Question

Compare ’intensive subsistence farming’ with that of ‘commercial farming’ practised in India.

Answer 1

Hint: India heavily depends on agriculture. The primary sector employs more people than any other sector. However, the pattern of agriculture is not the same throughout the country. While somewhere, it could be cultivation just for the basic needs of the family, somewhere else, it could be production for the market.

Complete answer:

Intensive Subsistence Farming	Commercial farming
Intensive subsistence farming is practised in regions where there is a lot of pressure on the agricultural land.	Commercial farming, on the other hand, is practised in regions where there is relatively less pressure on land.
Land holdings are small and are not associated with farms.	Land holdings are big enough to support heavy machinery working on it. This farming is often associated with large plantations.
Instead of machinery, this kind of farming is mostly dependent on intensive use of labour.	Large machines are used to carry out cultivation.
Capital investment is not much.	Capital investment is huge.
Production, in this case, is mainly done to suffice the food demands of the family. However, in case there is any surplus, it is sold in the market.	The production is mainly done to be sold in the market.
Multiple cropping patterns are often seen here.	This farming generally witnesses single cropping patterns.

Note: The intensive subsistence farming has to be seen from the perspective of a family or a small unit deriving their basic needs from it. Commercial farming, on the other hand, has to be seen from the perspective of a market or an industry, to garner profits.