Agriculture: Topic-1

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CHAPTER

AGRICULTURE
Syllabus
 Agriculture: Types of farming, major crops, cropping pattern, technological and institutional
reforms; their impact; contribution of Agriculture to national economy-employment and output.
Note: Content of pg no. 44-47 of NCERT Textbook is to be deleted.

TOPIC-1
Types of Farming, Cropping Pattern and Major Crops

Quick Review
¾ Agriculture is a primary activity, two-thirds of India’s population is engaged in agricultural activities.
¾ Since agriculture is an age-old economic activity in India, farming varies from subsistence to commercial type.
¾ At present, in different parts of India, the following farming systems are practised :
l Primitive subsistence farming : It is practised on small patches
of land with the help of primitive tools like hoe, dao and digging
sticks. It depends upon monsoon, natural fertility of the soil and TOPIC - 1
suitability of other environmental conditions to the crops grown. Types of Farming, Cropping Pattern
and Major Crops
l Intensive subsistence farming : This type of farming is practised ... P. 154
in areas of high population pressure on land. It is done where high
doses of biochemical inputs and irrigation are used for obtaining TOPIC - 2
higher production. Technological and Institutional
Reforms ... P. 160
l Commercial farming : The main characteristic of this type of
farming is the use of higher doses of modern inputs e.g., high
yielding variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilisers, insecticides and pesticides in order to obtain higher
productivity.
¾ India has three Cropping Seasons Rabi, Kharif and Zaid.
¾ 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.
¾ Rabi : It starts with the beginning of winter and continues till the beginning of summer (October-December to
April-June). The rabi crops include wheat, barley, gram and oilseeds.
¾ Zaid : This is a short crop season in between the rabi and the kharif season. Crops like watermelons, muskmelons,
cucumber, some vegetables and fodder crops are the major crops.
¾ Major crops grown in India are rice, wheat, millets, pulses, tea, coffee, sugarcane, oilseeds, cotton, and jute.
¾ Jowar, bajra and ragi are the important millets grown in India. Through, these are known as coarse grains,
they have very high nutritional value. For example, ragi is very rich in iron, calcium, other micronutrients and
roughage.
¾ India is the largest producer as well as the consumer of pulses in the world. These are the major source of protein
in a vegetarian diet.
¾ Major pulses that are grown in India are tur (arhar), urad, moong, masur, peas and gram.
¾ India is the largest producer of oilseeds in the world. Main oil-seeds produced in India are groundnut, mustard,
coconut, sesamum (til), soyabean, castor seeds, cotton seeds, linseed and sunflower. Most of these are edible and
used as cooking mediums.
AGRICULTURE [ 155

¾¾ Horticulture is the science and art of growing plants (fruits, vegetables, flowers, and any other cultivar). India
is the largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world. India is a producer of tropical as well as temperate
fruits.
¾¾ India produces about 13 percent of the world’s vegetables. It is an important producer of pea, cauliflower, onion,
cabbage, tomato, brinjal and potato.
¾¾ The non-food crops grown in India are rubber, fibre crops, cotton, jute, etc.
¾¾ Cotton, jute, hemp and natural silk are the four major fibre crops grown in India.
¾¾ Jute is known as the golden fibre. Due to its high cost, it is losing market to synthetic fibres and packing materials,
particularly the nylon.
¾¾ Sericulture, or silk farming, is the cultivation of silkworms to produce silk.

