Passage Based Questions: Land Resources and Agriculture | Geography Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Passage - 1

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As a result, the pressure on land will increase with time and marginal lands would come under use. (ii) Secondly, the composition of the economy would undergo a change over time. In other words, the secondary and the tertiary sectors usually grow much faster than the primary sector, specifically the agricultural sector. This type of change is common in developing countries, like India. This process would result in a gradual shift of land from agricultural uses to non-agricultural uses.

Q1: What is the consequence of the pressure on land increasing over time in developing countries like India?
Ans:

• Marginal lands would come under use as a result of increasing pressure on land.
• There would be a gradual shift of land from agricultural uses to non-agricultural uses.

Q2: How does the composition of the economy change over time in developing countries like India?
Ans:

• The secondary and tertiary sectors grow much faster than the primary sector.
• The growth in secondary and tertiary sectors outpaces the agricultural sector's growth.

Q3: Why is the shift of land from agricultural uses to non-agricultural uses common in developing countries?
Ans:

• Increasing pressure on land leads to the utilization of marginal lands.
• Faster growth in secondary and tertiary sectors compared to agriculture results in the shift of land use.

Passage - 2

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India has undergone major changes within the economy over the past four or five decades, and this has influenced the land-use changes in the country. These changes between 1950–51 and 2014–15 have been shown in Fig. 3.1. There are two points that you need to remember before you derive some meaning from this figure. Firstly, the percentages shown in the figure have been derived with respect to the reporting area. Secondly, since even the reporting area has been relatively constant over the years, a decline in one category usually leads to an increase in some other category.

Q1: What is the significance of the percentages shown in Fig. 3.1 regarding land-use changes in India between 1950–51 and 2014–15?
Ans:

• The percentages in Fig. 3.1 are derived concerning the reporting area.
• A decline in one category results in an increase in some other category due to the relatively constant reporting area.

Q2: How has the Indian economy influenced land-use changes between 1950–51 and 2014–15?
Ans:

• Major changes within the Indian economy over the past four or five decades have influenced land-use changes.
• The economic shifts have been reflected in the alterations in land use during this period.

Q3: What has remained constant in the reporting area over the years, impacting changes in land use?
Ans:

• The reporting area has been relatively constant over the years, influencing changes in land use patterns.
• The constancy of the reporting area has led to the observed relationship where a decline in one category results in an increase in another category.

Passage - 3

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CPRs can be defined as community’s natural resource, where every member has the right of access and usage with specified obligations, without anybody having property rights over them. Community forests, pasture lands, village water bodies and other public spaces where a group larger than a household or family unit exercises rights of use and carries responsibility of management are examples of CPRs. 

Q1: What is the definition of Common Pool Resources (CPRs) in the context provided?
Ans:

• CPRs are natural resources owned by the community.
• Every member of the community has the right to access and use these resources with specific obligations.
• No individual or entity possesses exclusive property rights over CPRs.

Q2: Can you provide examples of Common Pool Resources (CPRs) based on the given definition?
Ans:

• Community forests, pasture lands, village water bodies, and public spaces fall under the category of CPRs.
• These resources are utilized collectively by groups larger than a household or family, with shared rights of use and mutual responsibilities for management.

Q3: What distinguishes Common Pool Resources (CPRs) from private property?
Ans:

• CPRs are community-owned resources without individual property rights.
• Access and usage rights are shared among community members, and specific obligations are attached, distinguishing them from privately owned resources.

Passage - 4

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An estimation of the total stock of agricultural land resources (i.e. total cultivable land) can be arrived at by adding up net sown area, all fallow lands and culturable wasteland. It may be observed from Table 3.1 that over the years, there has been a marginal decline in the available total stock of cultivable land as a percentage to total reporting area. There has been a greater decline of cultivated land, in spite of a corresponding decline of cultivable wasteland.

Q1: How can the total stock of agricultural land resources be estimated?
Ans:

• The total stock of agricultural land resources is estimated by adding up net sown area, all fallow lands, and culturable wasteland.
• This calculation provides an estimation of the total cultivable land available.

