Improvement in food

Resources
1. Explain the role of manures and fertilizers in improving soil fertility.

Answer:

• Manures: These are organic substances that are obtained from the decomposition
of plant and animal residues. Manures are rich in organic matter and provide
essential nutrients to the soil, like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. They help
improve soil texture, increase water retention, and promote microbial activity in the
soil.
• Fertilizers: These are inorganic substances that contain specific nutrients like
nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in a concentrated form. Fertilizers are quick in
action but do not improve soil texture. Overuse of fertilizers can lead to soil
degradation and pollution of water bodies.

2. What are the advantages of using high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds?

Answer:

• High-yielding variety seeds are specially bred to give higher crop productivity.
• Advantages:
o Increased crop production and food availability.
o Requires proper management of water and fertilizers, leading to optimal crop
growth.
o Helps meet the food demands of the growing population.
o These varieties are often resistant to pests and diseases, reducing crop
losses.

3. Differentiate between organic farming and conventional farming.

Answer:

• Organic Farming:
o Uses natural fertilizers like compost, green manure, and bio-fertilizers.
o Focuses on sustainable and eco-friendly practices, avoiding synthetic
chemicals.
o Emphasizes soil health and biodiversity.
• Conventional Farming:
 o Relies heavily on chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.
o Aims for higher yield and quicker results but can harm the environment and
soil.
o May lead to soil degradation and increased pollution due to the overuse of
chemicals.

4. How does crop rotation help in maintaining soil fertility?

Answer: Crop rotation involves growing different crops in a sequence on the same land over
multiple seasons. It helps in:

• Preventing the depletion of specific nutrients in the soil.

• Reducing the buildup of pests and diseases that are crop-specific.
• Enhancing soil structure and promoting the growth of beneficial microbes.
• Some crops, like legumes, fix nitrogen in the soil, thereby replenishing soil fertility.

5. What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)? Explain its importance.

Answer: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an eco-friendly approach to managing pests by

combining biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical practices. It aims to minimize the use
of chemical pesticides and reduce their harmful impact on the environment.

• Importance:
o Reduces the risks associated with chemical pesticides like resistance,
environmental pollution, and harm to non-target species.
o Promotes the use of biological control agents (e.g., natural predators of
pests).
o Ensures sustainable agricultural practices by maintaining pest populations
within acceptable levels.

6. What is the significance of food security in a country?

Answer: Food security is the condition where all people, at all times, have access to sufficient,
safe, and nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life. It is crucial for:

• Ensuring the nutritional well-being of the population.

• Reducing hunger and poverty.
• Promoting social stability and economic growth.
• Preventing malnutrition and improving public health outcomes.

7. Why is irrigation necessary for crops?

Answer: Irrigation is necessary because:

 • It provides water to crops during periods of insufficient rainfall.
• Ensures steady crop growth and higher yields, particularly in regions with dry
climates.
• Helps in the cultivation of crops in areas where natural rainfall is not sufficient.
• Enables farmers to grow multiple crops in a year, thereby increasing agricultural
productivity.

8. What is the Green Revolution? Discuss its impact on Indian agriculture.

Answer: The Green Revolution refers to the period of significant increase in food grain
production during the 1960s and 1970s, primarily through the use of high-yielding variety seeds,
chemical fertilizers, and improved irrigation practices.

• Impact on Indian Agriculture:

o Led to a substantial increase in food production, particularly wheat and rice.
o Improved food security in India.
o However, it also led to environmental problems such as soil degradation,
water scarcity, and overuse of chemical inputs.

9. What is a food chain? Give an example.

Answer: A food chain is a sequence of organisms in an ecosystem, each of which serves as a

food source for the next. It shows the transfer of energy from one organism to another.

• Example:
o Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Eagle In this chain, grass is eaten by
the grasshopper, which is eaten by the frog, and so on.

10. What are the benefits of improving food production in a sustainable

manner?

Answer: Sustainable food production ensures that agricultural practices do not harm the
environment and that resources are used efficiently. The benefits include:

• Ensuring long-term food security by maintaining the health of the ecosystem.

• Protecting soil fertility and water resources.
• Reducing the impact of farming on biodiversity and climate change.
• Promoting the use of renewable resources and minimizing the reliance on harmful
chemicals.

These questions cover various aspects of the chapter and can help in understanding key concepts
related to improving food resources.
11. What is the role of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in soil fertility?

Answer: Nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium, live in the root nodules of leguminous
plants. They convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can absorb and use for growth.
This process naturally replenishes the nitrogen content in the soil, improving its fertility and
reducing the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.

