Agriculture kna smoke

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- involves
Agriculture :-

Agriculture is a primary activity in which almost two-third

of India’s population is engaged.

Farming Process :-
 the soil
Ploughing -
hoe dao tractor lift
, ,

Sowing seeds
Watering (Irrigation)
unwanted
Weeding -
removing grass
(2)
%
Manuring -
add manure

Spraying of insecticides
Harvesting cutting of crops the seed coat
taking seed from
out
Threshing -

Shikha Shokeen
Types of Farming :-

There are various types of farming in India such as primitive

subsistence farming, intensive subsistence farming, commercial
farming, plantations etc.

Primitive Subsistence Farming :-

EDT
Primitive Subsistence Farming is practised with small
patches of land with the help of primitive tools like hoe, Dao
and digging sticks, and family/community labour.
 This type of farming depends upon monsoon, natural fertility
of the soil and suitability of other environmental conditions to
the crops grown.

Shikha Shokeen
Slash and burn Farming :-

1
In slash and burn agriculture, the farmers cut
down the trees of the forest and burn the
Farmers
plantclear a patch
remains andofthe
land and
land is produce
used for cereals and other
farming. After cultivation, the
food crops to sustain their family. When thearea is soil
left alone
fertility
for several years so as to allow its recovery.
decreases, the farmers shift and clear a fresh patch of land for
The farmers then move on to other areas and
cultivation.
repeat this process.

Intensive Subsistence Farming :-

It is practised in areas of high population pressure on land. It

is labour intensive farming, where high doses of biochemical

-
inputs and irrigation are used for obtaining higher production.

chemical
Commercial Farming :-
relating to the
processes.
 The agricultural practice on large scale by using modern
technology to earn good income from agriculture is called
Commercial Farming.

The main characteristics of the type of farming are used of

higher doses of modern inputs, e.g. high yielding variety (HYV)
seeds, chemical fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides in order to
obtain higher productivity.

Plantation :- Shikha Shokeen

A type of commercial farming in which a single crop is

grown on a large area using capital intensive inputs with the
-
help of migrant labourers.
HYV seeds
chemical
pertilisers
insecticidesa pesticides

Cropping Pattern :-

THREE MAIN CROP SEASONS OF INDIA :-

Kharif
Rabi
Zaid

Kharif :-

It starts with the onset of the monsoon and continues till the
beginning of winter (June-July to September-October). The
Kharif crops include, rice, maize, millet, cotton, jute, groundnut,
moong, urad, etc.

Rabi :- Shikha Shokeen

It starts with the beginning of winter and continues till the

beginning of summer (Oct-Dec to April-June). The rabi crops
include wheat, barley, gram and oilseeds.

Zaid :-
 This is a short crop season in between the rabi and kharif
season Crops like watermelons, cucumber, some vegetables and
fodder crops are the major crops.

ene
Different between Rabi and Kharif Crops :-

Rabi

●Cultivation begins with the withdrawal of monsoons in

October.
● Sowing of seeds is done in October-November.
● Crops are harvested in April-May.
● Crops depend on the sub-soil moisture.
●Types: Wheat, gram and oil- seeds like mustard and rape
seeds

Shikha Shokeen
Kharif

● Cultivation begins with the on set of monsoons in May.

● Sowing of seeds is done in June or early July.
● Crops are harvested in September-October.
 ● Crops depend on the mon soons.
●Types: Rice, millets, maize, groundnuts, jute, cotton and
various pulses.

Major Crops :-

Food crops :-Wheat, Rice, Maize, Pulses, Oilseeds.

Cash crpos :- Tea, Rubber, Coffee, jute, cotton.

Horticulture crops :- Fruits, Flowers, Vegetables.

Major Crops in India :- Shikha Shokeen

Major crops grown in India are rice, wheat, millets, pulses,

tea, coffee, sugarcane, oil seeds, cotton and jute, etc.

Major Crops
Rice :- Shikha Shokeen

Rice is the major staple food crop of a majority of the people

in India.

Climate :- Paddy is a tropical crop and grows well in the wet

monSoon.

Temperature :- Above 25°C, coupled with heavy humidity.

Rainfall :- above 100 cm. It requires heavy rainfall in

summer and irrigation in areas of less rainfall.

Areas of Cultivation :- plains of north and north-eastern

India, coastal areas and the deltaic region. Punjab, Haryana and
Western Uttar Pradesh and parts of Rajasthan. With the help of
irrigation.

u
 Shikha Shokeen
Wheat :-

It is the main food crop in north and north-western part of

the country.

Soil Type :- Alluvial soil and black soil

Temperature :- This rabi crop requires a cool growing season

and a bright sunshine at the time of ripening.

Rainfall :- It requires 50 to 70 cm of annual rainfall.

Areas of Cultivation :- the Ganga-Sutlej plain in the north-

west and black soil region of Deccan.

Wheat producing states are :- Punjab, Haryana, Uttar

Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan.
 Shikha Shokeen
MILLETS :-

Jowar, Bajra and Rabi are the important millets grown in

India. It is a main-fed crop mostly grown in the moist areas
which hardly needs irrigation.

Jowar :-

Jowar is the third most important food crop with respect to

area and production.

Major Jowar producing States are Maharashtra, Karnataka,

Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

Bajra :-

Bajra grows well on sandy soils and shallow black soil.

