Morning Star Textbook Solutions: Agriculture in India I-Food Crops | Geography Class 10 ICSE PDF Download

Choose the correct option 

Q1: _______ crops are associated with the south-west monsoon.
(a) Rabi
(b) Kharif
(c) Zayad
(d) None of the above
Ans: (b) 

Q2: Which of the following is not a kharif crop?
(a) Sugarcane
(b) Cotton
(c) Rice
(d) Wheat
Ans: (d) 

Q3: The kharif crops are sown in June and July and harvested in _______ .
(a) September and October
(b) October and November
(c) March and April
(d) August and September
Ans: (a) 

Q4: Wheat and barley are associated with which agricultural season?
(a) Kharif
(b) Zaid
(c) Rabi
(d) None of the above
Ans: (c)

Q5: The crops which are raised throughout the year are known as _______ .
(a) Kharif
(b) Rabi
(c) Zaid
(d) Baid
Ans: (c) 

Q6: Indian agriculture is largely dominated by _______ crops.
(a) food
(b) fibre
(c) cash
(d) spices
Ans: (a) 

Q7: _______ are all kinds of grass-like plants, which have starchy edible seeds.
(a) Cereals
(b) Spices
(c) Beverages
(d) Oilseeds
Ans: (a) 

Q8: India ranks _______ in the production of cereals in the world.
(a) first
(b) second
(c) third
(d) fourth
Ans: (c) 

Q9: India is the _______ largest producer of rice in the world.
(a) fifth
(b) fourth
(c) third
(d) second
Ans: (d) 

Q10: Rice grows best in _______, _______ areas.
(a) warm, humid
(b) cold, dry
(c) hot, rainy
(d) hot, dry
Ans: (a) 

Q11: Rice thrives in the _______ soils grown along the river banks.
(a) laterite
(b) red
(c) black
(d) alluvial
Ans: (d) 

Q12: In the dry method of rice cultivation, seeds are sown in rows with drills in areas of _______ .
(a) low rainfall
(b) heavy rainfall
(c) moderate rainfall
(d) scanty rainfall
Ans: (b) 

Ans: the following questions 

Q1(a): Name the three cropping seasons in India.
Ans: 

• The three cropping seasons in India are-
  Kharif
• Rabi
• Zaid

Q1(b): Which is the most important method of rice cultivation in India? Why?
Ans: The Japanese method of rice cultivation is highly adapted in India because it involves the use of high-yielding varieties of seeds known as Japonica. Initially, seedlings are raised in a nursery and protected from initial infections before being transplanted into the fields in rows, facilitating easier weeding. This method ensures a higher yield.

Q1(c): Name the two states where rice is grown as a cash crop. Why?
Ans: In Punjab and West Bengal, farmers cultivate rice as a cash or commercial crop. Rice is extensively grown in almost all states of India except Gujarat and Rajasthan. It is capable of feeding more people compared to the same amount of any other food grains.

Q1(d): Give three points of difference between upland and lowland rice.
Ans: 

Q2(a): Why are cereals referred to as 'staff of life'?
Ans: Cereals are referred to as 'staff of life' due to their simple cultivation process and high nutritional value. They form the basic diet for humanity.

Q2(b): State two geographical conditions suitable for the cultivation of rice?
Ans: Two geographical conditions suitable for the cultivation of rice are-

1. Rice thrives best in warm and humid areas. The critical mean temperature for flowering and fertilization ranges from 16°C to 20°C, while during ripening, it ranges from 18°C to 32°C.
2. Rice requires substantial rainfall, ideally between 150 to 300 cm annually.

Q2(c): Give a geographical reason for each of the following:
(i) Wheat cultivation is confined to the northern parts of the country.
(ii) Punjab is the leading producer of wheat in India.
(iii) Government of India is encouraging cultivation of pulses.
Ans: 
(i) Wheat cultivation is predominantly found in the northern parts of India because it flourishes in a cool, moist climate and ripens in a warm, dry climate. The winter rains in northern India also benefit the crop.
(ii) Punjab leads in wheat production due to its favorable climate, characterized by winter temperatures ranging from 10°C to 25°C, along with light winter showers from western disturbances that support wheat growth.
(iii) The Government of India promotes pulse cultivation because they are leguminous crops that fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil, enhancing natural soil fertility. Pulses are also a vital component of the Indian diet, especially among those who consume vegetarian diets.

Q2(d): (i) Name the state that produces the highest quantity of rice in India.
(ii) State two advantages of growing rice on lowlands.
Ans: 
(i) West Bengal is the leading producer of rice in India.
(ii) Two advantages of growing rice on lowlands are-

1. Irrigation is more manageable in lowlands, and water can be easily accumulated.
2. The soil in lowlands is generally more fertile compared to uplands.

