Indulging in agricultural practices is incomplete if you aren’t aware of the key terms and definitions around it. Don’t fret; here, we jotted down all the popular agricultural glossaries along with their definitions to save you some time. So, let’s dive into them and help you update your knowledge!
Agricultural Glossary & Definitions for Farming Methods & Practices
1. Agriculture
The occupation of farming animals, plants and fungi needed for human life.
2. Organic farming
Organic farming, also known as biological farming or ecological farming, is a modern agriculture practice where organic fertilisers, including compost manure, bone meal and green manure, preferred over chemical-based fertilisers. This technique also involves a focus on crop rotation and companion planting to increase the productivity of the farm.
Read: What’s Organic Farming? Types & Benefits
3. Sustainable farming
Sustainable agriculture is a conservation farming practice that aids the food and textile needs of the population without depleting the resources for current and future generations.
4. Intensive farming
Intensive agriculture is a conventional agriculture practice where higher input of both animals and crop plants are leveraged to generate maximum output per unit of agricultural land area.
5. Extensive farming
Extensive farming or agriculture is the complete opposite of intensive farming. Here farmers involve small inputs of labour, capital, fertilisers, and animals in a farming area.
6. Land preparation tools
Land preparation tools are farming equipment that helps break, stir and toss the topsoil in order to prepare the seedbed for sowing.
7. Planting tools
Planting tools are specific tools that help prepare the seedbed and support the tasks of sowing the given seed type or variety.
8. Irrigation tools
Irrigation tools are special equipment that helps irrigate the field to moisturize the soil and plants for growth effectively.
9. Weeding tools
Weeding tools are specifically designed to deal with the weed’s growth. They can be handheld or automated tools that help remove the weeds or crop residue before the next sowing.
10. Harvesting tools
Harvesting tools are modern farming implements that are tractor or self-driven and help with the complete process of harvesting, right from collection to grain separation.
11. Rotary Tiller
Rotary tiller an advanced farming implement used for performing both primary and secondary tillage to cultivate the soil.
12. Plough
A plough is a farming implement with one or more blades attached to a frame. This tool is used to disturb the soil and cut furrows to prepare the seedbed for sowing.
13. Harrow
Harrow is a type of farming implement that helps pulverize the soil, break the clods, and remove the crop residues & weeds.
14. Trailers
Trailers are carriers that help transport agricultural materials (or produce) and other utility varieties from one place to another.
15. Tractor-mounted sprayers
A farming sprayer often mounted on a tractor to the operator. These sprayers are suitable for any farm liquid between 150 to 500 gallons.
16. Thresher
Thresher is a farming machine that helps separate peas, wheat, soybeans, and other important cash grains from their straw and chaff.
17. Baler
A Baler is a farming implement that used for recycling farming materials. These machines help compact cotton hay, flax straw and silage into transportable bales.
18. Power tiller
Power Tillers modern self-driven or tractor-driven farming implements. This farming equipment helps in:
- Preparing the soil through tillage
- Sowing and planting seeds
- Adding & spraying fertilisers, water, herbicides and other nutrients.
19. Seed drill machine
Seed drill machines are farming implements that help sow seeds by properly distributing and burying them to a specific depth.
Popular Seed Drill Machines
- Sonalika Roto Seed Drill 2-Row, price starting from Rs. 78000 onwards.
- Bakhsish Rotavator With Seed Tiller
- Captain Zero Tillage Seed Drill
20. Cultivator
A farming implement that used to toss the soil is particularly helpful for performing secondary tillage after ploughing.
Agricultural Process & Science Glossary
21. Crop production
A conventional agricultural practice where farmers grow and produce crops for consumption as food & fibre.
22. Animal production
A process where animals or livestock are reared and maintained through technologically advanced methods to contribute to commercial gains.
23. Food processing
A process of chemical or mechanical operations to add on to preserve food or add on to its quality.
24. Soil science
Soil science is the study of the type of soil; that further involves
- Soil formation.
- Classification & mapping.
- Testing of physical, chemical, fertility and biological properties of soils.
- Understanding of the use and management of soils.
25. Plant breeding
Plant breeding is a process of applying genetic principles to produce plants that are useful for the thriving human population.
26. Entomology
It’s the study of insects, particularly their relationship with humans, the environment and other microorganisms.