Major Bajra producing States are Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh,

Maharashtra, Gujarat and Haryana.
Ragi :- Shikha Shokeen

Ragi is a crop of dry regions and grows well on red, black,

sandy, loamy and shallow black soils.

Major ragi producing states are: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu,

Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Jharkhand and
Arunachal Pradesh.

MAIZE :-

It is a crop which is used both as food and fodder.

Temperature :- It is a kharif crop which requires temperature

between 21°C to 27°C

use day st sand

I , ,

Soil :- grows well in old alluvial soil.

running
deposited by
not
water .

Major maize producing states are :- Karnataka, UP, Bihar,

Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

PULSES :-

India is the largest producer as well as the consumer of

pulses in the world.
Shikha Shokeen
These are the major source of protein in vegetation diet.

Major pulses that are grown in India are tur, urad, moong,
masur, peas and gram. Pulses need less moisture and survive
even in dry conditions.

Major pulses producing states in India are Madhya Pradesh,

UP, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Food Crops other than Grains

Sugarcane :-
Shikha Shokeen

India is the second largest producer of sugarcane in the

world after Brazil.

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

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

Temperature :- Temperature requirement is 21°C to 27°C.

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

The major sugarcane producing states are :- uttar pradesh,

maharashtra, karnataka, tamil nadu.

Oil Seeds :-
 peanut
↑
In 2017 India was the second largest producer of groundnut
in the world after China. In rapeseed production India was third
-
largest producer in the world after Canada and China in 2017.
oilseed
yellow

oil-seeds produced in India are groundnut, mustard, coconut,

sesamum (til), soyabean, castor seeds, cotton seeds, linseed and
sunflower.

Shikha Shokeen
Tea :-

Tea cultivation is an example of plantation agriculture.

In 2020 China-1st and India-2nd in tea production in the

world.

Climate :- grow well in tropical and subtropical ( hot and

humid) climate.

Soil Type :- deep fertile well drained soil which is rich in

humus and organic matter.

Rainfall :- 150 to 300 cm annual. High humidity and

frequent show- ers evenly distributed throughout the year.

Shikha Shokeen
Major tea producing states are :- Assam, hills of Darjeeling
and Jalpaiguri districts, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Apart from these, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya,
Andhra Pradesh and Tripura are also tea-producing states in the
country.

Coffee :-

Indian coffee is known in the world for its good quality.

Initially its cultivation was introduced on the Baba Budan

Hills

Its cultivation is confined to the Nilgiri in Karnataka, Kerala

and Tamil Nadu.
Horticulture Crops :-

In 2017, India was the second largest producer of fruits and

vegetables in the world after China.

Horticulture Crops include the cultivation of both fruits and

vegetables.

Important vegetable produces in India are pea, cauliflower,

onion, cabbage, tomato, brinjal and potato.

Important fruits grow in India are mango, orange, banana,

pineapple, grape, lichi, guava, apple pear, apricot, walnut, etc.
crops.

Non-food Crops :-
Shikha Shokeen

An industrial crop, also called a non-food crop, is a crop

grown to produce goods for manufacturing, for example of fibre
for clothing, rather than food for consumption.
Non-food Crops

with
rown
in regions
g
nigh raina
mosthatwe
Rubber :-

-
It is an equatorial crop, but under special conditions, it is
also grown in tropical and sub-tropical areas.

Climate :- It requires moist and humid climate.

Temperature :- temperature above 25°C.

Rainfall :- rainfall of more than 200 cm.

Areas of Cultivation :- It is mainly grown in Kerala, Tamil

Nadu, Karnataka, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Garo
hills in Meghalaya.

Fibre Crops :-
Shikha Shokeen
 use
medicinal
-
Cotton, jute, hemp and natural silk are the four major fibre
crops grown in India.

The first three are derived from the crops grown in the soil,
the latter is obtained from Cocoons of the silkworms fed on
green leaves specially mulberry.
Shikha Shokeen

Rearing of silk worms for the production of silk fibre is

known as sericulture.

The Deccan Plateau is a large plateau

that covers most of South India. It is
Cotton :- triangular, surrounded by three mountain
ranges. It extends over eight Indian
states (principally, Telangana,
Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu).

India is believed to be the original home of the cotton plant.

Cotton is one of the main raw materials for cotton textile
industry. In 2017, India was second largest producer of cotton
after China.

Soil :- Cotton grows well in drier parts of the black cotton

soil of the Deccan plateau.
 Temperature and Climate :- It requires high temperature,
light rainfall or irrigation, 210 frost-free days and bright
sunshine for its growth.
Shikha Shokeen
Areas of Cultivation :- Cotton producing states are MP,
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, UP &
Haryana.

It is a kharif crop and requires 6-8 months to mature.

Jute :-

It is also known as Golden fibre. Jute grows well on well-

drained fertile soils in the flood plains, where soils are renewed
every year.

It requires high temperature. Major jute producing states are

Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Meghalaya.

Technological and Institutional Reforms :-

 Shikha Shokeen

The Government of India in 1960s to 1970s introduced some

agricultural reforms to improve Indian agriculture like Green
Revolution and White Revolution.

Major institutional reforms like land reforms and

collectivisation were introduced in India from the first Five Year
Plan.