Know the Terms


¾¾ Agriculture : Agriculture is the cultivation and breeding of animals, plants and fungi for food, fiber, biofuel,
medicinal plants and other products used to sustain and enhance life.
¾¾ Primitive Subsistence Farming : Farming on small patch of land with the help of primitive tools such as hoe, dao
and digging sticks and family or community labour.
¾¾ Intensive Subsistence Farming : Increase in the agricultural production by using scientific methods and better
agricultural inputs.
¾¾ Plantation Farming : Plantation agriculture is a form of commercial farming where crops are grown for profit.
¾¾ Commercial Farming : Farming in which the farmer grows the crops with the sole aim of selling the produce for
commercial purpose.
¾¾ Sericulture : Sericulture, or silk farming, is the rearing of silkworms for the production of raw silk.
¾¾ Horticulture : Horticulture is the science and art of growing and caring for plants, especially flowers, fruits, and
vegetables.
¾¾ Jhumming : Jhum cultivation, also known as the slash and burn agriculture, is the process of growing crops by
first clearing the land of trees and vegetation and burning them thereafter.
¾¾ Rabi : The rabi crops are sown around mid-November, after the monsoon rains are over, and harvesting begins in
April/May. The major rabi crop in India is wheat, followed by barley, mustard, sesame and peas.
¾¾ Kharif : Crops are grown with the onset of monsoon and harvested at the beginning of winters.
¾¾ Zaid : A short cropping season in between the Rabi and the Kharif seasons used for growing vegetables and
fodder crops.
¾¾ Millets : Millets are a group of highly variable small-seeded grasses, widely grown around the world as cereal
crops or grains for fodder and human food. Jowar, bajra and ragi are called millets. These are known as coarse
grains.
¾¾ Crop Rotation : Crop rotation is the practice of growing a series of dissimilar or different types of crops in the
same area in sequenced seasons.

Know the Links


¾¾ www.indiastat.com/agriculture/2/stats.aspx
¾¾ www.momagri.org/UK/focus-on-issues/Agriculture-in-India-Both-Weak

Very Short Answer Type Questions (1 mark each)

A Q. 1. Name the crop for which India is the largest U Q. 3. Describe ‘Jhumming cultivation’ in one sen-
producer in the world. tence. [Board Term-I, Set (6HTQGTF) 2016-17]
Ans. Fruits and vegetables. 1 Ans. Jhumming cultivation is an agricultural system
A Q. 2. By which name is specialized cultivation of fruits in which plots of land are cultivated temporarily,
and vegetables known? then abandoned and allowed to revert to their
[Board Term-I, Set (OEQL2HT) 2016-17] natural vegetation while the cultivator moves on
to another plot. 1
Ans. Horticulture. (CBSE Marking Scheme 2016) 1
(CBSE Marking Scheme 2016)
156 ] Oswaal CBSE Question Bank, SOCIAL SCIENCE, Class – X

R Q. 4. By which other name is ‘slash and burn’ Ans. Plantation agriculture. 1


agriculture known? [Board Term-I, KVS-2014] A Q. 13. Name some plantation crops.
Ans. Primitive subsistence farming/Jhumming. Ans. Tea, coffee, rubber, sugarcane and banana. 1
(Any one) 1 U Q. 14. Which type of farming is intensive subsistence
A Q. 5. In which country the ‘slash and burn’ agriculture farming?
is known as ‘Roca’? Ans. Labour intensive farming. 1
Ans. Brazil. 1 U Q. 15. Which two areas of India produce oranges
U Q. 6. Hoe, dao, digging sticks are associated with mainly?
which type of farming ? Ans. Oranges in India are mainly grown in the States
Ans. Primitive subsistence farming. 1 of Maharashtra particularly in Nagpur, Assam,
A Q. 7. Which is the leading coffee producer state in Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Madhya
India? [Board Term-I,Set (CB4QHT1 & Pradesh. 1
A Q. 16. Which country is the largest producer of rice?
NLTM8TU) 2016-17]
Ans. China. 1
Ans. Karnataka. 1 U Q. 17. India is the largest producer as well as consumer
(CBSE Marking Scheme 2016) of which agricultural product in the world?
A Q. 8. Which crop is grown with the onset of monsoons [Board Term-I, DDE-2014]
and are harvested in the month of September and Ans. Pulses. 1
October? U Q. 18. Which crop is used both as food and fodder?
Ans. Kharif. 1 Ans. Maize. 1
A Q. 9. Which crop is the major crop of rabi? U Q. 19. Which crop is known as golden fibre?
[Board Term-I, NCT-2014]
Ans. Jute. 1
Ans. Wheat. 1 A Q. 20. Which state is the largest producer of ragi?
A Q. 10. Name some rabi crops.
Ans. Karnataka. 1
Ans. Wheat, barley, peas, gram and mustard. 1 A Q. 21. In which type of soil does maize grow well?
A Q. 11. Name the two important wheat growing zones
Ans. Old alluvial. 1
in India.
U Q. 22. Why are some pulses known as leguminous
Ans. The Ganga-Satluj plains in the north-west and crops?
black soil region of the Deccan. 1
U Q. 12. In which system of agriculture, a single crop is
Ans. Pulses are leguminous crops. In these plants the
seeds are found inside pods and the root nodules
grown on a large area?
have the capacity of nitrogen fixation in the soil. 1

