Agriculture — I

What are the crops grown in commercial farms called?

1. Beverage crops
2. Cash crops
3. Fibre crops
4. Plantation crops

Answer

Cash crops

Reason — Crops grown mainly for sale in the market to earn income, rather than for personal consumption, are called cash crops. Examples include cotton, sugarcane, jute, and tobacco.

Your uncle has a large farm. He rears animals along with farming. He is practising ............... .

1. Intensive farming
2. Mixed farming
3. Commercial farming
4. Plantation farming

Answer

Mixed farming

Reason — The cultivation of crops and raising of animals simultaneously is called mixed farming. As the uncle rears animals along with cultivating crops on his large farm, he is practising mixed farming.

Assertion (A): Agriculture is the mainstay and the backbone of India's economy.

Reason (R): It provides employment to millions of people.

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.
3. A is true but R is false.
4. A is false but R is true.

Answer

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation — Agriculture is the mainstay and the backbone of India's economy as two-thirds of its population depends on agriculture.

Commercial farming is prevalent in areas where landholdings are ............... and market economy is well developed.

1. large
2. small
3. consolidated
4. poor in fertility

Answer

large

Reason — Commercial farming requires large farms and is prevalent in areas where plenty of land is available and the market economy is well developed.

Assertion (A): The agricultural output depends on monsoon.

Reason (R): Nearly 55 per cent of the area sown is dependent on irrigation.

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.
3. A is true but R is false.
4. A is false but R is true.

Answer

A is true but R is false.

Explanation — The agricultural output depends on monsoon as nearly 55 per cent of the area sown is dependent on rainfall.

Intercropping involves growing of two or more crops next to each other at the same ............... .

1. time
2. space
3. height
4. distance

Answer

time

Reason — Intercropping refers to the practice of growing two or more crops next to each other at the same time in such a way that they do not compete with each other for space, nutrients, water and sunlight.

............... plantation is being promoted to check the practice of Shifting cultivation.

1. Mango
2. Orange
3. Apple
4. Timber

Answer

Timber

Reason — The government is promoting timber tree plantations of fast-growing varieties, which help in the restoration of land and reduce fallow cycles, thereby checking the practice of shifting cultivation.

............... type of farming involves cultivation of small farms using large inputs of labour, manures and fertilizers.

1. Extensive
2. Shifting
3. Intensive
4. Commercial

Answer

Intensive

Reason — Intensive farming is the system under which small farms are cultivated intensively using large inputs of manual labour, manures and fertilizers, and it is therefore a labour intensive system.

Which type of agriculture is mainly practised in the irrigated areas of the plains of northern India and the coastal area of south India?

1. Plantation
2. Shifting
3. Extensive
4. Intensive

Answer

Intensive

Reason — Intensive farming is practised in the irrigated areas of the plains of northern India and the coastal areas of South India, where the main crops grown are rice and wheat.

The farming which involves cultivation of single agricultural crop over large tracts of land or estates is ............... .

1. Subsistence agriculture
2. Commercial agriculture
3. Plantation farming
4. Mixed farming

Answer

Plantation farming

Reason — In plantation farming, a single agricultural crop like tea, coffee, rubber or spices is cultivated as a monoculture over large tracts of land or estates.

Assertion (A): India has the largest irrigated area of cultivated land.

Reason (R): The failure of monsoon or too much rainfall leads to crop failure.

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.
3. A is true but R is false.
4. A is false but R is true.

Answer

Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.

Explanation — Reason (R) does not directly explain Assertion (A) as India's large irrigated area is due to its dependence on agriculture and the need to sustain production, not just because of monsoon failure, which in turn leads to crop failure.

Raj's uncle cultivates tea. What farming does he practice?

1. Plantation farming
2. Intensive farming
3. Extensive farming
4. Commercial farming

Answer

Plantation farming

Reason — Tea is one of the main plantation crops of India. As Raj's uncle cultivates a single crop, tea, over a large estate using modern scientific methods, he is practising plantation farming.