Q3(a): What kind of soil is needed for the cultivation of wheat?
Ans: Wheat grows best in well-drained loams and clay loams.

Q3(b): State two geographical conditions necessary for the growth of wheat in India.
Ans: Two geographical conditions necessary for wheat growth in India are-

1. The suitable temperature range for sowing is between 10-15°C, while for harvesting, it is between 20-25°C.
2. An annual rainfall of around 80 cm is ideal for wheat cultivation.

Q3(c): (i) Name two states that grow wheat extensively.
(ii) What climatic features have helped these states in this respect?
Ans: 
(i) Punjab and Uttar Pradesh grow wheat extensively.
(ii) The climatic features that aid these states include-

1. A cool and moist climate at sowing and a warm, dry climate during ripening, with ideal temperatures of 10-15°C during sowing and 20-25°C during harvesting.
2. Approximately 80 cm of annual rainfall, with winter rain from western disturbances benefiting the crop.

Q3(d): Give three differences between the climatic conditions needed for wheat and rice cultivation.
Ans: 

Q4(a): What is meant by "transplantation"? State two of its advantages.
Ans: Transplantation refers to a rice cultivation method prevalent in deltaic and floodplain areas. Seedlings are initially grown in nurseries and, after four to five weeks, when they reach 25-30 cm in height, they are transplanted into prepared fields, usually in groups of four to six at distances of 30-45 cm. Initially, the field is flooded with 2-3 cm of water, which is increased to 4-6 cm until the crop matures.

Two advantages of the transplantation method are-

1. Only healthy plants are selected for resowing, while unhealthy ones are discarded.
2. Weeds can be removed during the resowing process.

Q4(b): How does the cultivation of pulses usually help in the restoration of soil fertility?
Ans: Pulses, being leguminous crops, fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil, thereby enhancing its natural fertility. Consequently, pulses are often rotated with other crops to maintain or restore soil fertility.

Q4(c) (i) Why are pulses grown as rotational crops?
(ii) Explain why India is the largest consumer of pulses.
Ans: 
(i) Pulses are cultivated as rotational crops because they can fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil, which increases the natural fertility of the soil.
(ii) India is the largest consumer of pulses as they form a crucial part of the Indian diet, particularly for those who follow a vegetarian lifestyle, as pulses provide essential vegetable proteins.

Q4(d): State three methods of growing rice.
Ans: Three methods of growing rice are-

1. The dry method of cultivation
2. The puddled or wet method
3. The transplanting method

Q5(a): What are millets?
Ans: 'Millets' refers to a variety of minor grains such as jowar, bajra, and ragi, which serve as staple food for the poorer sections of society.

Q5(b): Why are millets referred to as 'food grains of the poor'?
Ans: Millets are termed 'food grains of the poor' because they are coarse grains that do not require substantial water and can thrive in infertile soil, which is often rocky or sandy.

Q5(c): Why are millets known as dry crops?
Ans: Millets are classified as dry crops due to their short growing season and adaptability to dry and high-temperature conditions. They can grow without much rain and withstand drought and other extreme conditions.

Q5(d): In what way are the millets different from rice?
Ans: Rice requires high temperatures along with adequate water for irrigation, whereas millets can be cultivated on infertile soil and need less water. Additionally, millets have a higher nutritional value compared to rice.

Q6(a): In which region is ragi grown in India? Why?
Ans: Karnataka is the primary producer of ragi in India, followed by Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. Ragi is cultivated in these areas due to the suitable red, light black, and sandy loams in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, as well as well-drained alluvial loams in Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, and Gujarat that favor its growth.

Q6(b): In which part of the year is wheat grown in India? Why?
Ans: Wheat is a rabi crop, primarily grown during the cold weather season. It is typically sown from October to mid-November and harvested by the end of January in the south and by March-April in the north. This is because wheat thrives in a cool, moist climate and ripens best in warm, dry conditions.

Q6(c): Why is wheat not grown in the eastern and in the extreme southern parts of India? Name the state that is the largest producer of wheat.
Ans: Wheat is not cultivated in the eastern and extreme southern regions of India because the temperature needed during sowing is between 10-15°C, which is not achievable in these areas. Furthermore, wheat prefers well-drained loams and clay loams, while the soils in southern and eastern India are predominantly laterite and red soils. Uttar Pradesh is the largest producer of wheat in India.

Q6(d): Which is a useful 'rotation crop'? Give reasons to support your Answer.
Ans: Pulses are considered useful rotation crops because they are leguminous and can fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil, thereby enhancing its natural fertility.