Short Answer Type Questions (3 marks each)

U Q. 1. Which are the two main cropping seasons in OR


India? Mention their growing and harvesting U Why the pulses are mostly grown in rotation
periods. with other crops? Name any two major pulse
[Board Term-I, Set-XOKG2SB, 2015] producing states? [Board Term-I, (5800 13), 2011]
Ans. The two main cropping seasons are Rabi and Kharif :
(i) Rabi crops are sown in winter from October to Ans. Pulses are mostly grown in rotation with other
December and harvested in summer from April to June. crops because :
(ii) Kharif crops are sown with the onset of monsoon (i) Pulses need less moisture and survive even in
in different parts of the country and harvested in dry conditions.
September-October. 1½ + 1½ = 3 (ii) Being leguminous crops, all these crops help in
R Q. 2. What are the growing conditions required for the restoring soil fertility by fixing nitrogen from the air.
main staple food crop of India? Mention the main (iii) Major pulse producing states are : Madhya
growing regions. Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. 1×3=3
[Board Term-I, Set (WQ7FXWC), 2014] (CBSE Marking Scheme, 2013)
Ans. (i) Growing conditions required for rice : A Q. 4. Give an account of oilseeds in India. State the
(a) High temperature (above 25°C). It is a Kharif crop. importance of groundnut and name the states
(b) High humidity with annual rainfall above 100 cm. where it is grown. [Board Term-I, Set (H3), 2013]
(ii) Main growing regions : Northern plains, north-
eastern India, Costal areas, deltaic plains and river Ans. The main oilseeds grown in India are groundnuts,
valleys. 2+1=3 coconut, sesamum, castor, soyabean, linseed and
U Q. 3. Explain any two geographical conditions sunflower.
required for the cultivation of pulses. Name any Importance of groundnuts :
two important pulses producing states. (i) Are edible and used as cooking medium.
[Board Term-I, Set (3K) 2013]
AGRICULTURE [ 157

(ii) Used as raw material in production of soap, A Q. 6.Why is West Bengal the leading producer of Jute,
cosmetics and ointment. the second important fibre crop of India?
(iii) India-largest producer. Ans. (i) Jute is the second most important fibre crop of India.
Groundnut : (ii) West Bengal, especially the Hooghly basin of the
(i) Kharif crop state, is the leading jute-producing area of the
(ii) Accounts half of the total oilseed production. country on account of the well drained fertile soil
(iii) States : Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, of the floodplain which are renewed every year.
Karnataka, Maharashtra, etc. 1½ + 1½ = 3 (iii) The climatic conditions with high temperature
(CBSE Marking Scheme, 2013) during time of growth and sufficient availibility
of water have favoured jute cultivation in the
A Q.5. Describe the uses of oilseeds. Which state is the
Hooghly basin of West Bengal. 3
largest producer of groundnut? U Q. 7. Why has Indian agriculture started a declining trend
[Board Term-I, Set (5800 32), 2011] in food production? Explain any three reasons.
Ans. Oil seeds usually have two main uses : Ans. Due to the following reasons food production is
(i) They are used as a cooking medium as most declining :
of them are edible. For example, sunflower oil, (i) There has been a gradual shift from cultivation
coconut oil, etc. of food crops to cultivation of cash crops, fruits
(ii) They are used for industrial purposes. For vegetable, etc.
example, oil seeds are important raw materials for (ii) Area under food crop has reduced due to rapid
the production of soap, cosmetics, ointments, etc. urbanization and industrialization.
The groundnut production in Rajasthan was (iii) The productivity of land is also declining due to
1041.1 thousand tonnes in 2015-16. Other states heavy use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
are Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, (iv) Natural calamities like drought and flood have
Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, West become frequent. Monsoon is still vital for food
Bengal and Telangana. 3 production. (Any three) 1 × 3 = 3

Long Answer Type Questions (5 marks each)

