AGRICULTURE

Q1) What are some characteristics of the Agriculture practiced in India?

i) Agriculture is an age-old economic activity in India.
ii) About 2/3rd of the population is engaged in agricultural activities.
iii) Over the years, cultivation methods have changed significantly depending
on environmental factors, technological know-how, and socio-cultural
practices.
Q2) Give a note on Primitive Subsistence farming.
i) This type of farming is still practiced in some places in India.
ii) It is practiced on small patches of land with the help of primitive tools, such
as a hoe, digging stick, family/community labour, etc.
iii) This type of farming depends on monsoon, natural fertility of the soil and
other environmental conditions for the crops to be grown.
iv) Land productivity in this type of farming is less as farmers do not use
fertilizers or other modern inputs.
Q3) What are the different names in which primitive subsistence farming is
called internationally?
i) Primitive subsistence farming is called differently in different parts of the
world, some examples;
- Mexico and Central America- Milpa
- Brazil- Roca
- Venezuela- Conuco
- Central Africa- Masole
- Indonesia-Ladang
- Vietnam- Ray
Q4) What are the different names in which primitive subsistence farming goes by
in different parts of India?
i) In India, the Primitive form of cultivation is called;
- Northeastern states: Jhumming
- Manipur- Pamlou
- Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, and Andaman Nicobar Islands- Dipa
- Madhya Pradesh: Bewar or Dahiya
- Andhra Pradesh: Podu or Penda
- Odissa: Koman, Bringa or Pama Dabi
- Western Ghats: Kumari
- Southeastern Rajasthan- Valre or Waltre
- Himalayan belt- Khil
- Jharkhand- Kuruwa
Q5) What is slash-and-burn agriculture?
i) Primitive type of farming is also a slash-and-burn type of agriculture.
ii) Farmers clear a patch of land for cultivating cereals and other food crops, to
sustain their families.
iii) After the soil fertility of that area decreases, they move to another area to
clear for cultivation.
iv) This allows nature to replenish the soil fertility through natural processes.
Q6) State characteristics of Intensive subsistence farming.
i) This type of farming is practiced in high-population areas.
ii) It is labor-intensive farming, where high doses of biochemical inputs and
irrigation are used for higher production.
iii) Subsistence farming is practiced in areas such as West Bengal, Kerala, and
Tamil Nadu.
iv) Division of land based on inheritance has resulted in uneconomically small
plot sizes for individual farmers.
v) Yet, they take the maximum output from their limited land, due to lack of
alternate sources of livelihood.
Q7) State characteristics of commercial farming.
i) The main characteristic of this type of farming, is the use of high dosages of
modern outputs, such as HYV seeds, chemical fertilizers, pesticides,
insecticides, etc. to obtain higher productivity.
ii) The degree of commercialization varies from one region to another.
iii) For example, rice is a commercial crop in Punjab and Haryana, but it is
considered a subsistence crop in Odisha.
Q8) What is Plantation farming? What are some important plantation crops and
where are they grown?
i) Plantation farming is also a type of commercial farming.
ii) A single crop is grown in a large area.
iii) With the use of capital-intensive inputs, and with the help of migrant
workers, plantations cover wide tracts of land.
iv) It is a mix of both agriculture and industry.
v) In India, tea, coffee, rubber, sugarcane, etc. are some important plantation
crops.
vi) Tea is grown in Assam and North Bengal, while coffee is widely grown in
Karnataka.
Q9) Why does plantation farming require a wide network of transportation?
i) Since the production of plantation crops is mainly done for the market, a
wide network of transport and communication is required.
ii) Processing industries and market plays an important role in the production
of plantations.
Q10) Differentiate between Rabi, Kharif, and Zaid crops.
i) In India, there are three cropping seasons, Rabi Kharif and Zaid.
RABI CROPS
i) These crops are sown in winter from October- December.
ii) They are harvested in summer from April to June.
iii) Some important rabi crops are Wheat, barley, gram, peas, mustard, etc.
iv) These crops are grown in the north and northwestern parts of India, such as;
- Himachal Pradesh
- Uttar Pradesh
- Punjab, Haryana
- Jammu Kashmir
- Uttarakhand
v) Availability of precipitation in winter due to the western temperate
cyclones helps in the growth of the crops.
vi) The Green Revolution has also played an important role in the growth of
rabi crops in the states of Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, and parts
of Rajasthan.
KHARIF CROPS
i) These crops are grown in the onset of the monsoon season in various parts
of the country.
ii) They are harvested from September to October.
iii) Some kharif crops are paddy, maize, jowar, bajra, groundnut, cotton, jute,
tur (arhar) moong, soyabean, etc.
iv) They are grown in regions of:
- Assam
- West Bengal
- Odisha
- Andhra Pradesh
- Telangana
- Tamil Nadu
- Kerala, etc.
v) In states like Assam, Punjab, and Haryana, three types of paddy crops are
grown, known as Aus, Aman, and Boro.
