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28: Historical And Scientific Study Of Development ….

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HISTORICAL AND SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE INCLUDING GLOBAL ISSUES PERTAINING TO

AGRICULTURE AT NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE MUSEUM

Sushila Kaul*

Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi-11012

It is believed by historians that farming developed in the Middle East about 10,000 years ago.

Before the discovery of the art of cultivation, people had to be on the move continuously,

searching for food or were herding animals. The story of human civilization is the story of

Agriculture or visa-versa. Development of agriculture in India, since prehistoric time can be

studied at National Agricultural Science Museum (NASM) through posters, various models

and interactive touch screen kiosks. The NASM strives to educate students, farmers,

researchers as well as general public at large. The poster and artifacts present a feast to the

eyes for visitors of all age groups in general and farmers in particular. Various tableaux,

posters and models, add spice to the curiosity and inquisitiveness of visitors from differing

vocations by their coverage of the entire gamut of development of agriculture. The life like

models of animals, simulated water cycle and process of photosynthesis explained in vivid

detail, help the visitor to understand the complex phenomena of mother nature. Knowledge

about man’s interference in the intricate complexities of nature through deforestation,

urbanization and industrialization is being disseminated in detail through posters. A

documentary film on ‘Agricultural Festivals of India’ is also screened, which provides the

genesis and significance of agricultural festivals, celebrated in different states of India. A

speaking statue on the wall is of main attraction for all visitors. With the help of special

lighting effect, it appears, as if the statue is speaking. The expression and changing

complexion of face, while looking at the eyes gives a wonderful experience. Some leading

publications of Indian Council of Agriculture Research, New Delhi are also available for the

benefit of visitors.

*Incharge, NASM


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National Agricultural Science Museum was conceived by the Indian Council of Agricultural

Research and executed in its present form by National Council of Science Museums, Ministry

of Culture, Govt. of India and inaugurated by Dr. A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, the then President of

India. Interesting information on development of human being and agriculture is provided

through easy and interactive audio-visual medium. There are 150 exhibits, categorized

according to following sections :

(1) Six Pillars of Agriculture

(2) Agriculture during Pre-historic Era

(3) Agriculture during Indus Valley Civilization,

(4) Agriculture during Vedic and Post Vedic Era

(5) Agriculture during Sultanate and Mogul Era

(6) Agriculture during British Period

(7) Advancement of Agricultural Science in Independent India

(8) Golden Future of Indian Agriculture


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(9) Global Issues Related to Agriculture

(10) Children’s Section.

A brief description of information, in different sections is presented below:

1. Six Pillars of Agriculture

Agriculture mainly depends upon six major factors viz. soil, water, climate, seeds, tools and

peasants. These are called six pillars of agriculture. Soil is most important factor for

agriculture. Nature of soil is the most important factor, deciding what crops may be grown on

it. Provision of well-managed water is a must for good crops. Supply of water for agriculture

in India is made from rivers. Climatic conditions have vital impact on selection of crops and

its production. Indian Agriculture mainly depends upon rain water. Seed is another most

important factor of agriculture. Seeds of high yielding crops could make it possible to bring

Green Revolution. Tools have been considered most helpful to the peasants from pre-historic

period. Though, in modern age, mechanization has brought out vital changes in old method of


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agriculture, yet expert peasants cannot be replaced, because they are the backbone of

agriculture.

In this section, although above six pillars have been explained through charts, yet one can get

detailed information with the help of a computer, which also has a matching game to examine

one’s knowledge.

2. Agriculture in Pre-historic Era

Man had learnt farming about 10,000 years back. First of all, farming started in Middle East

Asia. The people, who hunted and gathered food by wandering, now became farmers and

started living in villages. Along with farming, they started animal husbandry, manufacturing

mud pots, grinding food grains and learnt weaving cloth. In this process, ancient people,

manufactured tools, learnt use of fire, developed language, formed the society and created

artistic items. Ten thousand years ago, when man started changing over to agriculture and

animal husbandry from hunting and food gathering, a new revolution came which had far

reaching impact. During this period, man collected food from plants and extracted food from

the animals killed by carnivorous animals and also killed small and big animals to quest


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hunger. Change of food habits had direct impact on the shape of the cranium of man,

resulting in change in the shape of their teeth and face muscles. In this section, history of

human development is exhibited with the help of sound.

3. Agriculture during Indus-Valley civilization

About 5000 years ago, developed Indus Valley civilization and the invention of plough and

wheel driven cart took place during this period. As a result, revolutionary change came in the

process of agriculture. People of this age grew wheat, barley, pulses and other food-grains,

constructed godowns, expanded the process of irrigation and made cotton based clothes.