Q7: Study the picture given below and Ans: the following questions:

(a) Name the crop which is being planted. Give one benefit of this method of planting this crop.
(b) Name the other method of planting the crop. In which area is this method practised?
(c) Give a geographical reason for each of the following:
(i) Rice is not the main crop in the Deccan Plateau.
(ii) Punjab is the largest producer of rice despite deficient rainfall.
(iii) Wheat grows well in loamy soil.
(d) Mention the climatic conditions which favour the cultivation of the crop being planted.
Ans:
(a) Rice is being planted. A benefit of this method of plantation is that this method gives higher yield.
(b) Another method of planting the crop is drilling method. It is practised in Peninsular India.
(c)
(i) Rice is not the main crop in the Deccan Plateau because the soil required for rice cultivation is clayey or loamy soil while deccan plateau has black soil. Also, rice requires adequate water for irrigation and this region falls in the rain shadow region of the western ghats.
(ii) Punjab is the largest producer of rice despite deficient rainfall because here, 97% of the rice area is irrigated and due to higher input of High Yielding Variety seeds, fertilisers and mechanisation the per hectare yield is the highest.
(iii) Wheat grows well in loamy soil because loamy soil is a mixture of sand, silt and clay which provides ideal nutrition for wheat. The fertile, well-drained loamy soil allows for rapid absorption of water and air by plant roots, which encourages growth of the wheat plant.
(d) 

• The climatic conditions suitable for the cultivation of rice are-
  Rice grows best in warm and humid areas. The critical mean temperature for flowering and fertilisation ranges from 16°C to 20°C whereas during ripening, the range is from 18°C to 32°C.
• Rice requires good rainfall in the range of 150 to 300 cm.

Thinking Skills

Q1: Indian agriculture is largely dominated by food crops. What is the reason for it? Give examples to support your Ans:.
Ans: Indian agriculture mainly focuses on food crops for several reasons: 

• Food Security — With a large population, India prioritizes ensuring that everyone has enough food. Essential food crops like wheat, rice, and millets play a crucial role in providing the necessary nutrition and preventing hunger. 
• Subsistence Agriculture — A lot of farmers grow crops mainly for their own use rather than for selling. This type of farming is known as subsistence agriculture and focuses on personal consumption. 
• Demand and Market Stability — There is a steady demand for food crops in the local market because they are important staples in Indian meals. This consistent need helps keep prices stable. 
• Government Policies and Support — The Indian government has always supported food crop farming by offering subsidies and incentives. This support aims to achieve food self-sufficiency and stabilize market prices, encouraging farmers to grow more food crops. 

Some examples of important food crops include: 

• Rice is widely cultivated in states like West Bengal, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu. It is a staple food for many people in India. 
• Wheat is another key food crop grown in areas such as Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. It is a vital staple for the northern regions of India. 
• Millets, including bajra and jowar, are commonly grown in states like Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. These crops are known for their ability to withstand drought and are important food sources, especially in dry areas. 

Q2: You live in a state which has a number of rivers, deltas and estuaries, good rainfall and heavy soils. Which cereal crop is ideal for growth in your state? During which season would this crop be sown and which method of cultivation would be used?
Ans:

• Rice crop is ideal for growth in my state.
• Rice is a kharif crop. It is sown in the month of June-July and harvested in the month of September-October.
• The puddled or wet method of cultivation would be used as we have assured supply of water for irrigation. In this method, the land is ploughed thoroughly and filled with three to five centimetres of standing water in the field. This water is maintained in the fields up to a depth of two to three centimetres till the seedlings are well established.

Q3: Though India is an agricultural country, the cost of food is rising sharply. Give reasons to explain the causes of this rise in prices of food.
Ans: 

• Growing Population — The increasing number of people in India creates a higher need for food, which puts stress on the existing supply and pushes prices up. 
• Inflation and Economic Factors — Rising prices overall, along with higher costs for fuel, transportation, and what farmers need to grow crops, contribute to the increase in food prices. 
• Weather and Climate Change — Bad weather events such as droughts, floods, and extreme temperatures can harm crop production, which reduces the amount of food available and causes prices to rise. 
• Supply Chain Issues — Poor infrastructure, lack of storage, and inadequate transportation systems lead to food loss after harvest and waste, which in turn raises prices. 
• Income Inequality — Differences in income levels influence food prices, as wealthier individuals tend to buy more expensive food items, increasing the overall prices. 
• Export and Import Policies — Rules and limitations on trading agricultural goods can cause mismatches between how much food is available and how much is needed, affecting local food prices. 
• Global Market Influences — Prices of commodities worldwide, changes in currency value, and international political events can impact food prices in India.