Farmers narrate the story of what years of intensive commercial cultivation and over-extraction of nutrients by unsuitable crops has done to their natural resource base. Around 25 years ago, their farm soil was teeming with life — from earthworms to beetles. Now there are no signs of life. The farmers belong to which state?

1. Bihar
2. Kerala
3. Punjab
4. Rajasthan

Answer

Punjab

Reason — In Punjab, the pumping of groundwater to grow water-intensive crops like rice, together with years of intensive commercial cultivation, has caused land degradation and loss of soil fertility.

Around 2014-15, a farmer got yields of 95 quintals and 70 quintals per ha in paddy and wheat respectively. Today, with the same quantity of chemical fertilisers, the average yield of paddy and wheat from one ha is 85 quintals and 65 quintals respectively. What has led to the decline in yield?

1. Soil depletion
2. Government policies
3. Irrigation facilities
4. Seed quality

Answer

Soil depletion

Reason — The repetitive cultivation of the same crops and the overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides deplete the soil fertility, and this loss of soil fertility is responsible for the decline in crop yields.

Increasing rural-urban migration by men has led to rise of women-headed rural households and the resultant increased incomes had led to growth in the production of cash crops which are labour intensive in nature. This is referred to as feminisation of agriculture. Which type of farming would be carried out?

1. Subsistence
2. Plantation
3. Cooperative
4. Shifting

Answer

Cooperative

Reason — In cooperative farming, farmers pool their resources and share responsibilities, which lightens the workload and provides extra hands when needed, enabling women-headed households to take up the labour-intensive cultivation of cash crops.

What is meant by the term 'agriculture'?

Answer

Agriculture is defined as the cultivation of the soil in order to grow crops and rear livestock.

Why is agriculture said to be the backbone of the Indian economy?

Answer

Agriculture is said to be the backbone of the Indian economy as India is primarily an agricultural country as two-thirds of its population depends on agriculture. According to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, agriculture and allied sector accounts for-

1. 16.5% of India's Gross Value Added
2. 17.32% of its Gross Domestic Produce
3. 13% share of total value of export
4. Employment to 58% of labour force either directly or indirectly

While agriculture in India has achieved grain self-sufficiency but the production is, resource intensive, cereal centric and regionally biased. Mention any three problems of agriculture in India.

Answer

Three problems of agriculture in India are-

1. Indian agriculture is dependent to a large extent on the monsoons, which are uncertain, irregular and unequally distributed.
2. Old and inefficient methods and techniques of farming, inadequate irrigation facilities and inability of the farmers to purchase good quality seed and modern equipment because of paucity of funds and lack of latest know-how and inputs.
3. Soil erosion is not only a major cause for decreasing soil fertility but also results in loss of valuable crop land.

State three advantages of Mixed farming.

Answer

Three advantages of mixed farming are-

1. It ensures a steady income for the farmers because if the agriculture fails due to adverse climate or any other reason, they can look back to the other means like cattle raising for income.
2. Two or more crops with varying maturing periods are grown together on the same field. The crop maturing early is generally harvested before the growth of the long maturing crop, which ensures the best use of land.
3. Subsidiary occupations like fruit and vegetable gardening or poultry-farming may also be practised, which provide additional income to the farmers.

What is meant by Green Revolution?

Answer

Green revolution is regarded as the greatest revolution in the country which helped to transform the economy from food scarcity to food self-sufficiency.

It is a term used for describing the manifold increase in India's farm production and productivity, particularly in the case of major cereal crops like wheat consequent to the adoption of the 'New Agricultural Strategy' since the late-sixties.

State any two negative results of the Green Revolution.

Answer

Two negative results of Green Revolution in India are-

1. Land degradation due to overuse of fertilizers and pesticides.
2. Drying aquifers.

What was the impact of Green Revolution on Indian agriculture?