A Q. 1. Define plantation agriculture. Explain any four


characteristics of plantation agriculture. (ii) Geographical conditions :
(a) It is an equatorial crop, but under special
[Board Term-I, Set (3K) 2013, Set (45) 2012]
conditions it is also grown in tropical and sub-
Ans. Plantation Agriculture : Plantation agriculture tropical areas.
is a form of commercial farming where crops are (b) It requires moist and humid climate with rainfall of
grown for profit. Large land areas are needed for more than 200 cm and temperature above 25°C.
(iii) Rubber producing states are Kerala, Tamil Nadu,
this type of agriculture. It is a type of commercial
Karnataka, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and
farming practised in tropical and sub-tropical
Garo hills of Meghalaya. 1+2+2=5
regions. It was introduced by the British in India.
(CBSE Marking Scheme, 2012)
Characteristics : A Q. 3. Explain any four features of primitive subsistence
(i) A single crop is grown over large area. agriculture in India?
(ii) It is capital intensive and done with migrant [Board Term-I, Set (580017, 24, 30, 40, 15, 22, 23) 2011]
labour. Ans. Features of primitive subsistence agriculture in
(iii) All produce is used as raw material in industries India are :
such as tea, coffee, rubber, sugarcane, banana, etc. (i) It is practised on small patches of land with the
(iv) Plantation has interface of agriculture and help of primitive tools.
industry both. (ii) Tools which are used are basically traditional tools
(CBSE Marking Scheme, 2013) 1+4=5 such as hoe, dao and digging stick.
U Q. 2. Explain Rubber cultivation in India under the
(iii) This type of agriculture totally depends upon monsoon.
(iv) When the soil fertility decreases, the farmers shift
following heads: to another plot of land. 1¼×4=5
(i) Importance R Q. 4. What are millets? Give brief description of the
(ii) Geographical conditions climatic conditions and producing states of the
(iii) Producing states. millets grown in India.
[Board Term-I, Set (OEQ12HT) 2016-17]
[Board Term-I, (39) 2012, (580011, 33) 2011]
Ans. Millets are coarse grains but have high
Ans. (i) Importance: Many industries depend upon nutritional value, e.g., ragi-rich in iron, calcium.
Rubber as their raw material especially transport (i) Jowar—Rain fed crops mostly grown in moist area.
industry.
States producing—Maharashtra, Karnataka and
M.P.
158 ] Oswaal CBSE Question Bank, SOCIAL SCIENCE, Class – X

