Short Answer Type Questions
Q1: Define the following terms:
(i) Agriculture
(ii) Kharif Crop
(iii) Zaid Crop
Ans: (i) Agriculture : The art and science’4 of cultivating soil, raising crops and rearing livestock including animal husbandry and forestry.
(ii) Kharif Crop : The Kharif season starts with the onset of the monsoon, i.e., June-July and continues till the beginning of winter, i.e, October-November.
(iii) Zaid Crop : These are crops which are sown between the rabi and kharif crops. Watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber and vegetables are some examples of the zaid crops.
Q2: Mention any three features of slash, and burn agriculture.
Ans: (i) Farmers clear a patch of land and produce cereals and other food crops to sustain their family.
(ii) When the soil fertility decreases, the farmers shift and clear a fresh patch of land for cultivation.
(ii) India has tropical climate with ample sunshine. So, we have a long growing season.
Q3: Diversification of agriculture can be helpful for the Indian farmers. Explain.
Ans: (i) Most of the traditional crops like wheat and rice have very low market value as compare to fruits, medicinal herbs, flowers etc.
(ii) India’s diverse climate can be harnessed to grow a wide range of high value crops.
(iii) This type of shifting allows nature to replenish the fertility of the soil through natural processes; land productivity in this type of agriculture is low as the farmer does not use fertilisers or other modem inputs.
Q4: What is commercial farming Mention its major features. [CBSE 2014]
Ans: Commercial farming is a type of farming under which farmers grow crops to sell in the market. Features:-
(i) Farmers use higher doses of modern inputs, e.g., high yielding variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilisers, insecticides etc.
(ii) The per hectare productivity is very high.
(iii) Rice, sugarcane, tea, coffee are the major crops which are grown under this.
Q5: (i) What is a plantation agriculture
(ii) Mention any four plantation crops produced in India.
(iii) Mention any two factors which play an important role in the development of plantations.
Ans: (i) Plantation agriculture is a type of commercial farming under which a single crop is grown on a large area.
(ii) Tea, coffee, rubber and sugarcane.
(iii) (a) Developed network of transport and communication connecting the plantation areas.
(b) Developed market.
Q6: Name the cropping seasons of India with one crop of each season.
Ans: (i) Rabi – Wheat
(ii) Kharif – Rice
(iii) Zaid – Watermelon
Q7: (i) What are rabi crops’ Give four examples.
Or
Mention growing and harvesting periods of rabi crops. [CBSE 2008]
(ii) Mention any two important factors responsible for the success of the rabi crops.
Ans: (i) The crops which are grown in winter from October to December and harvested in summer from April to June are known as rabi crop. *
Examples : Wheat, Barley, Peas and Gram, (ii) (a) Availability of precipitation during the winter months due to the western temperate cyclone.
(b) The success of Green Revolution in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh.
Q8: With reference to kharif crop, answer the following questions :
(i) When are kharif crops sown
(ii) Name any four states which are the main producers of kharif crops.
(iii) Name some kharif crops.
Ans: (i) These are sown with the onset of monsoon.
(ii) (a) Assam
(b) West Bengal
(c) Andhra Pradesh
(d) Tamil Nadu
(iii) Rice, millet, maize, groundnut, jute and cotton.
Q9: Give any three features of zaid crops. [CBSE 2014]
Ans: (i) The crops which are grown in between rabi and the kharif crops are known as zaid crops.
(ii) These crops are of short duration.
(iii) Watermelon, cucumber, vegetables and fodder crops are most important examples of zaid crops.
Q10: Mention any four features of the primitive subsistence farming. [CBSE Comp. (O) 2008, 14]
Ans: (i) Primitive subsistence agriculture is practised on small patches of land with the help of primitive tools like hoe, dao and digging sticks with the help of family/community labour.
(ii) This type of farming depends upon the monsoon, natural fertility of the soil and suitability of other environmental conditions for the crops to be grown.
(iii) Under this, farmers produce for self-consumption.
(iv) Per hectare availability of land is very low.
Long Answer Type Questions
Q11: Why is agriculture called the mainstay of Indian economy
Or
What is the importance of agriculture in Indian economy
Ans: (i) Agriculture is the mainstay of Indian economy because about 60% of our population depends directly or indirectly on agriculture.
(ii) It provides raw materials to the industries.
(iii) India earns foreign exchange by exporting agricultural products.
(iv) It contributes about 29% to the Gross Domestic Product.
(v) It provides food to over 1210.2 million population.
Q12: What is primitive (subsistence) farming Write any four features of subsistence farming. [CBSE Comp. (O) 2008]
Or
Why is subsistence agriculture still practised in certain parts of the country Give four reasons. [CBSE Sept. 2010]
Ans: A farming in which the main production is consumed by the farmer’s household is known as subsistence farming.
Features :
(i) Old technology and traditional implements are used.
(ii) Agricultural fields are small and farmers possess scattered land holdings.
(iii) Most of the farmers are poor, and do not use fertilisers and HYV seeds.
(iv) The overall productivity is very low. *
Q13: What is intensive farming Write some features of intensive farming. [CBSE Sept. 2013]
Or
Why is there enormous pressure on land in Intensive Subsistence Farming [CBSE 2013]
Ans: Intensive farming : It is a type of farming in which the agricultural production is increased by using scientific methods and better agricultural inputs.
Features :
(i) HYV seeds and modern inputs are used to increase the production.
(ii) More than one crop is cultivated during a year.
(iii) It is practised in thickly populated areas.
(iv) The per hectare yield is very high.