12. What is the difference between Rabi and Kharif crops?

Answer:

• Rabi Crops:
o Planted in winter (October to December) and harvested in spring (March to
May).
o Examples: Wheat, barley, peas, mustard.
o Require cooler temperatures.
• Kharif Crops:
o Planted with the onset of monsoon (June to September) and harvested in
autumn (September to October).
o Examples: Rice, maize, cotton, soybean.
o Require warm temperatures and abundant rainfall.

13. What are the methods of irrigation used in India?

Answer: The major methods of irrigation used in India are:

• Canal Irrigation: Water is supplied to fields through canals built along rivers or
reservoirs.
• Wells and Tube Wells: Water is extracted from underground aquifers using pumps
or manually.
• Drip Irrigation: Water is delivered directly to the roots of plants through a network of
tubes, ensuring water conservation.
• Sprinkler System: Water is sprayed over crops in the form of droplets, similar to
rainfall.

14. Why is it important to conserve soil?

Answer: Soil conservation is vital because:

• It helps prevent soil erosion caused by wind and water.

• Ensures long-term agricultural productivity by preserving soil fertility.
• Maintains the balance of nutrients and organic matter in the soil.
• Reduces the risk of desertification and supports sustainable food production.
15. What is the role of livestock in improving food resources?

Answer: Livestock plays a significant role in improving food resources:

• They provide essential animal products like milk, eggs, meat, and wool.
• Animal manure is an excellent natural fertilizer that improves soil fertility.
• Livestock contributes to the economy by providing employment in rural areas.
• Some animals help in plowing fields, enhancing agricultural productivity.

16. What are the harmful effects of excessive use of chemical fertilizers?

Answer: Excessive use of chemical fertilizers can cause several harmful effects:

• It leads to soil degradation by reducing the organic matter content.

• It can result in water pollution due to runoff, causing eutrophication of water bodies.
• Over-reliance on fertilizers can harm beneficial soil organisms, like earthworms and
microbes.
• It may also lead to the development of resistant pests and diseases.

17. Explain the concept of food security.

Answer: Food security is defined as the condition where all individuals, at all times, have
physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. It includes:

• Availability: Sufficient food production.

• Access: Ability to acquire food through own production, purchase, or aid.
• Utilization: Proper use of food for a healthy life.
• Stability: Ensuring that food security is maintained even in times of crisis.

18. What are the main factors affecting food production?

Answer: The main factors affecting food production include:

• Climate: Temperature, rainfall, and sunlight affect crop growth.

• Soil Quality: Fertility, texture, and nutrient content impact crop yields.
• Water Availability: Adequate irrigation is necessary for healthy crops.
• Technological Advancements: Use of high-yielding varieties, fertilizers, and pest
control methods improve food production.
• Labor and Capital: Availability of skilled labor and financial resources determines
the efficiency of farming practices.
19. What is the significance of agroforestry in improving food resources?

Answer: Agroforestry is the practice of growing trees alongside crops or livestock. Its
significance includes:

• Improving soil fertility and preventing erosion by increasing organic matter.

• Providing additional income through timber, fruits, and medicinal plants.
• Enhancing biodiversity by creating a more varied and resilient ecosystem.
• Contributing to climate change mitigation by capturing carbon dioxide.

20. How does the use of modern technology help in increasing food
production?

Answer: Modern technology improves food production by:

• Introducing high-yielding varieties of crops that produce more per unit area.
• Enabling efficient use of resources through methods like drip irrigation and
sprinkler systems.
• Implementing precision farming techniques, such as the use of drones, sensors,
and GPS, to monitor soil conditions, crop health, and optimize fertilizer and water
use.
• Using biotechnology (e.g., genetically modified organisms) to improve crop
resistance to pests, diseases, and harsh environmental conditions.

21. Explain the significance of fish farming in improving food resources.

Answer: Fish farming, also known as aquaculture, plays an important role in improving food
resources by:

• Providing a sustainable source of protein-rich food (fish) for human consumption.

• Reducing pressure on wild fish populations and preserving marine ecosystems.
• Creating employment opportunities and contributing to economic development,
especially in coastal areas.
• Contributing to the global food supply, as fish is a major source of nutrition.

22. What are genetically modified crops? Give examples.

Answer: Genetically modified (GM) crops are those that have been altered through genetic
engineering to introduce desirable traits, such as resistance to pests, diseases, or environmental
stress, or to enhance nutritional content. Examples of GM crops include:

• Bt Cotton (resistant to certain pests)

• Golden Rice (enriched with vitamin A)
• Herbicide-resistant Soybeans