Infographics: Agriculture | Social Studies (SST) Class 10 PDF Download

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Agriculture in India
Agriculture forms the backbone of India's economy and serves as a primary activity that provides food and raw 
materials for various industries. From tea leaves that supply the tea industry to cotton that feeds textile mills, 
agriculture creates the foundation for numerous secondary industries. Remarkably, about two-thirds of India's 
population depends on agriculture for their livelihood, making it one of the most crucial sectors in the country.
Types of Farming Systems
Primitive Farming
Small patches cultivated with 
crude tools and family labor. 
Known as jhumming in 
Northeast India, podu, bewar, 
and penda in different regions. 
Features low productivity with 
soil fertility restored through 
fallow periods.
Intensive Subsistence
High labor input on small plots 
with extensive use of family 
labor and local inputs. 
Commonly practiced in high 
population density areas, 
particularly in eastern and 
northern India where land is 
limited.
Commercial Farming
Market-oriented approach 
using high inputs like HYV 
seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation. 
Includes plantation farming with 
single crops over large areas 
such as tea, coffee, rubber, and 
sugarcane operations.
Cropping Seasons and Agricultural Calendar
1
Kharif Season (Monsoon)
Sown with monsoon onset, harvested September-
October. Major crops: rice, maize, jowar, bajra, 
cotton, jute, groundnut, soyabean. Depends on 
monsoon rainfall and warm temperatures.
2
Rabi Season (Winter)
Sown October-December, harvested April-June. 
Key crops: wheat, barley, peas, gram, mustard. 
Benefits from cool growing seasons and bright 
sunshine during ripening.
3
Zaid Season (Summer)
Short summer season crops: watermelon, 
muskmelon, cucumber, vegetables. Sugarcane is 
unique, taking one full year to mature across 
multiple seasons.
Major Crops and Regional Distribution
Rice Production
Kharif crop requiring humid conditions, temperatures 
above 25°C, and 100cm+ rainfall. Major regions: 
Assam, West Bengal, coastal Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, 
Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Konkan coast, UP, Bihar, Punjab, 
Haryana.
Wheat Cultivation
Rabi crop needing cool growing seasons and bright 
sunshine while ripening. Primary areas: Punjab, 
Haryana, UP, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan - 
forming India's wheat belt.
Millets (Drought-Tolerant)
Jowar, bajra, and ragi are drought-resistant crops. 
Jowar grows in Maharashtra, Karnataka, AP, MP. Bajra 
thrives in Rajasthan, UP, Maharashtra. Ragi cultivated in 
Karnataka and hilly regions.
Maize for Food & Fodder
Versatile crop for human consumption and animal feed. 
Major producers: Karnataka, MP, UP, Bihar, AP, 
Telangana, contributing significantly to food security.
Cash Crops and Commercial Agriculture
Sugarcane
Tropical/subtropical crop 
requiring high water input. 
Major producers: UP, 
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil 
Nadu, AP, Bihar, Punjab, 
Haryana.
Cotton
Grown on black cotton soils as 
kharif crop. Primary regions: 
Maharashtra, Gujarat, MP, AP, 
Telangana, Karnataka.
Jute
Thrives in floodplains with high 
humidity. Concentrated in West 
Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha. 
Known as "Golden Fiber."
Plantation Crops and Beverages
Tea Plantations
Labor-intensive cultivation in Assam, Darjeeling, North 
Bengal, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Meghalaya. 
Requires deep, fertile, well-drained soil and frequent 
rainfall.
Coffee Cultivation
Arabica and Robusta varieties grown in Karnataka 
(Coorg), Kerala, Tamil Nadu. Requires specific altitude 
and climate for optimal flavor development.
Rubber Production
Industrial raw material needing 200cm+ annual rainfall. 
Concentrated in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, 
Andaman Islands, Garo Hills of Meghalaya.
Institutional Reforms and Technological Progress
Land Reforms Post-Independence
Abolition of zamindari system, land consolidation, 
tenancy reforms with mixed success. Aimed to 
provide land ownership to actual cultivators.
Green Revolution (1960s-70s)
HYV seeds, improved irrigation, fertilizer use 
increased production significantly in Punjab, 
Haryana, western UP.
White Revolution
Operation Flood made India world's largest milk 
producer, improving rural incomes and nutrition 
levels.
Modern Support Systems
Crop insurance, Grameen banks, cooperatives, Kisan 
Credit Cards, insurance schemes support farmers 
financially.
Current Challenges and Environmental Impact
Land Fragmentation
Increasing pressure creates smaller, unviable 
holdings that reduce productivity and make 
mechanization difficult.
Input Overuse
Excessive fertilizers and pesticides cause soil 
degradation, groundwater depletion, 
environmental pollution, threatening 
sustainability.
Irrigation Problems
Improper practices lead to salinization, 
waterlogging, changes in cropping patterns, 
affecting soil health and productivity.
Unequal Benefits
Green Revolution benefits concentrated in certain 
states, creating regional disparities and leaving 
many areas with traditional methods.
India's Agricultural Achievements
2nd
Rice Production
World's second-largest rice 
producer, feeding hundreds of 
millions and contributing to global 
food security.
1st
Pulse Production
Largest producer and consumer of 
pulses worldwide, providing 
essential protein to vegetarian 
populations.
2nd
Tea Production
Second-largest tea producer 
globally, with Assam and Darjeeling 
teas recognized worldwide for 
quality.
Understanding agriculture's role in India requires recognizing its complexity and regional diversity. From rice 
fields of Bengal to wheat plains of Punjab, from tea gardens of Assam to cotton fields of Gujarat, each region 
contributes uniquely to the nation's agricultural tapestry. The sector continues evolving through technological 
advances, policy reforms, and sustainable practices, ensuring food security for over a billion people while 
adapting to climate change and modernization challenges.
Key Takeaway: Success in agriculture directly impacts rural livelihoods, urban food supplies, industrial 
raw materials, and export earnings, making it fundamental to India's economic development and social 
stability.