Introduction To Agronomy…..

Agriculture : The word “Agriculture” is derived from two Latin

word “ager” which means land or field and “cultura” which means
cultivation.
Agriculture is the production/cultivation of plants & animals for the
welfare of human being by utilizing the natural resources.

Agronomy : Agronomy is derived from a Greek word 'agros'

meaning 'field' and 'nomos' meaning 'management'.
Agronomy is the branch of agricultural science that deals with basic
principles & technologies of field crop production under the light of
proper soil management.
Agronomy is a science because scientific principles are freely used
for the production of quality crops which focuses on improving
agricultural productivity and gaining a degree of understanding of the
process involved.

Scope Of Agronomy :
Agronomy is a dynamic discipline with the advancement of
knowledge and a better understanding of the planet, environment,
and agriculture. The scope of agronomy science becomes imperative
in Agriculture in the following areas.

1. Identification of proper season for the cultivation of a wide range

of crops is needed which could be made possible only by
Agronomy science.
2. Proper methods of cultivation are needed to scale back the value
of cultivation and maximize the yield and economic returns.
3. The availability and application of chemical fertilizers have
necessitated the generation of knowledge to reduce the ill-effects
due to excess application and yield losses due to the unscientific
manner of application.
4. The availability of herbicides for control of weeds has led to
development for a vast knowledge about selectivity, time &
method of its application.
5. Water management practices play a greater role in the present-
day crisis of water demand and Agronomy science answer to the
questions ‘how much to apply?’ and ‘when to apply?’.
6. Intensive cropping is that the need for the day and proper time
and space intensification not only increase the assembly but also
reduces the environmental hazards.
7. New technology to overcome the effect of moisture stress under
dryland conditions is explored by Agronomy and future
agriculture depends on dryland agriculture.
8. Packages of practices to explore the complete potential of the latest
sorts of crops are the foremost important aspects of crop
production which might be made possible only by Agronomy
science.
9. Keeping farm implements in good shape and utilizing efficient
manner to nullify the present-day labor crisis is further
broadening the scope of agronomy.
10. Maintaining the ecological balance through efficient management
of crops, livestock, and their feedings during a rational manner is
feasible only by knowing agronomic principles.
 11. Care and disposal of farm and animal products like milk and
eggs and proper maintenance of accounts of all transactions
concerning farm business are governing principles of agronomy.

Basic Principles Of Agronomy : Agronomy was

recognized as a distinct branch of agricultural science only since
about 1900. These are the following basic principles of agronomy:

1. Planning, programming, and executing measures for maximum

utilization of land, laborer, capital, and other factors of
production.
2. Choice of crop varieties adaptable to the particular agro-climate,
land situation, soil fertility, season, and method of cultivation and
befitting to the cropping system.
3. Proper field management by tillage, preparing field channels and
bunds for irrigation and drainage, checking soil erosion, leveling,
and adopting other suitable land improvement practices.
4. Adoption of multiple cropping and also mixed or intercropping to
ensure harvest even under adverse environmental conditions.
5. Timely application of proper and balanced nutrients to the crop
and improvement of soil fertility and productivity. Correction of
ill-effects of soil reactions and conditions and increasing soil
organic matter through the application of green manure,
farmyard manure, organic wastes, biofertilizers, and profitable
recycling of organic wastes.
6. Choice of quality seed or seed material and maintenance of
requisite plant density per unit area with healthy and uniform
seedlings;
7. Proper water management with respect to crop, soil and
environment through conservation and utilization of soil moisture
as well as by utilizing water that is available in excess, and
scheduling irrigation at critical stages of crop growth.
8. Adoption of adequate, need-based, timely, and exacting plant
protection measures against weeds, insect-pests, pathogens, as well
as climatic hazards and correction of deficiencies and disorders.
9. Adoption of suitable and appropriate management practices
including intercultural operations to get the maximum benefit.
10. Adoption of suitable method and time of harvesting of the crop to
reduce field loss and to release land for succeeding crop(s) and
efficient utilization of residual moisture, plant nutrients, and other
management practices.

Importance Of Agriculture :
 1. Source of Livelihood:

Most people’s main source of livelihood is farming. About 70% of

people rely directly on agriculture as a livelihood. The result of the
non-development of non-agricultural activities to absorb the fast-
growing population is this high percentage in agriculture.
Furthermore, many people are not engaged in agriculture in
developed countries.

