Class 10 Geography Chapter 1 Case Based Questions - Contemporary India - II

Q1: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Agriculture is one of the oldest economic activities in India. Different farming methods have developed over time based on climatic conditions, technological development, and socio-cultural factors.

• Primitive subsistence farming is practiced on small patches of land using traditional tools. It is dependent on monsoons and natural soil fertility.
• Intensive subsistence farming is labor-intensive, uses biochemical inputs and irrigation, and is common in areas with high population pressure.
• Commercial farming uses modern technology, HYV seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides to achieve high production levels. Plantation farming is a type of commercial farming where single crops like tea, coffee, and rubber are grown over large areas.

i. What is primitive subsistence farming? (1 mark)
ii. Why is intensive subsistence farming common in densely populated areas? (1 mark)
iii. How does commercial farming differ from subsistence farming? (2 marks)

Ans:
i. Primitive subsistence farming is a traditional form of farming where small land patches are cultivated using basic tools, relying on monsoons and natural soil fertility.
ii. Intensive subsistence farming is common in densely populated areas because small landholdings require maximum output for survival, leading to the use of irrigation and chemical fertilizers.
iii. Commercial farming and subsistence farming differ in several key ways:

• Commercial farming focuses on producing crops for sale, using modern technology and high-yield seeds.
• It employs fertilisers and pesticides to maximise productivity.
• In contrast, subsistence farming is aimed at growing food primarily for the farmer's family.
• This type of farming relies on traditional methods and is less dependent on modern inputs.

Q2: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

India has three main cropping seasons:

• Rabi (Winter Season): Crops are sown in October-December and harvested in April-June. Major crops include wheat, barley, gram, and mustard. These crops grow well in northwestern states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Kharif (Monsoon Season): Crops are sown with the onset of monsoon (June-July) and harvested in September-October. Major crops include rice, maize, jowar, bajra, cotton, and soyabean. Important rice-growing states include West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam.
• Zaid (Summer Season): This is a short season between Rabi and Kharif where crops like watermelon, muskmelon, and cucumbers are grown.

i. Name one Rabi and one Kharif crop. (1 mark)
ii. Why are Kharif crops sown with the onset of monsoon? (1 mark)
iii. What makes Zaid crops different from Rabi and Kharif crops? (2 marks)

Ans:
i. Rabi Crop: Wheat; Kharif Crop: Rice.
ii. Kharif crops are sown with monsoon rains because they require a large amount of water for growth, such as paddy and maize.
iii. Zaid crops are distinct from Rabi and Kharif crops due to their specific growing season and characteristics:

• They are cultivated in the short summer season between Rabi and Kharif.
• Common examples include watermelons, cucumbers, and various vegetables.
• These crops require less water and thrive in a warm climate.

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Q3: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

India is a leading producer of food crops such as rice, wheat, and millets.

• Rice is the staple food crop of India and requires high temperature (above 25°C), high humidity, and annual rainfall above 100 cm. It is mainly grown in West Bengal, Assam, and coastal regions.
• Wheat is the second most important cereal crop and grows in cool conditions with moderate rainfall (50-75 cm). It is mainly cultivated in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Millets (Jowar, Bajra, and Ragi) are known as coarse grains but are highly nutritious. They grow well in dry regions and are produced in Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

i. Which is the staple food crop of India? (1 mark)
ii. Why is wheat grown mostly in northwestern India? (1 mark)
iii. How do millets differ from rice and wheat in terms of growing conditions? (2 marks)

Ans:
i. Rice is the staple food crop of India. It is essential for a large portion of the population.
ii. Wheat grows mostly in northwestern India because the region has cool growing seasons, moderate rainfall, and fertile soil, ideal for wheat cultivation.
iii. Millets differ from rice and wheat in several key ways regarding their growing conditions:

• Water Requirements: Millets need significantly less water.
• Soil Adaptability: They thrive in sandy and dry regions.
• Drought Resistance: Millets are more resilient to droughts compared to rice and wheat.

Q4: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Plantation farming is a type of commercial farming where a single crop is grown over a large area. It requires large investments, migrant labor, and well-developed transport for processing and marketing.

• Tea plantations are common in Assam and Darjeeling.
• Coffee plantations are found in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
• Rubber plantations thrive in Kerala and Meghalaya due to high rainfall.

i. What is the main characteristic of plantation farming? (1 mark)
ii. Name two plantation crops grown in India. (1 mark)
iii. Why is transport infrastructure important for plantation farming? (2 marks)

Ans:
i. Plantation farming involves growing a single crop on large estates using modern technology and migrant labor.
ii. Tea (Assam, Darjeeling) and Coffee (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu) are two important plantation crops.
iii. Transport infrastructure is crucial for plantation farming due to several reasons:

• Quick processing: Plantation crops need to be processed swiftly to maintain quality.
• Efficient transportation: Crops must be transported to markets and industries without delay.
• Market access: A well-developed transport network connects plantations with processing facilities and consumers.

Q5: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

After independence, the Indian government introduced several reforms to improve agriculture:

• Land reforms such as abolition of zamindari and consolidation of land holdings.
• Green Revolution (1960s-70s) introduced HYV seeds, fertilizers, and mechanization, increasing wheat and rice production.
• Kisan Credit Card (KCC) and crop insurance schemes provided financial help to farmers.

i. What was the main aim of land reforms in India? (1 mark)
ii. How did the Green Revolution help Indian agriculture? (1 mark)
iii. What are two government schemes introduced to support farmers? (2 marks)

Ans:
i. Land reforms aimed to abolish zamindari and ensure fair land distribution among farmers.
ii. The Green Revolution increased food production through the use of HYV seeds, irrigation, and fertilizers.
ii. Kisan Credit Card (KCC) and crop insurance are two key government schemes aimed at supporting farmers.

