give 5 merits and demerits of commercialization of agriculture.[5 merits and 5 demerits]

plz ans. fast as i hv my eco. xam tomorrow!!!!!!!!

Prior to the British rule, the Indian agriculture was conventional and subsistence in nature. In other words, the basic motive to undertake farming was to sustain. The farmers used to grow crops such as rice and wheat for their own consumption. But with the advent of the British rule, the nature of Indian agriculture underwent a complete change. Britain, in order to feed its growing industries with cheap raw materials, infused commercialisation of Indian agriculture. They forced Indian farmers to opt for the production of cash crops such as indigo, cotton, jute, etc. In other words, the agricultural production was market oriented, i.e. for sale in the market; rather than for self consumption. 

Merits of Commercialisation of agriculture:

1. The introduction of free trade led to an increase in the volume of India’s export rapidly.

2. With commercialisation of agriculture, the agricultural production was carried out as per the market requirements led to increase in their market demand.

3. The yield of cash crops increased resulting in increase in per person productivity.

4. There was introduction of railways in order to encourage trade between India and Britain.

5. The increase in export of cash crops made India to experience trade surplus.

Demerits of Commercialisastion of Agriculture:

1. The Indian farmers were compelled to grow commercial crops like indigo, required by the British industries to dye textiles instead of food crops like rice and wheat. The undertaking of Indigo cultivation made a particular plot of land unfertile and unsuitable for food crop cultivation.

2. The returns in exchange of the commercial crops were low enough to meet the requirements of the farmers.

3. The commercialisation of Indian agriculture benefitted Britain facilitating the Industrial Revolution in Britain at the cost of Indian farmers.

4. A large section of farmers could not afford the shift from the production of food crops to the production of cash crops due to lack of resources and incentives to invest in agriculture. Thus, commercialisation of Indian agriculture, increased the burden of generating high revenues on the poor farmers.

5. Lack of irrigation facilities, insignificant use of fertilisers, lack of investment, frequent famines and other natural calamities, etc. told upon the agricultural performance, making the condition of the farmers even worse.