Short & Long Questions: Agricultural Patterns in India | Footprints Class 7: Book Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

Short Answer Questions

Q1: What is the staple food for more than 50% of India's population?
Ans: Rice is the staple food for more than 50% of India's population.

Q2: Which crop accounts for roughly 30% of the total rice production in India?
Ans: Rabi rice accounts for roughly 30% of the total rice production in India.

Q3: What are the major millets grown in India?
Ans: India grows three types of millets - jowar, bajra, and ragi.

Q4: Which regions in India are suitable for coffee cultivation?
Ans: Coffee is largely produced in the southern plateau region of India on large plantations.

Q5: What are some of the uses of jute?
Ans: Jute is used to make products like hessian or burlap, sacking, yarn, carpet backing cloth, fabrics, floor coverings, and shopping bags.

Q6: What is subsistence farming?
Ans: Subsistence farming is when farmers grow crops mainly for their own consumption and that of their families. They use simple tools and organic fertilizers, and usually have little to no surplus to sell or trade.

Q7: What is shifting cultivation?
Ans: Shifting cultivation involves clearing a piece of forest land, burning the vegetation to add nutrients to the soil, planting crops for a few years, then moving to another area as the soil fertility declines.

Q8: What is intensive farming?
Ans: Intensive farming is done in areas with fertile but limited land, aiming for high yields per hectare. It involves using a lot of labor, fertilizers, high-yielding seeds, irrigation, and some machinery.

Q9: What is commercial farming?
Ans: Commercial farming involves growing crops or raising animals on a large scale to produce surplus for sale and export. It is suitable for areas with moderate population density and larger cultivable land.

Q10: What is plantation farming?
Ans: Plantation farming focuses on growing a single cash crop on a large scale, primarily for export. It requires significant capital investment for fertilizers, pesticides, and machinery to ensure high yields for commercial purposes.

Long Answer Questions

Q1: Describe the major crops grown in India and the regions where they are predominantly cultivated.
Ans:

• Rice: Rice is a staple food for over 50% of India's population and is grown in regions like West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Odisha. It requires about 50 cm of rainfall and temperatures between 15°C and 30°C.
• Wheat: Wheat is dominantly grown in northern, central, and western India, where the climate is sub-tropical to temperate. States like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh are major producers of wheat.
• Millets: Millets like jowar, bajra, and ragi are grown in regions with low rainfall and less fertile soil, such as the Deccan Region, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.
• Maize: Maize is cultivated in cooler uplands of the Himalayas and moist regions of the middle and upper Ganga Plains. It requires temperatures between 21°C to 27°C and 50 to 80 cm of rainfall.
• Pulses: Various pulses like arhar, masur, urad, and moong are grown across India, with leading producers being Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh.

Q2: Explain the significance of the Green Revolution in India and the key strategies implemented to enhance agricultural productivity.
Ans:

• High-yielding seeds: The Green Revolution introduced high-yielding varieties of cereals like wheat and rice to increase food production and mitigate famine risks.
• Irrigation techniques: Improved irrigation methods and groundwater resources were utilized to combat droughts and expand agricultural areas.
• Chemical fertilizers: The use of chemical fertilizers was promoted to enhance soil fertility and productivity.
• Pesticides: Pesticides were employed to control crop failure and increase yields.
• Mechanization: Increased mechanization in agriculture, including rural electrification, improved efficiency and output.

Q3: Discuss the types of farming practices prevalent in India, highlighting the characteristics and geographical regions where they are commonly practiced.
Ans:

• Subsistence Farming: Mainly for self-consumption, practiced with simple tools and organic fertilizers. Common in forested and tribal areas.
• Intensive Farming: Conducted in densely populated areas with maximum production and high yields per hectare. Employed in states like West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Bihar.
• Commercial Farming: Large-scale farming for surplus production and export, found in areas like Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, and Maharashtra.
• Extensive Farming: Cultivation on large land areas for high volume yield, common in regions like Punjab and Haryana.
• Mixed Farming: Integrates livestock rearing with crop cultivation, commonly seen in states like Punjab, Haryana, and Telangana.

Q4: Elaborate on the importance and impact of agricultural universities and institutes in India in relation to improving farming practices and techniques.
Ans:

• Knowledge dissemination: Agricultural universities and institutes play a crucial role in educating farmers about modern techniques and best practices.
• Research and development: They conduct research to improve crop yield, pest management, and soil fertility, benefiting farmers across the country.
• Training programs: These institutions offer training programs to farmers on the latest technologies and advancements in agriculture.
• Extension services: They provide extension services to disseminate information on weather forecasts, crop management, and disease control.
• Digital initiatives: Leveraging digital platforms, they provide farmers with real-time data, best practices, and solutions for enhancing agricultural productivity.

Q5: Analyze the impact of the dairy industry in India and how it has contributed to the agricultural sector's growth and development.
Ans:

• Economic contribution: The dairy industry is a significant contributor to the agricultural sector, providing income and employment opportunities to millions of farmers.
• Self-sufficiency: India is the largest milk producer globally, ensuring self-sufficiency in dairy products and reducing dependency on imports.
• Technological advancements: The industry has witnessed modernization through the adoption of new technologies, improving efficiency and quality of dairy products.
• Rural development: Dairy farming has played a vital role in rural development, empowering farmers and enhancing their livelihoods.
• Export potential: With quality production and processing, Indian dairy products have gained international recognition, boosting exports and foreign exchange earnings.