Four Types of Agriculture: Learn about the four major types of agriculture – Subsistence, Commercial, Shifting, and Plantation farming. Detailed explanation with examples, tables, FAQs, and job-oriented notes.
Four Types of Agriculture – Meaning, Examples & Notes for Competitive Exams
✅ Introduction
Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy and plays a vital role in providing employment to more than 50% of the population. Whether you are preparing for SSC, UPSC, Banking, RRB, or State PSC exams, questions related to types of agriculture are commonly asked in the General Awareness, General Science, and Agriculture-related job exams.
Understanding the four major types of agriculture not only helps in exams but also gives insights into India’s economic structure, job opportunities in the agriculture sector, and government schemes related to farming.
In this article, we will cover:
Meaning of agriculture
Four main types of agriculture with examples
Comparative table of farming methods
Important notes for job aspirants
FAQs for better revision
🌱 What is Agriculture?
Agriculture refers to the science and art of cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising livestock to produce food, fiber, and other products essential for human survival.
In simple terms, it is the practice of farming.
Agriculture includes crop production, animal husbandry, horticulture, forestry, dairy farming, poultry farming, fisheries, and more.
It forms the primary sector of the economy and supports secondary industries like textiles, sugar, food processing, and biofuels.
🌾 The Four Types of Agriculture
There are several farming methods worldwide, but in the Indian and global context, four main types of agriculture are recognized.
1. Subsistence Agriculture
Definition: Farming carried out to meet the needs of the farmer’s family with little or no surplus for sale.
Characteristics:
Small land holdings
Use of traditional tools like ploughs, bullocks
Low productivity
Minimal use of modern fertilizers or machinery
Examples:
Practiced in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand.
Farmers grow rice, wheat, maize, pulses for family consumption.
👉 Exam Note: Many questions in SSC & UPSC ask which farming is self-sufficient in nature → Subsistence farming.
2. Commercial Agriculture
Definition: Farming where crops are grown for sale in markets rather than personal consumption.
Characteristics:
Large-scale farming
Use of HYV (High Yield Variety) seeds, fertilizers, pesticides
Use of tractors, harvesters, irrigation systems
High productivity and profit-oriented
Examples:
Sugarcane farming in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra
Cotton farming in Punjab and Gujarat
Tea, coffee, and rubber for export
👉 Exam Note: Commercial farming is linked with cash crops like sugarcane, cotton, jute, oilseeds.
3. Shifting Agriculture
Definition: A farming method where land is cleared (usually by burning forests), cultivated for a few years, and then abandoned when fertility declines. Farmers then move to a new area.
Also Known As: Jhum Cultivation in North-East India.
Characteristics:
Common in tribal and hilly areas
Slash and burn method
Environmentally unsustainable if overused
Examples:
Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya
Crops grown – millets, maize, root crops
👉 Exam Note: Known as Jhumming in India, Milpa in Mexico, Ladang in Malaysia.
4. Plantation Agriculture
Definition: Large-scale farming where a single crop (monoculture) is grown on huge estates using modern techniques.
Characteristics:
Export-oriented farming
Requires large labor force
Capital-intensive
Usually run like a business
Examples:
Tea in Assam, Darjeeling
Coffee in Karnataka, Kerala
Rubber in Kerala, Tamil Nadu
👉 Exam Note: Plantation agriculture is linked with colonial history (British introduced tea, coffee plantations in India).
📊 Comparison Table: Four Types of Agriculture
| Type of Agriculture | Main Objective | Scale of Farming | Tools Used | Examples in India |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subsistence | Family consumption | Small | Traditional tools, manual labor | Rice & wheat in UP, Bihar |
| Commercial | Market-oriented, Profit | Large | Tractors, irrigation, HYV seeds | Cotton in Punjab, Sugarcane in UP |
| Shifting | Temporary cultivation | Small tribal farms | Slash & burn, manual | Jhum in NE India |
| Plantation | Export & cash crops | Very large estates | Machines, labor force | Tea in Assam, Coffee in Karnataka |
🔗 Job-Oriented Quick Links Table
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Now | Click Here |
| Official Notice | Download PDF |
| Telegram Link | Join Telegram |
| WhatsApp Link | Join WhatsApp |
| Official Website | Visit Now |
📌 Importance of Agriculture in Competitive Exams
SSC & Banking Exams: Questions on agriculture terms, crop production, Green Revolution, Kharif & Rabi crops.
UPSC & State PSC: Detailed coverage of agricultural policies, irrigation projects, crop patterns.
RRB Exams: Technical knowledge for agriculture-related posts (RRB JE, RRB NTPC with agriculture specialization).
Job Opportunities: Agriculture Officers in Banks, NABARD, FCI, State Agriculture Departments.
✅ Pros & Cons of Each Type of Agriculture
| Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Subsistence | Self-sufficient, Low cost | Low productivity, Poverty trap |
| Commercial | High income, Modern technology | Overuse of chemicals, Soil degradation |
| Shifting | Preserves tradition, Low input | Deforestation, Not sustainable |
| Plantation | Foreign exchange, Employment | Monoculture risk, High capital need |
❓ FAQs on Four Types of Agriculture
Q1. What are the four main types of agriculture?
Ans. Subsistence, Commercial, Shifting, and Plantation Agriculture.
Q2. Which agriculture is known as Jhumming?
Ans. Shifting agriculture is called Jhumming in North-East India.
Q3. Which type of farming is profit-oriented?
Ans. Commercial farming focuses on market sales and profit.
Q4. What is the difference between subsistence and commercial farming?
Ans. Subsistence is for family needs, while commercial farming is for profit and large markets.
Q5. Which crops are grown in plantation farming?
Ans. Tea, coffee, rubber, banana, spices, and sugarcane are common plantation crops.
Q6. Why is agriculture important for government job exams?
Ans. Because agriculture contributes significantly to India’s economy, and questions from this topic are frequently asked in exams like SSC, UPSC, RRB, and Banking.
🎯 Conclusion
Agriculture is the lifeline of India, and knowing its four major types – Subsistence, Commercial, Shifting, and Plantation farming – is crucial for both academic knowledge and government job preparation.
Whether you are preparing for SSC, UPSC, Banking, or Agriculture-related jobs, these notes will help you revise quickly and score better in the exam. Bookmark this page, download the official notice links, and stay connected via Telegram/WhatsApp for more exam updates.
Direction Sense Question UPSC CSAT
Apply for Central Railway RRC-CR Apprentices 2025
Speed Time Distance Calculator
Direction Sense Question UPSC CSAT
Apply for Central Railway RRC-CR Apprentices 2025
