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Sasyaveda (Samskrit: सस्यवेदः) refers to agricultural and farming practices of man. Agriculture, farming and domestication of animals is one of the most ancient occupations of man. Agriculture came to be practiced when man gave up his nomadic habits and settled down in a place which had favorable climate and topography. Initially depending on wild roots, fruits, and seeds for his sustenance, man eventually adopted the practice of tilling the land to grow crops. Although the time when the ancient man starting farming practices is not completely ascertainable, evidence of agricultural practices in ancient Bharat are available from the worlds oldest texts, the Vedas. Agriculture is the foundation of human civilization.

Sasyaveda (Samskrit: सस्यवेदः) refers to agricultural and farming practices of man. Agriculture, farming and domestication of animals is one of the most ancient occupations of man, a perpetual creation on which civilization depends. Agriculture came to be practiced when man gave up his nomadic habits and settled down in a place which had favorable climate and topography. Initially depending on wild roots, fruits, and seeds for his sustenance, man eventually adopted the practice of tilling the land to grow crops. Although the time when the ancient man starting farming practices is not completely ascertainable, evidence of agricultural practices in ancient Bharat are available from the worlds oldest texts, the Vedas. Agriculture is the foundation of human civilization.

It has been documented that early inhabitants of Bharatakhanda took to farming as their chief occupation supported by the archaeological evidence found in Indus Valley excavations. Discovery of charred rice grains, presence of wheat in the excavations present oldest records of developed agricultural practices.<ref>Ray, P and Sen, S. N. (First Edition 1937) ''The Cultural Heritage of India, Volume 6.'' Calcutta: The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture. (Page 176)</ref>  

It has been documented that early inhabitants of Bharatakhanda took to farming as their chief occupation supported by the archaeological evidence found in Indus Valley excavations. Discovery of charred rice grains, presence of wheat in the excavations present oldest records of developed agricultural practices.<ref>Ray, P and Sen, S. N. (First Edition 1937) ''The Cultural Heritage of India, Volume 6.'' Calcutta: The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture. (Page 176)</ref>  

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

Food is the basic requirement of every living being on earth and our ancient texts have proclaimed that even devatas relay on food, which is offered sacredly in the form of havis.<blockquote>अन्नाद्भवन्ति भूतानि पर्जन्यादन्नसंभवः । यज्ञाद्भवति पर्जन्यो यज्ञः कर्मसमुद्भवः ॥ (Bhag. Gita. 3.14)</blockquote>All creatures (life) comes into being from Anna (food), and this food arises with the help of rain. Through yajnas we get rain, thus yajna gives rise to activity or karma.

Agriculture contributes nearly half of the national income and provides employment to about seventy percent of the working population in India. It provides raw materials for most of our industry. It also accounts for sizable share of the country's foreign exchange with export earnings of food grains. Food is the basic requirement of every living being on earth and our ancient texts have proclaimed that even devatas relay on food, which is offered sacredly in the form of havis.<blockquote>अन्नाद्भवन्ति भूतानि पर्जन्यादन्नसंभवः । यज्ञाद्भवति पर्जन्यो यज्ञः कर्मसमुद्भवः ॥ (Bhag. Gita. 3.14)</blockquote>All creatures (life) comes into being from Anna (food), and this food arises with the help of rain. Through yajnas we get rain, thus yajna gives rise to activity or karma.

Agricultural activities were thus designed to ensure food supply from rains as well as to maintain ecological sustainability; farmers over ages developed holistic scientific knowledge to ensure that goal.

Agricultural activities were thus designed to ensure food supply from rains as well as to maintain ecological sustainability; farmers over ages developed holistic scientific knowledge to ensure that goal.

== Importance of Agriculture ==

== Importance of Agriculture ==

Kautilya's Arthashastra aply describes the important role of agriculture in the over economy of the country. The concept of science of agriculture is clearly recognized and how it affects the overall operations of the government is emphasized here. <blockquote>कृषि-पाशुपाल्ये वणिज्या च वार्ता । धान्य-पशु-हिरण्य-कुप्य-विष्टि-प्रदानादौपकारिकी ।। ०१.४.०१ ।। (Arth. Shas. 1.4.1)<ref>Kautilya's Arthashastra ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A Adhikarana 1 Adhyaya 4])</ref></blockquote>AGRICULTURE, cattle-breeding and trade constitute Varta. It is most useful in that it brings in grains, cattle, gold, forest produce (कुप्य । kupya), and free labour (विष्टि । vishti). It is by means of the treasury and the army obtained solely through Varta that the king can hold under his control both his and his enemy's party.<ref>Shamasastry, R. (1910) ''Kautilya's Arthashastra, Translated into English.'' (Page 12-13) </ref>

Kautilya's Arthashastra aptly describes the important role of agriculture in the over economy of the country. The concept of science of agriculture is clearly recognized and how it affects the overall operations of the government is emphasized here. <blockquote>कृषि-पाशुपाल्ये वणिज्या च वार्ता । धान्य-पशु-हिरण्य-कुप्य-विष्टि-प्रदानादौपकारिकी ।। ०१.४.०१ ।। (Arth. Shas. 1.4.1)<ref>Kautilya's Arthashastra ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A Adhikarana 1 Adhyaya 4])</ref></blockquote>Agriculture, cattle-breeding and trade constitute Varta. It is most useful in that it brings in grains, cattle, gold, forest produce (कुप्य । kupya), and free labour (विष्टि । vishti). It is by means of the treasury and the army obtained solely through Varta that the king can hold under his control both his and his enemy's party.<ref>Shamasastry, R. (1910) ''Kautilya's Arthashastra, Translated into English.'' (Page 12-13) </ref>

Kashyapiya-krishi-paddhati and Krshiparasara are two other classical texts which discuss the importance of agriculture since ancient times.  

Kashyapiya-krishi-paddhati and Krshiparasara are two other classical texts which discuss the importance of agriculture since ancient times.