Agriculture is a branch of science that primarily focuses on the many procedures or techniques used to raise various plant species and care for animals’ human needs. In India, agriculture is practised by over 70% of the people. To ensure maximum output in the fields, crop production and management are crucial factors. The following is a list of the main agricultural methods used in crop production and management:
- Getting Ready for the Soil Planting the Seeds
- Adding fertilisers and manure
- Protection against weeds, irrigation, harvesting, and storage
Animal Husbandry
Selective breeding and keeping livestock are considered to be parts of animal husbandry. The genetic characteristics and behaviour of animals are developed further for economic gain through management and care. Animal husbandry is a significant source of income for many farmers. We receive a wide range of highly nutritious food products from animals. As a result, they need great care and consideration. To accommodate the enormous demand for food, animals are bred commercially. Goats, buffalo, and cow dairy products are excellent sources of protein. Since they give us milk, these creatures are referred to as milch animals.
Meat-producing animals include chicken, duck, oxen, goats, pigs, and more. We also have additional marine species that are sources of nutrients in addition to these domestic animals. The nutrients which we eat in seafood would be extremely rich. Numerous nutrients, including lipids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, are found in them.
So this specifically oversees the management, breeding, and care of animals. The farm or area where the animals are raised, cared for, and protected is specifically designed for them. Poultry, dairy, apiculture, etc. are all examples of animal husbandry.
Types
There are different types of husbandry practices those are-
Dairy Farming
- The agricultural practice known as dairy farming is focused on long-term milk, which would be processed to produce dairy goods including curd, cheese, yoghurt, butter, and cream, among others. It entails the control of dairy animals including, buffaloes, goats, sheep etc., among others.
- The animals are protected from illnesses and are regularly examined by veterinarians. an animal which healthy would be sound socially, psychologically, and physiologically.
- Either humans or machinery is used to milk these animals. In an industrial setting, the preservation of milk and turned into dairy products that are then sold.
Poultry Farming
- The rearing and bird breeding would be commercial use is referred to as poultry farming. Domesticated birds are raised for their meat and eggs, including ducks, chickens, geese, pigeons, and turkeys.
- To get good food from the animals, it is crucial to take care of them so they would be in an environment which would be free of all diseases. Both meat and eggs are excellent sources of protein.
- It is important to maintain sanitary and hygienic environments. Bird droppings are utilised as manure to increase the fertility of the soil. Numerous people find work in the poultry industry, and it also assists farmers’ economies to grow.
Fish Farming
- It would be the practice of rearing fish for profit in enclosed ponds or tanks. Proteins of fish and fish are becoming more and more popular. Fish farms are used to raise a variety of fish, including catfish, and tilapia.
- There are two types of fish farming or pisciculture:
- Extensive aquaculture built on the photosynthetic output of the area
- Intensive aquaculture feeds fish from an outside source.
Bee Farming
The process of keeping bee colonies in artificial hives is known as bee farming or apiculture. On a vast scale, honey bees are raised. Bees are tamed to produce wax, pollinate flowers, and make honey. An apiary or bee yard is a site where bees are kept.
Uses of animal husbandry
- Dairy Goods-The primary products of milk like yoghurt, cheese, butter, etc. are from animals like cows, goats, sheep, etc.
- Animals raised for their flesh include cows, buffaloes, calves, and goats. This meat would be a fantastic source of protein for the diet.
- Management of Land-Sometimes, grazing the livestock slows the spread of the agricultural land weeds. Goats and sheep consume the dry plants in locations that are vulnerable to wildfires, lowering the risk of a fire.
- Additionally, animals create textiles or fibres like leather and wool. For instance, camels may produce leather while sheep are raised for their leather.
- Manure-Animal bones, blood, and excreta are all utilized to make manure. To boost crop yields and productivity, manure is applied to the fields. Additionally, it can be used as floor and wall plaster and as firewood.
- Labour-non-human labour can be sourced from animals. They are employed for military purposes, cargo transportation, and agricultural tillage. Horses, yaks, and donkeys are employed in agriculture for these uses.
Advantages
The following benefits of animal husbandry:
- By giving domestic animals the right nutrition, shelter, and disease protection, animal husbandry aids in animal management.
- Numerous farmers are given jobs as a result, raising their level of living.
- Cross-breeding aids in the development of animal breeds with high reproductive rates. As a result, there is a rise in the production of many food items including eggs, meat etc.,
- It fosters a healthy environment and entails the ethical disposal of animal waste.
Conceptual Question
Question 1: What is apiculture?
Answer:
Culturing of the bees would be known as apiculture.
Question 2: What is fish farming?
Answer:
Rearing of the fishes would be known as fish farming.
Question 3: What is an apiary?
Answer:
Bee yard would be known as an apiary.
Question 4: What is pisciculture?
Answer:
Farming of fish would be known as pisciculture.
Question 5: What is the source of protein?
Answer:
The meat of the cow, goat etc., Would be a great source of protein
Question 6: What are the benefits?
Answer:
Give the nutrition to the animals and give jobs to the farmers.