Answer

Green Revolution had the following impact on Indian agriculture -

1. It enabled Indian agriculture to change from subsistence to commercial and market-oriented.
2. It led to the development of intensive agricultural production system that increased production and paved the way for self-sufficiency in respect of food grains.
3. The adoption of new technology under Green Revolution created more employment opportunities in agriculture sector.
4. It enabled the farmers to obtain increasing returns from agriculture by greater utilisation of agricultural inputs.
5. It increased rural prosperity.

With reference to the given image, answer the following questions:

(i) What are the inputs of the above-mentioned project in transforming Indian agriculture?

(ii) Which crop was experimented with its inputs?

Answer

(i) The inputs of Green Revolution in transforming Indian agriculture are as follows:

1. Use of large capital and technological inputs.
2. Adoption of modern scientific methods of farming.
3. Use of High Yielding Varieties (HYV) of seeds.
4. Extension of irrigation facilities, particularly ground water resources.
5. Proper use of chemical fertilizers.
6. Improvement in marketing and storage facilities.
7. Use of insecticides and pesticides.
8. Consolidation of landholdings.
9. Supply of agricultural credit.
10. Rural electrification.

(ii) Wheat.

Give two points of difference between Extensive and Intensive farming.

Answer

State any two advantages of Commercial farming.

Answer

Two advantages of commercial farming are-

1. It increases the yield rate of crops.
2. By utilizing high-end machinery for cultivating the lands, it takes less time to perform the agricultural operations.

Give a reason for each of the following:

(i) Plantations are managed by large multinational companies.

(ii) Farmers who practice mixed farming have steady income.

(iii) In extensive agriculture, yield per hectare is low but total yield is large.

Answer

(i) Plantations are managed by large multinational companies because plantation crops are grown on large farms which are modern, scientific and self-contained units. Only one crop is grown on a large-scale. Enormous capital investment is required to set up a plantation and a large number of labourers are employed. Hence, only multinational companies can manage such large scale plantations.

(ii) Farmers who practice mixed farming have steady income because in mixed farming, cultivation of crops and raising of animals are carried out simultaneously. If the agriculture fails due to adverse climate or any other reason, they can look back to the other means like cattle raising for income. Hence, mixed farming ensures a steady income for the farmers.

(iii) In extensive agriculture, yield per hectare is low but total yield is large because it is practised in areas with large land holdings, using less labour and less chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

(i) What type of farming is practised in areas where population is sparse and land is in plenty?

(ii) Name two areas in India where such type of farming is practised.

Answer

(i) Extensive farming is practised in areas where population is sparse and land is in plenty.

(ii) Extensive farming is practised in Punjab and Haryana.

Give two points of difference between plantation and mixed farming.

Answer

Give any two effects of globalisation on Indian agriculture.

Answer

Two effects of globalisation on Indian agriculture are-

1. Farmers have started adopting modern techniques of farming.
2. Establishment of food processing industries has increased employment.

Mention any three measures taken by the government to boost agricultural production.

Answer

Three measures taken by the government to boost agricultural production are-

1. Various land reforms have been introduced. Zamindari and all intermediaries have been completely abolished.
2. Creation of irrigation infrastructure and its optimum utilisation has been given greater importance.
3. The Government of India provides subsidy on fertilizers to ensure adequate availability of fertilizers to farmers at reasonable rates.

Agriculture in India is a gamble on the monsoon. Explain.

Answer

Indian agriculture is dependent to a large extent on the monsoons, which are uncertain, irregular and unequally distributed. Nearly 55% of the net sown area continues to depend on rainfall rather than irrigation. Hence, agriculture in India is a gamble on the monsoon.

Punjab is known as the food granary of India growing most of the cereal and cash crops but is facing declining crop yields and poor soil conditions. It is one of the biggest exporter of rice and cotton crops.

(a) What climatic conditions favour rice growth in the above-mentioned area?

(b) What is the difference between cereal and cash crops? Can a cereal be a cash crop?

(c) How did the Green Revolution impact agriculture in Punjab?

