ATMA / District Superintendent Agriculture Officer (DSAO) issues letter of registration.

Bank account can be opened in the name of registered FPO. Authorised signatories of the group can operate the account.

FPO can purchase inputs or sale the produce and have transactions through this account.

Registered FPO can apply for various schemes of government and avail the support.

Different activities like field day, farmers rally, visit to research stations and successful entrepreneurs, training programs, etc. can be conducted.

FPO can be registered as FPC under ministry of corporate affairs.

While formation of FPC, digital signature of director having signing authority and Director Identification Number (DIN) are essential.

Teacher's Note

FPO helps farmers become like a small company. Twenty farmers together can get bank loans and sell crops at better prices like a big business.

Exam Trick

Remember: FPO = Farmers Producer Organization. FPC = Farmer Producer Company. FPC is FPO registered as company for banking and professional work.

Points to Remember

Minimum 20 farmers can form an FPO.
FPO helps farmers get better market prices.
ATMA registers and supports the FPO.
FPO can apply for government schemes and support.
FPC is FPO registered as a company for banking.

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