Class 10 Geography Chapter 4 Question Answers - Agriculture

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Q1. Distinguish between Intensive Subsistence Farming and Commercial Farming.

Ans: Intensive Subsistence Farming

• Practised in regions with high population density.
• Labour-intensive, using significant biochemical inputs and irrigation.
• Aims for maximum output from limited land due to a lack of alternative livelihoods.
• Common in states like Punjab and Haryana.

Commercial Farming

• Focuses on high productivity using modern inputs like HYV seeds and chemical fertilisers.
• The level of commercialisation varies by region; for example, rice is a commercial crop in Haryana but a subsistence crop in Odisha.
• Includes plantation farming, where a single crop is grown on a large scale.
• Major plantation crops in India include tea, coffee, and sugarcane.

Q2. Describe the geographical conditions for growth of cotton. Name the major areas of its production. Why is West Bengal the leading producer of Jute, the second important fibre crop of India? 
OR 
Which are the important fibre crops of India? Mention the major producing areas of each crop. Write about the geographical conditions required for the growth of the most important fibre crop.

Ans: Cotton, jute, hemp and natural silk are the major fibre crops of India. The geographical conditions for cotton, the most important fibre crop, include:

• Cotton is a kharif crop that thrives in high temperatures.
• It requires light rainfall or irrigation, with around 210 frost-free days.
• Bright sunshine is essential for its growth.
• Excess rainfall during the cotton ball bursting period can be harmful.
• Cotton grows best in the drier regions of the black soil area of the Deccan Plateau.

The major cotton-producing states in India are: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh.

Jute, known as the golden fibre, is the second most important fibre crop. West Bengal leads in jute production due to:

• Well-drained, fertile soils in the floodplains, which are renewed annually.
• High temperatures during the growth period.

Other jute-producing states include: Bihar, Assam, Odisha, Meghalaya

Q3. What are the main cropping seasons of India? 

Ans: India has three main cropping seasons:

• Rabi:
  • Sown in winter (October to December).
  • Harvested in summer (April to June).
  • Key crops include wheat, barley, peas, gram, and mustard.
  • Important regions: Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh.
  • Success relies on winter precipitation from western temperate cyclones.
• Kharif:
  • Grown with the onset of monsoon (June to September).
  • Harvested in September-October.
  • Key crops include paddy, maize, jowar, bajra, tur (arhar), moong, urad, cotton, jute, groundnut, and soyabean.
  • Major rice-growing areas: Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
  • In some states, three rice crops are grown annually: Aus, Aman, and Boro.
• Zaid:
  • A short season between rabi and kharif.
  • Crops include watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber, vegetables, and fodder.
  • Sugarcane takes almost a year to grow.

Q4. Explain rubber cultivation in India under the following heads. [2011 (T-1)]

Ans: Importance:

• Rubber is a vital industrial raw material.
• It is used to make products like tyres and tubes for vehicles.

Geographical conditions:

• Rubber is primarily an equatorial crop but can grow in tropical and sub-tropical areas.
• It needs a moist and humid climate with over 200 cm of rainfall.
• Temperatures should be above 25°C for optimal growth.

Rubber producing states:

• The main states for rubber cultivation are Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Q5. Explain briefly any four features of intensive subsistence farming in India.

Ans: Four features of intensive subsistence farming in India are:

• High Population Pressure: This farming is common in regions with a dense population, particularly in the east and south of India, including states like West Bengal, Assam, Orissa, Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
• Cereal Production: Farmers primarily grow cereal crops such as rice and millets for their own consumption and for local markets.
• Land Ownership Limits: There are restrictions on the amount of land a farmer can own, which affects agricultural practices.
• Labour-Intensive Methods: This type of farming relies heavily on family labour and the use of high doses of inputs like fertilisers and irrigation to maximise yields.

Q6. Compare the geographical conditions, required of the two major cereal crops in India, rice and wheat. Give one major area where they are grown.

Ans: Geographical conditions for Rice:

• Temperature: Requires high temperatures above 25°C.
• Humidity: Needs high humidity.
• Rainfall: Requires over 100 cm annually or assured irrigation.
• Soil: Prefers alluvial soil.
• Major Regions: Grown in coastal areas, Haryana, Punjab, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha.

