Geography Chapter-4

Agriculture

3 marks Questions

1. Define agriculture? Why has cultivation methods changed significantly over years?

Ans. A. Agriculture is the process of producing food, feed, fiber and other goods by the systematic
raising of plants and animals.

B. Agriculture is an age old economic activity in our country. Over these years cultivation methods have
changed significantly depending upon the characteristics of physical environment, technologically know
how and socio-cultural practices.

C. Farming varies from subsistence to commercial type.

D. At present in different parts of India- primitive subsistence farming, Intensive Subsistence Farming
and commercial Farming are practiced.

2. What is plantation farming? What are its main characteristics?

Ans. Plantation is a type of commercial farming. In This kind of farming a single crop is grown on a large
area. This kind of farming is a legacy of colonialism, adapted to local conditions. Following are its
characteristics:

A. Plantation has an interface of agriculture and industry.

B. Cultivation of cash for export purpose.

C. All the produce is used as raw material in respective industries.

D. Tea, coffee, rubber, sugarcane, banana etc are important plantation crops.
3. What are millets? Why are millets very important food crop in India?

Ans. A. Jowar, Bajra and Ragi are the important millets grown in India.

B. These are known as coarse grains.

C. These are used as food crops as well as fodder crops also.

D. These have very high nutritional value.

4. Why are some pulses known as leguminous crop? Why are they grown in rotation with other crops?

Ans. A. Maximum pulses are known as leguminous crops.

B. It helps in fixation of nitrogen.

C. Pulses are grown in rotation with other crops as they help in restoring soil fertility by using nitrogen
from the air.

5. Distinguish between Gramdan and Bhoodan.

Ans. A. Bhoodan: Shri Ram Chandra Reddy offered 80 acres of land to 80 landless villagers. This act was
known as Bhoodan.

B. Later he travelled and introduced his ideas widely all over India.

C. Some Zamidars, owners of many villages offered to distribute some villages among landless. It was
known as Gramdaan.

7. Which type of agriculture is known as slash and burn agriculture? What is the main disadvantage of
this type farming?

Ans. A. Shifting agriculture is known as slash and burn agriculture.

B. Such type of agriculture is harmful for environment.

C. Due to burning of plants and bushes, it causes pollution.

8. Explain the factor upon which the different farming practices depends.
Ans. The types of farming practiced depend on following two factors:

A. Physical factors: It includes relief, climate and location.

B. Human Factors: Human factors include the cultural background of people, availability of irrigation and
agricultural practices.

9. Why there enormous pressure on agricultural land in land intensive subsistence farming?

Ans. A. The right of inheritance leading to division of land among successive generations has rendered
land holding size uneconomical.

B. The farmers continue to take maximum output from the limited land in the absence of alternative
source of livelihood.

C. Thus there is enormous pressure on agricultural land

10. The land under cultivation is being reduced day by day. Can you imagine its consequences?

Ans. A. Less land under cultivation would cause the lack of food grains for people.

B. Due to less production of food crops the prices of food crops will raise to its maximum extent.

C. It will also lead to more use of fertilizer and pesticides to get more and more production.

D. Use of fertilizers and pesticides leads to health problems.

11. Why is agriculture important for Indian economy?

Ans. A. Two third population of India engaged in agricultural activities.

B. Agriculture is a primitive activity, which produces most of the food that we consume.

C. It also produces raw material for carious industries like cotton, sugar and jute industry

D. It also helps in collecting foreign exchange.

13. What are the different names gives to it in different parts of India?

Ans. A. In India, this primitive form of cultivation is called Bewar or Dahiya in Madhya Pradesh.

B. Podu or Pennda in Andhra Pradesh.

C. Pama dabi or Koan or Bringa in Orissa.

D. Kumari in Western Ghats.

E. Valre or Waltre in South eastern Rajasthan.

F. Khil in Himalayan belt.

G. Kuruwa in Jharkhand and Jhumming in the North eastern region.

14. What are the efforts made by the government to modernize agriculture in India?

Ans. A. Establishment of Indian Council of Agricultural Research centre.

