NCERT Solutions For Class 10 Geography: Agriculture

Summary of the Chapter

The chapter "Agriculture" discusses the importance of agriculture in the Indian economy and the various types of farming practices in India. It begins by highlighting that two-thirds of India's population is engaged in agricultural activities and agriculture is a primary activity. The chapter covers different types of farming - primitive subsistence, intensive subsistence, and commercial farming.

The chapter explains the cropping patterns in India including food crops (rice, wheat, millets, maize, pulses) and non-food crops (rubber, cotton, jute, sugarcane, tea, coffee). It discusses the technological and institutional reforms in Indian agriculture, including the Green Revolution. The chapter also covers the impact of globalization on agriculture and the various government schemes to support farmers. Finally, it emphasizes the importance of sustainable agricultural practices for food security and environmental conservation.

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NCERT Textbook Questions and Answers

Exercises (Page 48)

Question 1: Multiple choice questions: (i) Which one of the following describes a system of agriculture where a single crop is grown on a large area? (a) Shifting Agriculture (b) Plantation Agriculture (c) Horticulture (d) Intensive Agriculture

(ii) Which one of the following is a rabi crop?
(a) Rice
(b) Gram
(c) Millets
(d) Cotton

(iii) Which one of the following is a leguminous crop?
(a) Pulses
(b) Jowar
(c) Millets
(d) Sesamum

(iv) Which one of the following is announced by the government in support of a crop?
(a) Maximum support price
(b) Minimum support price
(c) Moderate support price
(d) Influential support price

Answer-
(i) (b) Plantation Agriculture
(ii) (b) Gram
(iii) (a) Pulses
(iv) (b) Minimum support price

Question 2: Answer the following questions in 30 words:
(i) Name one important beverage crop and specify the geographical conditions required for its growth.
(ii) Name one staple crop of India and the regions where it is produced.
(iii) Enlist the various institutional reform programmes introduced by the government in the interest of farmers.
(iv) The land under cultivation has got reduced day by day. Can you imagine its consequences?

Answer-
(i) Tea is an important beverage crop. It requires:

• Warm and moist frost-free climate
• Deep, fertile, well-drained soil
• Frequent rainfall throughout the year

(ii) Rice is a staple crop of India. It is mainly produced in:

• West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh
• Areas with high rainfall or irrigation facilities

(iii) Institutional reform programmes:

• Provision for crop insurance against drought, flood, etc.
• Establishment of Grameen banks and cooperative societies
• Kissan Credit Card (KCC)
• Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (PAIS)

(iv) Consequences of reducing cultivated land:

• Food shortage and food insecurity
• Increased food prices
• Unemployment in agricultural sector
• Migration to urban areas
• Environmental degradation

Question 3: Answer the following questions in about 120 words:
(i) Suggest the initiative taken by the government to ensure the increase in agricultural production.
(ii) Describe the impact of globalization on Indian agriculture.
(iii) Describe the geographical conditions required for the growth of rice.

Answer-
(i) Government initiatives for increasing agricultural production:

• Green Revolution: Introduction of High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds
• White Revolution: Operation Flood for milk production
• Minimum Support Price: Assured prices for crops
• Subsidies: On fertilizers, electricity, and irrigation
• Credit facilities: Through cooperative societies and banks
• Irrigation projects: Multi-purpose projects for water supply
• Soil testing: For proper fertilizer use
• Agricultural universities: For research and development

(ii) Impact of globalization on Indian agriculture:

• Positive impacts:
  • Access to international markets
  • Technological advancements
  • Better quality seeds and equipment
  • Increased export opportunities
• Negative impacts:
  • Competition from cheaper imports
  • Price fluctuations in international market
  • Threat to small and marginal farmers
  • Shift from food crops to cash crops

(iii) Geographical conditions for rice growth:

• Temperature: High temperature (above 25°C)
• Rainfall: High rainfall (above 100 cm) or irrigation facilities
• Soil: Deep clayey and loamy soil with high water retention capacity
• Land: Level land for water stagnation
• Growing season: Kharif crop (June to September)
• Regions: River valleys, deltas, and coastal plains

Question 4: Map Skills: On an outline map of India, show the following:
(i) Major areas of rice and wheat cultivation
(ii) Major producer states of sugarcane, tea, coffee, rubber, cotton, jute, millets and maize

Answer-
[Students should mark these on a map of India:
Rice: West Bengal, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
Wheat: Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh
Sugarcane: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
Tea: Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala
Coffee: Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu
Rubber: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka
Cotton: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab
Jute: West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha
Millets: Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
Maize: Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar]

Additional Questions

Question 5: Differentiate between primitive subsistence farming and intensive subsistence farming.