Government of India has initiated land development

programmes and schemes like Kisan Credit Card (KCC),
weather bulletins and programmes on radio and television, etc
for the benefits of the farmers.

Government also announced Minimum Support Price (MSP),

remunerative and procurement prices for various agricultural
products.

White revolution :-
 To improve the breeds of animals for the growth in milk
production with the use of modern [Link] is also called
Operation Flood.

Shikha Shokeen
Green Revolution :-

Based on the Uses of HYV [Link]

technology,fertilisers,pesticides, insecticides to increase
production especially Wheat production.

Negative impacts of green revolution on Indian Agriculture

:-

Land degradation due to overuse of chemicals.

Lowering the ground water level due to over irrigation.

Vanishing Bio-diversity.

Difference between rich and poor farmers is increasing.

MSP :-
70/key ShikhaShokeen

Minimum Support Price is a form of market intervention by

the Government of India to insure agricultural producers against
any sharp fall in farm prices.

MSP is price fixed by Government of India to protect the

producer – farmers – against excessive fall in price during
bumper production years.

Importance of agriculture in Indian economy :-

India is an agricultural country.

Nearly two-thirds of its population depends directly on
agriculture for its livelihood.

Agriculture is the main stay of India’s economy.

It accounts for 26% of the gross domestic product.

It ensures food security for the country and produces several raw
materials for industries.
Contribution of Agriculture to the National Economy,
Employment and Output :-

As per a survey done in 2010-11 around 52% of the Indian

population is dependent on agriculture for sustenance.

Shikha Shokeen

When share of agriculture declines in GDP, it leads to a

decline in other spheres of the economy.

To improve Indian agriculture, the Government of India

made efforts to modernise agriculture.

For this the government established Indian Council of

Agricultural Research (ICAR), agricultural universities,
veterinary services and animal breeding centres, horticulture
development, research and development in the field of
meteorology and weather forecast.

Institutional reforms introduced by the Indian Government

in favour of farmers :-
Provision of crop insurance facility. (fasal bima).

Loan facilities to the farmers and development of grameen and

cooperative banks.

Announces minimum support price (MSP), remunerative and

procurement prices for important crops.

Special weather bulletins and agricultural programmes for

farmers.

Broadcasting of agricultural programmes on T.V. and radio

related with new technology, tools, fertilisers etc.

Shikha Shokeen
GDP :-

Gross Domestic product is the total monetary value of goods

produced and services provided in a country during one year or
over a specific time period.

Food Corporation of India :-

 FCI is a statutory body established via Food Corporation Act
1964 to meet the following objectives of the Food Policy:
Effective price support operations for safeguarding the interests
of the farmers. Distribution of food grains throughout the
country for public distribution system.

Public Distribution System :- Shikha Shokeen

Public Distribution System is a government-sponsored chain

of shops entrusted with the work of distributing basic food and
non-food commodities to the needy sections of the society at
very cheap prices.

Globalisation :-

The process by which businesses or other organizations

develop international influence or start operating on an
international scale.
↓ Impact of Globalisation on Agriculture :-

Globalisation has also adversely impacted Indian agriculture

as the farmers in India are exposed to high competition from
farmers of the developed countries.

Shikha Shokeen

Our farmers are not able to compete with them on prices of

major commodities like rice, cotton, rubber, tea, coffee, jute and
spices.

If India changes its cropping pattern i.e. if India imports

cereals while exporting high value commodities, it will be
following successful economics like Italy, Israel and Chile.

Gene revolution and organic farming are new dimensions in

Indian agriculture that is based on innovative technology.

Ways of agricultural reforms in India :-

● Direct help to farmers, subsidy in account.
● Easy and cheap loan to farmers.
● Easy accessibility of water and electricity.
● Crop insurance to protect from flood, drought, cyclone and
fire.
●Minimum support price (MSP), Gramin Bank, Kissan Credit
Card.
● Special weather bulletins.
● Laws of land reforms implemented.

Shikha Shokeen
Agriculture
1.) Mark the distribution pattern of rice where it
is irrigated majorly

Shikha Shokeen
 Punjab

Up
Assam
Bihar

na was
inttisgart
Odisha

e
(2.) Mark the major-wheat producing states in
India.

Shikha Shokeen
 Punjab ultra.
HR

Rajasthan up
Bihar

MP
Gujarat WB

Maharashtra

Shikha Shokeen

(3.) Mark the states where slush and burn

agriculture is practiced.
X
 Y
mpinS
AP

Shikha Shokeen

(4.) Mark the states where plantation farming is

practiced intensively
X
 Tarakhand
X
in tripura

>
- AP

Karnataka >
-
TN
Y
kerala

Shikha Shokeen

(5.) Mark the major-sugarcane producing states

 Pun
HR

UP
Bihar

Maharashtra
Telang

AP=
TN

Shikha Shokeen

(6) Mark the states where jute cultivation is

↑

highly practiced.
 Mega
sam
Bihar

-B

Odisha

Shikha Shokeen

(7) Mark the major cotton producing states in

India.
 Puri e

up

MP
Gui

Maha
Tel -

AP
kar.

iN

Shikha Shokeen

(8) Mark the states where Rubber plantation is

practiced.
 Bengal
-West
Meghalaya

kar.