Q14: What is plantation agriculture Write some features of the plantation agriculture. [CBSE Sept. 2012]
Or
Describe any four characteristics of plantation agriculture. [CBSE Comp. (D) 2008]
Ans: This is a type of agriculture which involves growing and processing of a single cash crop purely meant for sale. Rubber, tea, coffee, spices, coconut and fruits are some of the important crops which come under the category of plantation agriculture.
Features :
(i) It is a single crop farming.
(ii) It is a capital intensive farming, i.e., a huge amount of capital is required.
(iii) It needs vast estates, managerial ability, technical know-how, sophisticated machinery, fertilisers, good transport facilities and a factory for processing.
(iv) This type of agriculture has developed in areas of north-eastern India, Sub-Himalayan region, West Bengal and Nilgiri.
Q15: What is shifting agriculture Why shifting agriculture is being discouraged
Ans: It is that type of agriculture in which farmers clear the forest land and use it for growing crops. The crops are grown for 2 to 3 years, and when the fertility of the soil decreases, the farmer shifts to a new land. Dry paddy, maize, millets and vegetables are the crops commonly grown in this type of farming.
It is being discouraged because :
(i) This leads to deforestation.
(ii) The per hectare yield is very low.
Q16: Explain the favourable geographical conditions required for the production of rice. Also mention the major rice producing states of India. [CBSE Sept. 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013]
Ans: (i) Temperature : It is a kharif crop which requires high temperature, and high humidity. This means monthly temperature of about 25°C with minor variation during the sowing, growing and harvesting season, is suitable for the growth of the plant.
(ii) Rainfall : Rice needs abundant rainfall, i.e., more than 100 cm. It can grow in areas with less rainfall, but with assured irrigation. Rice is grown in Punjab and Haryana with the help of irrigation.
(iii) Soil : Rice can grow in a variety of soils including silts, loams and gravels, but it is grown best in alluvial soil with a sub-soil of impervious clay. Areas of production : Rice is cultivated in almost all the states of India, but most of its cultivation is concentrated in the river valleys, deltas of rivers and the coastal plains.
The main rice producing states are West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Odisha, Karnataka, Assam and Maharashtra.
Q17: What type of climate is required for the cultivation of wheat Name any four important wheat producing states of India. [CBSE Sept. 2012]
Ans: (i) Temperature : Cool and moist weather during growth, and warm and dry climate during ripening is needed.
(ii) Rainfall : 50-75 cm rainfall is required. Rainfall is necessary and beneficial, 15 days after sowing, and 15 days before ripening. A few light winter showers or assured irrigation ensures a bumper harvest.
(iii) Soil : Light domat (loamy) soil is required. It can also be grown in black soil. Important producers : Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are the main producers of wheat.
Q18: Describe three geographical requirements for maize cultivation – temperature, rainfall and soil. Name three maize producing states of India. [CBSE Sept. 2010]
Ans: (i) Temperature : It grows well under temperature between 21°C and 27°C.
(ii) Rainfall : It grows well in areas of 50¬100 cm of rain, and in areas of less rain, if grown under irrigation.
(iii) Soil : It requires well drained alluvial fertile soil or red loams free from coarse materials. Important produces : Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh are the leading producers.
Q19: Describe the temperature and climatic conditions required for the cultivation of sugarcane. Name two leading producers. [CBSE Comp. 2008,09(D), 2010(0)]
Or
What geographical conditions are required for the cultivation of sugarcane Name two largest producing states of sugarcane. [CBSE Sept. 2010]
Ans: (i) Temperature : Sugarcane needs hot and humid climate with temperature ranging between 21°C to 27°C. Very high temperature is harmful for its growth, while low temperature slows its growth. It cannot withstand frost. Cool temperature is needed at the time of ripening.
(ii) Rainfall : It grows best in areas receiving 75 cm to 100 cm of rainfall. Too heavy rainfall results in low sugar content.
(iii) Soil : Sugarcane grows on well-drained fertile soil. It can grow on a variety of soils including black, alluvial, loamy and reddish loam.
Sugarcane :
But the best soil is the alluvial soil of the Ganga Plain and the black soil of southern India. Sugarcane exhausts the fertility of the soil. Hence, the use of manure is essential to ensure high yields.
Areas of Production :
Uttar Pradesh is the largest producer of sugarcane. The other states in the Ganga-Plain are Bihar, Punjab and Haryana.
Q20: Name the most important beverage crop of India. Describe the suitable climatic conditions required for its growth. Also mention the major states producing that crop. [CBSE 2010(0)]
Or
Describe any three geographical conditions required for tea cultivation. Name any two producing states of tea. [CBSE Sept. 2010, 2012]
Or
Name the important beverage crop introduced by the British in India. Explain the geographical conditions needed for its cultivation. Write any two important states where it is grown. [CBSE 2013]
Or
Describe any four ‘ geographical conditions required for the growth of tea. Mention the two major tea producing states of South India. [CBSE 2012]
Ans: Tea is the most important beverage crop of India.
Climatic conditions :
(i) Temperature : The tea plant grows well in tropical and sub tropical climate. Tea bushes require warm and moist, frost-free climate all through the year. Tea bushes need temperature of more than 25°C.
(ii) Rainfall : Tea plant needs heavy rainfall ranging between 150 cm to 250 cm. The rainfall should be well distributed throughout the year.
(iii) Soil : The plant requires a light loamy soil. The soil should be rich in humus and iron content. Tea is a soil exhausting crop, so frequent use of chemical fertilisers and manure is essential.
Producers :
Major tea-producing states are Assam, West Bengal, (Hills of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri Districts), Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Apart from these, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh and Tripura are also tea producing states in the country.
