Geography
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-
- 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.
- 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
| Cereal crops | Cash crops |
|---|---|
| 'Cereals' denotes all kinds of grass-like plants, which have starchy, edible seeds. | Cash crops are those that are primarily grown for sale and not only for use by the grower and his family. |
| Because of their simple form of cultivation and their high nutritional value, they have formed the basic diet of mankind. | The cash crops provide raw material to agro-based industries. They provide money to the farmers not only to improve their living conditions, but also to improve their farming practices. |
| Examples- rice, wheat, maize, barley, rye, oats, millets. | Examples- Sugarcane, Oilseeds, Beverages like Tea and Coffee, Fibres like Cotton and Jute, Tobacco, Rubber. |
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-
- 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."
- It promoted commercial farming, increased employment, and improved farmers' incomes.
Negative impact-
- Excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides caused soil degradation and declining soil fertility.
- Over-extraction of groundwater for water-intensive crops like rice lowered the water table.
- It also led to a loss of biodiversity.
(d) The sustainable agricultural practices to improve soil fertility are as follows:
- Crop Rotation
- Organic farming
- Cover cropping
- Green Manuring
- Agroforestry
- Vermicomposting
- Mulching
- Reduced Tillage
- Precision farming
- Biofertilizers
Related Questions
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(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.
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(d) With the help of an example of an area where this farming is practised explain how is it beneficial to 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.