27. Agronomy
Agronomy involves the science and technology to produce plants and use them as food, textile, fuel, and chemicals. They are also used for land conservation and recreation.
28. Horticulture
is a scientific technique involving sustainable cultivation, marketing and use of high-value food and ornamental plants.
Know how much it costs to start Horticulture farming in India.
29. Acre
A unit of land is equivalent to 43,560 square feet. Generally, the output or farm yield is measured for one acre of field.
30. Aeroponics
Aeroponics is a modern farming practice where plants are grown in mist or air. The plant’s roots are exposed to the air and are moisturised with a nutrient solution or typically aerosol to sustain its growth.
31. Agrarian System
The blend of economic and technological factors impacting the particular region’s agricultural practices.
32. Agrarianism
An ideology where independent farmers from urban society are believed to be superior to the paid worker. Through Agrarianism, farmers convey that farming is the ultimate way to life and brings transformative social values.
33. Agribusiness
It’s an agricultural business that involves a complete process from producing food to the complete food supply to earn revenues.
34. Apiculture
Apiculture is the rearing and maintenance of honeybees and hives to sustain the production of beeswax, honey and more edible products from bees. This process is also called beekeeping.
35. Arable Land
Arable land is a farming field that is capable of growing and harvesting high-yielding crops.
36. Bio-fertiliser
Biofertilizers help sustain the important nutrients in the soil, particularly through processes of:
- Managing the atmospheric nitrogen
- Solubilizing Phosphorus
- Synthesizing growth-promoting substances to sustain the growth of plants.
37. Bioturbation
Tossing and turning of soil by microorganisms moving across the soil through a boar.
38. Broadcast seeding
Broadcast seeding is one of the popular methods of seeding that includes the distribution or scattering of seeds, either manually or through mechanical devices.
39. Biofuel
Fuel is made from the energy source of living things or the waste they produce. e.g. vegetable oil, algae and sugar cane.
40. Cash Crop/ Profit Crop
The crop that is specifically grown or harvested to further sell in the target market for earning profits.
41. Subsistence Crop
Crop producers grow for their own personal use of farmers and their family to sustain a livelihood.
42. Chaff
Chaff is a dry or protective covering around cereal grains or any plant material. They are a good source of feed for the livestock.
43. Collective Farming
Collective farming is a modern communicable farming practice where a group of farmers have various holdings of agricultural lands as joint enterprises.
44. Combine Harvester
Combine harvesters are modern farming implements that help in fulfilling the complete harvesting process. This multi-purpose machine is useful for collecting, threshing and cleaning cereal crops like wheat, corn (maize), barley, rice, oats, sorghum and rye.
45. Winnowing
Winnowing is the process of separating grains and chaff from each other.
46. Companion Planting
The practice of growing distinct plant varieties on a single field. Such a technique helps deal with pests and adds to the soil fertility, nutrients and minerals. It as well helps eliminate weeds and promotes the vertical farming process.
47. Compost
Compost is a combination of products that acts as a plant fertiliser and helps improve the soil’s chemical, physical, and biological properties.
48. Contour Farming (Contouring)
Contour farming is advanced farming performed on sloped fields in a consistent elevation. This method helps in avoiding the washing off of the soil through rainwater.
49. Crop Residue
Crop residues are agricultural materials or leftovers that are left behind once the crop is harvested.
50. Crop Rotation
Crop rotation involves the growing of different types of crops on a single land in recurrent succession. The method helps in reviving the fertility of the land.
51. Cultivar
A type or plant variety requiring distinct agri-resources for cultivation.
52. Cultivation
Cultivation is the process of growing and cultivating a field for procuring cash crops.
53. Conventional Farming
Farming practices are pursued by industrial farmers with high-energy agri-resources to earn high yields. Conventional farming requires the great use of pesticides, fertilisers and modern farm machinery like tractors and implements.
54. Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation is a comprehensive setup which involves a tube-like structure with emitters on the ground, parallel to the plant. The emitters in this setup allow the water to flow towards the field, all the way inside the root zone. The water is distributed in an optimum quantity, which helps in keeping a check on water bills.
55. Extensive Agriculture
An agriculture setup where the use of inputs like fertiliser, labour, capital are used small inputs of labour, fertiliser, and capital are used in small or limited quantities.
