Cbse notes class-10th social science(geography)

Chapter-4 Agriculture





Agriculture means land cultivation.It also includes animal husbandry and Fishing.

→At present in different parts of India, the types of farming being carried out are primitive subsistence farming , intensive subsistence farming, and commercial farming.

→Primitive subsistence farming is characterised by small and scattered landholding and use of primitive tools. The farmers do not use fertilisers and high-yield varieties of seeds.

→Intensive subsistence farming is carried out in the areas with high population pressure on land . Irrigation, fertilisers, and pesticides are used to get maximum output from limited land .Various machines are introduced.

→Commercial farming is characterized by use of higher doses of modern inputs in order to obtain higher productivity.

→Plantation farming, a form of commercial farming , involves growing of a single crop on a large area.

→In India ,there are three crop seasons–

•Kharif,Rabi,Zaid.

→Kharif:It starts with the onset of the monsoon and continues till the beginning of winter(June-July to september-October).The kharif crops includes rice ,maize,millet,cotton,jute,groundnut,moong,urad,etc.

→Rabi:It starts with the beginning of winter and continues till the beginning of summer(October-December to April-June).The rabi crops include wheat,barley,gram and oilseeds.

→Zaid:This is a short crop season in between the rabi and the kharif season.Crop like watermelons,muskmelons,cucumber,.  Some vegetables and fodder crops are the major crops.

→India produces a wide variety to crops,namely cereals,pulses and oilseeds,fibre crops,beverage crops,cash crops.

→Cereals:It covers about three-Fourth of the total cropped area of the country.The principal cereals grown in india are-rice ,wheat,millets,maize,pulses.

→Rice:It requires a temperature between 20° to 27° C and a rainfall above 100 cm.


→Wheat:It requires temperature between 16° to 22°C and a rainfall 50-75cm.


→Millets:Jowar,BaJra,Ragi.


→Fibre Crops:Cotton ,Jute,Hemp and Natural silk are the two important fibre crops grown in india.


→Beverage Crops:Tea and coffee are important beverage crops.


→Cash crops:The major cash crops are sugarcane,rubber,rubber,tobacco,spices and fruits and vegetables.

→India Is the largest producer of oil-seeds in the world .Main oil-seeds produced in India are groundnut, mustard, coconut, sesame (til),soya bean, castor seeds, cotton seeds, linseed and sunflower.Most of there are edible and used as cooking mediums.


→Horticulture is the science and art of growing plant(fruits, vegetables,flowerr, etc).India is the largest producer of fruit and vegetables in the world.India is the producer of tropical as well as temperate fruits.India produces about 13℅ of the world's vegetables.

→Sericulture, or silk farming is the cultivation of silkworms to produce silk.

Technology and Institutional Reforms

→Persian wheel has been replaced by water pump , the plough by tiller and   harrow drawn by tractor , the bullock cart by truck.

→Flooding of fields is being replaced by drip irrigation.chemical fertilisers took the place of farm manure .

→Chemical fertilisers are being replaced by bio-fertilisers.

→The technological advancements gave birth to green revolution , white Revolution or Operation flood.

→The govt abolished the Zamindari system.

→Radio and television inform the farmers about new improved technique of farming.

→Rural banks, Cooperative scienties and kisan credit card ensure easy availability of funds to farmers.

→Collectivization, consolidation of holding, co-operation and abolition of zamindari, etc.were given priority to bring about institutional reforms in the country after independence .

→Subsidy on fertilisers is decreased leading to increase in the cost of production.

→The high MSP, subsidies on inputs and committed FCI purchases has distorted the cropping pattern.This has also create a serious imbalance in the inter-crop parties.

→The govt of India made concerted efforts to modernise agriculture by establishing the indian council of Agriculture Research(ICAR), agriculture universities , veterinary services and animal breeding centre,horticulture development, research and development in the field of meteorlogy and weather forecast, etc.

→Kishan credit card(KCC)and personal Accident insurance scheme(PAIS)are the two other schemes introduced by the government of the government of India for the benefit of the farmers.

→In order to ensure the availability of food to all sections of society, our government carefully designed a national food security system.It consists of two components -(a)buffer stock and (b)public distribution system(PDS).

→The FCI procures food grains from the farmers at the government announced maximum support price (MSP).

→Globalisation has exposed the indian farmers to new challenges.

→Today, organic farming is much in vogue because it is practiced without factory made chemicals, such as, pesticides and fertilisers.

→Indian farmers should diversify their cropping pattern from cereals so high value crops.This will increase incomes and reduce environmental degradation simultaneously.

