Ch-4 Agriculture- Geography

Important Questions and answers

Learning objectives are given in the c.w

Key terms are highlighted in the textbook during lecture.

Take the print out or draw the crop table done in class in c.w as part
of assignment.

Complete the map work in the map workbook.

3 and 5 Marks Questions

Q.1 What is plantation farming? What are its main

characteristics?

Ans. The plantation is a type of commercial farming. This kind of farming a

single crop is grown on a large area. Following are its characteristics:

1. Plantation has an interface of agriculture and industry.

2. Cultivation of cash for export purpose.
3. All the produce is used as raw material in respective industries.
4. Tea, coffee, rubber, sugarcane, banana etc are important plantation crops.

Q.2 Distinguish between Subsistence and Commercial

agriculture.

Ans.

Intensive Subsistence Farming Commercial Farming

 In this kind of farming, crops are grown for
In this type of farming, crops produced by the farmers commercial purposes, i.e. for selling in the local
are mainly consumed by their families. Surplus and international markets.
production is sold in the nearby local markets.
Crops mainly grown are tea, coffee, jute etc.

Farming is mechanised and is prevalent in areas

It is labour intensive farming. where farms are large and the market economy is
well developed.

In this kind of farming, more than one crop is

Generally, one crop is cultivated.
cultivated in the agricultural field.

Wheat, cotton, sugarcane, tea and coffee etc. are

Cereals like wheat, rice and millets are etc
mainly raised.
Q.3 Distinguish between Primitive Subsistence and Intensive
Subsistence agriculture.

Primitive Subsistence Intensive Subsistence

Farmers clear, slash and burn a small piece of land

and on it grow cereals and other food crops to This type of farming is practised in areas of high
sustain themselves. population pressure on land.

Primitive tools such as hoe, digging sticks and dao Modern methods such as HYV seeds, fertilizer,
are used. chemical etc. are used.

High doses of biochemical inputs and irrigation are

No fertilizers and manures is used and land used for obtaining higher production.
productivity is low.

Q.4 Distinguish between Rabi and Kharif crop.

 Rabi Kharif

Rabi crops are sown in winter from October to . Kharif crops are sown with the onset of monsoon in
December June

These crops are harvested in summer from April to These crops are harvested in the month of September
June. and October.

Paddy, maize, jowar, tur, moong, urad, cotton, jute,

Wheat, barley, peas, gram and mustard are some
groundnut and soyabean are some of the important
major rabi crops.
crops.

. North and northwestern parts of the country are

Some of the most important rice-growing regions are
important for the growth of rabi crops.
Assam, West Bengal, coastal regions of Orissa,
Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and
Maharashtra, particularly the (Konkan coast) along
with Uttar Pradesh Bihar.

Q.5 Why are some pulses known as the leguminous crop? Why are
they grown in rotation with other crops?

Ans.

1. Maximum pulses are known as leguminous crops.

2. It helps in fixation of nitrogen.
3. Pulses are grown in rotation with other crops as they help in restoring soil
fertility by using nitrogen from the air.

Q.6 Which type of agriculture is known as slash and burn

agriculture? What is the main disadvantage of this type of farming?

Ans.

1. Shifting agriculture is known as slash and burn agriculture.

2. Such type of agriculture is harmful to the environment.
3. Due to the burning of plants and bushes, it causes pollution.
 Q.7 Explain the factor upon which the different farming practices
depends.

Ans. The types of farming practised depend on the following two factors:

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

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

Q.8 Why is agriculture important for Indian economy?

Ans.

1. Two third population of India engaged in agricultural activities.

2. Agriculture is a primitive activity, which produces most of the food that we
consume.
3. It also produces raw material for various industries like cotton, sugar and
jute industry
4. It also helps in collecting foreign exchange.

Q.9 Kerala leads in the production of rubber. Give three reasons.

Ans.

1. Rubber requires high temperature and heavy rainfall throughout the year
and Kerala has both these requirements.
2. Rubber collection is a labour oriented occupation and as such it requires
cheap labour and it is easily available in Kerala.
3. It is a tropical crop and Kerala lies near the equator.

Q.10 Why has Indian agriculture started a declining trend in food

production? Explain with any three reasons.

Ans.

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

2. The quality of our products is not able to compete with those of the
developed countries.
3. Subsidy on fertilizers, pesticides and HYV has been decreased, it leads to an
increase in the production cost.
 Q.11 Write briefly about the movement started by Vinoba Bhave
known as a Bloodless revolution?

Ans.

1. Vinobha Bhave introduced voluntary redistribution of farm-lands to poor

landless farmers for their economic well-being.
2. 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.
3. This act was known as Bhoodan and many landowners chose to provide
some part of their land to the poor farmers due to the land ceiling act. This
Bhoodan and Gramdan movement initiated by Vinobha Bhave is also known
as the Bloodless Revolution.

