Agriculture — IV: Cash Crops (2)

Cotton plant is extremely sensitive to ............... which can kill the plant and destroy the crop.

1. temperature
2. rainfall
3. frost
4. humidity

Answer

frost

Reason — The cotton plant is highly sensitive to frost and late spring early autumn frost can kill the plant and destroy the crop.

The clear October skies are beneficial to the cotton plant.

1. Sunny skies and no rainfall help in the flowering.
2. Sunny skies help in ripening and bursting of cotton bolls.
3. Sunny skies make harvesting expensive
4. All of the above.

Answer

Sunny skies help in ripening and bursting of cotton bolls.

Reason — During October, the day temperature should be above 26°C, which helps the ripening and bursting of cotton bolls under the sunny skies.

Which soils are ideal for cotton cultivation?

1. Deltaic alluvial soils of West Bengal.
2. Black soils of the Deccan and Malwa Plateaus
3. Alluvial Soils of the Coastal regions.
4. All of the above.

Answer

Black soils of the Deccan and Malwa Plateaus

Reason — The deep and medium black soils of the Deccan and the Malwa Plateaus and Gujarat are considered ideal for cotton cultivation.

Assertion (A): The cotton crop is harvested in three to four pickings as the bolls mature.

Reason (R): Yield of cotton decreases with successive pickings.

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 — Cotton is picked in stages because bolls mature at different times. Though yields do drop with each picking, that isn't the main reason for multiple harvests. So, both statements are true, but R doesn't explain A.

Tejas has a farm in Gujarat. He uses terminology such as lint, ginning and sliver. What do you think he cultivates?

1. Jute
2. Cotton
3. Silk
4. Coffee

Answer

Cotton

Reason — Lint, ginning and sliver are terms associated with the processing of cotton. Ginning is the process used to separate the fibres or lint from the cotton seeds, and the lint (fibres) are washed and combed to form a rope-like mass of fibres known as sliver. Hence, Tejas cultivates cotton.

More than 50% of the area under cultivation of cotton is in which of the following states?

1. Gujarat and Maharashtra
2. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
3. Karnataka
4. All of them.

Answer

All of them.

Reason — About 72 per cent of the total area under cotton in India is contributed by Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

Name the process by which cotton fibre is separated from the seeds ............... .

1. ginning
2. spinning
3. pruning
4. deseeding

Answer

ginning

Reason — Ginning is the process used to separate the fibres or lint from the cotton seeds and the short fibres or linters which adhere to them.

Assertion (A): Cotton crops exhaust the fertility of soils rapidly.

Reason (R): Regular application of manures and fertilisers to the soils is necessary.

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 — Cotton is a soil-exhausting crop because it remains in the field for a long period and removes large amounts of nutrients from the soil. Therefore, regular application of manures and fertilisers is necessary to restore soil fertility, making R the correct explanation of A.

Why are cotton farmers opting for other crops?

1. Reduced global demand for cotton.
2. Increased cost of cultivation.
3. Erratic rainfall due to climate change.
4. All of the above.

Answer

All of the above.

Reason — Cotton farmers are increasingly shifting to other crops due to reduced global demand, rising cultivation costs, and erratic rainfall caused by climate change, all of which reduce profitability.

Name the inferior substitute for jute which can withstand drought conditions and be cultivated in non-traditional areas.

1. Testa
2. Mesta
3. Cesta
4. Jesta

Answer

Mesta

Reason — Mesta is an inferior substitute for jute. It can withstand drought conditions and is therefore grown where jute cannot be grown, such as in some parts of Assam, Bihar, Odisha and Kerala.

The ............... soil gives the heaviest yield of Jute.

1. clayey
2. loamy
3. dry
4. sandy

Answer

clayey

Reason — Jute grows best on the soil enriched by new alluvium brought by river inundation. Among these, the clayey soil gives the heaviest yield while sandy soils produce coarse fibre.

Which process softens the outer bark of jute facilitating the easy extraction of the fibre?

1. Jetting
2. Retting
3. Metting
4. Netting

Answer

Retting

Reason — Retting softens the outer bark and facilitates the early removability of the fibre within.

Assertion (A): Loamy soils are most suitable for jute production.

Reason (R): The clay particles of loam help to hold the plant nutrients preventing them from getting washed away by water.

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 — Loamy soils are most suitable for jute production as the clay particles of loam help to hold the plant nutrients preventing them from getting washed away by water.

Tea develops most vigorously under ............... and no ............... .