(ii) Bajra—grown well on sandy soils & shallow (b) It grows well in alluvial soil.
black soil. (ii) Use of modern inputs such as HYV Seeds, fertilisers
States producing—Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and irrigation have contributed to the increasing
Gujarat, Haryana and U.P. production of maize. 2+3=5
A Q. 9. Explain any three geographical conditions
(iii) Ragi—grown well in dry region on red, black,
sandy and loamy soils. required for the growth of rice in India. How is
States producing—Tamil Nadu, Himachal it possible to grow rice in areas of less rainfall?
Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim. 1 ¼ × 4=5 Explain with examples.
(CBSE Marking Scheme 2016) [Board Term-I, Set (6AP67LB) 2015]
U Q. 5. What is intensive subsistence farming? Write
Ans. (i) Three geographical conditions for the growth
three features of intensive farming. of rice :
[Board Term-I, Set (580021, 27, 38) 2011]
(a) It requires high temperature, (above 25°C).
Ans. (i) Intensive subsistence farming is practised in
(b) Annual rainfall above 100 cm.
areas of high population pressure on land. In
(c) High humidity
this type of farming, the agricultural production
is increased by using high doses of biochemical (ii) It is possible to grow rice in areas of less rainfall
inputs and better agricultural inputs. with the help of irrigation in Punjab and
(ii) Features of intensive farming : Haryana. 3+2=5
(a) High yielding variety (HYV) seeds and modern (CBSE Marking Scheme 2015)
chemical inputs and irrigation are used to increase U Q. 10. What are the climatic conditions required for
the production. the growth of rice? [NCERT]
(b) The per hectare yield is very high. [Board Term-I, NCT-2014]
(c) More than one crop is cultivated during a year.
Ans. Climatic conditions required for the growth of
2+3=5
A Q. 6. Which crop is known as the ‘golden fibre’? rice :
Explain any two geographical conditions essential (i) It is a Kharif crop which requires high temperature
for the cultivation of this crop. Mention its any (above 25°C).
four uses. (ii) High humidity with annual rainfall above 100 cm.
[Board Term-I, Set (OEQL2HT) 2016-17] (iii) In the areas of less rainfall, it grows with the help of
irrigation.
Ans. (i) Jute is called the golden fibre.
(iv) It is grown in the plains of north and north-eastern
(ii) Geographical conditions : India, coastal areas and the deltaic regions.
(a) Grows well in drained fertile soil of the flood (v) Development of dense network of canal irrigation
plains where the soil is renewed every year. and tubewells have made it possible to grow rice in
(b) High temperature is required during the time of growth. areas of less rainfall such as Punjab and Haryana.
Uses : Can be used to manufacture gunny bags, 1×5=5
mats, ropes, yarn, carpets and other artefacts. U Q. 11. “Wheat and rice farming in India are fairly
(CBSE Marking Scheme 2016) 1 + 2 + 2 = 5 different from each other”. Support the statement
R Q. 7. Name any four oilseeds produced in India. with five suitable examples.
Explain the importance of oilseeds in our day to [Board Term-I, Set (33) 2012]
day life. [Board Term-I, (CB4QHT1) 2016-17]
OR
Ans. (i) Groundnut U Wheat and rice farming in India are fairly
(ii) Mustard different from each other. Explain.
(iii) Coconut [Board Term-I, Delhi (580041) 2011]
(iv) Sesamum Ans. Basis of difference :
(v) Soyabean, sunflower, etc.
Importance of oilseeds : Most of these are S. No. Wheat Rice
edible in the form of oil. Used as raw material (i) Rabi crop. Kharif crop.
for manufacturing paints, varnishes, soaps,
perfumes, etc., oil cake is used as cattle feed. Oil Sown in the winter. Sown after the
(ii)
cake is also used as a fertiliser. 2½ + 2½ = 5 onset of monsoon.
(CBSE Marking Scheme 2016) It depends on the It depends on the
(iii)
U Q. 8. Mention any two geographical conditions moisture of sub-soil monsoon.
required for the growth of maize crop in India. It is grown in the It is grown in the
Describe any three factors which have contributed areas where there areas where there
(iv)
to increase in maize production. is less than 100 cm is rainfall above
[Board Term-I, Set-M DDE-2015] of rainfall. 100 cm.
Ans. (i) Geographical conditions required for the It is grown in Punjab, It is grown in West
growth of maize crop in India : (v) Haryana, etc. Bengal, Kerala, etc.
(a) It is a kharif crop which requires temperature
(CBSE Marking Scheme, 2012) 1×5=5
between 21°C to 27°C.
AGRICULTURE [ 159

U Q. 12. Distinguish between primitive subsistence sugarcane producing states of North India.
farming and commercial farming by stating five [Board Term-I, Set (53) 2012]
points of distinction. OR
[Board Term-I, Set (38) 2012] R What geographical conditions are required for
Ans. the cultivation of sugarcane? Name two largest
S. Subsistence farming Commercial producing states of sugarcane.
No. farming
[Board Term-I, Set (580013, 35) 2011, Set (A1) 2010]
It is practised on It is practised on a
(i) Ans. Geographical conditions required for the
small patches. large scale.
growth of sugarcane in India :
Farming depends on Irrigation facilities
(ii) (i) It is a tropical as well as sub-tropical crop so
irrigation are available. it requires a hot and humid climate with a
Primitive tools are Modern technol- temperature of 24°C to 27°C.
(iii) used (ii) It requires an annual rainfall between 75 to 100 cms.
ogy is used. (iii) It can be grown on a variety of soils.
(iv) Production is low. Production is high. (iv) Major sugarcane producing states of North
India are : Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab and
No costly fertilisers Chemical fertilis- Haryana. (Any two) 3+2=5
(v) are used. ers are used. (CBSE Marking Scheme, 2012)
Family members Labourers are R Q. 15. Which are the two major cotton producing
(vi)
provide labour. hired. states of North India? Describe four geographical
conditions required for the growth of cotton.
Only cereals and Commercial crops
(vii) other food crops are are grown. [Board Term-I, Set (40) 2012]
grown. OR
(Any five)(CBSE Marking Scheme, 2012) 1×5=5 R Describe the geographical conditions required for
U Q. 13. Describe any four geographical conditions the cultivation of cotton?
required for the growth of tea. Mention the two [Board Term-I, Set (580028, 39) 2011]
major tea producing states of South India.
Ans. Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are the two major
[Board Term-I, Set (37) 2012]
cotton producing states of North India.
OR Geographical conditions required for the
U Name the important beverage crop introduced cultivation of cotton :
by the British in India. Explain the geographical (i) It grows well in drier parts of the black cotton
conditions needed for its cultivation. Write any soil of the Deccan plateau.
two important states where it is grown. (ii) It requires high temperature.
OR (iii) It requires light rainfall or irrigation.
U In which agricultural production, India is the (iv) It requires 21 frost free days and bright sunshine
leading producer as well as exporter in world? for its growth. 1+4=5
Describe the geographical requirements for its (CBSE Marking Scheme, 2012)
growth and development. U Q. 16. Compare the geographical conditions required
[Board Term-I, Set (77) 2012] for the production of cotton and jute.
OR
Ans.
U What are the soil type, climatic conditions and
rainfall conditions required for the cultivation of S. No. Cotton Jute
tea? Write two states of India where tea grows. Cotton requires Jute requires 30°C
[Board Term-I, Set (580011) 2011] (i) more than 21°C of temperature.
temperature.
Ans. Tea : Grows well in tropical and sub-tropical climates.
Soil type : Deep and fertile, well-drained soil, Rainfall : 50 – 100 cm. Rainfall : Near
(ii)
rich in humus and organic matters. about 150 cm.
Climate : Warm and moist, frost-free climate Frost free days Hot and humid
throughout the year. (iii) are must during climate is
Rainfall : Frequent showers throughout the year. picking days required.
States: Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Loamy and black We l l - d r a i n e d
Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Andhra (iv) soil is required. fertile loamy soil
Pradesh, Meghalaya and Tripura. is required.
(Any two) 4+1=5
Mainly grown in Grown in eastern
(CBSE Marking Scheme, 2012) (v) Maharashtra and states of the
R Q. 14. Describe four geographical conditions required Gujarat. country.
for the growth of sugarcane. Name two major 1×5=5
160 ] Oswaal CBSE Question Bank, SOCIAL SCIENCE, Class – X

