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Agriculture 2

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AGRICULTURE

CHAPTER: 4
Question 1
What is agriculture?
Answer
The term agriculture is derived from two Latin words “ager and Culture”.Ager means
land and culture means cultivation. Hence agriculture means land cultivation. In other
words, the art and science of cultivation soils, raising crops and rearing livestock,
including fishing and forestry is called agriculture.
Question 2
What are the different types of farming?
Answer.
Types of farming
Primitive Subsistence Farming

It is agriculture of “slash and burn.” After clearing some ground, farmers plant cereals
and other food crops. The farmers move and prepare a new area of land for cultivation
as the fertility of the soil declines.

In different sections of the nation, it goes by different names. The term “jhumming”
refers to it in the north-eastern states.

 This kind of agriculture has low land productivity.


 This kind of cultivation is monsoon dependent.
 A small portion of India is home to this type of farming.
Intensive Subsistence Farming

This kind of farming is done in places where there is a lot of population strain on
the land.
 High dosages of biochemical fertilisers and irrigation are employed in this
labour-intensive agricultural method to increase yield.
Commercial Farming

In order to achieve higher production, this style of farming uses higher amounts of
contemporary inputs, such as chemical fertilisers, insecticides, herbicides, and high-
yielding variety (HYV) seeds.

In plantations, a single crop is produced over a wide region as a sort of commercial


farming. Large areas of land are covered by plantations, which employ migrant
labourers to help with the use of capital-intensive inputs. Every produce item is utilised
as a raw resource in manufacturing.

E.g., Tea, coffee, rubber, sugarcane, banana.

Question 3
Distinguish between Rabi and Kharif crops.
Answer
→ Rabi - Rabi crops are sown in winter from October to December and harvested in
summer from April to June. Important rabi crops are wheat, barley, peas, gram and
mustard.

→ Kharif - Kharif crops are grown with the onset of monsoon in different parts of the
country and these are harvested in September-October. Important crops grown during
this season are paddy, maize, jowar, bajra, tur (arhar), moong, urad, cotton, jute,
groundnut and soyabean.
Question 4
Write a critical note on the socio-economic impact of green Revolution on the Indian society.
Answer

1. One of the major impacts of the Green Revolution was a significant increase in agricultural
production. The introduction of high-yielding varieties and improved agricultural practices led to
a substantial rise in crop yields.
2. The Green Revolution played a crucial role in ensuring food security in India. The increased
agricultural production helped in meeting the growing food demands of the population.
3. The Green Revolution had a positive impact on poverty alleviation and reduction in hunger.
Increased agricultural productivity provided better income opportunities for farmers and
improved livelihoods.
4. The Green Revolution brought about technological advancements in agriculture. The
adoption of modern farming techniques reduced labor requirements, and increased overall
productivity.
5. The impact of the Green Revolution was not evenly distributed across all regions in India.
Some regions, particularly those with better access to irrigation and infrastructure, experienced
more significant benefits compared to others.
Question 5
Describe the Geographical conditions required for the Growth of Rice
Answer

Climatic conditions required for the growth of rice:


(i) It is a Kharif crop which requires high temperature (above 25°C).
(ii) High humidity with annual rainfall above 100 cm.
(iii) In the areas of less rainfall, it grows with the help of irrigation.
(iv) It is grown in the plains of north and north-eastern India, coastal areas and the
deltaic regions.
(v) Development of dense network of canal irrigation and tube wells have made it
possible to grow rice in areas of less rainfall such as Punjab and Haryana.
Question 6
Describe the geographical conditions for the cultivation of cotton in India.
Answer

(i) It is a kharif crop grows well in drier parts of the black cotton soil of the Deccan
plateau.
(ii)It requires high temperature, light rainfall or irrigation, 210 frost-free days and bright
sun-shine for its growth.
(iii) Major producing states are – Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka,
Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
• Cotton:
Question 7
Explain the conditions of growth and areas of production of rubber in India.
Answer

(i) It is an equatorial crop, but under special conditions, it is also grown in tropical and
sub-tropical areas.
(ii)It requires moist and humid climate with rainfall of more than 200 cm. and
temperature above 25°C.
(iii)It is mainly grown in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andaman and Nicobar
islands and Garo hills of Meghalaya.
Question 8
Answer

Describe four important characteristic of rice cultivation in India.


(i) Rice is the staple food crop of people of india.
(ii) Our country is the second largest producer of rice in the world after China.
(iii) It is a kharif crop which requires high temperature, (above 25°C) and high humidity
with annual rainfall above 100 cm.
(iv) It is grown in the plains of north and north-eastern India, coastal areas and the
deltaic regions.
Question 9
Describe four important characteristic of wheat cultivation in India.
Answer

(i)The second most important cereal crop.