56. Ecological
Farming or agricultural practices that are performed keeping their impact on the environment in check.
57. Erosion (Soil)
Deterioration of the earth, resulting in the removal of topsoil, either by forces of wind, water or aggressive farming activities.
58. Extreme weather
Unseasonal or unpredicted weather conditions unsuitable for growing and harvesting certain crops.
59. Floriculture
Floriculture, also known as flower farming, is the practice of growing high-yielding flowers, foliage, and ornamental plants sold directly to customers. Many growers trade cultivated flowers to the perfume and pharmaceutical sectors as well.
60. Fodder
Type of foods that are used as feed for livestock or domesticated animals like cattle, cows, bulls, rabbits, buffalo, horses, etc.
61. Fungiculture
Fungiculture is the process of growing and harvesting food, medicines and more products from fungi and mushrooms.
Beginners guide to Mushroom Cultivation in India – Decoding the ultimate types & growing methods!
62. Fur Farming
Fur farming is the practice of breeding & raising different types of animals for procuring high-yielding fur.
63. Furrow Irrigation
Furrow irrigation is an advanced irrigation method water is distributed through small trenches across the crops in a field. water down small trenches running between their crops.
64. Factory farming
A method of intensive farming where animals are raised in confinement, often indoors, in order to maximise their growth rate for maximum profit. Also known as industrial animal farming.
65. Fairtrade
A model of trade where the price for produce is raised and maintained to cover the costs of sustainable production, empower farmers and encourage environmental and sustainable farming practices.
66. Farm to Fork
It’s a commonly popular phrase describing the process involved between farm production and ultimate consumption.
67. Farmer
Someone who grows produce or animals for consumption.
68. Farm management software
Modern software, useful for integrating and monitoring all farming activities, finances, inventory and farm performance.
69. Farmer’s market
A dedicated market where customers can buy farm produce food items and other products directly from the farm or the farmers.
70. Food desert
The areas where communities are often devoid of fresh and healthy food options.
71. Food industry
An area or a segment dedicated to growing and selling foods for local or global consumption.
72. Food-like product
A processed food item that has less nutritional value as compared to its original or raw form.
73. Food miles
The total distance between the area where the food is originally grown and is ultimately consumed.
74. Food security
A situation where the supply of food sources is enough to meet the rising demand for food items across the population.
75. Food shortage
When the supply of food sources is more than the demand, their food shortage is an inherited problem.
76. Food sovereignty
Fundamental right under which people define, control and monitor their food systems & policies without interruption from government and corporations.
77. Free-range
A practice where farm animals or livestock are taken outside for a particular timeline.
78. Germination
The plant growth or sprouting from the seeds is called germination.
79. Green Manure
Green manure crops grown to revive the soil fertility and profile. These crops are added to the soil directly or sometimes even after removal and composting.
80. Green Revolution
The Green Revolution is the brief period after World War II and till the late 1980s when big technology transfer initiatives introduced to increase crop yield and agricultural production.
81. Greenhouse
The greenhouse is a building structure with a glass roof and glass walls, which supports the growth of tropical flowers and plants, such as tomatoes. The benefit of the greenhouse is that it stays warm even during winter seasons.
82. Growing Season
It is a frost-free season. Generally, it is the timeline where the growing conditions for indigenous vegetation, plants and cultivated crops are most favourable.
83. GAP (Good Agricultural Practices)
These are specific farming techniques that help grow safe and sustainable food while caring for the land’s and environment’s long-term health.
84. Hydroponics
Hydroponics is the modern farming technique that helps grow plants through water-based solutions rather than soil-based nutrients.
Must Read: Easy Steps to Start Hydroponic Cultivation in India.
85. Hydroseeding
Hydroseeding is a planting process that uses seed and mulch slurry to check soil erosion. It is a great alternative to conventional broadcasting or sowing dry seed methods.
86. Independent farmer
A farmer or landowner who operates their farm without the influences of the organisations.
87. Manure
Manure is an organic matter composed of compost, excreta, and plant materials.
They also categorised as organic fertilisers that help soil restore its fertility.
88. Manure spreader
The manure spreader is a modern farming machinery that helps in evenly distributing the manure across the cultivating fields.
