THE APPROACH
THE INTRODUCTION: Describe non-farm activities.
THE BODY
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- Physiographic Relations.
THE CONCLUSION: These activities should be in balance with sustainability and long-term goals.
THE INTRODUCTION:
Rural non-farm activity is defined both spatially, by activity that takes place in rural areas, and functionally, by a set of activities that do not constitute primary agricultural production.
The World Bank Group has invested about 46.5 billion USD between 2004 – 2014 to support rural non-farm activities.
THE BODY:
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- Rural non-farm activities account for 35 to 50 percent of rural income in developing countries, and for the landless and the very poor, sustainable income gains at the household level are associated with additional wages earned from non-farm activities.
- These include fishing, forestry, animal rearing, mining, quarrying, gathering, and salt-making, and are crucial for rural livelihoods beyond agriculture.
Physiographic relations:
a) Coastal & island regions:Marine fishing thrives in Kerala, Gujarat, and Bay of Bengal due to abundant coastline; pearl and oyster culture flourish in the Gulf of Mannar.
b) River valleys & wetlands:Inland fishing is prominent in Ganga-Brahmaputra plains and lakes like Chilika and Pulicat, benefiting from rich aquatic ecosystems.
c) Himalayas & western ghats:Denser forests support forestry (timber, bamboo), and pastoralism like yak rearing and transhumance by Gaddis.
d) Plateaus:The mineral-rich Chota Nagpur Plateau supports mining for coal, iron ore, and bauxite; Karnataka-Goa belt is known for iron ore.
e) Arid/semi-arid regions:Camel and sheep rearing is common in Rajasthan; salt production is significant in the Rann of Kachchh.
| Activities | Physiographic features of India | Examples | Data/Facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fishing and Aquaculture | • Marine fisheries – Coastal regions, Shrimp farming • Inland fisheries – Rivers, lakes, wetlands | • Guld of Munnar • Gulf of Kutch • Kerala backwaters • Ganga and Brahmaputra plains • Chilika lake | • India is the second largest fish producing country in the world in 2025, accounting for about 8% of global fish production, after China. • Inland fisheries contribute over 75% of the output |
| Forestry & Lumbering (timber, bamboo, medicinal plants, and other forest products) | • Mountains - Himalayan region, Western and Eastern Ghats • Mangroves in coastal areas • Dense forests of Central and Eastern states | • Teak harvested in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh • Eucalyptus harvested for pulp and plywood in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka • Bamboo production in Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh • Non-Timber Forest Produce collected by Tribals | • India is the second largest bamboo (green gold) producer in the world in 2025. |
| Animal Rearing (Poultry, Cattle, Sheep, Goat, Camel, Yak, Emu) | • Himalayas and other hilly areas Grasslands • Arid and semi-arid regions | • Tribes like Gaddis, Bhakarwals, Bhotias practice transhumance e.g. Changthangi goat in Ladakh and Pashmina wool • Dairy industry (AMUL) in Gujarat • Camel rearing in Rajasthan | • India is the largest producer of milk in the world in 2025, accounting for about 25-31% of global milk production. |
| Mining and Quarrying | • Peninsular plateau region • Himalayas • Aravalli hills • Western Ghats • Coastal regions (sand mining) | • Mineral-rich plateaus such as Chota Nagpur, Karnataka-Goa belt, Vindhyan and Malwa plateau (coal, iron ore, bauxite, limestone) • Marble from Aravalli hills in Rajasthan | • India has 5th largest reserves of iron ore. • India is world’s second-largest coal producer. |
THE CONCLUSION:
Physiographic diversity in India decisively shapes the type, distribution, and economic significance of non-farm primary activities. Balancing these activities with sustainability is essential for long-term socio-economic and ecological security.
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