Indus-Valley is considered to be the home of cotton plant. Credit goes to this civilization for

ginning, spinning and weaving techniques. In this Block, a human structure obtained from

Mohanjodaro, is exhibited with cloth made in that age. In this Block, there are interesting

exhibits about Indus Valley civilization. Harappan age replicates of famous gold coins are

exhibited here and tools made of animal bones and hooks used to catch fish are also shown.

In this Block, details of different civilizations have been shown by computer with the help of

Plasma Television. Use of cotton, use of silk, model of balance and weight, wheel and carts


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have been shown. Rules of agriculture, measurement of land, iron-plough-share, iron tools

and utensils etc. have been exhibited in interesting ways with the help of projectors, posters.

Route of invasion of Aryans in India has been shown through a poster.

4. Agriculture during Vedic and Post Vedic Period

During Vedic and post Vedic period, ploughing fields with the help of Iron Plough-share and

horses was prevalent. Vedic Aryans invented lunar-solar day calendar and provided scientific

base for agriculture. They discovered that seasonal changes are due to the motion of Earth

around Sun and established its firm relation with cultivation. Detailed description of

agriculture of that period are found in important books like Kautilya’s Arthashastra, Brihat

Samhita of Varahamihira and Krishi Prashara. Great Kings like Ashoka and Harsh Vardhan

also duly promoted agriculture during their rule. In this Block of NASM, it has been shown


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with the help of lively Tableaux, how people in Vedic age were leading their life. For

growing seasonal crops, people were using Solar Calender, a model of which is shown here.

5. Agriculture during Sultans and Mogul period

From 1200 to 1525 A.D., India was ruled by Afghans. During this period, there was sufficient

production of food-grains, so it was available to the common man at affordable price. In pre-

Mogul-Medival India, Allauddin Khilzi and Ferozshah Tughlaq left indelible imprint on the

agriculture of the country. With the invasion of Turk Rulers in India, medieval age started.

First Turk Ruler, Babar, started scientific gardening in India. Afghan Sultan, Shershah Suri

managed land revenue, based on land measurement during his regime (1545-50 A.D.) and

ordered for land revenue collection on the basis of every crop harvested. Whenever, there was

drought or natural calamity, advance money was given to the farmers to face these problems.

After Shershah, Akbar also followed the same norms, as the land revenue was the main

source of revenue during Mogul dynasty. Land measurement was standardized on bigha unit

basis and land revenue was fixed on the basis of fertility of the land. Generally ¼ of the total

production was given to Government. Information regarding the agriculture management

during Akbar’s regime, can be obtained from ‘Aina-e-Akbari’, Akbarnama and British

Tourists’ Travelogue. Jahangir prepared a detailed description of Indian vegetation and got it

recorded. During Mogul Period, Portuguese brought different types of vegetation from


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various countries and started a tradition of growing it in India. Ala-ud-din Khilji, Ferozeshah,

Tughlaq, Shershah Suri and ‘Akbar the Great’ will always be remembered for various land

reforms in the history of Indian agriculture. These reforms continued till Britishers fully

settled their foot in India. All these facts have been shown through posters in this Block. A

beautiful attractive Model of Mogul Garden has also been kept in this section. One can test

knowledge about agriculture of that period, with the help of interesting computer quiz in this

section.

6. Agriculture in British period


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European Botanists had become familiar with India’s vegetation and agriculture since 16th

AD. During British regime in 1786, “Royal Botanical Garden” was set up by Colonel Robert

Kyd in Shibpur, near Kolkata. A prominent Scholar, Dr. William Carey set up “Imperial

Agriculture Garden Society” in 1820. Modernisation of Indian agriculture started in British

period. Britishers brought with them Agricultural instruments, tools and hybrid seeds. For

smooth irrigation system, they constructed big dams. During British period, all efforts for

agricultural reforms were made basically for raw material, which could be made available in

bulk from India, to increase production in mills in Britain. Thereby our country’s economy

was badly affected and discontentment generated among public in India. In colonial history

of India, atrocities on Neel farmers were prevalent. For the protection of Indian live-stock

from serious disease, necessity of reformation in veterinary activities were felt in 19th

A.D.and as a result, Indian veterinary Hospital Research Institute was set up in Mukteshwar,

which was previously known as ‘Royal Institute of Microbe Science Research’. Research on


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tea plant in India was the important event of Lord William Bentik’s regime in 1823 A.D. This

started gaining popularity throughout the country and subsequently, ‘Calcutta Tea

Association’ was set up in Calcutta in 1881. After several famines during the period of 1877

to 1900 A.D., the necessity of an Agriculture Research Institute was felt for improvement in