89. Multiple Cropping
Multiple cropping (multi-cropping) is the modern farming practice of growing multiple crops on a single land. This process helps farmers get the most yield within less time, hence maximising productivity.
90. Medicinal produce
Any produce of plant or herb suitable for use as alternative medicinal; or has use as input in the pharmaceutical industry.
91. Multi-national food corporation
An organisation or company that deals with producing food products and has operations and trading overseas.
92. Net Farm Income
The inflow of monetary and non-monetary to farmers after subtracting all the operating, production or variable costs. Net farm income also includes:
- Returns from selling farm agricultural products.
- Income received from the farm’s rental value
93. No-till Farming
No-till farming is one of the popular agricultural techniques that involve a high amount of water infiltration within the soil while increasing the retention of organic matter and circulation of organic nutrients.
94. Orchard
is A piece of land dedicated to cultivating fruit trees.
95. Permanent crop
A crop that is produced from plants that aren’t replanted after each harvest, rather they last for many seasons.
96. Transplanting
is a method of moving plants from one field to another. That typically happens in the case when growing seedlings are moved from temporary fields to the actual farming fields.
97. Ploughing (Plowing)
The soil tilling process that evenly distributes moisture, fresh nutrients, moisture, and air within the uppermost layers of the soil. This also helps bury weeds and crop residues.
98. Polyculture
A process where you grow more than one species, breed or variety, or breed altogether on a field at a similar timeline.
99. Post Harvest
Post-harvest is the end stage, where the harvested crops are maintained through cooling and sorting and are further packed from trading in further markets.
100. Raised Bed Gardening
Raised-bed gardening is a popular gardening method where farmers raise the soil from the ground level and keep it enclosed.
101. Re-seller
An agent or third person helps with the distribution between farmers and buyers.
102. Seedbed
is a specified area that well pulverised and ploughed to prepare it for the sowing of cash crops.
103. Sericulture
Sericulture or silk farming is the process of rearing and cultivating silkworms to procure silk.
104. Silage
The Silage is grass, green fodder that is a suitable source of animal feed, typically in winter months.
Farming Stages Glossary & Definitions
105. Sowing
The process of distributing and spreading seeds of cash crop plants in a given field, either through manual hands or mechanical devices.
106. Subsistence Agriculture
Subsistence agriculture is the practice of growing crops for the sustenance of farmings and their family.
107. Slow Food
An international movement which values food that prepared following local culinary traditions, using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients.
108. Small-holder Farmers
Farmers who farm land under two hectares.
109. Urban Agriculture
A practice which involves the cultivation, processing and distribution of total produce around urban areas.
110. Ugly Fruit & Vegetables
The actual product that fails to meet the standard set by the food markets. Particularly because of their appearance or inability to follow the pre-defined food grade standards.
Produce that does not meet food presentation standards is often set by supermarkets.
111. Vermicompost
A compost that is a by-product of decomposition done decaying of organic matter or through earthworms.
So, vermicompost can a mix of food water, vegetable waste, bedding materials, and worms excreta that’s further utilised as fertiliser.
112. Vermiculture
Vermiculture is the rearing and cultivation of earthworms, typically types of earthworms like red wigglers that help produce vermicompost for increasing soil fertility.
113. Vertical farming
Vertical farming is a practice that involves farming on a vertical surface (in contrast to traditional farming practices). Additionally, the practice performed by growing crops in layers. This method allows farmers to gain maximum yield from a single field.
114. Windbreak (Shelterbelt)
A windbreak, also known as a shelterbelt created through plants and vegetation, shrubs to provide shelter from the blowing wind. Similarly, this process helps to prevent the seeds from getting carried away.
115. Winnowing
A process of separating the chaff from the grain. This method also helps in removing pests from the collected grains. Hence, this process done after threshing during the grain preparation process.
116. Whole-food
Food grains that are in the raw or natural state and aren’t processed further.
117. Xeriscaping
A gardening or landscaping practice that reduces the requirement of supplemental irrigation water. So, the plants in this method are protected in such a way that evaporation & water runoff is not immense and help conserve water.
118. Yield
Total agricultural output achieved from a piece of land is generally counted from an acre of land.
Final Thoughts!
These were the top agricultural terms with their definitions that are important to know before indulging in modern or advanced farming practices. Before you go, make sure to check out the most frequently asked questions on the latest agriculture and farming techniques.
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