Question

Write an The Importance of Biodiversity for Agriculture – Essay

Answer 1

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$\textbf{Importance of Biodiversity}$
$\textbf{Agriculture}$

$\textbf{Agriculture}$ including mariculture and aquaculture either intensive or small-scale depend on biodiversity. A high proportion of world’s livestock depends on natural vegetation for feed. $\textbf{Agricultural}$ productivity needs to be built on a strong foundation of biological diversity at gene, species and ecosystem levels. Threats to biodiversity often threat agricultural productivity and food security. Out of some estimated $\textbf{30,000}$ edible species, only about $\textbf{7,000}$ have been cultivated or collected for food by humans.

About 20 crops are of major economic importance, and a total of 30 crops meet 95% protein needs of world’s population. Wheat, rice and maize provide more than 50 % of global plant-derived energy intake, while only 40 species of domesticated animals are used in agriculture.

Regular infusions of new crop strains are critical to expanding crop yields to meet future food demands. Estimates of global value associated with plant genetic resources in agriculture vary from hundreds of millions to tens of billions of dollars per year.

$\textbf{Contribution}$ of landraces from South Asian gene banks is estimated at $\textbf{US 150-200}$ million per year. Contribution of wheat -germplasm from the International Maize and Wheat Research institute ranges between $\textbf{US 300}$ million to $\textbf{US 11}$ billion a year.

Total annual value of seed sector activities world-wide is estimated at about $\textbf{US 45}$ billion. Total output from world’s agro ecosystems each year amounts to some $\textbf{US 1.3}$ trillion. Biodiversity and especially the maintenance of wild relatives of domesticated species are essential for sustainable agriculture.

$\textbf{Maintenance}$ of diversity is a matter of global, not just local concern. Human society is highly dependent on genetic resources, including those from wild and semi-domesticated sources for productivity in agriculture, livestock and fisheries.

These resources also provide communities from where the varieties can be created that best cope with changing local conditions. Human existence and that of most other organisms is heavily dependent on primary producers, mainly plants.

Five thousand plant species have been used as food by humans, but less than twenty now feed the majority of world’s population and just three or four carbohydrate crops are staples for a vast majority.

One of the important benefits of conservation of $\textbf{biodiversity}$ is the wild plant gene pool which is available to augment the narrow genetic base of these established food crops, providing disease resistance, improved productivity and different environmental tolerances.

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Answer 2

Agriculture is a vast subject. It encompasses the production of crops, animal husbandry, soil science, horticulture, dairy science, extension education, entomology, agriculture chemistry, agri engineering, agri economics, plant pathology and botany. These subjects are taught in various universities across the world to train people in the field.

Different Kinds of Farming

Here is a look at how the agricultural field has broadly been categorized in our country:

Subsistence Farming

One of the most widely practiced technique of farming in India. Under this type of farming, the farmers grow grains for themselves as well as for the purpose of sale.

Commercial Agriculture

This type of agriculture focuses on high yield with the aim to export it to other countries to generate profit. Some of the commonly grown commercial crops in the country include cotton, wheat and sugarcane.

Shifting Agriculture

This type of farming is majorly practiced by tribal groups to grow root crops. They mostly clear the forested area and grow crops there.

Extensive Agriculture

This is more common in the developed countries. However, it is also practiced in certain parts of India. It focuses on the use of machinery to grow and raise crops.

Intensive Agriculture

This is a common practice in densely populated areas of the country. It is focused on generating maximizing output of the land by employing different techniques. A good amount of investment in terms of money and huge labour force is required for this.

Plantation Agriculture

This type of agriculture involves the cultivation of crops that require a good amount of time and space for growing. Some of these crops include tea, rubber, coffee, cocoa, coconut, fruits and spices. This is mostly practiced in the states of Assam, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Kerala.

Wet Land Farming

The areas that receive heavy rainfall are well irrigated and these are apt for the farming of crops such as jute, rice and sugarcane.

Dry Land Farming

It is practiced in desert-like areas such as the central and northwest India. Some of the crops grown in such areas are bajra, jowar and gram. This is because these crops require less water for growth.

Conclusion

With the advancement in technology, agriculture has come a long way. It is not limited to just growing crops and rearing of cattle. It includes a whole lot of other subjects and someone who is interested in getting into the agricultural field can choose to specialise in one.