(d) Suggest the sustainable agricultural practices to improve soil fertility.

Answer

(a) The climatic-conditions favouring rice growth in Punjab are as follows-

1. Temperature — Punjab offers favourable temperature conditions for rice cultivation. During the Kharif season, it experiences warm and humid weather, with temperatures ranging from 16°C to 20°C during the flowering and fertilisation stage, and 18°C to 32°C during ripening which is ideal for healthy rice growth.
2. Soil — Punjab has fertile alluvial soil that retains water well making it perfect for rice, which needs standing water to grow.

(b) Difference between Cereal and Cash crops

Yes, a cereal crop can also be a cash crop if it is grown primarily for sale.
For example- Rice and Wheat.

(c) The Green Revolution had a major impact on agriculture in Punjab, both positive and negative.

Positive impact-

1. The Green Revolution made Punjab self-sufficient in food production through the use of HYV seeds, chemical fertilisers, and irrigation, greatly increasing wheat and rice production and earning it the title "Food Granary of India."
2. It promoted commercial farming, increased employment, and improved farmers' incomes.

Negative impact-

1. Excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides caused soil degradation and declining soil fertility.
2. Over-extraction of groundwater for water-intensive crops like rice lowered the water table.
3. It also led to a loss of biodiversity.

(d) The sustainable agricultural practices to improve soil fertility are as follows:

1. Crop Rotation
2. Organic farming
3. Cover cropping
4. Green Manuring
5. Agroforestry
6. Vermicomposting
7. Mulching
8. Reduced Tillage
9. Precision farming
10. Biofertilizers

(a) Refer to the picture given below, identify the farming method used. What are the crops cultivated by this method?

(b) List two of its main features.

(c) How does this method of farming differ from subsistence farming?

(d) With the help of an example of an area where this farming is practised explain how is it beneficial to the farmer.

Answer

(a) The farming method shown in the picture is Commercial farming. The crops cultivated by this method are cash crops such as sugarcane, tobacco, fibre crops and oilseeds.

(b) Two main features of commercial farming are-

1. Crops are grown mainly for sale.
2. Large farms are required and mechanised farming is practised.

(c) Difference between Commercial farming and Subsistence farming

(d) Commercial farming has shown good results in Punjab, Haryana, Western UP, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. For example, rice is a commercial crop in Punjab and Haryana. It is beneficial to the farmer because crops are grown mainly for sale; the use of mechanised farming along with HYV seeds, chemical fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides gives higher productivity; and the large surplus produced is sold in the market, earning a good income for the farmer.

Your penfriend, who lives in Australia, has read that India is an agricultural country. He wants to know the details about the nature of agriculture practised in India and the problems faced by the farmers. Write to your friend replying to his queries.

Answer

Dear Friend,

India is primarily an agricultural country, and agriculture plays a vital role in its economy. Farming includes both subsistence farming, where crops are grown for personal consumption, and cash crop cultivation of crops like cotton, sugarcane, tea, coffee, and spices for commercial purposes.

The Green Revolution of the 1960s and 1970s introduced high-yielding varieties (HYV) of seeds, modern farming methods, fertilisers, and irrigation. This greatly increased agricultural productivity and made India self-sufficient in food production.

However, Indian farmers face several challenges such as fragmented landholdings, dependence on monsoons, lack of access to credit, inadequate infrastructure, climate change, and the use of old and inefficient farming techniques, all of which affect agricultural productivity and farmers' incomes.

Yours sincerely, Your Friend

Your grandfather, a farmer, was a young boy when the Green Revolution began. What does he tell you about the pros and cons of the Green Revolution.

Answer

My grandfather experienced the Green Revolution as a young boy and he told me many things about the Green Revolution.

The advantages of Green Revolution as per my grandfather are:

1. Increased Crop Yields — The Green Revolution introduced high-yielding crop varieties and modern farming techniques, resulting in a significant increase in crop production and improved food security.
2. Improved Livelihoods — Higher crop yields meant increased incomes for farmers, improving their living standards.
3. Food Self-Sufficiency — The Green Revolution made the country self-sufficient in food production and ensured a stable food supply.