U Q.17. Explain any two main challenges faced by the The major objective of the National Jute Policy,
jute industry in India. Explain any three objectives 2005 are :
of National Jute Policy. (i) To increase productivity.
[Board SA-II, Delhi Set I, II, III (2017) (ii) To improve quality.
Ans. The two challenges faced by the jute industry in (iii) Ensuring good prices to the jute farmers.
India are : (iv) Enhancing the yield per hectare.
(i) Stiff competition in the international market from (v) The internal demand for jute has been on the
synthetic substitutes. increase because.
(ii) Supply competition from other jute producing (vi) The government policy of mandatory use of jute
nations like Bangladesh, Brazil, Philippines, Egypt packaging. (Any three)
and Thailand. 2+3=5

TOPIC-2
Technological and Institutional Reforms
Quick Review
¾¾ Agriculture, which provides livelihood for more than 60 percent of its population, needs some serious technical
and institutional reforms.
¾¾ Collectivisation, consolidation of holding, cooperation and abolition of zamindari, etc, were given priority to
bring about institutional reforms in the country after independence.
¾¾ Special weather bulletin and agricultural programmes for farmers were introduced on the radio and
television.
¾¾ India’s food security policy has a primary objective to ensure availability of food grains to the common people at
an affordable price. It has enabled the poor to have access to the food.
¾¾ The Green Revolution promised improvement in the condition of marginal and small farmers.
¾¾ In the 1980s and 1990s, a comprehensive land development programme was initiated, which included both
institutional and technical reforms.
¾¾ Provision for crop insurance against drought, flood, cyclone, fire and disease, establishment of 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.
¾¾ Kisan Credit Card (KCC), Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (PAIS) are some other schemes introduced by the
Government of India for the benefit of the farmers.
¾¾ The Government of India made concerted efforts to modernise agriculture by establishing the 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, etc.
¾¾ Today, Indian farmers are facing a big challenge from international competition.
¾¾ The growth rate in agriculture is decelerating which is an alarming situation.
¾¾ Subsidy on fertilisers is decreased leading to increase in the cost of production.
¾¾ Reduction in import duties on agricultural products has proved detrimental to agriculture in the country.
¾¾ Farmers are withdrawing their investment from agriculture causing a downfall in the employment in agriculture.
¾¾ In order to ensure availability of food to all sections of society our government carefully designed a national food
security system. It consists of two components—(a) buffer stock and (b) public distribution system (PDS).
¾¾ The FCI procures food grains from the farmers at the government announced minimum support price (MSP).
¾¾ The high MSP, subsidies in input and committed FCI purchases have distorted the cropping pattern. Wheat and
paddy crops are being grown more for the MSP they get. Punjab and Haryana are foremost examples. This has
also created a serious imbalance in inter-crop parities.
¾¾ There has been a gradual shift from cultivation of food crops to cultivation of fruits, vegetables, oil-seeds and
industrial crops.
¾¾ Globalisation has exposed the Indian farmers to new challenges.
¾¾ Genetic engineering is recognized as a powerful supplement in inventing new hybrid varieties of seeds.
¾¾ Today organic farming is much in vogue because it is practiced without factory made chemicals such as fertilisers
and pesticides.
¾¾ Indian farmers should diversify their cropping pattern from cereals to high-value crops. This will increase
incomes and reduce environmental degradation simultaneously.
AGRICULTURE [ 161