Q2: What has been the trend in the available total stock of cultivable land in recent years, as indicated in Table 3.1?
Ans:

• There has been a marginal decline in the available total stock of cultivable land as a percentage of the total reporting area over the years.
• Despite a decline in cultivable wasteland, there has been a greater decline in cultivated land.

Q3: What is the significance of the decline in the total stock of cultivable land and the decline in cultivated land?
Ans:

• The decline in the total stock of cultivable land indicates a reduction in the overall available agricultural resources.
• The greater decline in cultivated land despite a corresponding decline in cultivable wasteland suggests changes in land use or agricultural practices affecting the utilization of available resources.

Passage - 5

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It is clear from the above discussion that the scope for bringing in additional land under net sown area in India is limited. There is, thus, an urgent need to evolve and adopt land-saving technologies. Such technologies can be classified under two heads – those which raise the yield of any particular crop per unit area of land and those which increase the total output per unit area of land from all crops grown over one agricultural year by increasing land-use intensity. The advantage of the latter kind of technology is that along with increasing output from limited land, it also increases the demand for labour significantly. For a land scarce but labour abundant country like India, a high cropping intensity is desirable not only for fuller utilisation of land resource, but also for reducing unemployment in the rural economy.

Q1: What is the main concern regarding net sown area in India according to the passage?
Ans:

• The scope for bringing in additional land under net sown area in India is limited.

Q2: How can land-saving technologies be classified, and what are their purposes?
Ans:

• Land-saving technologies can be classified into two categories:
• Technologies that increase the yield of a specific crop per unit area of land.
• Technologies that enhance the total output per unit area of land by increasing land-use intensity, involving multiple crops in one agricultural year.

Q3: Why is high cropping intensity, as mentioned in the passage, desirable for a country like India?
Ans:

• High cropping intensity increases output from limited land.
• It significantly raises the demand for labor, contributing to the reduction of unemployment in the rural economy.
• This is particularly beneficial for a land-scarce but labor-abundant country like India.

Passage - 6

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The strategy of this kind of irrigation is to provide soil moisture to maximum possible area. Productive irrigation is meant to provide sufficient soil moisture in the cropping season to achieve high productivity. In such irrigation the water input per unit area of cultivated land is higher than protective irrigation. Rainfed farming is further classified on the basis of adequacy of soil moisture during cropping season into dryland and wetland farming. In India, the dryland farming is largely confined to the regions having annual rainfall less than 75 cm. 

Q1: What is the goal of the strategy behind productive irrigation?
Ans:

• The goal of productive irrigation is to provide sufficient soil moisture in the cropping season, aiming for high productivity.
• This type of irrigation ensures maximum possible area receives adequate soil moisture.

Q2: How does productive irrigation differ from protective irrigation in terms of water input?
Ans: 

• In productive irrigation, the water input per unit area of cultivated land is higher than in protective irrigation.
• Protective irrigation is designed to protect plants during dry periods, while productive irrigation focuses on maximizing productivity through adequate soil moisture.

Q3: How is rainfed farming classified in India based on soil moisture adequacy during the cropping season?
Ans:

• Rainfed farming in India is classified into dryland and wetland farming based on the adequacy of soil moisture during the cropping season.
• Dryland farming is prevalent in regions with annual rainfall less than 75 cm, where soil moisture levels are insufficient for consistent cultivation without additional irrigation.

Passage - 7

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Rice is a staple food for the overwhelming majority of population in India. Though, it is considered to be a crop of tropical humid areas, it has about 3,000 varieties which are grown in different agro-climatic regions. These are successfully grown from sea level to about 2,000 m altitude and from humid areas in eastern India to dry but irrigated areas of Punjab, Haryana, western U.P. and northern Rajasthan. In southern states and West Bengal the climatic conditions allow the cultivation of two or three crops of rice in an agricultural year. In West Bengal farmers grow three crops of rice called ‘aus’, ‘aman’ and ‘boro’. But in Himalayas and northwestern parts of the country, it is grown as a kharif crop during southwest Monsoon season. 