The disadvantages of Green Revolution as per my grandfather are:

1. Environmental Impact — Intensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides led to soil degradation, water pollution, and a loss of biodiversity.
2. Income Inequality — Large-scale farmers with better access to resources benefitted more, exacerbating income inequality and leaving small-scale farmers at a disadvantage.
3. Dependency on External Inputs — Farmers became reliant on costly inputs like fertilizers and pesticides.
4. Loss of Traditional Knowledge — The focus on high-yielding varieties led to a decline in traditional crop varieties, risking the loss of indigenous knowledge and agricultural diversity.

Your uncle, who lives in Punjab, is a farmer involved in the cultivation of crops and livestock rearing. He sells the crops and dairy products in the market. Name the type of agriculture practised by him, the crops he grows and the main features of the agriculture practised by him. Why is this type of agriculture not popular throughout the country?

Answer

My uncle practices commercial farming which is a system of agriculture that involves cultivation of crops and livestock rearing for sale in the market. He mostly grows rice on the farm. Cash crops like sugarcane, tobacco, fibre crops and oilseeds are also grown.

The main features of commercial agriculture are:

1. Crops are grown mainly for sale.
2. Large farms are required.
3. Mechanised farming is practised.
4. It is prevalent in areas where farms are large and market economy is well developed.
5. It involves the use of High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides to obtain higher productivity.

Commercial agriculture is not popular throughout the country because in most other States there are small landholdings while commercial agriculture requires large farms.

If you are given a choice, which type of agriculture you would like to practise and why?

Answer

I would like to practise organic farming because of the following reasons:

1. It protects the long term fertility of soils by maintaining organic matter levels, and creating optimised conditions for biological activity within the soil.
2. It provides crop nutrients indirectly using relatively insoluble nutrient sources which are made available to the plant by the action of soil micro-organisms.
3. It maintains nitrogen self-sufficiency through the use of legumes and biological nitrogen fixation as well as effective recycling of organic materials including crop residues and livestock manures.
4. It prevents weeds, diseases and pests by relying primarily on crop rotations, natural predator diversity, organic manuring, resistant varieties and limited thermal, biological and chemical intervention.
5. It provides attentive care and management to livestock, paying full regard to their evolutionary adaptations, behavioural needs and animal welfare issues with respect to nutrition, housing, health, breeding and rearing.

The concept of organic food is fast catching up in metro cities. What are your views on this? Give reasons to support your answer. Are you ready to pay more for organic products?

Answer

I agree that the concept of organic food is fast catching up in metro cities. People are eager to switch to organic food because of the following reasons:

1. Health Benefits — Organic food is often perceived as healthier as it is produced without the use of synthetic pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), or artificial additives. It is believed to have higher nutritional value and lower levels of chemical residues.
2. Environmental Impact — Organic farming practices prioritize soil health, biodiversity, and the use of natural resources. It can help protect the environment, conserve water, and reduce pollution.
3. Support for Local Farmers — Organic food production often involves small-scale and local farmers who follow organic principles. Buying organic products can contribute to supporting local communities and sustainable agriculture practices.

Yes, keeping in mind my own health as well as the conservation of our environment, I would be amenable to pay more for organic products.

During my visit to the flood plains of Uttar Pradesh, I witnessed immense agricultural development. Mention the soil type found here and the characteristic features of it.

Answer

The soil type found in the flood plains of Uttar Pradesh is Khadar Alluvial soil. Its characteristic features are as follows-

1. Khadar is younger alluvium as flood waters deposit new layers every year.
2. It is formed of fine silt and clay.
3. Khadar is light in colour.
4. It is light and porous. So, it is easily tillable.
5. Khadar is very fertile and ideal for intensive cultivation.
6. It is suitable for the growth of a large variety of rabi and kharif crops.