On small holdings, farmers practise subsistence agriculture by cultivating crops to meet their needs. Farmers who practise subsistence farming focus on producing enough food for themselves and their communities. The family’s needs for the upcoming year are the primary consideration when choosing plants, with market prices coming in second. “Subsistence peasants” are “people who grow what they eat, build their own houses, and live without regularly making purchases in the marketplace,” according to sociology professor Tony Waters.
Discoveries, Offerings, Effects
Soil fertility won’t ever decline; instead, subsistence farming will replenish it. In an intercropping system, three to four crops can be produced. There is no need for additional water or fertiliser. The crops have enough medicinal value and a higher nutritional content. They are easy to harvest and very economical to cultivate.
The Women’s Employment Opportunity will ensure that the Gender Sensitization Agenda is implemented. It is safe to consume and has no risk of infection. Because of its greater nutritional content and greater benefit availability, there is a high market demand. Since no one in the hilly region has a Record of Rights on the land they currently occupy, the focus will be on land rights.
Characteristics of Subsistence Agriculture
In subsistence farming, characterized by low mechanization and small land holdings, farmers often rely on manual labor and powerful tractors, including Mahindra tractors in India, to cultivate the land. Crop and livestock choices are influenced by local climate, soil, and cultural preferences. Hybrid farming is the most recent technological advancement and the greatest contribution made by contemporary science to the agricultural industry.
However, subsistence farming is an excellent form of traditional cropping practised by Indigenous Peoples; it differs greatly from both organic and hybrid farming. Another name for it is dryland farming. Additionally, the crop is resilient to climate change, climate-smart, carbon-smart, water-smart, and energy-smart. Every member of the indigenous population is viewed as a target group or stakeholder community. Small farmers can check out Sonalika Tractor Price for subsistence farming if required.
Implementation of the Task or Initiative
Our project has been successfully implemented in three districts of Odisha State, and the beneficiaries have reaped numerous benefits. Every dry-land crop that grows is being harvested, including ginger, turmeric, beans, cowpea, indigenous paddy, black rice paddy, kodo paddy, maize, and black gramme. It is highly cost-effective for cultivation because it requires less water, fertiliser, pesticide, and labour. With the exception of turmeric and ginger, the crops have a very short lifespan of roughly 60 days.
Other advantages include the following: the soil’s fertility will never be lost; the land will be spared from degradation; soil erosion will be prevented; excellent health; these are regenerating edible crops; and they offer food and health security. There is no need for scientific techniques because they are a free pattern of traditional cultivation. The elderly tribal people who have passed on their knowledge and expertise to younger generations were the ones who knew it best. The land below the hills is more appropriate and suited for this cropping pattern. Land use practices are typically horizontal, though they can occasionally be vertical.
Suan paddy, black rice paddy, koddo paddy, ragi, maize, black gramme, beans, peas, cowpeas, turmeric, ginger, and other crops that are grown in forested areas without additional labour or attention are examples of crop coverage. 3–4 crops at a time will be very beneficial to the farmers. Farmers will become less reliant on companies to buy their seed. The farmer can continue to plant crops for the following year even in the worst drought conditions because they will always have the crop seeds. For cultivation purposes, the forest’s trees produce natural composts that are available.
Replicability and Sustainability
The project’s sustainability is a crucial component of the procedure to initiate the subsequent implementation path. It is important to teach the community members how to gauge the success of their efforts. The project must be carried out strategically, placing the onus of accountability on the Community throughout the implementation phase.
All movable properties should be turned over to the community upon project completion, and community members will be involved in the process of acquiring the knowledge and abilities necessary to continue the activities after the project period ends.
Obstacles in Farming for Subsistence
Although it provides a vital lifeline for many communities, subsistence farming needs to be improved. Productivity and efficiency are hampered by limited access to contemporary agricultural technologies, such as better fertilisers, irrigation systems, and seeds. Postharvest losses are increased, and market access is restricted by inadequate infrastructure, including roads and storage facilities.
These problems are made worse by climate change, as crop yields and livestock health are at risk from erratic weather patterns and extreme events. Additionally, subsistence farmers frequently need access to credit and other financial resources, which restricts their capacity to make input investments or grow their businesses. The adoption of sustainable practices and creative solutions needs to be improved by adequate education and training in contemporary farming techniques.