Answer-

Question 6: What is plantation agriculture? Give its main characteristics.

Answer-
Plantation agriculture is a type of commercial farming where a single crop is grown on a large area.

Main characteristics:
1.Large estates: Plantations cover large areas of land
2.Capital intensive: Requires huge investment
3.Single crop: Focus on one specific crop
4.Scientific methods: Use of modern technology and machinery
5.Export oriented: Mainly grown for export
6.Labor intensive: Requires large workforce
7.Management: Well-managed by individual companies or government
8.Examples: Tea, coffee, rubber, banana, sugarcane plantations

Question 7: Explain the different cropping seasons in India.

Answer-

Question 8: What is the Green Revolution? Discuss its achievements and limitations.

Answer-
Green Revolution was a period when agriculture in India increased its yields due to improved agronomic technology, mainly in the 1960s and 1970s.

Achievements:
1.Increased production: Significant increase in food grain production
2.Self-sufficiency: India became self-sufficient in food grains
3.Higher yields: Introduction of High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds
4.Scientific farming: Use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides
5.Irrigation development: Expansion of irrigation facilities
6.Employment: Generated rural employment
7.Income growth: Increased farmers' income

Limitations:
1.Regional imbalance: Benefits limited to certain regions
2.Crop specific: Mainly benefited wheat and rice
3.Environmental issues: Overuse of chemicals degraded soil
4.Water depletion: Excessive use of groundwater
5.Social inequality: Rich farmers benefited more
6.Biodiversity loss: Reduced crop diversity

Question 9: Describe the major food crops of India and their growing conditions.

Answer-

Question 10: What are the challenges faced by Indian agriculture?

Answer-
Challenges faced by Indian agriculture:

1.Fragmented land holdings: Small and uneconomic land holdings
2.Dependence on monsoon: Uncertain rainfall affects production
3.Soil degradation: Loss of soil fertility due to overuse
4.Groundwater depletion: Over-exploitation of groundwater
5.Low productivity: Compared to international standards
6.Post-harvest losses: Inadequate storage and transportation
7.Indebtedness: Farmers trapped in debt cycle
8.Marketing problems: Lack of proper market infrastructure
9.Climate change: Unpredictable weather patterns
10.Global competition: Pressure from cheaper imports

Question 11: Explain the various technological and institutional reforms in Indian agriculture.

Answer-
Technological Reforms:
1.Green Revolution: Introduction of HYV seeds
2.White Revolution: Operation Flood for dairy development
3.Blue Revolution: For fisheries development
4.Use of fertilizers: Chemical fertilizers for soil nutrition
5.Irrigation technology: Drip and sprinkler irrigation
6.Mechanization: Use of tractors, harvesters, threshers
7.Biotechnology: Genetically modified crops

Institutional Reforms:
1.Land reforms: Abolition of zamindari system
2.Cooperative movement: Formation of cooperative societies
3.Bank nationalization: For agricultural credit
4.Insurance schemes: Crop insurance against natural calamities
5.Minimum Support Price: Assured prices for crops
5.Kissan Credit Card: Easy credit for farmers
6.Watershed development: For water conservation
7.Soil health cards: For soil testing and recommendations

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Important Keywords from the Chapter

• Agriculture: The science and art of cultivating plants and livestock
• Primitive Subsistence Farming: Farming for self-consumption using primitive tools
• Intensive Subsistence Farming: Farming on small plots using high labor inputs
• Commercial Farming: Farming for sale in market
• Plantation Agriculture: Large scale farming of single crop for export
• Rabi Crops: Crops sown in winter and harvested in summer
• Kharif Crops: Crops grown with onset of monsoon
• Zaid Crops: Crops grown between rabi and kharif seasons
• Green Revolution: Period of rapid agricultural growth using new technology
• White Revolution: Operation to increase milk production
• Blue Revolution: Scheme to enhance fish production
• Minimum Support Price (MSP): Minimum price announced by government for crops
• Buffer Stock: Stock of food grains for emergency situations
• Food Security: Availability and access to sufficient food
• HYV Seeds: High Yielding Variety seeds
• Organic Farming: Farming without using chemical fertilizers and pesticides
• Kissan Credit Card: Credit facility for farmers
• Crop Insurance: Insurance against crop failure
• Globalization: Integration of economies through trade and investment
• Sustainable Agriculture: Farming that meets current needs without compromising future