Agriculture of India. With the efforts of Lord Curzen, “Imperial Agriculture Research

Institute” was set up in a place called Pusa in Bihar State in 1905. On the recommendation of

Royal commission, an ‘Imperial Council of Agriculture Research’ was set up in 1930 A.D.,

and Sir Miyan Fazal-A-Hussan was nominated as its first Chairman. Thus Agriculture

Research and Education was started in a planned way in the country. Due to disastrous Earth

quake on 15th January 1934, the main building of ‘Imperial Institute of Agriculture Research’

collapsed, because of which this was shifted to Delhi. All these facts are shown in this Block,

including posters about Indian Plants, the European Botanist Hestings and Cormwalis’s

period, Agriculture Science Associations: Asiatic Society Science Association, Survey

organisation, Royal Agricultural and Gardening Society, Botanical Garden, Veterinary

Association, Irrigation system during British Period, Dairy Industrial Research during British

Period, Research of Tea Plants in Assam and deterioration in Indian Agriculture. Agony of

Neel Farmers is shown by a Video Film.


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7. Progress of Agriculture Science in Independent India.

In 1947, due to partition of the country and influx of displaced people, terrible situation arose.

For making the country self -reliant and prosperous in agriculture, our Planners made

concrete plans for all-round progress of agriculture. In Five Year Plans, special emphasis was

given to all-round development of agricultural resources, agriculture research, education, and

its extension. Several new power projects were started. Model of power generation and

electric distribution system have been shown. Real tractor and poster of other tools used in

the agriculture have been displayed, worms destroying the crops have also been shown in this

Block. Models of domestic animals have been shown, which look as if they are really alive.

Pioneers and eminent persons associated with the initiation of White Revolution, aquaculture,

Green Revolution have been depicted through posters. Noble Prize winner Dr. Norman

Borlaug (father of Green Revolution), Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, Bharat Ratana Dr. C.

Subramanyam, Former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and Smt. Indira Gandhi were the

heroes of Green Revolution and their far sightedness made India self – dependent. How

Green Revolution could be possible through hybrid seeds, a Video Film has been projected


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on it. During mid-sixties, India became self-sufficient in food-grain production. The area and

production of important crops is presented through Tables and Graphs. Various other data is

also presented in Tabular form. To give an idea about the same, area and production of

important crops like rice, wheat and pulses, has been presented in Table 1.

Table 1: Area and Production of Important Crops from 1950-51 to 2008-09

RICE WHEAT PULSES Year

Area (million ha.)

Production (million tone)

Area (million ha.)


Area (million ha.)


1950-51 30.81 20.58 9.75 6.46 19.09 8.41

1955-56 31.52 27.56 12.37 8.76 23.22 11.04

1960-61 34.13 34.58 12.93 11.00 23.56 12.70

1965-66 35.47 30.59 12.57 10.40 22.72 9.94

1967-68* 36.44 37.61 14.99 16.54 22.65 12.10

1970-71 37.59 42.22 18.24 23.83 22.54 11.82

1975-76 39.48 48.74 20.45 28.84 24.45 13.04

1980-81 40.15 53.63 22.28 36.31 22.46 10.63

1985-86 41.14 63.83 23.00 47.05 24.42 13.36

1990-91 42.69 74.29 24.17 55.14 24.66 14.26

1995-96 42.84 76.98 25.01 62.10 22.28 12.31

1997-98 43.45 82.53 26.70 66.35 22.87 12.98

1998-99 44.80 86.08 27.52 71.29 23.50 14.91

1999-00 45.16 89.68 27.49 76.37 21.12 13.42

2000-01 44.71 84.98 25.73 69.68 20.35 11.08

2001-02 44.90 93.34 26.34 72.77 22.01 13.37

2002-03 41.18 71.82 25.20 65.76 20.50 11.13

2003-04 42.59 88.53 26.60 72.16 23.46 14.91

2004-05 41.91 83.13 26.38 68.64 22.76 13.13

2005-06 43.66 91.79 26.48 69.35 22.39 13.39

2006-07 43.81 93.36 27.99 75.81 23.19 14.20

2007-08 43.91 96.69 28.15 78.57 23.86 14.76


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2008-09 45.54 99.18 27.75 80.68 22.09 14.57

Source: Agricultural Statistics at a Glance (2010) 8. Global issues related to agriculture.