/TN
kerela

Shikha Shokeen

ze
(9) Mark the states where Rubber plantation is
practiced.
Tea and Coffee Producing Areas of India
Asom is the largest producer of tea and accounts for more than
52 percent of the tea produced in India. Karnataka is the largest
producer of coffee and accounts for more than 53 percent of
the coffee produced in India. This map shows the tea and coffee
producing areas of India.
Shikha Shokeen

-HP
sam

wis
I

Karnatake
J
offe

Korde
 Shikha Shokeen
Question 1.
Write four points to stress the importance of agriculture in India.
(2013)
Or, Why is India called an agriculturally important country?
Write four supportive arguments.
Or, ‘Agriculture has been the backbone of the Indian Economy’
Explain the statement by giving reason. (2017 D)
Answer:
India is an agricultural country because of the following
reasons:

1. Two-third of its population is engaged in agricultural

activities which provide livelihood.
2. Agriculture is a primary activity and produces most of the
food and foodgrains that we consume.
3. It produces raw materials for our various industries, e.g.,
cotton textile and sugar industry.
4. Some agricultural products, like tea, coffee and spices, are
exported and earn foreign exchange.
5. The share of agriculture in providing employment and
livelihood to the population continued to be as high as 63%
in 2001.
Question 2.
Why do farming practices vary in different regions? Give three
major reasons.
Answer:
Three major reasons are:

1. Physicalenvironment, i.e., relief, soil and climate.

2. Technological know-how.
3. Socio-cultural practices.
Question 3.
Name some industries based on agricultural raw material.
Answer:
Cotton Textile Industry and Sugar Industry.

Question 4.
What factors does primitive subsistence farming depend on?
Answer:
Factors:
Shikha Shokeen
• Monsoons
• Natural fertility of the soil
• Suitability of other environmental conditions to the crops
grown.
Question 5.
Write main characteristics of ‘slash and burn’ agriculture.
Or, Write main characteristics of Primitive Subsistence Farming.
Answer:

• This type of farming is practised in few pockets of India on

small patches of land using primitive tools and
family/community labour.
• Farmers clear a patch of land and produce cereals and other
food crops to sustain their families.
• When the soil fertility decreases, the farmers shift and clear a
fresh patch of land for cultivation. This type of shifting
allows nature to replenish the fertility of the soil through
natural processes.
• Land productivity is low as the farmer does not use fertilisers
or other modem inputs.
Question 6.
Name some primitive tools used in ‘slash and bum’ agriculture.
Answer:
Tools like hoe, dao and digging sticks.

Question 7.
Compare ‘intensive subsistence farming’ with that of
‘commercial farming’ practiced in India.
Answer: Shikha Shokeen
Intensive Subsistence
Commercial Farming
Farming
(i) In this type of
farming, production is (i) In this, crops are mainly
mainly for self grown for commercial purposes.
consumption.
(ii) It is practised in
(ii) It is practiced on large
areas of high
pieces of land on scientific
population pressure on
and commercial lines.
land.
(iii) In this type of agriculture,
(iii) It is labour
machines and modem technology
intensive farming.
are used.
(iv) There is higher use of modern
(iv) In this, high doses
agricultural inputs, for example,
of biochemical inputs
High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds,
and irrigation are used
fertilisers, irrigation, etc. are used
for obtaining higher
to obtain higher yields and
production.
production.
(v) Farmers take
(v) The degree of commercialization
maximum output from
varies from one region to another.
the limited land by
Rice is a commercial crop in Punjab,
raising 2-3 crops in a
while in Orissa it is subsistence
year from the same
crop. For example, Plantation
land, i.e., multiple
agriculture.
cropping is practised.
Question 8.
Write the main characteristics of intensive subsistence farming.
Answer:

1. Itis practised in areas of high population pressure on land.

2. Itis labour intensive farming.
3. Yield per hectare is high because high doses of biochemical
 inputs and irrigation are used.
4. The size of the land-holdings is small and uneconomical.
5. Farmers take maximum output from the limited land by
raising 2-3 crops in a year from the same land, i.e., multiple
cropping is practised.
Question 9.
What are the major differences between primitive subsistence
farming and commercial farming? (2013)
Answer:

Primitive Subsistence
-
Commercial Farming

-
Farming
1. In this mainly cereals
and other food crops are 1. In this, crops are mainly grown
grown by farmers to for commercial purposes.
sustain themselves.
2. It is generally done on
2. It is practiced on large pieces
small land holdings
of land on scientific and
which are economically
commercial lines.
not viable.
3. Primitive tools and
3. In this type of agriculture,
animals are used for
machines
carrying out agricultural
and modern technology are used.
activities.
4. There is higher use of modern
4. In this, modern agricultural inputs, e.g., HYV
agricultural inputs, e.g., seeds,
fertilisers and irrigation fertilisers, irrigation, etc. are used
are not widely used. to obtain higher yields and
production.
5. The degree of
5. Subsistence commercialization
Agriculture is called varies from one region to another.
Jhumming in Assam, Rice is a commercial crop in
Mizoram; Kuruwa in Punjab,
Jharkhand. while in Orissa it is subsistence
 E.g., Slash and Burn. crop.
E.g., Plantation agriculture.

Question 10.
What is the most important characteristic of commercial
farming?
Answer:
The main characteristic of commercial farming is the use of
higher doses of modern inputs, e.g., high yielding varieties seeds
(HYVs), chemical fertilizers and pesticides to increase
productivity.