1. sunshine, rains
2. light shade, dry spells
3. moisture, high temperature
4. clear sky, rains

Answer

light shade, dry spells

Reason — Tea is a shade loving plant and develops more vigorously under light shade. The tea plants grow well in a humid climate and cannot stand long spells of dry weather at any time of the year.

The tea shrub continues to be productive for about ............... years.

1. 20
2. 25
3. 50
4. 70

Answer

50

Reason — The tea shrub continues to be productive for about 50 years, after which restocking is necessary.

Complete the following with respect to tea production.
World : China :: India : ...............

1. Tamil Nadu
2. Kerala
3. West Bengal
4. Assam

Answer

Assam

Reason — Just as China is the leading producer of tea in the world, Assam is the leading producer of tea in India.

Name a crop that is cultivated on slopes as they cannot stand stagnant water.

1. Jute
2. Tea
3. Cotton
4. All of them.

Answer

Tea

Reason — Waterlogging is harmful for the growth of tea bushes, so tea is grown on hill slopes. The slopes provide proper drainage and protect the crop from annual inundations and stagnant water during the rains.

Tea-picking is a skilful job involving fine plucking which is

1. Plucking the tender leaves
2. Plucking two tender leaves and a bud
3. Plucking a bud with its stalk
4. Plucking the bud only.

Answer

Plucking two tender leaves and a bud

Reason — Tea-picking is a skilful job, requiring patience and judgement. Two tender leaves and a bud or shoot are usually plucked from each stem and this is known as fine plucking.

Jassu loves drinking tea and has a refined palate. She intends to become a tea-taster. Which state will provide her the best opportunity to become a master in her craft?

1. Tamil Nadu
2. West Bengal
3. Assam
4. Kerala

Answer

Assam

Reason — Assam is the largest producer of tea in India, contributing 53.2 per cent of the total area and 51% of the tea produced in India. Being the largest tea producing state, Assam would provide Jassu the best opportunity to master her craft of tea-tasting.

What are fibre crops? Give two examples of plant fibre crops.

Answer

Fibre crops are crops that are primarily grown for obtaining fibre. The fibre is traditionally used to make paper, cloth, or rope.

Two fibre crops are cotton and jute.

What conditions of soil favour the growth of cotton? Why?

Answer

Cotton grows best in well-drained clayey soils rich in lime and phosphates. Deep and medium black soils are ideal because their high clay content and good water-holding capacity provide favourable conditions for cotton cultivation. Since cotton is a soil-exhausting crop, regular application of manures and fertilisers is necessary to maintain soil fertility.

(i) Name the two chief cotton-growing areas in India.

(ii) Which climatic conditions favour the cultivation of cotton?

Answer

(i) Two chief cotton-growing areas in India are-

1. The north western Deccan on the fertile Black cotton soil
2. The central and southern Deccan of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu

(ii) The climatic conditions that favour the cultivation of cotton are:

1. Temperature — Cotton requires uniformly high temperatures between 21°C and 30°C. A long growing period of at least 200 frost-free days is required for the plant to mature.
2. Rainfall — Rainfall should be moderate, ranging between 50 to 75 cm. Sufficient rainfall is required during the early stages of the growth, but a sunny and dry weather is required after flowering.

(i) How is frost harmful for the growth of cotton plant? Why is dry weather necessary at the time of harvesting cotton?

(ii) Why is the net sown area of the cotton crop declining?

Answer

(i) The cotton plant is extremely sensitive to frost and late spring or early autumn frosts can kill the plant and destroy the crop. The soil temperature below 20°C reduces root growth thus retarding plant growth.

Dry weather is necessary during boll-opening and harvesting because rainfall damages the open bolls and makes the crop more susceptible to pests and diseases.

(ii) The net sown area under cotton is declining due to low global demand, frequent pest attacks, low yields, poor returns, and erratic rainfall caused by climate change. As a result, many farmers are shifting to more profitable and less risky crops such as pulses and maize.

What advantages does Long Staple Cotton have?

Answer

Long staple cotton is long, fine, strong, soft, and lustrous, making it ideal for producing fine, superior-quality fabrics. Fabrics made from long staple cotton fray less, pill less, wrinkle less, and are more durable than those made from short staple cotton.

Why Gujarat and Maharashtra are the leading producers of Cotton?

Answer

Gujarat and Maharashtra are the leading producers of Cotton because the moist climate of both the states is well suited for cotton cultivation and the temperature is ideal for the cotton industries as the cotton threads tend to break in dry climate while they rarely break in moist and humid climate.

Given on the right is a sketch of the processes involved in ginning. Describe the process in your own words.

