Agriculture
Q1.) Define the term ‘agriculture’
Ans- the science or practice of cultivating soil and rearing animals is known as
agriculture.
Q2.) What is called Jhumming cultivation in Madhya Pradesh ?
Ans- The jhumming cultivation in Madhya Pradesh is called ‘ Bewar’ or ‘Dahiya’
Q3.) Name the states of India where intensive subsistence farming is practiced
Ans- With increasing population, the pressure on land is continuously increasing.
Therefore, in all the densely populated states of India intensive cultivation has become a
norm eg. in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.
Q4.)what is the main characteristic of commercial agriculture?
Ans- The main characteristic of commercial farming is the use of higher doses of modern
inputs like HYV seeds, commercial fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides in order to
obtain higher productivity.
Q5.) give an example of a crop which may be commercial in one region and may provide
subsistence crop in another region.
Ans- rice is a commercial crop in Haryana and Punjab, but in Orissa it is a subsistence
crop
Q6.) What is meant by leguminous plants?
Ans- leguminous plants are those plants that help to restore the fertility of the soil as their
small nodes absorb nitrogen from the air and fix it into the soil. All pulses are
leguminous.
Q7.) what is sericulture?
Ans – the rearing of silk worms for the production of silk is called sericulture
Q8.) what is horticulture?
Ans- intensive cultivation of fruits, flowers and vegetables for the commercial purpose is
known as horticulture
Q9.) Name the short cropping season practiced in india. And name some crops grown in
this period.
Ans- Zaid is the season and watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber, vegetables and fodder
crops are grown in this season.
Q10.) What is called as the ‘golden fiber’ of India? What is its importance?
Ans- Jute is called the golden fiber of India and it is used to make gunny bags, mats,
ropes and yarns
Q11.) Name the important millets grown in this area.
Ans- Jowar, bajra and ragi are the important millets grown In India.
Q12.) Why is there enormous pressure on agricultural land in intensive subsistence
farming?
Ans- The right of inheritance leading to the division of land among successive
generations has rendered land – holding size uneconomical. The famers continue to take
maximum output from the limited land in the absence of alternative sources of livelihood.
Thus there is enormous pressure on agricultural land.
Q13.) Which is the most classic example of plantation crop grown in India? Name its 2
major producing states.
Ans- tea is the most classic example of plantation crop grown in India. Its 2 major
planting states are Assam and West Bengal.
Q14.) Which variety of coffee is mainly grown in India?
Ans- Arabica coffee is mainly grown in India.
Q15.) What is the other name for white revolution?
Ans- Operation flood is the other name for white revolution.
Q16.) Name the 4 major fiber crops grown in India.
And- Cotton, jute, hemp and natural silk are the 4 major fiber crops in India. The first 3
are derived from the crops grown in the soil, the latter is obtained from cocoons of the
silkworms fed on green leaves specially mulberry
Q17.) What is India’s rank among the worlds rubber production?
Ans- India is ranked 5th among the worlds rubber production
Q18.) What was the main focus of the first 5 year plan for agriculture?
Ans- Land reforms was the main focus of the first 5 year plan for agriculture.
Q19.) What is the position of India among the world’s rice producer?
Ans – our country is the 3nd largest producer of rice in the world after china.
Q20.) Name the cereal crop of India which is used both as a food and fodder
Ans- Maize is the cereal crop of India which is used both as a food and fodder.
Q21.) How is the agriculture important for Indian economy?
Ans- india is an agriculturally important country.
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Employment – 2/3 of the population is engaged in agricultural activities so it is
the main source for livelihood.
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Food security – agriculture is a primary activity, which produces most of the food
that we consume.
Raw material – it also provides raw material for various industries eg. paper
industry, textile industry.
Export- some agricultural products like tea, coffee, spices etc are also exported
and our country earns a good amount of income through it.
Q23.) Write differences b/w rabi and kharif season
RABI
KHARIF
1.)Rabi crops are sown in winter
From October to December and
Harvested in summer from April and June.
1.) Kharif crops are grown with the
onset of monsoon in different
Parts of the country and these
Are harvested in September
And October
2.) Some of the important rabi crops are wheat,
barley, peas, gram and mustard
2.)Important crops grown during
this season are paddy, maize,
jowar, bajra, tur, mong, urad,
cotton, jute, groundnut and
soybean
3.) States from the north and north –western parts
such as Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh,
Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and Uttranchal
are important for the production of wheat and
other rabi crops.
3.) Important rice growing region
are Assam, Coastal region of
Orrisa, Andhra Pradesh,
Tamil Nadu, Kerela,
Maharashtra, Utter Pradesh
and Bihar
Q24.) Distinguish between subsistence and commercial agriculture
Ans= The differences are :SUBSISTENCE AGRICULTURE
1.) Subsistence agriculture is practiced on
small patches of land with the help of
primitive tools like doe, hoe and digging
sticks.
