Improvement in Food Resources Class 9 Notes Science Chapter 12

Food and Nutrition

• Essential Nutrients: Food supplies proteins, carbs, fats, vitamins, and minerals for growth and health.
• Sources: Derived from plants and animals through agriculture and animal husbandry.

Need for Increased Production

• Population Growth: India's population over a billion and growing, necessitating higher food production.
• Land Limitation: Limited scope for expanding cultivable land; focus on enhancing production efficiency.

Sustainable Practices

• Environmental Concerns: Intensive use of natural resources; need for environmentally friendly methods in agriculture and animal husbandry.
• Food Security: Not just availability but also accessibility; importance of increasing the income of agricultural workers.

Crop Improvement and Management

• Crop Variety Improvement: Breeding for high yield, disease resistance, and better quality.
• Hybridization and GMOs: Cross-breeding and genetic modification for improved crops.
• Nutrient Management: Use of manure and fertilizers for soil enrichment.
• Irrigation: Diverse methods like wells, canals, river lift systems, and tanks; importance in crop yield.
• Cropping Patterns: Mixed cropping, inter-cropping, crop rotation to maximize use of resources.
• Crop Protection: Managing weeds, pests, and diseases through pesticides and other practices.

Animal Husbandry

• Cattle Farming: For milk and draught labour; focus on breed improvement and proper care.
• Poultry Farming: Egg and meat production; cross-breeding for improved varieties.
• Fish Production: Capture and culture fishing in marine and freshwater; composite fish culture for higher yield.
• Bee-Keeping: For honey and wax; use of local and Italian bee varieties; importance of pasturage.

Key Takeaways

• Macro vs. Micro-Nutrients: Essential for crop growth, supplied via soil, air, and water.
• Organic Farming: Emphasizes minimal chemical use and maximum organic inputs.
• Animal Care: Essential in farming for health and productivity.
• Technology in Farming: Echo-sounders and satellites in marine fishing; hormonal stimulation in fish breeding.

Focus on Sustainability

• Balancing high food production with environmental conservation and sustainable practices is crucial.