Answer

The stages in Ginning of Cotton are-

1. The cotton first goes through the dryers to reduce moisture content.
2. Then, it goes through the cleaning equipment to remove foreign matter.
3. The cotton is then air conveyed to gin stands where its circular saws pull the lint through closely spaced ribs that prevent the seed from passing through.
4. The lint is removed from the saw teeth by rotating brushes and then compressed into bales.

Akola is known as the 'Cotton City of India' due to its high cotton production. Shyamlal a cotton farmer from the district does not want his son to follow his vocation. Instead he wants his son to find employment in Pune. What are the problems associated with the growing of cotton that is influencing Shyamlal?

Answer

Shyamlal's reluctance for his son to continue in cotton farming in Akola and find employment in Pune stems from several significant challenges associated with cotton cultivation, such as:

1. Declining global demand for cotton
2. Lack of financial facility
3. Shortage of labour
4. Inadequate water supply
5. Severity of diseases
6. Lack of technology
7. High cost of inputs
8. Low quality of fertilizers and pesticides
9. Poor quality of seeds

State the soil conditions that favour the growth of jute.

Answer

Jute grows best in new alluvial soils deposited by river floods. Loamy soils are most suitable as they retain nutrients, while clayey soils produce the highest yield. Sandy soils produce coarse fibres.

In what way is Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta suitable for jute cultivation?

Answer

Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta has loamy soil which is most suitable for jute production as the clay particles of loam help to hold the plant nutrients preventing them from getting washed away by water.

Concretisation was forbidden on the floodplains, but this led to increased dust on tracks whenever walkers or cyclists used them. This caused inconvenience to users and added to environmental dust. To resolve this, Delhi government implemented loosely-knitted jute carpeting on the tracks. The pilot project at Asita Park proved successful, mitigating dust while allowing grass to grow beneath the carpeting, further securing it to the ground. "The use of jute also allowed grass to sprout through the gaps in the carpet, fixing it more strongly to the ground," a DDA official said. "This eco-friendly measure not only benefits the environment but also supports local farmers (Jute farmers)," the official noted.
— Times of India, 28 April, 2025

How is jute an important fibre?

Answer

Jute is the most important natural fibre in India. Its fibre, obtained from the inner bark of the plant, is soft and strong and can be drawn out into yarn of good lengths. It is referred to as the 'golden fibre' as it provides huge revenue to the government.

Jute is important because of its wide range of uses. It is used for manufacturing rough quality cloth, sacks and other packing material, and many utility products like carpets, rugs, twine, upholstery and tarpaulins. As highlighted in the passage, jute is also an eco-friendly material. Being hardy, highly adaptable and biodegradable, its cultivation and industries provide employment to many people and support local farmers.

(i) Why is jute retted?

(ii) Describe briefly the retting of jute with the help of the pictures given below.

Answer

(i) Jute is retted because retting softens the outer bark and facilitates the early removal of the fibre within.

(ii) Retting is the process of rotting the jute stems in order to loosen and separate the fibre from the woody stalk. When the plants mature, they are cut, bundled and submerged in ponds, streams or special tanks of water. After about 20 to 25 days, the bark softens; the fibre is then peeled and stripped from the plant by hand and separated from the pith. The extracted fibre is rinsed and washed thoroughly in clean water, and finally spread out and dried in the sun before being pressed into bales.

Why is mesta an inferior substitute for jute? Where is it grown?

Answer

Mesta is an inferior substitute for jute as the fibre is more coarse and not as strong as jute fibre.

Mesta is cultivated in some parts of Assam, Bihar, Odisha and Kerala.

By what other name is jute referred to? Why?

Answer

Jute is also called 'Golden fibre' as it provides huge revenue to the government.

(i) Why are floods beneficial for the growth of jute?

(ii) Mention one advantage and one disadvantage of delay in jute harvest.

Answer

(i) Floods are beneficial for the growth of jute because plenty of water is needed for the process of retting and a new soil cover is available.

(ii) One advantage of delay in jute harvest is that it adds to the yield and one disadvantage of delay in jute harvest is that it usually produces coarse fibre.

State any three uses of jute.

Answer

Three uses of jute are-

1. It is used for manufacturing rough quality cloth, sacks and other packaging material.
2. It is used for making many utility products like carpets, rugs, etc.
3. It provides a huge revenue to the government.