• Kisan Credit Card (KCC): Provides easy access to loans for farmers.
• Crop insurance: Protects farmers from losses due to natural disasters.

Q6: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy, providing livelihood to more than 50% of the population. It also supplies raw materials to industries such as textiles, sugar, and food processing. Despite its importance, Indian agriculture faces challenges like low productivity, lack of irrigation, and dependency on monsoons. Government initiatives like the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and subsidies on fertilizers and seeds aim to support farmers.

i. What percentage of India's population is engaged in agriculture? (1 mark)
ii. Why is agriculture important for industries? (1 mark)
iii. How does the government support farmers to overcome agricultural challenges? (2 marks)

Ans:
i. More than 50% of India’s population is engaged in agriculture.
ii. Agriculture supplies raw materials like cotton, sugarcane, and jute to industries such as textiles and food processing.
iii. The government supports farmers through various initiatives, including:

• Minimum Support Price (MSP): Ensures farmers receive a fair price for their crops.
• Subsidies: Financial assistance on fertilisers and seeds to reduce costs.
• Crop Insurance Schemes: Protects farmers against losses due to natural disasters.
• Kissan Credit Card (KCC): Provides easy access to credit for farmers.
• Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (PAIS): Offers financial security in case of accidents.
• Weather Bulletins: Regular updates on weather conditions to aid planning.

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Q7: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Organic farming is a sustainable agricultural method that avoids the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Instead, it relies on natural fertilizers (like manure and compost), crop rotation, and biological pest control. Organic farming is gaining popularity as it produces healthier food, reduces pollution, and maintains soil fertility. However, it requires more labor and produces lower yields compared to chemical-based farming.

i. What is organic farming? (1 mark)
ii. Why is organic farming considered environmentally friendly? (1 mark)
iii. Mention one advantage and one disadvantage of organic farming. (2 marks)

Ans:
i. Organic farming avoids chemical fertilizers and pesticides, using natural methods to grow crops.
ii. It reduces pollution, preserves soil fertility, and avoids harmful chemicals in food production.
iii. Advantage: Produces healthier and chemical-free food. 
Disadvantage: Generally results in lower yields compared to conventional farming.

Q8: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Several factors affect agricultural productivity in India, including climate, soil fertility, irrigation, and use of modern technology.

• Climatic factors: Crops require suitable temperature, rainfall, and humidity for growth.
• Soil fertility: Some regions have fertile alluvial soil, while others have infertile laterite or desert soil.
• Irrigation facilities: Agriculture in Punjab and Haryana benefits from irrigation, while Rajasthan and Maharashtra suffer from water scarcity.
• Technology: The use of HYV seeds, tractors, fertilizers, and pesticides has increased productivity in Green Revolution areas.

i. How does soil fertility affect agricultural productivity? (1 mark)
ii. Which states benefit from irrigation facilities in India? (1 mark)
iii. How has technology improved agricultural productivity in India? (2 marks)

Ans:
i. Fertile soil like alluvial soil increases crop yield, while infertile soil like laterite and desert soil limits productivity.
ii. Punjab and Haryana benefit from irrigation, ensuring year-round farming.
iii. The introduction of modern technology has significantly boosted agricultural productivity in India. 
Key advancements include:

• High Yield Variety (HYV) seeds that produce more crops.
• Use of tractors for efficient land preparation.
• Application of fertilisers to enhance soil fertility.
• Utilisation of pesticides to protect crops from pests.

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Q9: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Indian farmers face several challenges, including small landholdings, dependence on monsoons, and low prices for their produce.

• Fragmentation of land: Most Indian farmers own small and scattered land pieces, making mechanization difficult.
• Unreliable monsoons: Many farmers depend on rainfall, leading to crop failures during droughts.
• Market issues: Farmers often do not get fair prices due to middlemen and lack of storage facilities.
  To help farmers, the government has introduced schemes like PM-KISAN (financial aid) and crop insurance to cover losses from natural disasters.

i. Why is land fragmentation a problem for Indian farmers? (1 mark)
ii. How do unreliable monsoons affect Indian agriculture? (1 mark)
iii. What government measures help farmers overcome these challenges? (2 marks)

Ans:
i. Land fragmentation reduces farm size, making mechanization difficult and increasing costs.
ii. Unreliable monsoons lead to droughts, crop failures, and low agricultural output, especially in rain-fed areas.
iii. The government supports farmers through various measures, including:

• PM-KISAN: Financial aid to farmers.
• Crop insurance: Protection against losses due to natural disasters.
• Irrigation projects: Enhancing water supply for farming.
• Kissan Credit Card (KCC): Low-interest loans for farmers.
• Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (PAIS): Financial security for farmers in case of accidents.
• Minimum Support Price: Ensuring fair prices for crops to prevent exploitation.

Q10: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

India is a leading producer of horticultural crops, which include fruits, vegetables, and spices.

• Mangoes are widely grown in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.
• Bananas are mainly produced in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
• Spices like cardamom and pepper are grown in Kerala and Karnataka.
• Sugarcane, cotton, and jute are important cash crops that contribute to India’s economy.

i. What are horticultural crops? (1 mark)
ii. Name two Indian states that produce bananas. (1 mark)
iii. How do cash crops contribute to India’s economy? (2 marks)

Ans:
i. Horticultural crops include fruits, vegetables, and spices grown for commercial use.
ii. Tamil Nadu and Kerala are two major Indian states known for their significant production of bananas.
iii. Cash crops such as sugarcane, cotton, and jute play a significant role in India's economy through various channels:

• Support for agro-industries, providing raw materials for processing.
• Creation of employment opportunities in farming and related sectors.
• Boosting exports, contributing to foreign exchange earnings.