 ZAID CROPS
i) In the short summer season, Zaid crops are grown.
ii) Zaid crops are Watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber, vegetables, and fodder
crops.
iii) Sugarcane takes almost a year to grow.
Q11) Describe the cultivation of rice.
i) Rice is a staple food crop in India.
ii) India is the 2nd largest producer of rice after China.
iii) It is a Kharif crop.
iv) It requires high temperature (above 25C) and high humidity.
v) Rainfall has to be above 100 cm.
vi) The development of canal irrigation and tubewells have made it possible
to grow rice in places of low rainfall.
vii) Rice is grown in the north and northeastern India, in coastal areas and
deltaic regions.
Q12) Describe the cultivation of wheat.
i) Wheat is the second most important cereal crop.
ii) It is the main food crop in the north and northwestern parts of the country.
iii) It is a rabi crop.
iv) It requires cool temperature and a rainfall of 50-75 cm.
v) It requires bright sunshine at the time of ripening.
Q13) What are the two most important wheat zones in India?
i) Ganga-Satluj plains in the northwest.
ii) Black soil region in the Deccan.
Q14) What are the major wheat-producing states?
i) Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan.
Q15) What are the most important millets grown in India?
i) The most important millets grown in India are the Jowar, Bajra and Ragi
millets.
ii) They are also known as course crops, but they have high nutritional value.
iii) Ragi is rich in iron and calcium, as well as other micronutrients and
roughage.
Q16) How and where is Jowar grown?
i) Jowar is the third most important food crop with respect to area and
production.
ii) It is a rain-fed crop grown in moist areas.
iii) Most jowar-producing states are; Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
and Madhya Pradesh.
17) How and where is Bajra grown?
i) Bajra grows on sandy soils and shallow black soils.
ii) Major Bajra-producing states are Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Gujarat, and Haryana.
Q18) How and where is Ragi grown?
i) It is a crop of dry regions and grows well on red, black, sandy, loamy and
shallow black soils.
ii) Major ragi-producing states are Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh,
Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Jharkhand and Arunachal Pradesh.
Q19) Describe the cultivation of Maize
i) It is used for food and fodder.
ii) It is a kharif crop.
iii) It requires a temperature between 21-27 C.
iv) It grows well in alluvial soil.
v) In some states, such as Bihar, it can be grown in the rabi season as well.
vi) The use of modern inputs such as HYV seeds, fertilizers and irrigation has
contributed to the increased production of maize.
Q20) What are the major maize-producing states?
i) Major maize-producing states are; Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar
Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Q20) Describe the cultivation of pulses.
i) India is the largest producer as well as consumer of pulses in the world.
ii) They are a major source of protein.
iii) Major pulses grown in India are tur (arhar), urad, moong, masur, peas and
gram.
iv) Pulses need less moisture and can survive in dry conditions.
v) As they are leguminous crops, these crops (except arhar) can help restore
soil fertility by fixing nitrogen in the air.
Q21) What are the major pulse-producing states?
i) Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka.
Q22) Describe the cultivation of sugar cane.
i) It is a tropical as well as a subtropical crop.
ii) It grows well in hot and humid climate, with a temperate of 21-27C.
iii) It needs an annual rainfall between 75cm and 100 cm.
iv) It can be grown on a variety of soils.
v) It requires manual labour from sowing to harvesting.
vi) India is the second largest producer of sugar cane after Brazil.
Q23) What is sugar cane a main source for? What are its main producing states?
i) It is the main source for sugar, molasses, jaggary, and khandsari.
ii) Its main producing states are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil
Nadu, Andra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Punjab, and Hariyana.
Q24) Describe the cultivation of Oil seeds.
i) In 2018, India was the second largest producer of groundnut in the world
after China.
ii) In rapeseed production, India is the third largest producer in the world after
China and Canada. (2018)
iii) Different oil seeds are grown covering 12% of the total cropped area in the
country.
Q25) What are the main oilseeds produced in India? What are they used for?
What seasons are they grown in?
i) The main oil seeds produced in India are; Groundnut, mustard, coconut,
sesamum (til), soyabean, castor seeds, cotton seeds, linseeds, and
sunflowers.
ii) Most of these oilseeds are edible and used for cooking.
iii) However, some of them are also used in the soap industry and for making
cosmetics.
iv) Groundnut is a kharif crop, it accounts for half of the total oilseeds
produced in India.
v) Linseed and mustard  Rabi crops
vi) SesamumKharif crop in the north and Rabi crop in the south.
vii) Castor seed both as rabi and Kharif
Q26) Which are the major ground nut-producing states in the country?
i) Gujarat was the largest producer of ground nut followed by Rajasthan and
Tamil Nadu in 2019-20.
Q27) Give a short note on tea cultivation.
i) Tea cultivation is an example of plantation agriculture.
ii) It is an important beverage crop that was introduced to India by the British.
iii) Today, most of the tea plantations are owned by Indians.
iv) It is a labour-intensive industry.
v) It requires abundant, cheap, and skilled labour.
vi) In 2018, India was the second largest producer of tea after China.