(ii)It is the main food crop, in north and north-western part of the country.
(iii)This rabi crop requires a cool growing season with 50 to 75 cm of annual rainfall and
a bright sunshine at the time of ripening.
(iv)Wheat growing regions are the Ganga-Satluj plains in the north- west and black soil
region of the Deccan.
Question 10
What are millets? Why is millets a very important food crop in india
Answer

The term “millets” include a number of coarse grains or inferior grains that have high
nutritive value like Jowar, bajra and ragi.Millets are also known as dry crops because
they are grown in the drier parts of the country.
Millets are very important food crops in India because:
(i)Millets are nutritious.Jowar is very rich in calcium, while ragi is rich in iron and
calcium as well as roughage.
(ii) They can be grown on less fertile soil, where rice or wheat cannot be grown.
(iii) Millets such as bajara are used both as a food as fodder crop.
Question 11

Describe the climatic conditions required for the growth of sugarcane .Also mention two
important sugarcane producing states,
Answer
→ It is a tropical as well as a subtropical crop.
→ It grows well in hot and humid climate with a temperature of 21°C to 27°C and an
annual rainfall between 75 cm. and 100 cm.
→ Major producing states are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu,
Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab and Haryana.

Question 12
What are the two most important beverage crops in India? State the favourable
conditions for their growth. Mention also major producing states.
Answer

• Tea:
→ Tea cultivation is an example of plantation agriculture.
→ It is an important beverage crop introduced in India initially by the British.
→ It requires warm and moist frost-free climate with frequent showers all through the
year.
→ Major producing states are Assam, hills of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts, West
Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

• Coffee:
Indian coffee is known in the world for its good quality.
→ Its cultivation is confined to the Nilgiri in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

• Horticulture Crops:
→ India is a producer of tropical as well as temperate fruits.
→ India produces about 13 percent of the world’s vegetables.
Question 13
Jute is known as golden fibre? Explain two geographical conditions required for its
growth? Mention it’s any two uses.
Answer

(i) it requires uniformly high temperature (27c)throughout the year.


(ii)It grows well on well-drained fertile soils in the flood plains where soils are renewed
every year.
(iii) Major jute-producing states West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha and Meghalaya.
(iv)It is used in making gunny bags, mats, ropes, yarn, carpets and other artefacts.
It is used for packing for many agricultural commodities. Jute is called brown paper of
whole –sale trade.
Question 14

Q Briefly explains the major steps taken by the government to improve agriculture in
India.
Or
Discuss the initiative taken by the government to ensure the increase in agricultural
production in India.
Answer

Major steps taken by the government to improve the agriculture system in India are:
1. Green revolution played an important role in improving agriculture productivity. New
technologies and HYV seeds were used to improve production in the agriculture sector.
2. Government fixes the minimum and maximum prices of the products. Minimum
support price policy, subsidies on the agriculture inputs were some of the steps taken
by the government
3. Government established Grameen banks in the rural areas to provide loans at a
lower rate of interest and even in some of these schemes without the collateral
securities the loans are provided to the farmers.
4. Government introduced various initiatives for the farmers from time to time. PMFBY,
PKVY, PMKSY PM- Kisan scheme were some of the initiatives taken by the
government.
Question 15

Q Briefly describe the institutional reforms introduced in Indian agriculture.


Or
Name and explain some of the institutional reforms in agricultural undertaken from time
to time.
Or
Explain any institutional reforms introduced by the government in the interest of
farming.
Answer

1. Collectivisation, consolidation of land holdings, cooperation and abolition of


zamindari etc. were given priority to bring institutional reforms in the country after
independence.

2. Land reform was the main focus of our first Five Year Plan. The right of inheritance
had already led to fragmentation of land holdings necessitating consolidation of land
holdings.
3. The Government of India embarked upon introducing agricultural reforms to improve
Indian agriculture in the 1960's and 1970's.
4. The Green Revolution based on the use of package technology and the White
Revolution were some of the strategies initiated to improve a lot of Indian agriculture.

5. Provision for crop insurance against flood, drought, cyclone, fire and disease, the
establishment of Grameen banks, cooperative societies and banks for providing loan
facilities to the farmers at lower rates of interest were some important steps in this
direction.
6. Kissan Credit Card (KCC), Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (PAIS), is some
other schemes introduced by the government of India for the benefit of farmers.
Question 16
What is plantation farming? What are its main characteristics?
Answer

Plantation farming is a form of commercial farming where crops are grown for sale and
profit. Some crops are sold as raw materials to manufacturing industries. Large land
areas are needed for this type of agriculture. Plantations are huge and can extend from
a few hectares to a few thousand hectares.
Five characteristics of plantation farming:
(i) It is a single crop farming practiced on a large area.
(ii) Crops are mainly grown for the market.
(iii) It is both labor intensive and capital intensive.
(iv) It has an interface of agriculture and Industry.
(v) Examples of plantation crops are tea, coffee, rubber, sugar cane and banana.
Question 17
Food production in India is showing sign of stagnation. Give reasons.
Answer