Know the Terms


¾¾ Irrigation : Irrigation means the action of applying water to land to supply crops and other plants with necessary
water. Irrigation in India includes a network of major and minor canals from Indian rivers, groundwater well
based systems, tanks, and other rainwater harvesting projects for agricultural activities.
¾¾ ICAR : The Indian Council of Agricultural Research is an autonomous body responsible for co-ordinating
agricultural education and research in India.
¾¾ Organic Farming : Organic farming is a production system which avoids or largely excludes the use of
synthetically compounded fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators, genetically modified organisms and livestock
food additives.
¾¾ Minimum Support Price (MSP) : A minimum guaranteed price of a crop, fixed and announced by the government
before the start of a cropping season.
¾¾ Kisan Credit Card (KCC) : A Kisan Credit Card (KCC) is a credit delivery mechanism that is aimed at enabling
farmers to have quick and timely access to affordable credit.

Know the Links


¾¾ www.preservearticles.com/201106278625/how-technological-and
¾¾ www.learnnext.com › … › Geography › Agriculturein India

Very Short Answer Type Questions (1 mark each)

R Q. 1. By whom the Bhoodan-Gramdaan movement Ans. Green Revolution involving use of package
was initiated? technology was introduced in 1960s and 1970s
Ans. Vinoba Bhave. 1 with this initiative. Use of modern inputs like High
U Q. 2. What is the full form of ICAR? Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilisers,
insecticides and pesticides along with use of
Ans. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research is an
farm machineries and irrigation, were initiated
autonomous body responsible for co-ordinating
to increase yield per acre. It led to significant
agricultural education and research in India. 1
improvement in agricultural production. 1
U Q. 3. What is Green Revolution?

Short Answer Type Questions (3 marks each)

A Q. 1. Describe the institutional and technical changes (vi) Special weather bulletins and agricultural
introduced in the field of agriculture in India in programmes for farmers on radio and TV.
the recent years.[Board Term-I, (R9UJGYG), 2014] (Any three) 1×3=3
OR U Q. 2. What is the importance of using high yielding
A Describe any three technological and institutional variety of seeds, machines and other technological
reforms made in the field of agriculture in India. advancements in increasing the agricultural
[Board Term-I, Set-6AP67LB, C5JWEVD, 2015] production?
OR Ans. (i) High Yielding Variety of seeds and machines
form the basis of modernisation of agriculture.
A What were the attributes of the comprehensive
(ii) The Government of India has opened agricultural
land development programme initiated in India
universities, agricultural research institutes, and
in the 1980s and 1990s?
agricultural farms.
[Board Term-I, Set-E, M, DDE-2015] (iii) Farmers are trained to adopt new farm machineries
Ans. (i) Land reforms : collectivisation, consolidation of to increase agricultural production.
holdings, cooperation and abolition of zamindari. (iv) Farmers get these inputs on subsidised rates and
(ii) Agricultural reforms : Green revolution and White on loan basis. (Any three) 1×3=3
revolution. U Q. 3. Enlist the various Agriculture institutional reform
(iii) Land development programmes : Provision for
crop insurance against drought, flood, cyclone, etc. programmes introduced by the government in the
(iv) Establishment of Grameen banks, Cooperative interest of farmers.
societies and banks for providing loans. Ans. Various institutional reform programmes
(v) Issuing of Kisan Credit Card and Personal Accident introduced by the government in interest of the
Insurance Scheme, etc. farmers are :
162 ] Oswaal CBSE Question Bank, SOCIAL SCIENCE, Class – X