Q.12 What do you know about Green Revolution?

Ans. Green Revolution is a phrase used to describe the tremendous

increase in the production of food grains like wheat and rice in India.

1. It has been caused by the large-scale use of a high yielding variety of seeds
and development of surface and groundwater irrigation systems.
2. Large-scale use of fertilizers, insecticides, and pesticides, land reforms,
rural electrification and farm mechanization has caused Green revolution.

Q.13 Which is the staple crop for the 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 the majority of the population.
2. Climate: Paddy is a tropical crop and grows well in the wet monsoon.
3. Temperature: Above 25o 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 the 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
 Q.14 Which is the second most important cereal crop? What are
the Geographical conditions required for its growth? Name the
major areas of its production.

Or

Why is wheat mainly grown in Punjab? Give three reasons.

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.

Or

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

2. The dry sunny warm climate at the time of ripening is also found in Punjab.
3. The fertile alluvial soil is found there.

Q.15 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 because they have very high nutritional value
and generally consumed by rural people.

1. Jowar: Maharashtra is the largest producer of jowar followed by Karnataka,

Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
2. Bajra: Rajasthan is the largest producer of bajra followed by Uttar Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Haryana.
3. Ragi: Karnataka is the largest producer of ragi followed by Tamil Nadu.
 Q.16 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 20o C to 30o
5. Rainfall: 150 to 300 cm annual rainfall is required. High humidity and
frequent showers evenly distributed throughout the year are good for the
rapid development of tender leaves.

Main tea producing states Assam and West Bengal.

Q.17 Explain the favourable temperature, rainfall and soil

conditions required for the growth of coffee. Name the leading
Coffee producing states.

Ans.

1. Introduction: It is the 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: 15o C and 28o
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.

Q.18. 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

1. Mangoes – Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

2. Oranges – Nagpur and Cherrapunjee (Meghalaya),
3. Bananas– Kerala, Mizoram, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu,
4. Lichi and guava– Uttar Pradesh and Bihar,
5. Pineapples – Meghalaya,
6. Grapes – Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra
7. 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

Q.19 What are the four important fibre crops of India? Describe
any one of them.

Ans. four important fibre crops of India are Cotton, Jute, Hemp and Natural
silk.

Cotton:-

1. India is the third largest producer of cotton in the world.

2. Cotton grows well in the drier parts of the black cotton soil of the Deccan
plateau.
3. It requires high temperature, light rainfall or irrigation, 210-frost-free days
and bright sunshine for its growth.
4. It is Kharif crop and requires 6 to 8 months to mature.
5. Major Cotton producing states are Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh,
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar
Pradesh.

Q.20 Which crop is known as golden fibre? What are the

Geographical conditions required for its growth? Name the major
areas of its production.

Ans.
1. Jute is known as the golden fibre. 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 floodplains. 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.

Q.21 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. Maize is a crop which is used both as food and fodder. It is a Kharif crop.
2. Climate: 140 frost free days
3. Soil Type: It grows well in old alluvial soil.
4. Temperature: It requires temperature between 21o C to 27o C .
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 increased production of maize. Major
maize producing states are Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar.

Q.22 Name the crop which is the main source of Sugar and Gur?
What are the Geographical conditions required for its growth? Name
the major areas of its production?

Ans.

1. 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 a tropical and sub-
tropical crop.
2. Climate: It grows well in hot and humid climate.
3. Soil Type: it can be grown well on a variety of soils.
4. Temperature: Temperature requirement is 21 degree C to 27 degree C .
5. Rainfall: Annual rainfall between 75 cm and 100 cm.
6. Areas of Cultivation: The major sugarcane producing states are Uttar
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar,
Punjab and Haryana.

Q.21 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 a true sense.
2. Maximum farmers are not aware of the modern farming techniques.
3. Indian farmers use fertilizers. Use of these fertilizers and pesticides has
increased and large areas have been brought under a 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 significant role in various kinds of agricultural
operations.

Q.22 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 the 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
5. Reduction in import duties on agricultural products.
6. Withdrawal of investments by farmers from agriculture resulting in
reducing employment in agriculture.

Q.23 What are the efforts made by the government to modernize

agriculture in India?

Ans.

1. Establishment of Indian Council of Agricultural Research centre.

2. In the 1980s and 1990s, a comprehensive land development program was
initiated, which include both institutional and technical reforms.
3. Provision for crop insurance against drought, flood, cyclone, fire and
disease.
4. Kissan Credit Card, Personal Accident Insurance schemes introduced by the
Government.
5. Establishment of Agricultural universities.
6. Establishment of Veterinary services and animal breeding centres.
7. Initiating Research and development in the field of meteorology and
weather forecast,
8. Improving the rural infrastructure.