Q1: What is the significance of rice in India's agricultural landscape?
Ans:

• Rice serves as a staple food for the majority of the Indian population.
• Despite being a tropical crop, India cultivates around 3,000 varieties of rice, adapted to various agro-climatic regions.

Q2: In which regions and altitudes is rice successfully grown in India?
Ans:

• Rice varieties are grown from sea level to about 2,000 meters in altitude.
• They are cultivated in a range of regions, from humid areas in eastern India to dry but irrigated areas in Punjab, Haryana, western U.P., and northern Rajasthan.

Q3: How does rice cultivation vary in different states of India, especially in states like West Bengal?
Ans:

• In southern states and West Bengal, climatic conditions allow the cultivation of two or three crops of rice in a single agricultural year.
• In West Bengal, farmers cultivate three crops of rice known as ‘aus,’ ‘aman,’ and ‘boro.’
• However, in the Himalayas and northwestern parts of the country, rice is grown as a kharif crop during the southwest Monsoon season.

Passage - 8

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Wheat is the second most important cereal crop in India after rice. India produces about 12.8 per cent of total wheat production of world (2017). It is primarily a crop of temperate zone. Hence, its cultivation in India is done during winter i.e. rabi season. About 85 per cent of total area under this crop is concentrated in north and central regions of the country i.e. IndoGangetic Plain, Malwa Plateau and Himalayas up to 2,700 m altitude. Being a rabi crop, it is mostly grown under irrigated conditions. But it is a rainfed crop in Himalayan highlands and parts of Malwa plateau in Madhya Pradesh.

Q1: What is the significance of wheat in India's agricultural scenario?
Ans:

• Wheat is the second most important cereal crop in India after rice.
• India contributes approximately 12.8% of the world's total wheat production as of 2017.

Q2: When is wheat cultivation primarily done in India, and under what conditions is it grown?
Ans:

• Wheat cultivation in India takes place during the winter season, known as the rabi season.
• About 85% of the total area under wheat cultivation is concentrated in the north and central regions of the country, including the Indo-Gangetic Plain, Malwa Plateau, and Himalayas up to an altitude of 2,700 meters.
• Wheat is primarily grown under irrigated conditions, especially in the north and central regions. However, it is a rainfed crop in Himalayan highlands and parts of the Malwa plateau in Madhya Pradesh.

Q3: In which regions of India is wheat cultivation concentrated, and what type of climate is suitable for its growth?
Ans:

• Wheat cultivation is concentrated in the north and central regions of India, including the Indo-Gangetic Plain, Malwa Plateau, and Himalayas up to 2,700 meters in altitude.
• Wheat is primarily a crop of the temperate zone and is grown in India during the winter season (rabi season).

Passage - 9

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Maize is a food as well as fodder crop grown under semi-arid climatic conditions and over inferior soils. This crop occupies only about 3.6 per cent of total cropped area. Maize cultivation is not concentrated in any specific region. It is sown all over India exceptPunjab and eastern and north-eastern regions. The leading producers of maize are the states of Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Yield level of maize is higher than other coarse cereals. It is high in southern states and declines towards central parts.

Q1: What are the typical growing conditions for maize in India?
Ans:

• Maize is a crop grown under semi-arid climatic conditions and on inferior soils.
• It serves as both a food and fodder crop.

Q2: What percentage of the total cropped area does maize occupy in India, and is its cultivation region-specific?
Ans:

• Maize occupies approximately 3.6% of the total cropped area in India.
• Unlike certain crops, maize cultivation is not concentrated in any specific region. It is sown all over India except in Punjab and the eastern and northeastern regions.

Q3: Which states are the leading producers of maize in India, and how does maize yield vary across different regions?
Ans:

• The leading maize-producing states in India include Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Maize yield levels are higher than other coarse cereals, particularly in southern states. However, the yield declines towards central parts of the country.

