OPSC AAO key terms

A crop sown with the arrival of the monsoon rains and harvested in autumn, typically June to October. Examples include paddy, maize, jowar, bajra, groundnut and cotton, all of which need warm, wet growing conditions.

A crop sown in winter and harvested in spring, generally October to March. Wheat, barley, gram, mustard and peas depend on cool weather and residual soil moisture or limited irrigation rather than monsoon rainfall.

A short-duration crop grown between the rabi harvest and the next kharif sowing, usually March to June. Watermelon, cucumber, moong and fodder crops are typical, relying on irrigation and hot, dry weather.

The ratio of total cropped area to net sown area in a year, expressed as a percentage. A value above 100 shows land is being cultivated more than once annually, reflecting irrigation and shorter crop cycles.

The physical land area actually sown with crops in a year, counted once regardless of how many crops are grown on it. It is a core indicator of the extent of cultivation in an area.

The total area sown across all crops and all seasons in a year, so land bearing two crops counts twice. It equals net sown area plus area sown more than once.

Growing two or more crops in sequence on the same field within one agricultural year. It raises output per unit of land and usually requires assured irrigation, fertile soil and short-duration varieties.

Growing two or more crops simultaneously in distinct rows on the same field. It spreads risk, improves soil cover and uses light and nutrients more efficiently than a sole crop.

The planned sequence of different crops on the same field across seasons. Alternating cereals with legumes helps restore soil nitrogen, breaks pest and disease cycles and reduces nutrient depletion.

Growing a quick leafy crop such as dhaincha or sunhemp and ploughing it into the soil while still green. The decomposing biomass adds organic matter and nitrogen, improving structure and fertility.

The capacity of soil to supply essential plant nutrients in adequate amounts and available forms. It is distinct from soil productivity, which also depends on water, climate and management.

A report issued after soil testing that lists nutrient status and recommended fertiliser doses for a farmer's holding. It promotes balanced fertilisation and is a key tool of the soil health card scheme.

A practice that combines chemical fertilisers with organic manure, biofertilisers and crop residues in balanced proportions. It sustains yields while protecting soil health and reducing dependence on synthetic inputs.

A preparation containing living microorganisms such as Rhizobium, Azotobacter or blue-green algae that fixes nitrogen or solubilises phosphorus. Applied to seed or soil, it supplements chemical fertilisers at low cost.

The relative proportion of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in a fertiliser or a recommended dose, commonly expressed as N:P:K. Balanced use of these primary nutrients is central to sound fertiliser policy.

A cultivation system that relies on organic manure, compost, biofertilisers and biological pest control while excluding synthetic fertilisers and pesticides. It emphasises soil health, biodiversity and certified produce.

A strategy that combines cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical methods, using pesticides only as a last resort. It aims to keep pest populations below economic thresholds while limiting environmental harm.

The pest population density at which control measures must be applied to prevent the pest from reaching the level where economic loss occurs. It guides rational pesticide use in integrated pest management.

A quality assurance process in which seed of a notified variety is inspected and tested against prescribed standards for purity, germination and health. Certified seed is labelled with a tag and lot number.

Seed produced from breeder seed and maintained under strict supervision to preserve genetic purity. It is the parent material from which certified seed is multiplied for distribution to farmers.

The proportion of the total area under a crop that is sown with fresh certified seed rather than farm-saved seed in a given year. A higher rate generally supports better yields and varietal turnover.

The system of transferring agricultural knowledge, technology and advisory services from research institutions to farmers, and feeding farmers' problems back to research. It includes field demonstrations, training and advisory visits.

A district-level farm science centre that conducts on-farm demonstrations, vocational training and technology assessment for farmers. It links agricultural research with local practice and works under the national agricultural research system.

A price announced by the government before the sowing season to assure farmers of a floor price for specified crops. If market prices fall below it, designated agencies purchase the produce at the support price.

The government purchase of agricultural produce, often at the minimum support price, through designated agencies. It stabilises farm incomes and supplies public distribution stocks.

The set of activities and institutions through which farm produce moves from producer to consumer, including grading, storage, transport and sale. Efficient marketing reduces post-harvest losses and improves price realisation.

An unbroken series of refrigerated storage and transport steps that keeps perishable produce within a safe temperature range from harvest to retail. It reduces spoilage of fruits, vegetables and dairy products.

The quantity and quality of produce lost between harvest and consumption due to poor handling, inadequate storage, pests or delays in marketing. Reducing them adds directly to effective food supply.

The network of fair price shops through which subsidised food grain is distributed to eligible households. It is a key instrument of food security and is supplied largely from government procurement.

A condition in which all people at all times have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food meeting their dietary needs. It rests on availability, access, utilisation and stability.

A reserve of food grain held by the government to absorb supply shocks, stabilise prices and meet emergencies or welfare needs. It is built mainly through procurement at support prices.

The extent to which cropped land is irrigated, often measured as irrigated area relative to cropped area. Higher intensity allows multiple cropping and reduces dependence on rainfall.

Water-saving methods such as drip and sprinkler systems that deliver water directly and efficiently to plant roots or fields. It improves water-use efficiency and is promoted through dedicated government schemes.

Integrated treatment of a drainage basin through soil and water conservation structures, afforestation and moisture retention measures. It aims to conserve rainwater, recharge groundwater and raise productivity in rainfed areas.

Cultivation of crops in areas receiving low and erratic rainfall without assured irrigation. It relies on moisture conservation, drought-resistant varieties and contingency crop planning.

Loans and finance extended to farmers for inputs, equipment and investment, usually through cooperative banks, regional rural banks and commercial banks. Priority sector norms require a share of such lending.

A scheme providing farmers with a revolving credit facility for crop production and related needs. It simplifies short-term borrowing and has been extended to dairy and fisheries activities.

A risk-transfer mechanism that compensates farmers for yield or revenue losses caused by natural calamities, pests or disease. Premiums are subsidised and claims are settled on assessed losses.

The use of machinery such as tractors, seed drills and harvesters to replace or supplement manual and animal labour. It raises timeliness and labour productivity but requires scale and capital.