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Geography - Chapter 4: Agriculture

Question 1: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

  1. 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

    Answer: (b) Plantation Agriculture

  2. Which one of the following is a rabi crop?

    • (a) Rice
    • (b) Millets
    • (c) Gram
    • (d) Cotton

    Answer: (c) Gram

  3. Which one of the following is a leguminous crop?

    • (a) Pulses
    • (b) Millets
    • (c) Jowar
    • (d) Sesamum

    Answer: (a) Pulses

  4. Which of the following is announced by the government to ensure the farmers get a fair price for their crops?

    • (a) Maximum Support Price
    • (b) Minimum Support Price
    • (c) Moderate Support Price
    • (d) Influential Support Price

    Answer: (b) Minimum Support Price


Question 2: Answer the following questions in brief.

(i) What is agriculture?

Answer: Agriculture is the process of cultivating plants, growing crops, and raising livestock for human needs, such as food, fibres, medicinal plants, and other products. It involves a range of activities like sowing, harvesting, and rearing animals.

(ii) Name the factors influencing agriculture.

Answer: Factors influencing agriculture include:

  • Climate and weather conditions (temperature, rainfall)
  • Soil quality
  • Topography
  • Irrigation facilities
  • Market demand
  • Government policies

(iii) What is shifting cultivation? What are its disadvantages?

Answer: Shifting cultivation is a traditional agricultural practice where a piece of land is cleared, cultivated for a few years, and then abandoned for a new area once fertility declines. Its disadvantages include:

  • Deforestation
  • Soil erosion
  • Loss of soil fertility
  • Harmful environmental impact

(iv) What is plantation agriculture?

Answer: Plantation agriculture is a form of commercial farming where a single crop, such as tea, coffee, rubber, or sugarcane, is grown on a large scale. It requires significant investment, labour, and modern technology, and is often aimed at export.


Question 3: Distinguish between the following.

(i) Primary activities and secondary activities

Answer:

  • Primary Activities: Involve extracting natural resources directly, e.g., agriculture, fishing, forestry.
  • Secondary Activities: Involve processing primary resources into products, e.g., manufacturing industries.

(ii) Subsistence farming and intensive farming

Answer:

  • Subsistence Farming: Farmers grow crops mainly for their own consumption, not for sale.
  • Intensive Farming: High yields are achieved on smaller plots of land using advanced methods and heavy inputs, often for commercial purposes.

(iii) Commercial farming and plantation farming

Answer:

  • Commercial Farming: Crops are grown for sale in the market with a focus on profit, using modern technology.
  • Plantation Farming: A type of commercial farming where a single crop is cultivated on a large scale for export purposes.


Question 4: Give reasons.

(i) In India, agriculture is a primary activity.

Answer: In India, a large population depends on agriculture for their livelihood. Agriculture provides food, raw materials, and employment for a substantial portion of the population, making it a primary activity in the Indian economy.

(ii) Different crops are grown in different regions.

Answer: The variation in climate, soil type, water availability, and topography across India leads to the cultivation of different crops in different regions to suit local conditions and maximise productivity.


Question 5: Write short notes on the following.


(i) Rabi crops

Answer: Rabi crops are sown in the winter season (October to December) and harvested in the spring (April to June). Common Rabi crops include wheat, barley, peas, gram, and mustard. These crops require a cool growing season and are primarily cultivated in areas with good irrigation facilities.


(ii) Kharif crops

Answer: Kharif crops are sown with the onset of the monsoon (June to July) and harvested in autumn (September to October). Major Kharif crops include rice, maize, millets, cotton, soybeans, and sugarcane. They require hot and humid weather conditions.


(iii) Zaid crops

Answer: Zaid crops are grown in the short season between Rabi and Kharif crops, typically in the summer (March to June). Crops like watermelon, cucumber, and various vegetables are grown during this period, relying on irrigation for water needs.


(iv) Technological and institutional reforms in agriculture

Answer: Technological and institutional reforms aim to improve productivity, income, and sustainability in agriculture. These include the introduction of high-yielding seeds, improved irrigation techniques, Minimum Support Price (MSP) policies, the establishment of agricultural cooperatives, crop insurance schemes, and promotion of organic farming.


Question 6: Describe the impact of globalisation on Indian agriculture.

Answer: Globalisation has introduced both opportunities and challenges for Indian agriculture. It has allowed Indian farmers to access international markets, adopt modern technology, and improve productivity. However, it has also exposed them to global competition and price volatility, which can sometimes hurt small-scale farmers. Additionally, globalisation encourages the diversification of crops to meet international demands but also raises concerns about food security, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability.


Question 7: Explain the different types of farming practiced in India.

Answer: The main types of farming in India are:

  • Subsistence Farming: Farmers produce crops for their own needs, with little surplus for trade.
  • Commercial Farming: Crops are grown mainly for sale in the market, using modern techniques.
  • Shifting Cultivation: Practiced in forested areas, where land is cleared, cultivated temporarily, and abandoned.
  • Plantation Farming: A single cash crop (e.g., tea, coffee) is grown on a large estate, often for export purposes.