Passage - 10

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Pulses are a very important ingredient of vegetarian food as these are rich sources of proteins. These are legume crops which increase the natural fertility of soils through nitrogen fixation. India is a leading producer of pulses in the world. The cultivation of pulses in the country is largely concentrated in the drylands of Deccan and central plateaus and northwestern parts of the country. Pulses occupy about 11 per cent of the total cropped area in the country. Being the rainfed crops of drylands, the yields of pulses are low and fluctuate from year to year. Gram and tur are the main pulses cultivated in India.

Q1: Why are pulses considered important in vegetarian food, and what nutritional benefit do they offer?
Ans:

• Pulses are crucial ingredients in vegetarian food because they are rich sources of proteins.
• They provide essential nutrients, especially protein, making them valuable in vegetarian diets.

Q2: Where is the cultivation of pulses concentrated in India, and what percentage of the total cropped area do pulses occupy?
Ans:

• Pulses in India are mainly cultivated in the drylands of Deccan, central plateaus, and northwestern parts of the country.
• Pulses occupy about 11% of the total cropped area in India.

Q3: Why do the yields of pulses in India fluctuate, and which are the primary pulses cultivated in the country?
Ans:

• Pulses in India are rainfed crops in drylands, leading to low and fluctuating yields from year to year.
• The main pulses cultivated in India are gram and tur, contributing significantly to the country's pulse production.

Passage - 11

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Tur is the second important pulse crop in the country. It is also known as red gram or pigeon pea. It is cultivated over marginal lands and under rainfed conditions in the dry areas of central and southern states of the country. This crop occupies only about 2 per cent of total cropped area of India. Maharashtra alone contributes about one-third of the total production of tur. Other leading producer states are Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Per hectare output of this crop is very low and its performance is inconsistent.

Q1: What is the alternative name for tur, and where is it primarily cultivated in India?
Ans:

• Tur is also known as red gram or pigeon pea.
• It is primarily cultivated over marginal lands and under rainfed conditions in the dry areas of central and southern states of India.

Q2: What percentage of the total cropped area does tur occupy in India, and which states are the leading producers of this pulse crop?
Ans:

• Tur occupies about 2% of the total cropped area in India.
• Maharashtra contributes about one-third of the total production of tur. Other leading producer states include Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.

Q3: What are the characteristics of tur cultivation in terms of output and consistency?
Ans:

• Tur has a very low per hectare output.
• Its performance is inconsistent, indicating fluctuating yields from year to year.

Passage - 12

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Rapeseed and mustard comprise several oilseeds as rai, sarson, toria and taramira. These are subtropical crops cultivated during rabi season in north-western and central parts of India. These are frost sensitive crops and their yields fluctuate from year to year. But with the expansion of irrigation and improvement in seed technology, their yields have improved and stabilised to some extent. About two-third of the cultivated area under these crops is irrigated. These oilseeds together occupy only about 2.5 per cent of total cropped area in the country. Rajasthan contributes about one-third production while other leading producers are Haryana and Madhya Pradesh.

Q1: What are the different types of oilseeds included in rapeseed and mustard crops, and when are these crops cultivated in India?
Ans:

• Rapeseed and mustard crops comprise oilseeds such as rai, sarson, toria, and taramira.
• These crops are cultivated during the rabi season in the north-western and central parts of India.

Q2: What are the challenges faced by rapeseed and mustard cultivation, and how have these challenges been mitigated to some extent?
Ans:

• Rapeseed and mustard crops are frost-sensitive, leading to fluctuating yields from year to year.
• However, the expansion of irrigation and advancements in seed technology have improved and stabilized their yields to some extent.

Q3: Which states are the major producers of rapeseed and mustard in India, and what portion of the cultivated area under these crops is irrigated?
Ans:

• Rajasthan contributes about one-third of the total production of rapeseed and mustard.
• Other leading producers include Haryana and Madhya Pradesh.
• Approximately two-thirds of the cultivated area under these crops is irrigated, indicating the significant role of irrigation in their cultivation.