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Detailed information in respect of environmental changes occurring in the world, such as

green house effects, explosion of population, increasing agricultural costs, factors responsible

for environmental pollution, application of organic technology on agriculture etc. is provided

in this section. Effect of global warming, natural calamities, Disaster warning System etc. are

presented through posters. Historical data has been presented from 1870, regarding

population and since 1901, pertaining to the environment. It has been shown at NASM, how

the insatiable demand of humans for natural resources has created ecological imbalance. It

has been shown how pollution has caused climatic changes, which have direct impact on

socio-economic conditions of society. The full consequences are complicated and impacts on

one sector are likely to affect other sectors indirectly.

9. Golden Future of Indian Agriculture

In this section, it has been shown that how as a result of continuous progress in agriculture,

our country stands in the first line among the category of self-sufficient countries in food

grain production. Besides various types of food grains, India is one of the leading countries,

in production of fruits, vegetables, milk, tea, eggs and fish. By the use of genetic engineering

method, agriculture and plant reproduction have become much effective and so, better quality

of seeds can be produced and production has increased. Selected Statistics Tables are shown

through a poster in this section. Year-wise per capita availability of various foods and food-

grains is presented in Table 2.

Table 2 : Per Capita Net Availability of Food-grains in India (1951-2009) (kg per capita per year)

YEAR RICE WHEAT OTHER CEREALS

CEREALS GRAM PULSES FOOD GRAINS

1951 58.0 24.0 40.0 122.0 8.2 22.1 144.1

1956 68.7 22.5 40.7 131.9 10.6 25.7 157.6

1961 73.4 28.9 43.6 145.9 11.0 25.2 171.1

1966 59.1 34.8 37.5 131.4 6.7 17.6 149.0

1971 70.3 37.8 44.3 152.4 7.3 18.7 171.1

1976 68.5 29.1 39.2 136.8 7.4 18.5 155.3

1981 72.2 47.3 32.8 152.3 4.9 13.7 166.0

1986 77.4 55.1 25.8 158.3 5.9 16.0 174.3

1991 80.9 60.0 29.2 171.0 4.9 15.2 186.2

1996 74.6 64.3 22.6 161.5 4.1 12.0 173.5


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2001 69.5 49.6 20.5 141.0 2.9 10.9 151.9

2006 72.3 56.3 20.1 150.7 3.9 11.8 162.5

2007 70.8 57.6 20.3 148.7 4.3 12.9 161.6

2008 64.0 53.0 19.7 136.7 3.9 15.3 159.2

2009 68.8 56.5 23.3 148.6 4.7 13.5 162.1

Source: Agricultural Statistics at a Glance (2010)

Ranking of India, with respect to livestock and agricultural production in the world is

presented in Table 3.

Table 3: Rank of India in World Agriculture

India's Rank in the world Agriculture (2008)

Ist 2nd 3rd

Buffalo (99 million heads)

Groundnut (7 million tonnes)

Sheep (65 million heads)

Jute and Allied Fibres (2.02 million tonnes)

Sugarcane (348 million tonnes)

Fish (76.4 lakh tonnes)

Pluses (15 million tonnes)

Wheat (79 million tonnes)

Eggs (2740 000' tonnes)

Milk (109000 000' tonnes)

Goat (126 million heads)

Tobacco – leaves (0.52 million tonnes)

Onion (8 million tonnes)

Tea (0.81 million tonnes)

Vegetables (79 million tonnes) Cotton (lint) (3.77 million tonnes) Tractor in use (3149 000' numbers) Fruits (63 million tonnes) Rice (148 million tonnes) Cattle (175 million heads)

Potato (15 million tonnes)

Source: Agricultural Statistics at a Glance (2010)


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10. Children’s Section

Interesting information is given to the children in this section pertaining to sources of food, photo-synthesis, water cycle, food pyramids, ecological system, balanced diet etc., through active games and animations. In this section, various subjects have been displayed through computers and posters, which include interesting riddles as well. A model of food pyramid has been kept. To give more information to children, agriculture has been made interesting, displaying it through games. “Balanced diet of a person” has been explained with the use of computer. Games have been composed and children enjoy to play with these.

This is the only agricultural museum of the country, which is preserving agricultural history and various dimensions of its journey of development. A visit to this museum is a pleasant as well as a thrilling experience in itself. It is hoped that a visit to NASM will bring a sense of pride to every citizen of the country.

References

Govt. of India, Ministry of Agriculture, (2010) ‘Agricultural Statistics at a Glance’ Dte. E&S, New Delhi.

Govt. of India, Ministry of Agriculture (2009) ‘Indian Horticulture Database’, NHB, New Delhi.

http://www.icar.org.in IASRI & ICAR, ‘Agricultural Research Data Book’ (2011), New Delhi. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (2010) ‘National Agricultural Science

Museum-The Saga of Indian Agriculture’, New Delhi.

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