B. In 1980s and 1990s a comprehensive land development program was initiated, which include both
institutional and technical reforms.

C. Provision for crop insurance against drought, flood, cyclone, fire and disease.

D. Kissan Credit Card, Personal Accident Insurance schemes introduced by the Government.

15. Write down the features of Primitive Subsistence agriculture.

Ans. A. Farmers clear, slash and burn a small piece of land and on it grow cereals and other food crops to
sustain themselves.

B. The entire family or community is utilized as labour force.

C. Primitive tools such as hoe, digging sticks and dao are used.

D. No fertilizers and manures is used and land productivity is low.

E. Primitive subsistence depends upon monsoon, natural fertility of the soil and suitability of the other
environmental conditions.

16. Write down the features of commercial farming.

Ans. A. The main characteristics of this type of farming is the use of higher doses of modern inputs, e.g.
high yielding variety seeds, chemical fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides in order to obtain higher
productivity.

B. The degree of commercialization of agriculture varies from region to another.

C. For example, rice is a commercial crop in Haryana and Punjab, but in Orissa it is subsistence farming.

Plantation is also a type of commercial farming

17. Write down the features of Intensive Subsistence agriculture.

Ans. A. This type of farming is practiced in areas of high population pressure on land.

B. It is labour intensive farming, where high doses of biochemical inputs and irrigation are used for
obtaining higher production.

C. The right of inheritance leading to division of land among successive generations has rendered land
holding size uneconomical.

D. The farmers continue to take maximum output from the limited land in the absence of alternative
source of livelihood. Thus there is enormous pressure on agricultural land.

19. Write down the features of Rabi crops.

Ans. A. Rabi crops are sown in winter from October to December.

B. These crops are harvested in summer from April to June.

C. Wheat, barley, peas, gram and mustard are some major rabi crops.

D. North and north western parts of the country are important for growth of rabi crops.

20. Write down the features of Kharif crops.

Ans. A. Kharif crops are sown with the onset of monsoon in June.

B. These crops are harvested in the month of September and October.

C. Paddy, maize, jowar, tur, moong, urd, cotton, jute, groundnut and soyabean are some of the
important crops.
21. Why is wheat mainly grown in Punjab? Give three reasons.

Ans. A. Cool and moist climate during growing season is found in Punjab.

B. Dry sunny warm climate at the time of ripening is also found in Punjab.

C. Fertile alluvial soil is found there.

22. Kerala leads in the production of rubber. Give three reasons.

Ans. A. Rebber requires high temperature and heavy rainfall throughout the year and Kerala has both
these requirements.

B. Rubber collection is a labour oriented occupation and as such it requires cheap labour and it is easily
available in Kerala.

C. It is a tropical crop and Kerala lies near the equator.

23. ‘Rice grows well in Punjab and Haryana also.’ State two reasons for it.

Ans. A. Rice requires hot and humid climate and lot of water as such it is possible to grow this crop in the
arid lands of Punjab and Haryana, but irrigation facilities in these states have done wonder and thirst of
water has been provided by irrigation through tube wells and canals.

B. The farmers of Punjab and Haryana are deals in commercial crops.

C. The Governments of Punjab and Haryana have given full support to the farmers and they provide high
yielding varieties of paddy to the farmers.

24. Why has Indian agriculture started a declining trend in food production? Explain with any three
reasons.

Ans. A. Indian farmers are facing a big challenge from international competition.

B. The quality of our production is not able to compete with those of the developed countries.

C. Subsidy on fertilizers, pesticides and HYV has been decreased, it lead to increase in the production
cost.

25. Write briefly about the movement started by Vinoba Bhave known as Bloodless revolution?
Ans. A. Vinobha Bhave introduced voluntary redistribution of farm-lands to poor landless farmers for
their economic well being.