-
The degree of commercialisation of agriculture varies from one
region to another.

Question 11.

-
Give an example of a crop which is commercial in one region
and provides subsistence in another. (2012)
Answer:
Rice is a commercial crop in Haryana and Punjab, while in
Odisha it is a subsistence crop.

Question 12.
Name one type of agriculture which falls in the category of
commercial agriculture. Write the main characteristics of this
type of agriculture. (2012)
Or
Write six characteristics of plantation agriculture.
Answer:
Plantation agriculture is a type of commercial farming.
Characteristics of plantation agriculture:

1. A single type of crop is grown on a large area.

2. Plantation is carried out on large estates using lot of capital
intensive units.
3. Lot of migrant labourers work on these estates.
4. The plantation has an interface of agriculture and industry.
All the produce is used as raw material in the respective
 industries.
5. The production is mainly for the market, i.e., commercial
agriculture.
6. A well developed network of transport and communication
connecting the plantation areas, processing industries and
markets plays an important role in the development of
plantations.
Question 13.
Name one horticultural plantation crop and two beverage
plantation crops and two States each which specialise in their
production respectively.
Answer:
Horticultural plantation crop is apples, mainly grown in
Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. Beverage crops:

• Tea which is mainly a plantation crop in Assam and North-

West Bengal.
• Coffee which is grown in Karnataka.
Question 14. Shikha Shokeen
Name some important plantation crops.
Answer:
Tea, coffee, rubber, sugarcane and banana are examples of some
important plantation crops.

Question 15.
Name three cropping seasons of India. Write their sowing and
harvesting time and major crops of each season.
Answer:
Rabi, Kharif and Zaid are the three cropping seasons.

I. Rabi crops (Winter crops):

These are sown in winter from October to December.
Harvested in summer from April to June.
Important crops are wheat, barley, mustard, peas, gram etc.

II. Kharif crops (Crops of the rainy season):

These are sown with the onset of monsoon (June-July) and are
harvested in September-October. Important crops are rice,
maize, millets, jowar, bajra, tur (arhar), moong, urad, cotton,
jute, groundnut and soyabean.

III. Zaid season: It is a short cropping season during summer

months (mainly between March-April and June-July in different
parts of the country).
Important crops are watermelon, musk melon, cucumber and
fodder crops, etc.

Question 16.
-
Where are rabi crops mainly grown? Describe the climatic si
conditions required for their growth.
Answer: Lo
Rabi crops such as wheat and other crops are grown mainly in
states from the north and north-western parts such as Punjab,
Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttaranchal
i
and Uttar Pradesh. Climatic conditions: Availability of
precipitation during winter months due to western temperate
cyclones help in successful growth.
The green revolution has also been an important factor in the
growth of rabi crops.

Question 17.
Name some important rice growing regions of India.
Answer:
Assam, West Bengal, Coastal regions of Orissa, Andhra
Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra etc.

Question 18.
Name three states which raise three paddy crops in a year. Name
these crops also.
Answer:
Assam, West Bengal and Orissa grow three crops in a year. The
crops are Aus, Aman and Boro.
Question 19.
(a) Which is the most important food crop of India? What is its
position in world production?
Or, Name the food crop of Kharif season. What is India’s
position in the world with regard to its production?
(b) Write the rainfall and temperature requirements for the
growth of this crop.
(c) Name four major regions of rice cultivation.
(d) Name four states which produce irrigated rice.
Answer:
(a) Rice is the most important food crop (Kharif crop) of India.
India holds second position in rice production after China.

(b) For rice cultivation, high temperature of 25°C and above and
high humidity with annual rainfall of 100 cms is required.

(c) Four major regions of rice cultivation are:

Plains of North India

•
• Plains of North-Eastern India
Shikha Shokeen
• Coastal areas
• Deltaic regions.
(d) Irrigated rice is produced in Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar
Pradesh and Rajasthan. Development of dense network of canals
and tubewells has made it possible to grow rice in these states
which receive less rainfall.

Question 20.
(a) Which is the second most important cereal crop of India?
Write the geographical conditions
required for its growth.
(b) Name two major zones of wheat growth and name six major
states of wheat production.
Answer:
(a) Wheat is the second most important cereal crop of India. It is
the main food crop.
Geographical conditions:
Shikha Shokeen
1. Cool and moist growing season.
2. Bright sunshine at the time of ripening.
3. Rainfall: 50 to 75 cm evenly distributed over the growing
season.
4. Loamy soil is best for its growth.
(b) Two important wheat growing zones in India are:

• The Ganga-Sutlej plains in the North-West and

• Black soil region of the Deccan.
The major wheat producing states are: Punjab, Haryana, Uttar
Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

Question 21.
Which is the third most important food crop of India? Name the
cropping season in which it is grown. Name four leading states
of its production.
Answer:
Jowar is the third most important food crop with respect to area
and production. It is mainly the crop of Kharif season. It is a
rainfed crop grown in moist areas.
Leading states of production are: Maharashtra, Karnataka,
Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

Question 22.
What are coarse grains? Why are they important in India? Name
the crops which are included in this category and name three
leading states producing each of these crops.
Answer:
Millets are called coarse grains. They are important because
they have high nutritional value and make an important part of
the diet for poor people.
Most important millets are as follows:

1. Ragi —Leading producer is Karnataka, followed by Tamil

 Nadu. Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Uttaranchal, Sikkim
etc are other important regions.
2. Jowar—Maharashtra is the leading producer followed by
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh.
3. Bajra—It grows well on sandy soils and shallow black soils.
Rajasthan is the largest producer followed by Uttar Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Gujarat and Haryana.
Question 23.
Write two geographical conditions required for the growth of
Ragi and write its nutritional value.
Answer:
Geographical conditions: Shikha Shokeen
• Ragi grows well in dry regions.
• It grows well on red, black, sandy, loamy and shallow black
soils.
Nutritional value: Ragi is rich in iron, calcium, other micro-
nutrients and roughage.