2. Contribution to National revenue:

Agriculture is the main source of national income for most

developing countries. However, for developed countries, agriculture
contributes a smaller percentage to their national income.
 3. Supply of Food as well as Fodder:

The agricultural sector provides fodder for domestic animals. The

cow provides people with milk which is a form of protective food.
Moreover, livestock also meets people’s food requirements.

4. Significance to the International Trade:

Agricultural products like sugar, tea, rice, spices, tobacco, coffee, etc.
constitute the major items of exports of countries that rely on
agriculture. If there is a smooth development practice of agriculture,
imports are reduced while export increases considerably. This helps to
reduce countries’ unfavorable balance of payments as well as saving
foreign exchange. This amount may be well used to import other
essential inputs, machinery, raw material, and other infrastructure
that is helpful for the support of the country’s economic development.

5. Source of Raw Material:

The main source of raw materials to major industries such as cotton
and jute fabric, sugar, tobacco, edible as well as non-edible oils is
agriculture. Moreover, many other industries such as the processing
of fruits as well as vegetables and rice husking get their raw material
mainly from agriculture.

6. Significance in Transport:
The bulk of agricultural products are transported by railways and
roadways from farms to factories. Mostly, internal trade is in
agricultural products. Moreover, the revenue of the government, to a
larger extent, relies on the success of the agricultural sector.

7. Foreign Exchange Resources:

The nation’s export trade depends largely on the agricultural sector.
For example, agricultural commodities such as jute, tobacco, spices,
oilseeds, raw cotton, tea as well as coffee accounts for approximately
19.29% of the entire value of exports of a country. This demonstrates
that agricultural products also continue to be an important source of
earning for a country’s foreign exchange.

8. Great Employment Opportunities:

Construction of irrigation schemes, drainage system as well as other
such activities in the agricultural sector is important as it provides
larger employment opportunities. The agriculture sector provides
more employment opportunities for the labor force. This, in turn,
reduces the high rate of unemployment in developing countries caused
by the fast-growing population.

9. Economic Development:
Since agriculture employs many people, it contributes to economic
development. As a result, the national income level, as well as people’s
standard of living, is improved. The fast rate of development in the
agriculture sector offers progressive outlook as well as increased
motivation for development. Hence, it aids to create a good
atmosphere for the overall economic development of a country.
Therefore, economic development relies on the agricultural growth
rate.

10. Source of Saving:

 Development in agriculture may also increase savings. The rich
farmers we see today started saving particularly after the green
revolution. This surplus quantity may be invested further in the
agriculture sector to develop the sector.

11. Food Security:

A stable agricultural sector ensures a nation of food security. The
main requirement of any country is food security. Food security
prevents malnourishment that has traditionally been believed to be
one of the major problems faced by developing countries. Most
countries rely on agricultural products as well as associated industries
for their main source of income.

Role Of Agronomy :
1. Food : Food is important for normal growth & energy of body.
Agronomy is the source of various food elements like
carbohydrates (Cereals, potato, sweet potato etc) fat(mustard &
rapseed, soybean, sesame, sunflower etc.) protein ( pulses),
Vitamins & minerals ( different types of millets).

2. Clothes : Agronomy provides fiber to make clothes. 70% of the

fiber in the world comes from cotton. Other sources are jute, wool
, silk etc.

3. Houses : people gradually felt the importance of houses to protect

themselves from different natural disasters, wild animals etc.
Thatching materials are obtained from agronomic crops like rice
straw.
4. Fuel : Fuel of brick fields ( Timber , dry leaves etc.). Petrol, coal,
gases are obtained from plant materials.

5. Earning Source : People take agronomy directly or in a processed

way as an occupation & thus earn their livelihood. Agricultural
Products can be marketed in local market or can be exported in
foreign countries.

6. Foreign Currency : By exporting agricultural commodities like

jute, wheat, rice etc. a country can easily earn foreign Currencies.

7. International Relation : By importing & exporting agricultural

goods a country can easily build up a good Relation with other
Countries. For example, Bangladesh Exports tea, shrimp, jute ,
 jute products & imports various types of fruits , oils, pulses ,
grains etc.

8. Revenue Income : From the rent & taxes of agricultural land ,

agricultural products , Government can easily earn revenue
income. Agriculture contributes around 19.29% of total GDP in
Baangladesh.

9. Environmental Balance : Plants libert O2 & Animals libert CO2.

Thus the gaseous concentration of atmosphere is balanced.
Agronomy helps in environmental balances by producing plants &
animals.