RURAL AGRICULTURE AND HILLY AREAS: A CASE STUDY AKOLE TAHSIL IN AHMEDNAGAR DISTRICT, M.S, INDIA

Agriculture is a primary occupation of human being. It plays an important role for
stable and economically sound life of human. It is a science of growing different
crops from the land. In prehistoric period, human was attracted towards the rivers
in search of water. They started to grow crops according to traditional ways. Now a
day, the agriculture sector has become wider and developed new techniques.
Agriculture is depending on water, soil, weather and such natural resources. Nature
has provided various resources for agriculture. Our basic needs like food, shelter
and cloth are totally depending on agriculture, man of the rural areas aagriculture
is an important occupation for almost all the countries. Even though the developed,
developing or undeveloped countries, agriculture playing a critical role for overall
development. Many scholars have already devoted at large to highlight the
important role and changes in agrarian sector. In historical period study of
Alexander Von Humboldt, Arther Young, and Von Thunen have provided their large
contributions. In India Dr. Swaminathan, Dr. Bhatiya, Prof. B. C. Vaidya, Prof.
Praveen Saptarshi, Dr. Ramchandra Sable and other have focused the importance of
agriculture. Depending on weather conditions, agriculture is categorized into
following categories. i.e. Intensive Agriculture, Subsistence Farming, Extensive
Agriculture, Plantation Agriculture and Mixed Farming. In Asian countries, there is
increasing trend of population and facing limited scope of agriculture land, that’s

why they practicing subsistence Agriculture. Rice crop is taken twice or thrice in a
year. Farmers are producing Sugarcane, Wheat, Soybean, Cereals, Pulses, Oil
seeds, Vegetables, Fruits, Fodder, Floriculture crops etc. The region which has
Monsoon rainfall with irrigation facility is popular and known for cash crop
production. Small land size, large dependent population and more than 60 % of land
depends on monsoon rainfall. Availability and continuous supply of water is very
important for any crop. Without water, life is impossible. All living things, trees,
animals, are depends on water. So use of water use should be proper. Due to
globalization in 21st century there is increase in population rapidly. The demand of
water for various purposes is increasing day by day.It is predicted that in upcoming
25 years, there will be extra use of water for farming or agriculture purpose. So use
of water in proper way is important.