Question 24.
Mention two geographical conditions required for the growth of
Maize crop in India. Describe three factors which have
contributed to increase maize production. Write four major
maize producing states. (2012)
Answer:
Geographical conditions required for the growth of maize crop
in .India:

1. Itis a kharif crop which requires temperature between 21° C

to 27° C. It requires moderate rainfall between 50-100 cm.
2. It grows well in old alluvial soils.
Maize is a crop which is used both as food and fodder.
In some states like Bihar, maize is grown in rabi
season also. Maize production in India has increased
due to factors like:
3.
 • use of modern inputs such as HYV seeds;
• use of fertilisers; and
• use of irrigation facilities.
• major maize producing state: Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh,
Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
Question 25.
(a) Name three pulses each of Rabi and Kharif season. Write -
their importance for human beings and for agriculture.
(b) What is India’s position in the world with regard to the
si
production of pulses? Name five leading states producing Lo

i
pulses. (2015)
Answer:
(a) Pulses of Rabi season: Tur (arhar), urad, moong.
Pulses of Kharif season: Masur, peas, gram.
Importance of pulses:

• For agriculture. Being leguminous crops, they help in

restoring soil fertility by utilising nitrogen from the air
(nitrogen fixation). Therefore, these are mostly grown in
rotation with other crops.
• They need less moisture and survive even in dry conditions.
(b) India is the largest producer of pulses in the world.
Major pulse producing states are: Madhya Pradesh, Uttar
Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Question 26.
(a) What is India’s position in the world regarding sugarcane
production? Write the geographical conditions required for its
growth.
(b) Write the major states that produce sugarcane.
(c) Name four products obtained from sugarcane.
Answer:
(a) India is the second largest producer of sugarcane after Brazil.
Geographical conditions: It is a tropical as well as subtropical
crop.
 • It grows well in hot and humid climate.
• Temperature: 21°C to 27°C.
• Annual rainfall between 75 cm and 100 cms. Irrigation is
required in the regions of low rainfall.
• It can be grown on a variety of soils.
• It needs manual labour from sowing to harvesting.
(b) Six major states producing sugarcane are: Uttar Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar,
Punjab and Haryana.
-
(c) Sugarcane is the main source of sugar, gur (jaggery),
khandsari and molasses. -
Question 27.
(a) What percentage of the total cropped area of India is under
oilseed production? What is India’s position in the world with
regard to oilseed production?
(b) Name six oilseeds produced in India. What are their main
uses?
(c) Which oilseed constitutes 50% of the oilseeds produced in
the country? Name three major states producing this oilseed.
(d) Name three oilseeds of Kharif season and three of Rabi
season.
Answer:
(a) India is the largest producer of oilseeds in the world. 12% of
the total cropped area is under oilseed production

(b) Six major oilseeds produced in India are: Groundnut,

mustard, coconut, sesamum (til), soyabean, castor-seeds,
linseed, sunflower and cotton-seeds.
Most of these oilseeds are edible and are used as cooking
mediums.
Some are also used as raw material in the production of soap,
cosmetics and ointments.

(c) Groundnut is a Kharif crop and constitutes 50% share in the

total oilseed production. Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra are important producers of
groundnut.

(d)
Shikha Shokeen
Oilseeds of Kharif season Oilseeds of Rabi season
Groundnut Mustard
Sesamum in North India Linseed
Castor-seed Sesamum in South India
Question 28.
Write the geographical and labour conditions required for the
growth of tea.
Answer:
Geographical conditions:

1. It grows well in tropical and subtropical climates.

2. It requires deep, fertile, well drained soil, rich in humus and
organic matter.
3. It requires warm and moist frost free climate round the year.
4. Frequent showers evenly distributed through the year ensure
continuous growth of tender leaves.
5. Tea is a labour intensive industry. It requires abundant,
cheap and skilled labour.
6. It is processed within tea gardens to restore its freshness.
Question 29.
What is India’s position in the world regarding tea production?
Name three states each which produce tea in:
(i) North-Eastern India
(ii) Himalayan states/parts of the states
(iii) Peninsular States.
Answer:
India is the leading producer and exporter of tea in the world.
Three states producing tea in each of the following:

North-Eastern Himalayan Peninsular

 States Regions/States States
1. Hills of West
1. Assam 1. Tamil Nadu
Bengal
(Darjeeling &
2. Meghalaya 2. Kerala
Jalpaiguri Districts)
3. Andhra
3. Tripura 2. Himachal Pradesh
Pradesh
3. Uttaranchal
Question 30.
Which is the most important beverage crop of Southern India
and what is its percentage share in the world? Where did its -
cultivation initially start in India? Name three major states of its
production.
Answer:
Coffee is the most important beverage crop of Southern India.
-
India produces about 4% of the world’s coffee production.
Three major states which produce coffee are: Karnataka, Kerala
and Tamil Nadu, mainly in Nilgiri Hills. Initially its cultivation
started in Baba Budan Hills.

