Question

What is meant by commercialization of agriculture? 

Or 

The British rule commercialized Indian agriculture. What were the factors that helped for this?

Answer 1

• During the British rule, the farmers were compelled to cultivate crops according to the market needs. Commercial crops were largely cultivated instead of food crops. This was termed as commercialization of agriculture.
• The Indian farmers were forced to cultivate cotton, indigo, etc. the raw materials for British industries during British rule.
• Commercial crops were largely cultivated instead of food crops according to the market needs.
• The farmers had to pay high rate of tax in cash before the deadline. To meet this, they cultivated crops that had higher market price.
• The products that had high demand in the European markets were cultivated. Thus the Indian lands became the cultivating fields of Europe.