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All living organisms require food for their growth and survival. The food supplies carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. The two major sources of food are the plants and animals which are obtained from agriculture and animal husbandry. 

Introduction - Improvement in Food Resources | Science Class 9

  • In the present time due to the tremendous increase of human population, the demand for food and shelter are also increased.
  • Higher grain output can be achieved by bringing more land under cultivation. The other possibility is to increase production efficiency of both plants and animals. Increase in production can be brought about by the development and use of improved varieties with high yield and better managerial practices (both pre and post-harvest).
  • It is important that food production should be increased without degrading our environment and disturbing the natural balance. This is possible through genetic improvement of crop plants (a second green revolution) domesticated animals adopting sustainable agriculture and animal husbandry.

Question for Introduction - Improvement in Food Resources
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What are the two major sources of food for living organisms?
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Different Types of Crops

A. On the basis of Nutrients they provide

(i) Cereals: These are rich in carbohydrates and thus provide energy.

Example: Rice, wheat, maize, sorghum, barley, millets.

(ii) Pulses: These are rich in protein and thus helpful for bodybuilding.

Example: Gram, moong, pea, lentil, and, pigeon pea.

(iii) Oilseed Crops: These are rich in oil and fatty acids.

Example: Groundnut, sunflower, soya bean, mustard, sesame.

(iv) Vegetable Crops: These provide vitamins, minerals along with small quantities of carbohydrates, protein and oils.

  • Leaves: Cabbage, spinach, Trigonella, lettuce
  • Roots: Carrot, radish, turnip, sweet potato
  • Stems: Potato, corms, rhizomes (ginger)
  • Bulbs: Onion, garlic
  • Fruits: Tomato, brinjal, gourd, cucumber
  • Flowers: Cauliflower, Bauhinia, banana

(v) Spices: They are used for enhancing palatability.

Example: Chilly, black pepper, ginger, turmeric.

(vi) Fodder Crops: These provide green fodder to the cattle.

Example: Berseem, sorghum, maize, oat, sudangrass, alfalfa.


B. On the basis of season in which they are grown:


(i) Kharif crop: Grown in rainy season (from June to October)

 Example: Paddy, Soya bean, Arhar, Maize, Cotton, Urad, Moong etc.

(ii) Rabi crop: grown in summer season (November to April)

 Example: Wheat, Gram, Peas, Mustard, Linseed

They are also called “summer season crop”.


To obtain higher yield from farmland following three systems are being used:


1. Crop variety improvement.

2. Crop production management.

3. Crop protection management.

Crop Variety Improvement


The first and foremost important step to improve the crop yield is to improve the variety of crop which has following characteristics i.e. crop variety improvement is done for the following purposes:

  1. Higher yield.
  2. Better quality.
  3. Biotic & abiotic resistance i.e. disease, insects & pest resistance.
  4. Desirable agronomic characters for specific crops like dwarfness, intensive branching, more tillering & increased fertiliser responsiveness.
  5. Wider adaptability: developed improved crops help in stabilizing crop production under different climatic conditions.
  6. Early maturation(ripening)
  7. Better response to fertilisers.

Crop variety can be improved by plant breeding. Plant breeding can be done either by selection or hybridisation

Crop Production Management

It Includes - Nutrients requirement, Irrigation & Cropping pattern.

(i) Nutrient Requirement


There are two types of nutrients required by the plants

  • (a) Macronutrients: needed by the plants in large amount. E.g.- N2, P, K, Ca, Mg, S
  • (b) Micronutrients: needed by the plants in very small amount.e.g. - Fe, Cu, Zn, Bo, Mo, Cl.

Sources of plant nutrients:

  • Air: Carbon, Oxygen
  • Water: Hydrogen
  • Soil: N2, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Bo, Zn, Co, Mo, Cl

“Most important nutrients needed for growth of plants are N2, P, and K”

Bio-Fertilisers: Living beings used to increase the soil fertility are called bio-fertilisers.

Example: Anabaena, Nostoc, Rhizobium, Blue-green algae, Azollaetc etc.

(ii) Irrigation

 The technique of providing water to the crops in the fields by means of Canals, Reservoir, Wells and Tube-wells etc is called irrigation.

(iii) Cropping Pattern

Following ways of growing crops can be used to give maximum benefits:

1. Mixed cropping

2. Inter cropping

3. Crop rotation

Question for Introduction - Improvement in Food Resources
Try yourself:
Which crop is rich in carbohydrates and provides energy?
View Solution

Crop Protection Management

It includes protection of the growing crops and harvested crops. Weeds, insects, pests and diseases infest the field crops. It can be controlled by adopting following methods:-

  • To grow resistant verities.
  • Optimum time of sowing the crops.
  • Crop rotation and cropping systems.
  • Deep ploughing in summers to kill weeds, pathogen etc. i.e. summer ploughing.

Organic Farming


Organic farming avoids the use of synthetically compound fertilizers, pesticides. Organic farming rely upon crop rotation, crop residues, animal manures, legumes, green manures, off farm organic wastes, biological pest control.

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FAQs on Introduction - Improvement in Food Resources - Science Class 9

1. What are sources of food?
Ans. Sources of food refer to the various types of food items that are available for human consumption. These sources can be broadly classified into two categories - plant-based and animal-based. Plant-based sources of food include vegetables, fruits, grains, pulses, and nuts. Animal-based sources of food include meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products.
2. Which are the most common plant-based sources of food?
Ans. Some of the most common plant-based sources of food include vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, carrots, and potatoes; fruits such as apples, bananas, oranges, and grapes; grains such as wheat, rice, and oats; pulses such as lentils, beans, and chickpeas; and nuts such as almonds, cashews, and peanuts.
3. What are the benefits of consuming plant-based sources of food?
Ans. Consuming plant-based sources of food has several benefits for human health. These foods are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals and are generally lower in fat and calories than animal-based foods. A diet rich in plant-based sources of food has been associated with a lower risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
4. Which are the most common animal-based sources of food?
Ans. Some of the most common animal-based sources of food include meat such as beef, pork, and lamb; poultry such as chicken and turkey; fish such as salmon, tuna, and cod; eggs; and dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt.
5. What are the benefits of consuming animal-based sources of food?
Ans. Animal-based sources of food are rich in protein, which is important for building and repairing tissues in the body. They also contain essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B12, iron, and calcium. However, consuming too much animal-based food can increase the risk of certain health problems such as heart disease and some types of cancer. It is important to consume these foods in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
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