Question 31.
Name a good variety of coffee which is produced in India and
name the country from where it was initially brought. Why
Indian coffee has great international demand?
Answer:
Arabica, the good variety of coffee was originally brought from
Yemen.
Indian coffee is in great demand because this coffee is of a very
good quality.

Question 32.
What is horticulture? (2012)
Answer:
Cultivation of fruits, vegetables and flowers is called
horticulture.
Question 33.
What is India’s position in the world in the production of fruits
and vegetables? Name the different Indian fruits which are in
great demand world over and also name the states where each is
produced.
Answer:
India is the largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the
world.
Mangoes grow in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh
and West Bengal.
Bananas grow well in Kerala, Mizoram, Maharashtra and Tamil
Nadu.
Oranges grow well in Nagpur and Cherrapunjee (Meghalaya).
Lichi and Guavas grow in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Grapes grow well in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
-
Pineapple grows well in Meghalaya.
Apples, Pears, Apricots and Walnuts grow well in Jammu and
Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
-
Question 34.
Name four temperate fruits which are produced in India and
name the states which grow them in abundance.
Answer:
Four temperate crops are: apples, pears, apricots and walnuts.
Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir are the leading
producers of these temperate fruits.

Question 35.
Describe India’s position in vegetable production.
Answer:

1. India produces about 13% of the world’s vegetables.

2. It stands first in the production of peas and cauliflower.
3. It stands second in the production of onions, cabbage,
tomatoes and brinjal and stands fourth in the production of
potatoes.
Question 36.
Name three non-food crops and write three major states of their
production respectively.
Answer:
The three non-food crops are: rubber, cotton and jute.
Rubber is produced in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka,
Andaman and Nicobar islands and Garo hills of Meghalaya.
Cotton is mainly produced in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya
Pradesh.
Jute is mainly grown in West Bengal, Bihar and Assam.

Question 37.
Write the geographical conditions required for the growth of
rubber. Name the item which consumes maximum share of
rubber for its manufacture.
Answer:
Conditions: Shikha Shokeen
1. It requires hot and humid climate.
2. Rainfall – 200 cms.
3. Temperature – above 25°C.
Maximum rubber is consumed in the manufacture of auto tyres
and tubes and cycle tyres and tubes. They together consume
about 57.8% of the total rubber production.

Question 38.
Name four major fibre crops grown in India. What is
‘sericulture’?
Answer:
Cotton, jute, hemp and natural silk are the four major fibre crops
grown in India. The first three are derived directly from the
crops grown in the soil, but silk is obtained from the cocoons of
silk worms fed on mulberry leaves.
Sericulture: Rearing of silk worms for the production of silk
fibre is known as sericulture.
Question 39.
Give an account of fibre crop which is mainly grown in Deccan
Plateau region under the following heads:
(i) Its position in the world production
(ii) geographical conditions and
(iii) major states of production.
Answer:
Cotton is the fibre crop which is mainly grown in the black soil
of the Deccan Plateau region.
(i) Position. India is the 3rd largest producer of cotton in the
world.
(ii) Geographical conditions. Cotton requires:

•
•
high temperature.
light rainfall or irrigation.
Shikha Shokeen
• 210 frost-free days.
• bright sunshine for its growth.
• black cotton soil which is very good for its growth.
• It is a Kharif crop and requires 6-8 months to mature.
(iii) Major cotton producing states are. Maharashtra, Gujarat,
Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu,
Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

Question 40.
Which fibre crop is called as the ‘Golden fibre’? Which is the
most important region of its growth and why? Give one major
reason why it is losing the market now.
Answer:
Jute is known as the golden fibre.
Jute is mainly grown in West Bengal, especially in the Hooghly
Basin because there the geographical conditions favour its
growth. These conditions are:

• High temperature required during the time of growth.

• Jute grows well on well-drained fertile soils in the flood
plains where soils are renewed every year. Due to its high
 cost, it is losing market to synthetic fibres and other
packing materials particularly to nylon.
Question 41.
Name the major jute producing states and list some items or
products made out of jute.
Answer:
Jute producing states are: West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Orissa
and Meghalaya.
Jute products are: gunny bags, ropes, mats, carpets, yarns and
other ornamental artefacts.

Technological And Institutional Reforms Shikha Shokeen

Question 42.
Give the main reasons which have necessitated agricultural
reforms.
Answer:
Reforms in agriculture are necessary because of the following
reasons:

1. Sustained uses of land without compatible techno-

institutional changes have hindered the pace of agricultural
development.
2. Most of the farmers still depend on monsoons because large
parts of the country still do not have irrigation facilities.
3. Farmers still depend on natural fertility in order to carry on
their agriculture, i.e., they lack material resources, e.g.,
fertilizers, etc.
4. Ours is an agricultural economy and about 63% of people
depend on agriculture for employment and livelihood,
therefore reforms have to be implemented.
5. For raising the agricultural production and productivity
levels to produce sufficient food for the growing
population.
6. To overcome environmental, economic and social
constraints, agricultural reforms have to be seriously
 implemented.
7. The declining share in GDP is a matter of serious concern
because decline and stagnation in agriculture will lead to
decline in other spheres of economy.

