Veena Bhargava Textbook Solutions: Agriculture in India - I : Introduction

Multiple Choice Questions 

Agriculture provides raw material to

1. textile industry
2. electronic industry
3. Iron & steel industry
4. cottage industry

Ans: (a)

Explanation: Agriculture supplies raw materials such as cotton, jute, wool and silk which are essential inputs for the textile industry. Electronic and iron & steel industries depend mainly on minerals and metals rather than farm produce. Cottage industries may use some agricultural products, but the textile industry is the primary industrial consumer of agricultural raw materials.

In India agriculture is mainly dependent on

1. arrival of monsoon
2. raw material
3. economy
4. labour

Ans: (a)

Explanation: Indian agriculture depends heavily on the timely arrival and distribution of the monsoon rains for water supply, especially because only about one-third of cultivated area is irrigated. Good monsoon seasons support crop growth and yields, while delayed or deficient rains can cause drought and crop failure.

In Kharif season the crops are sown in

1. November
2. June
3. April
4. October

Ans: (b)

Explanation: Kharif crops are sown with the onset of the south-west monsoon, which normally begins in June. These crops grow during the rainy season and are harvested in the autumn months.

In India Intensive Commercial farming is practised because

1. land holdings are very large
2. most of the land is fallow
3. due to population pressure which reduces the size of land holdings
4. extensive farming is not possible as farmers cannot afford

Ans: (c)

Explanation: Intensive commercial farming is practised where land holdings are small because population pressure divides land into smaller parcels. Farmers use more labour and inputs on limited land to obtain higher yields and sell surplus produce in the market.

Organic farming is becoming popular as in this type of farming

1. chemical fertilizers are used
2. compost is used as fertilizer
3. only one crop is grown
4. it is expensive

Ans: (b)

Explanation: Organic farming avoids synthetic chemical fertilisers and pesticides, and uses natural compost, manure and crop rotations to maintain soil fertility. This approach is valued for producing healthier food and for being environmentally sustainable.

In subsistence agriculture

1. the farmer produces food to earn more money
2. the farmer grows crops for his own consumption
3. the farmer grows food crops to exchange for other amenities
4. the farmer practices primitive agriculture

Ans: (b)

Explanation: In subsistence agriculture the farmer produces food mainly for the household's own needs with little surplus for sale. This type of farming is typically practised on small holdings and focuses on self-sufficiency rather than market-oriented production.

Mixed farming means

1. farming of many crops on the same farm
2. growing fodder crop along with other crop
3. cultivation of crops and livestock rearing on the same farm
4. to grow root crops like beet and turnip

Ans: (c)

Explanation: Mixed farming combines cultivation of crops with rearing of livestock on the same farm. This integration allows farmers to use crop residues as animal feed and animal manure as fertiliser, creating a mutually beneficial system.

Green revolution was first confined to only

1. Bihar
2. Punjab
3. Tamil Nadu
4. Gujarat

Ans: (b)

Explanation: The Green Revolution in India began in Punjab where new high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice, better irrigation and increased use of fertilisers and mechanisation were first introduced. This region showed early large gains in cereal production.

In Zaid crop season farmers grow

1. wheat
2. fruits and vegetables
3. cotton
4. pulses

Ans: (b)

Explanation: Zaid season falls between the Rabi and Kharif seasons (roughly spring to early summer). Farmers typically grow short-duration crops such as certain fruits, melons and vegetables during this period.

Pesticides and herbicides are used to

1. grow the crop
2. save the crops from the diseases
3. increase fertility of the soil
4. increase the production of the crops

Ans: (b)

Explanation: Pesticides control pests and herbicides control weeds, helping to protect crops from diseases and competition. Their proper use reduces crop losses and can contribute to better yields, though care is needed to avoid environmental and health hazards.

What do you mean by the term 'agriculture'?

Ans: Agriculture is the art and science of cultivating soil, growing crops and raising livestock. It includes all activities from soil preparation and sowing to harvesting, animal husbandry, fisheries and the marketing of farm produce.

What is meant by the term 'subsistence agriculture'?