Passage - 13

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Jute is used for making coarse cloth, bags, sacks and decorative items. It is a cash crop in West Bengal and adjoining eastern parts of the country. India lost large jute growing areas to East Pakistan (Bangladesh) during partition. At present, India produces about three-fifth of jute production of the world. West Bengal accounts for about three-fourth of the production in the country. Bihar and Assam are other jute growing areas. Being concentrated only in a few states, this crop accounts for only about 0.5 per cent of total cropped area in the country.
Q1: What are the common uses of jute, and which regions in India are major producers of this crop?
Ans:

• Jute is utilized for making coarse cloth, bags, sacks, and decorative items.
• It is a cash crop in West Bengal and adjoining eastern parts of India.

Q2: What is the historical context of jute cultivation in India, and how does India's jute production contribute to the global output?
Ans:

• India lost significant jute growing areas to East Pakistan (Bangladesh) during partition.
• Presently, India produces about three-fifths of the world's jute production.

Q3: Which states in India are the primary jute growing areas, and what percentage of the total cropped area does jute cultivation occupy?
Ans:

• West Bengal accounts for about three-fourths of jute production in the country.
• Bihar and Assam are other significant jute growing areas in India.
• Despite its importance, jute cultivation is concentrated in only a few states, accounting for about 0.5% of the total cropped area in the country.

Passage - 14

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Tea is a plantation crop used as beverage. Black tea leaves are fermented whereas green tea leaves are unfermented. Tea leaves have rich content of caffeine and tannin. It is an indigenous crop of hills in northern China. It is grown over undulating topography of hilly areas and welldrained soils in humid and sub-humid tropics and sub-tropics. In India, tea plantation started in 1840s in Brahmaputra valley of Assam which still is a major tea growing area in the country. Later on, its plantation was introduced in the sub-Himalayan region of West Bengal (Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar districts)

Q1: What are the primary uses of tea, and how do black tea and green tea differ in their processing?
Ans:

• Tea is used as a beverage, and it can be processed into either black tea (fermented) or green tea (unfermented).
• Black tea leaves undergo fermentation, whereas green tea leaves remain unfermented.

Q2: What are the key components found in tea leaves, and under what geographical and soil conditions is tea usually grown?
Ans:

• Tea leaves have a rich content of caffeine and tannin.
• Tea is typically grown over undulating topography in hilly areas and well-drained soils, particularly in humid and sub-humid tropics and sub-tropics.

Q3: What is the historical origin of tea cultivation in India, and which regions are significant for tea plantation in the country?
Ans:

• Tea plantation started in the 1840s in the Brahmaputra valley of Assam, which remains a major tea-growing area in India.
• Later, tea plantation was introduced in the sub-Himalayan region of West Bengal, specifically in districts like Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Cooch Behar.

Passage - 15

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Coffee is a tropical plantation crop. Its seeds are roasted, ground and are used for preparing a beverage. There are three varieties of coffee i.e. arabica, robusta and liberica. India mostly grows superior quality coffee, arabica, which is in great demand in International market. But India produces only about 3.17 per cent coffee of the world and ranks eighth after Brazil, Vietnam, Indonesia, Colombia, Honduras, Ethiopia and Peru in 2018. Coffee is cultivated in the highlands of Western Ghats in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Karnataka alone accounts for more than two-third of total production of coffee in the country.

Q1: What kind of crop is coffee, and how is it prepared for consumption?
Ans: Coffee is a tropical plantation crop, and its seeds are roasted, ground, and used for preparing a beverage.

Q2: What are the main varieties of coffee, and which variety does India predominantly grow?
Ans:

• The three varieties of coffee are arabica, robusta, and liberica.
• India mostly grows arabica, which is known for its superior quality and high demand in the international market.

Q3: Where is coffee cultivated in India, and how does India's coffee production rank globally?
Ans:

• Coffee is cultivated in the highlands of Western Ghats in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
• Karnataka accounts for more than two-thirds of the total coffee production in India.
• India produces about 3.17% of the world's coffee and ranks eighth globally after countries like Brazil, Vietnam, Indonesia, Colombia, Honduras, Ethiopia, and Peru as of 2018.