-
Question 43.
What are ‘Institutional Reforms’? Enlist various institutional
reforms taken by the Indian Government to bring about
improvements in agriculture. (2015)
Answer:
Institutional reforms:
Steps taken by the government to bring about improvements in
-
agriculture are termed as ‘Institutional Reforms’.
Some steps are:

1. Collectivisation and consolidation of land holdings to make

them economically viable.
2. The green revolution based on the use of package
technology and the White Revolution to increase milk
production are important strategies which were initiated to
improve agriculture.
3. Cooperation with farmers and Abolition of Zamindari
system.
4. Provision of crop insurance to protect the farmers against
losses caused by natural calamities, i.e. drought, flood,
cyclone, fire and disease.
5. Establishment of ‘Grameen Banks’, Cooperative Societies
and Banks for providing loan facilities to the farmers at
lower rates of interest.
6. Kissan Credit Card (KCC), Personal Accident Insurance
Scheme (PAIS) are some other schemes introduced by the
government for the benefit of farmers.
7. Special weather bulletins and agricultural programmes for
farmers were introduced on the Radio and TV.
8. Announcement of minimum support price, remunerative and
procurement prices for crops to check the exploitation of
farmers by speculators and middlemen and removing the
 elements of uncertainty.
Question 44.
Describe some concerted efforts made by the government to
modernise Indian agriculture and improve its share in the GDP.
Answer:
-
The following measures have been taken by the government to si
modernise agriculture and improve its share in the GDP:
Lo
1. Establishment
(ICAR).
of Indian Council of Agricultural Research
i
2. Setting up of Agricultural Universities.
3. Development of advanced Veterinary Services and Animal
Breeding Centres.
4. Development of horticulture.
5. Research and Development in the field of meteorology and
weather forecasts, etc.
Improving the rural infrastructure is essential for the same.
Question 45.
“The contribution of agriculture to national economy is on the
decline.” Write five facts to support this statement.
Or, What is the contribution of agriculture to national economy,
employment and output? Is it declining or encouraging?
Answer:
Contribution of agriculture is showing a declining trend:

1. The share of agriculture in GDP has shown a declining trend

since 1951.
2. Yet its share in providing employment and livelihood to the
population continued to be as high as 63% in 2001.
3. Although GDP growth rate of the country is increasing, it is
not generating sufficient employment opportunities in the
country, especially in the field of agriculture.
4. Farmers are dragging away their investment from agriculture
because they have to face big challenges from international
competition. This has resulted in further downfall in
employment in agriculture.
 5. The growth rate in agriculture is decelerating which is an
alarming situation.
Question 46.
What are the challenges being faced by Indian farmers? What
has this resulted in?
Answer:
Challenges faced by Indian farmers:

1. Reduction in public investment by government in the

agricultural sector particularly in areas of irrigation, power,
rural roads, market and mechanisation.
2. Subsidy on fertilizers has decreased leading to increase in
the cost of production.
3. Reduction in import duties on agricultural products has
proved detrimental to agriculture in the country.
All these factors have led to stiff international competition.
Farmers are thus withdrawing their investment from
agriculture causing a downfall in agricultural employment.
Question 47.
Define each of the following:
(a) Green Revolution
(b) White Revolution
(c) Yellow Revolution
Shikha Shokeen
(d) Blue Revolution
(e) Gene Revolution.
Answer:
(a) Green Revolution. Agricultural Revolution which resulted in
increased production of foodgrains because of the use of HYV
(High Yielding Varieties) seeds, fertilizers, proper irrigation and
other modem inputs.
(b) White Revolution. Revolutionary increase in the production
of milk which was spearheaded by Operation Flood.
(c) Yellow Revolution. Increase in the output of oilseeds is
termed as Yellow Revolution.
(d) Blue Revolution refers to increased output of fish and fish
products.
(e) Gene Revolution refers to the development of genetically
modified seeds for increasing the yield per hectare. These seeds
are environmentally sustainable.

Question 48. Shikha Shokeen

Write four drawbacks of green revolution.
Answer:

1. Due to overuse of chemicals land degradation has taken

place.
2. Excessive irrigation caused drying of acquifers.
3. It became a cause for vanishing biodiversity.
4. It has widened the gap between poor and rich farmers
because only agriculturally rich areas have benefitted from
it and not the small farmers.
Question 49.
(a) Give four reasons why Indian farmers should switch over
from cereals to high value crops’ cultivation.
(b) What will be the implication of this change? Name three
countries which have successfully done this.
Answer:
(a) Indian farmers should switch from cereals to high value
crops because of the following reasons:

• It will improve their income.

• It will reduce environmental degradation at the same time.
• Fruits, medicinal herbs, bio-diesel crops, flowers and
vegetables need much less irrigation than rice or sugarcane.
• India’s wide variety of climates can be harnessed to grow a
wide range of high value crops.
(b) Its implications are:

• India has to import food.

• If we import food while exporting high value crops, our
economy will grow.
• Three countries which have such successful economies are:
 Chile, Israel and Italy, which export farm products (fruits,
wine, olives, speciality seeds) and import food.
·

Reference : -

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