Food production in India is showing sign of stagnation. Reason is:


(i) Due to the excessive use of fertilizers, pesticides intensive farming etc.there is a
decrease in soil fertility that results in lower yield in the successive years.
(ii) Because of the excessive pumping to grow water crops there is a decrease of water
storage in intensive aquifers.
(iii)There is a reduction in net sown area of food grains because of shift of cultivation of
fruits etc.
(iv) Reduction in the agriculture area due to part of it being used for non-agricultural
activities etc.
(v) Increase demographic pressure and consequent diversion of the land for non –
agricultural purposes.
Question 18
What is called mixed farming?
Answer

A type of farming in which raising of livestock is done alongside the cultivation of crop is
called mixed farming.
Question 19
What is known as green revolution?
Answer

The term Green Revolution actually originated in Mexico in 1940s where intensive
agriculture with the help of high yielding strains of plants. Fertilizers and pesticides
combined to record higher productivity. In India similar method of intensive agriculture
came to be called Package Telechnology with the spectacular increase in production of
food grains in plains of Punjab it come to be called Green revolution.
Question 20
What is gross cultivated area?
Answer
The net sown area and the land cultivated more than once together make the gross
cultivated area.
Question 21
Define zaid crops

Zaid - In between the Rabi and the kharif seasons, there is a short season during the
summer months known as the Zaid season. Important crops grown are watermelon,
muskmelon, cucumber,

Textual questions
2. Answer the following questions in 30 words.

(i) Name one important beverage crop and specify the geographical conditions required
for its growth.
(ii) Name one staple crop of India and the regions where it is produced.
(iii) Enlist the various institutional reform programmes introduced by the government in
the interest of farmers.

(iv) The land under cultivation has got reduced day by day. Can you imagine its
consequences?

Answer

(i) Tea is an important beverage crop. This plant grows well in tropical or sub tropical
climates, and deep and fertile well-drained soil which is rich in humus and organic
matter.

(ii) Rice is a staple food crop of India. It grows in the plains of north and north-east
India, coastal areas and the deltaic regions.

iii) The various institutional reform programmes introduced by the government for the
benefit of farmers are:
→ Crop insurance against drought, flood, fire etc.
→ Minimum Support Price policy.
→ Subsidy on agricultural inputs and resources such as power and fertilizers.
→ Kissan Credit Card and Personal Accident Insurance Scheme.

(iv) A declining area of land under cultivation coupled with increasing population have
many consequences. These are:
→ Food shortage for the rising population.
→ Rise in price of food grains.
→ Unemployment and loss of livelihood for farmers.
→ Shortage of supply of raw material for agro-industries.
→ Adverse affect on export trade as agricultural products comprise a major section
of international trade.
3. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.

(i) Suggest the initiative taken by the government to ensure the increase in agricultural
production.

(ii) Describe the impact of globalisation on Indian agriculture.

(iii) Describe the geographical conditions required for the growth of rice.
Answer

(i)Various initiative taken by the government to ensure the increase in agricultural


production are:
→ Collectivisation, consolidation of holdings, cooperation and abolition of Zamindari
etc. were given priority to bring about institutional reforms in the country after
independence.
Land Reform was the main focus of our ‘First Five Year Plan’.
→ The Green Revolution was based on the use of package technology and the White
Revolution were some of the strategies initiated to improve the lot of Indian agriculture.

Minimum Support Price policy, provision for crop insurance, subsidy on agricultural
inputs and resources such as power and fertilizers, Grameen Banks, Kissan Credit
Card and Personal Accident Insurance Scheme are also some of the reforms bought
by Indian Government.

(ii) The impact of globalisation on Indian agriculture has been felt since colonial times.
Raw cotton and spices were important export items from India. In 1917, Indian farmers
revolted in Champaran against being forced to grow indigo in place of foodgrains, in
order to supply dye to Britain's flourishing textile industry. Thus, globalisation has had
its boons and banes for Indian agriculture.
Post liberalisation, Indian farmers face new challenges in the form of competition from
highly subsidised agriculture of developed nations. This prompts the need for making
Indian agriculture successful and profitable by improving the conditions of small and
marginal farmers, countering the negative effects of Green Revolution, developing and
promoting organic farming, and diversifying cropping pattern from cereals to high-value
crops.

iii) The geographical conditions required for growth of rice are as follows:
→ It is a kharif crop and requires hot and humid climate for cultivation. Temperature
above 25°C and high humidity with annual rainfall above 100 cm is favorable for
growth of rice.
→ Rich alluvial soils of the floodplains and deltaic areas which are renewed every year
are ideal for rice cultivation.
→ Rice requires abundant rainfall or good water supply through irrigation and flooded
fields during the earlier part of its growing season in June-July.
→ Plenty of cheap labour as most of the farming involves manual labour.

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