(i) Provision for crop insurance against drought, programmes for farmers on television and radio.
flood, cyclone, fire, and diseases. (iv) Announcement of minimum support price,
(ii) Establishment of Grameen Banks, cooperative remunerative and procurement prices for
societies for providing loan facilities to farmers at important crops to check the exploitation of
lower interest rates. farmers by speculators and middlemen.
(iii) Special weather bulletins and agricultural (Any three) 1×3=3

Long Answer Type Questions (5 marks each)

U Q. 1. Why is agriculture called the mainstay of Indian


economy? (viii) Government provides technical assistance and
training for farmers.
OR
U
(ix) Soil testing facilities, cold storage and
What is the importance of agriculture in Indian
transportation facilities are provided by
economy?
government for farmers. (Any five) 1×5=5
Ans. (i) Agriculture is the mainstay of Indian economy (CBSE Marking Scheme, 2012)
because about 67% of our population depends
U Q. 3. Why has the agriculture sector in India got a
directly or indirectly on agriculture.
major setback in spite of increase in the GDP
(ii) It provides raw materials to the industries.
growth rate?
(iii) India earns foreign exchange by exporting
agricultural products. [Board Term-I, Set-M, DDE- 2015]
(iv) It contributes about 29% to the gross domestic Ans. (i) More and more land is used for construction
product. of factories, warehouses and shelters which have
(v) It provides food to over 1027 million population. reduced the land under cultivation.
1×5=5 (ii) Soil gets degraded by the use of pesticides,
A Q. 2. Suggest any five measures to enhance the
fertilizers, over irrigation, etc., which leads to
agricultural production in India. [NCERT]
water logging and salinity.
[Board Term-I, DDE-2014]
(iii) Today Indian farmers are facing a big challenge
OR
A
from international competition.
Explain any five institutional and technical
reforms brought by the government to improve (iv) Our government is reducing the public investment
the condition of Indian Agriculture. in agriculture, subsidy on fertilizers have decreased.
[Board Term-I, 2012 Set (35), 2011 (v) Reduction in import duties on agricultural
(580018, 20), 2010 Set (C1)] products have proved detrimental to agriculture in
OR the country. 1×5=5
A Describe any five steps taken by the government U Q. 4. Why has Indian agriculture started a decline
of India to increase the productivity of agriculture in the trend of food production? How can we
in India. [Board Term-I, Set (55) 2012]
overcome this problem?
Ans. (i) Land reforms : Collectivisation, consolidation [Board Term-I, Set (580032, 43) 2011]
of holdings, cooperation and abolition of Ans. Indian agriculture started a decline in the trend of
zamindari. food production because :
(ii) Agricultural reforms : Green revolution and
(i) More and more land is used for construction of
White revolution.
factories, warehouses and shelters have reduced
(iii) Land development programmes : Provision for
the land under cultivation.
crop insurance against drought, flood, cyclone,
etc., establishment of Grameen banks, Cooperative (ii) Soil gets degraded by the use of pesticides,
societies and banks for providing loans. fertilizers, over-irrigation, etc., which leads to
(iv) Issuing of Kissan Credit Card and Personal water logging and salinity.
Accident Insurance Scheme, etc.

Remedial Measures :
(v) Special weather bulletins and agricultural
programmes for farmers on radio and TV. (i) Use of agricultural techniques, which are
(vi) Government announces Minimum Support Price environmentally sustainable.
(MSP) and remunerative and procurement (ii) Use of biotechnology in modifying different crops
prices to check exploitation. and increase the yield per hectare. It reduces
(vii) The government provides HYV seeds and dependence on insecticides and also requires less
fertilisers.
water. 2½+2½=5
AGRICULTURE [ 163

Q. 1. After 1990 globalization has caused difficulties (i) Genetic engineering can help to invent hybrid
to Indian farmers, how do you think the lot of seeds.
farmers can be improved in India? (ii) Organic farming will preserve the soil, water and
Ans. Farmers are unable to compete with foreign environment.
agricultural products. (iii) Diversification of crops from only cereals to high-
To improve their condition and prevent farmer value crops which can grow easily in Indian
suicides, various suggestions are as follows : climatic conditions. 1×3=3

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