B. It started when some poor landless villagers demanded some land for their economic well being and
unexpectedly Shri Ram Chandra Reddy offered 80 acres of land to be distributed among 80 landless
villagers.

C. This act was known as Bhoodan and many land owners chose to provide some part of their land to
the poor farmers due the land ceiling act. This Bhoodan and Gramdan movement initiated by Vinobha
Bhave is also known as the Blood less revolution.

26. What are millets and why are they called coarse grains? Give some examples of millet crops and
areas they are grown in.

Ans. Jowar, Bajra and ragi are the important millets grown in India. These are known as coarse grains but
they have very high nutritional value.

A. Jowar: Maharashtra is the largest producer of jowar followed by Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and
Madhya Pradesh.

B. Bajra: Rajasthan is the largest producer of bajra followed by Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and
Haryana.

C. Ragi: Karnataka is the largest producer of ragi followed by Tamil Nadu.

27. What do you know about Green Revolution?

Ans. A. Green Revolution is phrase used to describe the tremendous increase in the production of food
grains like wheat and rice in India.

B. It has been caused by large scale use of high yielding variety of seeds and development of surface and
ground water irrigation systems.

C. Large scale use of fertilizers, insecticides, and pesticides, land reforms, rural electrification and farm
mechanization has caused Green revolution.

28. Describe the social impact of green revolution on the society.

Ans. A. The standard of living of the farmers increased because of increase in per capita in per capita
income.

B. Farmer starts doing farm activities with modern facilities like tractors, thrashing machines etc.

C. Literacy has risen among the farmers.

D. The link between the money lenders and the farmers is no more. Now farmers prefer to borrow
money from the Banks.

29. Explain the economic impact of the Green Revolution on the society.

Ans. A. Per capita income of the farmers has increased.

B. The agriculture has been transformed from subsistence to commercial levels.

C. Farmers prefer to borrow money from banks instead of money lenders.

30. What are millets? Why are millets very important food crop in India?

Ans. A. Jowar, Bajra and Ragi are the important millets grown in India.

B. These are known as coarse grains.

C. These are used as food crops as well as fodder crops also.

D. These have very high nutritional value.

31. Distinguish between rabi and kharif season? (At least two differences)

Ans. Difference between rabi and kharif season. (any two diff.)

Rabi

a) Rabi crops are sown in winter from October to December and harvested in summer from April to June

b) Some of the important rabi crops are wheat, barley, peas, gram, and mustard.

c) States from north and north- western parts such as Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu &
Kashmir, Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh are important for the production of wheat and other rabi crops.

Kharif
a) Kharif crops are grown with the onset of monsoon in the different parts of the country and these are
harvested in September-October.

b) Important crops grown during this season are paddy, maize, jowar, bajra, tur(arhar)moong, urad,
cotton, jute, groundnut and soyabean.

c) Some of the most important rice-growing regions are Assam, West Bengal, coastal regions of Orissa,
Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra, particularly the(Kankan coast) along with Uttar
Pradesh Bihar. Recently, paddy has also become an important crop of Punjab and Haryana.

32. What is Horticulture? Name the fruits grown in India?

Ans. “Horticulture:-It is an art of cultivating fruits and vegetables. India is the largest producer of fruits
and vegetables in the world. India is the producer of tropical as well as temperate fruits.”

India is known for

- Mangoes - Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

- Oranges - Nagpur and Cherrapunjee (Meghalaya),

- Bananas- Kerala, Mizoram, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu,

-Lichi and guava- Uttar Pradesh and Bihar,

-Pineapples - Meghalaya,

-Grapes - Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra

-Apples, pears, apricots, and walnuts - Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh are in great demand all
over the world.

India produces about 13 per cent of the world vegetables. It is an important producer of pea,
cauliflower, onion, cabbage, tomato, brinjal and potato

33. Distinguish between Subsistence and Commercial agriculture.

Ans. Subsistence agriculture

(a) Subsistence agriculture is practiced small patches of land with the help of primitive tools like hoe,
Dao and digging sticks, and family/ communit labour.