Passage - 16

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During partition about one-third of the irrigated land in undivided India went to Pakistan. This reduced the proportion of irrigated area in Independent India. After Independence, the immediate goal of the Government was to increase foodgrains production by (i) switching over from cash crops to food crops; (ii) intensification of cropping over already cultivated land; and (iii) increasing cultivated area by bringing cultivable and fallow land under plough. Initially, this strategy helped in increasing foodgrains production. But agricultural production stagnated during late –1950s. To overcome this problem, Intensive Agricultural District Programme (IADP) and Intensive Agricultural Area Programme (IAAP) were launched.

Q1: What was the impact of partition on the proportion of irrigated land in Independent India?
Ans:

• About one-third of the irrigated land in undivided India went to Pakistan during partition, reducing the proportion of irrigated area in Independent India.

Q2: What were the immediate goals of the Government of Independent India to increase foodgrains production after Independence?
Ans: The immediate goals included:

• Switching over from cash crops to food crops.
• Intensification of cropping on already cultivated land.
• Increasing cultivated area by bringing cultivable and fallow land under plough.

Q3: What strategies were implemented to overcome agricultural production stagnation during the late 1950s in India?
Ans:

• To overcome agricultural production stagnation, the government launched programs such as the Intensive Agricultural District Programme (IADP) and the Intensive Agricultural Area Programme (IAAP).
• These initiatives were aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and increasing foodgrains production in the country.

Passage - 17

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This strategy of agricultural development paid dividends instantly and increased the foodgrains production at very fast rate. This spurt of agricultural growth came to be known as ‘Green Revolution’. This also gave fillip to the development of a large number of agro-inputs, agro-processing industries and small-scale industries. This strategy of agricultural development made the country self-reliant in foodgrain production. But Green Revolution was initially confined to irrigated areas only. This led to regional disparities in agricultural development in the country till 1970s, after which the technology spread to the Eastern and Central parts of the country.

Q1: What was the immediate outcome of the strategy of agricultural development implemented in India during the Green Revolution?
Ans:

• The strategy of agricultural development led to an instant increase in foodgrains production at a very fast rate, marking the onset of the 'Green Revolution'.

Q2: How did the Green Revolution impact the industrial sector in India?
Ans:

• The Green Revolution gave rise to the development of numerous agro-inputs, agro-processing industries, and small-scale industries, creating a significant boost in the industrial sector.

Q3: What was the initial limitation of the Green Revolution in India, and how did it affect regional disparities in agricultural development?
Ans:

• Initially, the Green Revolution was confined to irrigated areas only, leading to regional disparities in agricultural development until the 1970s.
• Subsequently, the technology spread to the Eastern and Central parts of the country, reducing the regional disparities in agricultural growth.

Passage - 18

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Irrigation covers only about 33 per cent of the cultivated area in India. The crop production in rest of the cultivated land directly depends on rain. Poor performance of south-west monsoon also adversely affects the supply of canal water for irrigation. On the other hand, the rainfall in Rajasthan and other droughtprone areas is too meagre and highly unreliable. Even the areas receiving high annual rainfall experience considerable fluctuations. This makes them vulnerable to both droughts and floods. Drought is a common phenomenon in the low rainfall areas, which may also experience occasional floods.

Q1: What percentage of the cultivated area in India is covered by irrigation, and what is the significance of rainfall for crop production in the remaining areas?

Ans:

• Irrigation covers only about 33% of the cultivated area in India.
• Crop production in the rest of the cultivated land depends directly on rainfall.

Q2: How does the performance of the south-west monsoon impact irrigation in India, and what challenges do drought-prone areas like Rajasthan face regarding rainfall?
Ans:

• Poor performance of the south-west monsoon adversely affects the supply of canal water for irrigation.
• Drought-prone areas like Rajasthan and other regions experience meager and highly unreliable rainfall, making them vulnerable to both droughts and floods.

Q3: What is the common phenomenon experienced in low rainfall areas, and how can these areas occasionally become susceptible to natural disasters?
Ans:

• Drought is a common phenomenon in low rainfall areas.
• Even areas receiving high annual rainfall can experience considerable fluctuations, making them susceptible to both droughts and occasional floods.