"Any setback to growers and manufacturers in the tea hub naturally translates into the industry's overall productivity taking a hit," Hemant Bangur, chairperson of the Indian Tea Association (ITA), told TOI. April could yet be the cruellest month, with a record import of cheap African tea this time last year setting the tone. ITA officials acknowledge that blending cheap imported tea with local produce for export would damage the Indian tea's reputation, built over a century and a half. Another concern is the dwindling production of GI-tagged Darjeeling tea. Output has almost halved to 6-6.5 million kg from the peak, achieved in the 70s. Smuggled Nepal-origin tea seems to have filled the void.
"Green-fly infestation is now a year-round threat. Last year, the impact wasn't as much in Darjeeling hills and Assam's South Bank as in the nearby Dooars, Terai and North Bank tea belts. But when you look at the overall crop loss, it was 10-11%. In the affected areas, it peaked at 50%," ITA vice-chairperson Atul Rastogi told TOI. "We fear the crisis could escalate this season." Lower rainfall than usual in 2024 aggravated the impact of green-fly infestation. Rastogi said invading swarms also seem to have become immune to commonly used pesticides.
— Times of India, 17 April, 2025

State any two conditions that favour the growth of tea in the areas mentioned in this article.

Answer

The areas mentioned in the article are the Darjeeling hills, Assam, the Dooars and the Terai. Two conditions that favour the growth of tea in these areas are-

1. Rainfall — The areas have a humid climate with abundant, well-distributed rainfall of at least 150 cm throughout the year. In the Assam tea areas the annual rainfall averages between 125 cm and 375 cm, while in the Duars and Darjeeling it ranges from 250 cm to 500 cm.
2. Temperature and relief — A warm temperature between 24°C and 30°C, along with high humidity, heavy dew and morning fog, aids the rapid development of young leaves. The hill slopes also provide good drainage and protect the crop from annual inundations and stagnant water.

State the advantages of growing tea plants on hill slopes.

Answer

Tea plantations require even distribution of water without any water logging. Hill slopes provide proper drainage and prevents water logging problems. This is the reason why tea plantations are usually grown on hill slopes.

(i) Name the different varieties of tea grown in India.

(ii) Why is blending necessary for tea?

Answer

(i) The different varieties of tea grown in India are-

1. Black tea
2. Green tea
3. Oolong tea
4. Brick tea

(ii) Blending is necessary for tea to give it a special aroma and make many proprietary brands.

(i) Name the leading producer of tea in India. State two factors that have helped it to become the leading state in tea production.

(ii) Define the following terms:

1. Clonal Planting
2. Pruning

Answer

(i) Assam is the leading producer of tea in India.

Two factors that have helped Assam to become the leading state in tea production are-

1. No stagnant water due to hilly terrain
2. Availability of cheap labour

(ii) The definitions of Clonal Planting & Pruning are given below:

1. Clonal Planting — Tea shrubs can be grown in nurseries from cuttings of high yielding varieties. This is known as clonal planting.
2. Pruning — Pruning means plucking of tea leaves. Frequent pruning encourages the rapid production of fresh leaves and shoots. Pruning of tea bush starts after two years in order to maintain the height and diameter of the plant limited to one metre.

Cotton and Jute are the two crops which can provide employment to a large number of people and enhance the foreign exchange of the country. Give your opinion on the statement.

Answer

I agree that cotton and jute are two crops that can provide employment to a large number of people and enhance the foreign exchange of India.

Both cotton and jute cultivation and related industries have the potential to generate employment opportunities, particularly in rural areas. These crops require labour-intensive activities such as sowing, harvesting, and processing, which can provide jobs to a significant number of people, especially during peak seasons.

Cotton and jute can contribute to foreign exchange earnings through their exports. Cotton is a valuable raw material for textile industries, and jute is used for manufacturing various products like sacks, bags, and carpets. The export of cotton textiles and jute goods can generate foreign currency for the country.

With proper attention to improving productivity, enhancing value addition, promoting innovation, and addressing challenges, the cotton and jute sectors can further contribute to employment generation and foreign exchange earnings, supporting the overall economic development of India.

Tea plantations should be developed as tourist spots to promote agri-tourism and provide an alternative source of income to the farmers. What do you think about this proposal?

Answer

I believe that developing tea plantations as tourist spots to promote agri-tourism and provide an alternative source of income to farmers can be a beneficial proposal due to the following reasons:

1. Tourism Potential — Tea plantations, usually located on scenic hill slopes, offer beautiful landscapes that are attractive to tourists.
2. Diversification of Income — Agri-tourism provides an additional source of income for farmers, reducing reliance on agricultural yields alone.
3. Cultural Exchange and Education — Visitors can learn about tea cultivation, processing, and local traditions, enriching their travel experience.
4. Employment Opportunities — Developing plantations as tourist spots creates jobs in hospitality, tourism, and service sectors.
5. Conservation and Sustainability — Agri-tourism can encourage sustainable practices in plantations, promoting environmental conservation.