(b) Farmers and their family produce cereals for themselves and for the loc market.
(c) It is practiced in thickly populated areas.

(d) Cereals like wheat, rice, millets are mainly raised.

Commercial agriculture

a) The main characteristics of this type of farming is the use of higher doses of modern inputs, e.g. high
yielding variety (HYV) seeds, chemicals fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides in order to obtain higher
productivity.

b) Crops are grown on a large scale with a view to export them to other countries.

c) It is practiced in sparsely populated areas. d) Wheat, cotton, sugarcane etc. are mainly raised

34. What are the four important fiber crops of India? Describe any one of them.

Ans. four important fiber crops of India are:

Cotton, Jute, Hemp and Natural silk.

Cotton:-

(a) India is known as the original home of the cotton plant.

(b) India is the third largest producer of cotton in the world. (c)Cotton grows well in the drier parts of the
black

(c) cotton soil of the Deccan plateau.

(d) It requires high temperature, light rainfall or irrigation, 210-frost-free days and bright sun-shine for
its growth.

(e) It is Kharif crop and requires 6 to 8 months to mature.

(f) Major Cotton producing states are Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra
Pradesh,Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

OR

Jute:-

(a) Jute is known as the golden of fiber.

(b) It grows well on well-drained fertile soil in the flood plains where soils are renewed every year.
(c) High temperature is required during the time of growth.

(d) Major jute producing states are West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Orissa and Meghalaya.

(e) It is used in making gunny bags, mats, ropes, yarn, carpets and other artifacts.

5 marks Questions

1. Explain the favourable temperature, rainfall and soil conditions required for the growth of tea. Name
the leading tea producing states.

Ans. 1. Introduction: Tea is the main beverage crop. India is the leading producer and exporter of tea in
the world.

2. Climate: Tea plants grow well in tropical and subtropical climate. Tea thrives well in a hot and humid
climate.

3. Soil Type: The soil requirement is deep fertile well drained soil which is rich in humus and organic
matter.

4. Temperature: Ideal temperature for the growth is 200 to 300 C.

5. Rainfall: 150 to 300 cm annual rainfall is required. High humidity and frequent showers evenly
distributed throughout the year are good for rapid development of tender leaves.

2. Explain the favourable temperature, rainfall and soil conditions required for the growth of coffee.
Name the leading tea producing states.

Ans. 1. Introduction: It is second most important beverage crop of India. Indian coffee is known for its
quality and is hence in great demand all over the world. The variety produced in India is Arabica variety
which was initially brought from Yemen.

2. Climate: It requires hot and humid climatic conditions for growth.

3. Soil Type: The soil requirement is deep fertile well drained soil which is rich in humus and organic
matter.

4. Temperature: 150C and 280 C.

5. Rainfall: rainfall 50 to 200 cm annually.

6.Areas of Cultivation: Its cultivation was initiated on Baba Buden hills and is today confined to the Nilgiri
in Karnataka Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

3. Name the major Horticulture Crops of India and also write their areas of cultivation.

Ans. 1. Mangoes: Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

2. Oranges: Nagpur and Cherapunji ( Meghalaya)

3. Bananas: Kerala, Mizoram, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu.

4. Litchi and Guava: Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

5. Pineapple: Meghalaya

6. Grapes: Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

7. Apples, Pears, Apricots and Walnuts: Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh.

8. Cashew nut: Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

4. Which is the staple crop for majority of the people in India? What are the Geographical conditions
required for its growth. Name the major areas of its production.

Ans. 1. Introduction: Rice is the staple food crop of majority of the population.

2. Climate: Paddy is a tropical crop and grows well in the wet monsoon.

3. Temperature: Above 250 C, coupled with heavy humidity.

4. Rainfall: It requires an annual rainfall above 100 cm. It requires heavy rainfall in summer and irrigation
in areas of less rainfall.

