Agriculture: Topic-1
Agriculture: Topic-1
Agriculture: Topic-1
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.
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
(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
(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
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?
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
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