Passage - 19

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Indian peasantry had been exploited for a long time as there had been unequal distribution of land. Among the three revenue systems operational during British period, i.e., Mahalwari, Ryotwari and Zamindari, the last one was most exploitative for the peasants. After Independence, land reforms were accorded priority, but these reforms were not implemented effectively due to lack of strong political will. Most of the state governments avoided taking politically tough decisions which went against strong political lobbies of landlords. Lack of implementation of land reforms has resulted in continuation of inequitous distribution of cultivable land which is detrimental to agricultural development.

Q1: How was the Indian peasantry historically exploited, and which revenue system during the British period was particularly harsh for the peasants?
Ans:

• The Indian peasantry had been exploited due to unequal distribution of land.
• Among the three revenue systems during the British period (Mahalwari, Ryotwari, and Zamindari), Zamindari was the most exploitative for the peasants.

Q2: What was the major obstacle in the effective implementation of land reforms in post-Independence India?
Ans:

• After Independence, land reforms were prioritized, but their effective implementation was hindered due to the lack of strong political will.
• Many state governments avoided making politically tough decisions that contradicted the interests of powerful landlord lobbies.

Q3: What has been the consequence of the lack of implementation of land reforms in India, and how does it impact agricultural development?
Ans:

• The lack of implementation of land reforms has led to the continuation of inequitable distribution of cultivable land.
• This situation is detrimental to agricultural development as it perpetuates disparities and hampers the overall progress of the agricultural sector.

Passage - 20

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There is a massive underemployment in the agricultural sector in India, particularly in the unirrigated tracts. In these areas, there is a seasonal unemployment ranging from 4 to 8 months. Even in the cropping season, work is not available throughout as agricultural operations are not labour intensive. Hence, the people engaged in agriculture do not have the opportunity to work round the year.

Q1: What is the employment scenario in the agricultural sector in India, especially in unirrigated areas?
Ans:

• There is massive underemployment in the agricultural sector in India, particularly in unirrigated tracts.
• In these areas, there is seasonal unemployment lasting from 4 to 8 months. Even during the cropping season, work is not available throughout due to the low labor-intensive nature of agricultural operations.

Q2: What causes the underemployment and seasonal unemployment in unirrigated areas of agriculture in India?
Ans:

• Underemployment and seasonal unemployment occur due to the lack of continuous, labor-intensive agricultural operations in unirrigated areas.
• The absence of year-round work opportunities results in a situation where people engaged in agriculture do not have the chance to work consistently throughout the year.

Q3: What are the challenges faced by individuals engaged in agriculture in unirrigated tracts regarding employment?
Ans:

• Individuals in unirrigated tracts face the challenge of seasonal unemployment lasting for several months.
• Even during the cropping season, agricultural operations are not labor-intensive, leading to underemployment and limited work opportunities.

Passage - 21

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One of the serious problems that arises out of faulty strategy of irrigation and agricultural development is the degradation of land resources. This is serious because it may lead to depletion of soil fertility. The situation is particularly alarming in irrigated areas. A large tract of agricultural land has lost its fertility due to alkalisation and salinisation of soils and waterlogging. Excessive use of chemicals such as insecticides and pesticides has led to their concentration in toxic amounts in the soil profile.

Q1: What is one of the serious problems arising from faulty irrigation and agricultural development strategies in India?
Ans:

• The degradation of land resources is a significant problem resulting from faulty irrigation and agricultural development strategies.

Q2: Why is land degradation a serious concern, especially in irrigated areas, and what are some specific issues contributing to this problem?
Ans:

• Land degradation is alarming in irrigated areas because it may lead to the depletion of soil fertility.
• Specific issues contributing to this problem include alkalisation and salinisation of soils, waterlogging, and the excessive use of chemicals like insecticides and pesticides, leading to their toxic concentration in the soil profile.

Q3: What are the consequences of land degradation and the accumulation of toxic chemicals in the soil?
Ans:

• Land degradation can lead to reduced soil fertility, impacting agricultural productivity.
• The accumulation of toxic chemicals in the soil can have adverse effects on crops, the environment, and potentially human health, creating long-term challenges for sustainable agriculture.