5. Areas of Cultivation: Rice is grown in the plains of north and north-eastern India, coastal areas and the
deltaic region. 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, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh and parts of
Rajasthan.
5. Which is the second most important cereal crop? What are the Geographical conditions required for
its growth. Name the major areas of its production.

Ans. 1. Introduction: Wheat is the second most important cereal crop. It is Rabi Crop. It is the main food
crop, in north and north-western parts of the country.

2.Soil Type: Alluvial soil and black soil

3. Temperature: Cool growing season and bright sunshine at the time of ripening.

4. Rainfall: 50 to 75 cm of annual rainfall evenly distributed over the growing season.

5. Areas of Cultivation: There are two prominent wheat growing zones in the country-the Ganga-Sutlej
plain in the north-west and black soil region of Deccan. Wheat producing states are Punjab, Haryana,
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan and certain parts of Madhya Pradesh.

6. Name the crop which is used both as food and fodder? What are the Geographical conditions
required for its growth. Name the major areas of its production?

Ans. 1. Introduction: Maize is a crop which is used both as food and fodder. It is Kharif crop.

2. Climate: 140 frost free days

3. Soil Type: It grows well in old alluvial soil.

4. Temperature: It requires temperature between 210 C to 270C .

5. Rainfall: annual rainfall between 60 to 120 cm

6. Areas of Cultivation: In some states like Bihar maize is grown in Rabi season also. Use of modern
inputs such as HYV seeds, fertilizers and irrigation have contributed to the increasing production of
maize. Major maize producing states are Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar.

7. Name the crop which is main source of Sugar and Gur? What are the Geographical conditions
required for its growth. Name the major areas of its production.

Ans. A. Introduction: Sugar cane is the main source of sugar and gur. India is the second largest producer
of sugarcane in the world after Brazil. It is tropical and sub tropical crop.

B. Climate: It grows well in hot and humid climate.

C. Soil Type: it can be grown well on a variety of soils.

D. Temperature: Temperature requirement is 210 C to 270C .

E. Rainfall: Annual rainfall between 75 cm and 100 cm.

F. Areas of Cultivation: The major sugarcane producing states are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab and Haryana.

8. Which crop is known as golden fiber? What are the Geographical conditions required for its growth.
Name the major areas of its production.

Ans. 1. Introduction: Jute is known as the golden fiber. It is used to make mats, ropes, carpets, yarns,
gunny bags and many other ornamental things.

2. Soil Type: Well drained fertile soil in the flood plains. The soil which renewed every year.

3. Temperature: High temperature at the time of growth.

4. Areas of Cultivation: West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Orissa and Meghalaya are the major Jute producing
states.

9. Why the growth rate in agriculture has been decreasing day by day. Give reasons.

Ans. 1. Indian farmers are facing a challenge from international competition.

2. The cost of production inputs is increasing day by day.

3. Reduction in public investment in agricultural sector especially irrigation power, rural, roads, market,
etc.

4. The pressure of WTO on the Indian government to remove the subsidies given to the farmers.

5. Reduction in import duties on agricultural products.

6. Withdrawal of investments by farmers from agriculture resulting in reducing employment in

agriculture.

10. What are the basic features of Indian agriculture?

Ans. 1. Indian agriculture mainly depends on the arriving of monsoon. Though large areas in India, after
independence, have been brought under irrigation, only one-third of the cropped area is actually
irrigated in true sense.

2. Maximum farmers are not aware about the modern farming techniques.

3. Indian farmers use fertilizers. Use of these fertilizers and pesticides has increased and large areas have
been brought under high yielding variety of seeds.

4. Indian farmers, in certain parts still practice subsistence agriculture. Farmers actually own small pieces
of land and grow crops primarily for their own purpose.

5. In India animals also play a significantly role in various kinds of agricultural operations.