2.) Farmers and his family produce cereals
for themselves and for the local market.
It is labour intensive where most of the
activities are done by family community
labour.
3.) It is practiced in thickly populated areas
COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE
1.) commercial agriculture is done on
large scale with the use of huge
doses of modern inputs eg- HYV
Seeds, chemical fertilizers,
insecticides and pesticides.
2.) crops are grown with a view to
export them to other countries. It is
capital intensive where much of the
Work is done with the help of
machines.
3.) It is practiced in sparsely
populated areas.
4.) Cereals like wheat, rice, millets are mainly 4.) Wheat, cotton, sugarcane etc are
raised
mainly raised
Q25.) Write important features of plantation agriculture?
Ans= Important features of plantation agriculture are :
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Plantation is a type of commercial farming. In this type of farming, a single crop
is grown on a large area
The plantation has an interface of agriculture and industry plantation cover large
tracts of land, using capital intensive inputs, with the help of migrant laborers.
All the produce is used as raw material in respective industries. Since the
production is mainly for markets, a well developed network of transport and
communication connecting the plantation areas, processing industries and markets
play an important role in the development of plantations.
In India tea, coffee, rubber, sugarcane and banana etc. are important plantation
crops.
Q 26.) Explain the technological and institutional reforms introduced by the government
to improve the agricultural production in India..
Ans = in the 1980’s and 1990’s a comprehensive land development programme was
initiated, which included both institutional and technical reforms
Technological reforms : Highyielding and early maturing seeds are developed. They are now being
increasingly used to raise productivity.
 Chemical fertilizers are being used on a large scale to increases farm yields and
productivity. They are now being supplemented by bio fertilizers which greatly
add to the fertility of the soil.
 Irrigation methods- the flooding of water is now being replaced by drip- irrigation
and the use of sprinklers.
 The water pump replaced the Persian wheel, the plough by tiller and harrow
drawn by the tractor, the bullock cart by truck
Institutional reforms :
A.)
B.)
LAND REFORMS – it was the main focus of our ‘first five year plan’.
The right of inheritance had already lead to fragmentation of land holidays
necessitating consolidation of land holdings.
Consolidation of land holidays - the government took the step of
promoting consolidation of small and scattered holdings through
chakbandi. The larger plots have become economically more productive.
They save farmer’s time, money and energy.
Abolition of zamindari – zamindari system was abolished. Farmers
became land owners. Earlier cultivated land was owned by the zamindars
who themselves did not cultivate the land, instead they exploited the actual
cultivators. On becoming the owners of the land, the peasants took
cultivation seriously. Agriculture production started increasing.
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Provision for crop insurance – provision for crop insurance against
drought, flood, cyclone, fire, and disease was another step to provide
protection to the farmers against losses caused by these calamities.
Loan facilities – grameen banks, cooperative societies and banks for
providing loan facilities to the farmers at lower rates of interest were
some important steps in this direction.
Special bulletins and agricultural programme – special weather
bulletins and agricultural programme for farmers were introduced on
the radio and TV.
Minimum support price – the government also announces minimum
support price, remunerative and procurement prices for important
crops to check the exploitation of farmers by speculators and middle
men.
OTHER SCHEMES – kisan credit card, personal accident insurance scheme are some
other schemes introduced by the government of India for the benefit of farmers.
Q 27.) What are the concerted efforts made by the government of India to modernize
agriculture?
Ans- Considering the importance of agriculture in India, the government of India made
concerted efforts to modernize agriculture:
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Establishment of Indian council of agricultural research and agricultural
universities.
Providing veterinary services and animal breeding centers
Horticulture development.
Research and development in the field of meteorology and weather forecast were
given priority for improving Indian agriculture
Apart from this, improving the rural infrastructure was considered essential for
the same.
Q28.) Why are farmers in india withdrawing their investment from agriculture
Ans- Farmers are withdrawing their investment from agriculture for the following
reasons:
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Today, Indian farmers are facing a big challenge from international competition
Our government is going ahead with reduction in the public investment in
agriculture sector particularly in irrigation, power, rural roads, market and
mechanization.
Subsidy on fertilizer is decreased leading to increase in the cost of production.
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Moreover, reduction in import duties on agriculture products have proved
detrimental to agriculture in the country.
Q29.) Write short notes on horticulture.
Ans- India is the largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world. India is a
producer of tropical as well as temperate fruits. India is well known for: Mangoes of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
 Oranges of kerela,Mizoram, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
 Lichi and guava of Utter Pradesh and Bihar.
 Pineapples of Meghalaya.
 Grapes of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra
 Apples, pears, apricots and walnuts of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal
Pradesh.
There is a great demand of these the world over. India produces about 13% of the world’s
vegetable. It is an important producer of pea, cauliflower, onion, cabbage, tomato, Brinjal
and potato.