Geographical conditions for Wheat:

• Temperature: Thrives in cool conditions between 15°C to 30°C.
• Sunshine: Needs bright sunshine during ripening.
• Rainfall: Requires 50 to 75 cm of annual rainfall.
• Soil: Grows well in alluvial soil.
• Major Regions: Predominantly grown in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab.

Q7. State the geographical conditions required for growing rice and cotton.

Ans: Geographical conditions for growing rice:

• Rice thrives in plains of northern and northeastern India, as well as in coastal and delta regions.
• It requires a dense network of canal irrigation and tubewells, enabling growth in areas with less rainfall.

Geographical requirements for cotton:

• Temperature: Needs high temperatures.
• Rainfall: Prefers light rainfall or requires irrigation.
• Soil: Grows best in black soil.
• Regions: Major states include Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Q8. Name the four fibre crops grown in India. Which one of them is not obtained directly from the crops? What is the name given to the process involved in its production?

Ans: Four fibre crops grown in India:

• Jute
• Cotton
• Hemp
• Natural silk

The fibre that is not obtained directly from the crop is natural silk. This is produced through a process called sericulture, where silk is harvested from the cocoons of silkworms that are fed on mulberry leaves.

Q9. Why has Indian agriculture started a declining trend in food production? Explain any four reason.

Ans: Food production in India is declining due to several factors:

• There is a gradual shift from growing food crops to cash crops, fruits, and vegetables.
• Urbanisation has reduced the area available for food crops.
• More land is being allocated for housing and industries.
• The productivity of land is declining because of excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
• Natural disasters, such as drought and floods, are becoming more frequent, impacting food production.

Q10. Mention the geographical conditions for the growth of wheat. Name the major areas of wheat production.

Ans: Wheat is a vital food crop primarily grown in the northern and north-western regions of India. The conditions that favour its growth include:

• Temperature: Wheat is a rabi crop that thrives in cool weather. The ideal temperature during sowing is between 10°C and 15°C. Warmer temperatures and bright sunshine are necessary during harvesting for proper grain ripening.
• Rainfall: It requires moderate rainfall of 50 to 75 cm annually, distributed evenly throughout the growing season. A bit of winter rain before ripening can enhance yield.
• Soil: Wheat grows best in deep alluvial clayey soils found in the Northern Plains and also in the black soil of the Deccan region.

The two major wheat-growing zones in India are: The Ganga-Satluj plains in the north-west. The black soil region of the Deccan.

The principal states for wheat production include:

• Punjab
• Haryana
• Uttar Pradesh
• Bihar
• Rajasthan
• Parts of Madhya Pradesh

Q11. Write four geographical requirements each for the growth of tea and sugarcane.

Ans: Tea is a significant beverage crop in India. Its growth depends on the following geographical requirements:

• Tropical and Sub-Tropical Climate: The tea plant thrives best in these climates.
• Warm and Moist Conditions: Tea bushes need a warm, moist environment that is free from frost.
• Well-Drained Soil: Deep, fertile soil rich in humus and organic matter is essential.
• Regular Rainfall: Frequent, evenly distributed showers support continuous growth.

Sugarcane is another important crop in India, with the following geographical requirements:

• Hot and Humid Climate: It grows well in temperatures between 21°C and 27°C.
• Annual Rainfall: Requires 75 cm to 100 cm of rainfall, with irrigation needed in drier areas.
• Variety of Soils: Sugarcane can be cultivated on different soil types.
• Manual Labour: The crop needs significant manual labour from sowing to harvesting.

Q12. State any four characteristies of commerical farming in India. [2011 (T-1)]

Ans: Four characteristics of commercial farming in India are:

• Large-scale production: Crops are cultivated on extensive farms or plantations primarily for commercial purposes and export.
• Capital intensive: This type of farming requires significant investment in modern inputs.
• Use of modern inputs: High yielding variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilisers, insecticides, and pesticides are employed to boost productivity, along with irrigation to meet water needs.
• Regional practice: Commercial farming is prevalent in states with lower population density, such as Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and western Uttar Pradesh. Key crops include wheat, cotton, sugarcane, oilseeds, tea, and coffee.