Q28) What are the conditions needed to cultivate tea crops?
i) Tea plant is grown in tropical and sub-tropical climates.
ii) It needs deep and fertile, well-drained soil, that is rich in humus and other
organic matter.
iii) Tea bushes require a warm and moist frost-free climate throughout the year.
iv) Frequent rain showers ensure continuous growth of tender leaves.
Q29) What are the major tea-producing states?
i) Assam, hills of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts, West Bengal, Tamil
Nadu, and Kerala.
ii) Apart from these, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Andra
Pradesh and Tripura are also tea-producing states.
Q30) Describe the cultivation of coffee.
i) Indian coffee is known for its good quality.
ii) The Arabica variety, brought from Yemen, is produced in the country.
iii) This variety is in great demand all over the world.
iv) Its cultivation started in Baba Budan Hills.
v) Today, its cultivation is continued in the Nilgiri in Karnataka, Kerala, and
Tamil Nadu.
Q31) Describe the cultivation of horticulture crops.
i) In 2018, India was the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in
the world after China.
ii) India is a producer of tropical as well as temperate fruits.
Q32) List the major horticulture fruits in India.
i) Mangoes Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and
West Bengal
ii) OrangesNagpur and Cherrapunjee (Meghalaya)
iii) Bananas Kerala, Mizoram, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu.
iv) Lichi and Guava Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
v) Pineapples Meghalaya
vi) GrapesAndhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra.
vii) Apples, pears, apricots, and walnuts Jammu Kashmir and Himachal
Pradesh.
Q33) What are the major vegetables grown in India?
i) India is an important producer of peas, cauliflower, onions, tomatoes,
cabbages, brinjal and potatoes.
Q34) Describe the cultivation of rubber.
i) Rubber is an equatorial crop, but it can also be grown in tropical and
subtropical weather.
ii) It requires moist and humid climate, with rainfall of more than 200 cm.
iii) Temperate should be above 25C.
iv) Rubber is an important raw material.
v) It is mainly grown in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andaman and
Nicobar Islands, as well as the Garo hills of Meghalaya.
Q35) What are the major fibre crops in the country?
i) The major fibre crops grown are: Cotton, jute, hemp and natural silk.
ii) Natural silk is obtained from cocoons of silkworms, fed on mulberry.
iii) Rearing of silkworms for the production of silk is known as sericulture.
Q36) Describe the cultivation of cotton.
i) India is believed to be the original home of the cotton plant.
ii) Cotton is one of the main raw materials for the cotton textile industry.
iii) In 2017, India was the second largest producer of cotton after China.
Q37) What are the conditions in which cotton grows?
i) It is grows in drier parts of black soil in the Deccan plateau.
ii) It requires high temperature, light rainfall and 210 frost free days.
iii) It requires bright sunshine for its growth.
iv) It is a Kharif crop and requires 6-8 months to mature.
Q38) What are the major cotton-producing states?
i) Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh,
Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
Q39) Why is jute known as the golden fibre?
i) Jute is known as golden fibre for its many uses.
ii) It grows in well-drained fertile soils.
iii) High temperature is required during the time of growth.
iv) Its uses are for making gunny bags, mats, ropes, carpets, yarn, and other
artifacts.
Q40) What are the major jute-producing states?
i) West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha and Meghalaya.
Q41) Why is Jute losing its market?
i) Jute is losing its market due to its high cost as well as the introduction of
cheaper synthetic fibres and packing materials, such as nylon.
Q42) Why do we need technological and institutional reforms for agriculture?
i) Sustained uses of land without compatible technological and institutional
reforms have hindered agricultural development.
ii) Most farmers in large parts of the country still depend upon monsoon and
natural fertility for carrying on with the growth season.
iii) For a growing population, this is a challenge.
iv) Agriculture provides livelihood for more than 60 percent of the population,
hence technical and institutional reforms are a must-have.
Q43) Mention the measures taken by the government to improve agricultural
production.
i) The laws of land reforms were enacted but implementation was lacking.
ii) The government of India introduced many agricultural reforms to improve
agriculture in the 1960s and 70s.
iii) The Green revolution was based on the usage of package technology, as
well as the White revolution were some of the strategies that were
implemented.
iv) However, development only occurred in some selected areas.
 v) Hence in the 1980s and 1990s, a comprehensive land development
programme was initiated, which had both institutional and technical
reforms.
- Provision for crop insurance against drought, flood, cyclone, fire, and
disease.
- Establishment of Grameen banks, cooperative societies, and banks in
general for providing loan facilities that offered low interest to farmers.
Q44) What were some schemes brought by the government?
i) Kissan Credit Card (KCC), and Personal Accident Insurance Scheme, are
some other schemes introduced by the government.
ii) Special weather bulletins and agricultural programs were also introduced
through radio and television.
iii) The government also announced minimum support prices and
remunerative and procurement prices for important crops.
iv) This was done to check the exploitation of farmers by speculators and
middlemen.