Ans: Subsistence agriculture is a farming system in which the farmer grows food mainly for the family's own consumption, with little surplus to sell in the market. It is commonly associated with small landholdings and traditional methods.

What is commercial farming?

Ans: Commercial farming is an agricultural system aimed at producing crops and livestock primarily for sale in the market rather than for family consumption. It uses improved seeds, mechanisation and purchased inputs to increase production. It can be divided into two types:

1. Intensive commercial farming
2. Extensive commercial farming

What is mixed farming?

Ans: Mixed farming is the practice of growing crops and rearing livestock together on the same farm. This system allows better use of farm resources - crop residues feed animals and animal manure is used as fertiliser for crops.

What is meant by the term 'plantation farming'? Give two examples.

Ans: Plantation farming involves large-scale cultivation of a single cash crop, often requiring substantial capital and labour. Crops are usually grown for sale rather than local consumption. Examples include tea and rubber plantations.

How important is agriculture to India?

Ans: Agriculture is very important to India for several reasons:

1. It provides direct or indirect livelihoods to about two-thirds of the population.
2. It is a major sector of the national economy and contributes to GDP.
3. It supplies raw materials to industries such as sugar, textiles and edible oils.
4. It creates demand for industrial goods like tractors, fertilisers and farm machinery.
5. India's diverse climate and topography support a wide range of crops.
6. India earns foreign exchange by exporting agricultural products such as tea, coffee, tobacco, cotton and jute.

Give a few important characteristics of Indian agriculture.

Ans: Important characteristics of Indian agriculture include:

1. Dependence on Monsoons: Much of agriculture relies on seasonal monsoon rains; only about one-third of cultivated land is irrigated.
2. Variety of Crops: Diverse climatic and soil conditions allow the cultivation of many different crops across regions.
3. Preponderance of Food Crops: A large area is devoted to food crops to feed the growing population.
4. Cropping Seasons: Farming follows three main seasons-Kharif, Rabi and Zaid-according to climatic cycles.

What are rabi and kharif crops? Give examples.

Ans: Rabi crops are sown in October-November and harvested in spring; examples include wheat, barley, gram and some oilseeds. Kharif crops are sown with the onset of the monsoon in June and harvested in autumn; examples include rice, maize, groundnut, cotton and jute.

Give any three problems of Indian agriculture.

Ans: Important problems of Indian agriculture are:

1. Small and Fragmented Landholdings: Inheritance and subdivision lead to many small and scattered plots, making mechanisation and efficient farming difficult.
2. Poor Quality of Seeds: Many farmers lack access to high-quality or hybrid seeds, reducing potential yields.
3. Pest and Disease Management: Limited knowledge and resources for pest control and disease management cause crop losses.

What type of agriculture is practised in India?

Ans: The predominant type of agriculture in India is subsistence agriculture, where farmers produce mainly for their household needs, though commercial farming is also practised in many regions.

How is 'jhooming' carried out?

Ans: Jhooming, or shifting slash-and-burn cultivation, is carried out by clearing a patch of forest, burning the vegetation to enrich the topsoil with ash, and cultivating crops for a few years. When soil fertility falls, the land is abandoned and a new area is cleared. Farmers return to the original plot after several years when it regains fertility.

What is done in primitive type of agriculture?

Ans: Primitive agriculture uses simple tools and traditional methods, usually on small plots. Farmers grow crops mainly for their own consumption and use little or no external inputs such as chemical fertilisers or improved seeds.

Where is intensive commercial farming done?

Ans: Intensive commercial farming is practised in regions with high population density and small landholdings, where farmers apply more labour and inputs per unit area. In India, it is common in states such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal; similar systems exist in countries like China and Japan.

What happens in extensive commercial farming?

Ans: Extensive commercial farming involves cultivation over large areas with relatively low labour and capital per unit area. Typical features include:

• Periodic fallow periods to restore soil fertility.
• High mechanisation because labour is scarce or expensive.
• Often located far from markets or on less fertile land where large area compensates for lower yields.

What is meant by monoculture?

Ans: Monoculture is the continuous cultivation of a single crop on the same land year after year. This practice can simplify management and increase short-term yields but may reduce soil fertility and increase vulnerability to pests and diseases over time.