CHAPTER - 4 (AGRICULTURE)

NCERT Q/A
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

Ans. (b) Plantation Agriculture

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

Ans. (b) Gram

(iii) Which one of the following is a leguminous crop?

(a) Pulses (b) Jawar (c) Millets (d) Sesamum

Ans. (a) Pulses

(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 suppot price
Ans. (b) Minimum support price

2. Answer the following questions in 30 words.

(i) Name one important beverage crop and specify the geographical conditions required for
its growth.
Ans. 1.Tea is the main beverage crop. India is the leading producer and exporter of tea in the
world.
2. Climate: Tea plants grow well in tropical and subtropical climate. Tea thrives well in a hot and
humid climate.
3. Soil Type: The soil requirement is deep fertile well-drained soil which is rich in humus and
organic matter.
4. Temperature: Ideal temperature for the growth is 20 o C to 30o C.
5. Rainfall: 150 to 250 cm annual rainfall is required. High humidity and frequent showers evenly
distributed throughout the year are good for the rapid development of tender leaves.

(ii) Name one staple crop of India. Describe the geographical conditions required for the
growth of it and the regions where it is produced.
Ans.
1. Introduction: Rice is the staple food crop of the majority of the population.
2. Climate: Paddy is a tropical crop and grows well in the wet monsoon.
3. Temperature: Above 25o C, with heavy humidity.
4. Rainfall: It requires an annual rainfall above 100 cm. It requires heavy rainfall in summer and
irrigation in areas of less rainfall.
5. Areas of Cultivation: Rice is grown in the plains of north and north-eastern India, coastal areas
and the deltaic region. Development of the dense network of canal irrigation and tube wells
have made it possible to grow rice in areas of less rainfall such as Punjab, Haryana and
western Uttar Pradesh.
 (iii) Enlist the various institutional reform programmes introduced by the government in the
interest of farmers. OR
Suggest the initiative taken by the government to ensure the increase in agricultural
production.
Ans. Technological Reforms :-
New techniques of irrigation
Chemical fertilizers
Quality seeds
Green and White Revolution
Tractors and Iron plough
Institutional Reforms :-
1. Provision for crop insurance against drought, flood, fire and disease etc.
2. Establishment of banks for providing loan facilities at low interest rate.
3. Many schemes like KCC and PAIS etc. are introduced.
4. Special weather bulletins and agricultural programmes were introduced on the radio
and television.
5. Provide minimum support price to check the exploitation of farmers by speculators
and middlemen.

(iv) The land under cultivation has got reduced day by day. Can you imagine its
consequences?
Ans. Consequences of the decline in land under cultivation come out to be as follows:
 Shortage of food
 Rise in prices of food grains
 Shortage of supply of raw material for agro-industries.
 Increase in unemployment
 Increase in import of food grains will put stress

3(ii) Describe the impact of globalisation on Indian agriculture.

Ans. 1.The impact of globalisation on Indian agriculture has been felt since the time of
colonisation.Raw cotton, spices, indigo were important export items from India.
2. Under Globalization, after 1990, the farmers have been exposed to new challenges.
3. Our agriculture products are not able to compete in Global market as Developed countries
give maximum subsidies to their farmers.
4. To make the Indian agriculture successful and profitable, proper thrust should be given to
the improvement of the condition of marginal and small farmers.
5. There is need for countering the negative effects of Green Revolution, developing and
promoting organic farming, diversifying cropping pattern from cereals to high value crops.

Important Extra Questions and answers

3 and 5 Marks Questions

Q.1 What is plantation farming? What are its main characteristics?

Ans. Plantation is a type of commercial farming where a single crop is grown on a large area. The
following are the characteristics of plantation :-

 Plantations have very large areas.

 Capital-intensive inputs are used.
 Migrant labourers are used.
 All the produce is used as raw material in respective industries.
 Well-developed network of transport and communication is needed.
 Processing industries and markets play an important role.

Q.2 Distinguish between Subsistence and Commercial agriculture.

Ans.

Intensive Subsistence Farming Commercial Farming

1. In this type of farming, crops produced by

In this kind of farming, crops are grown for
the farmers are mainly consumed by their
commercial purposes, i.e. for selling in the
families. Surplus production is sold in the
local and international market.
nearby local markets.
It is practised on large scale
2. It is practised on small patches of land

3. It is labour intensive farming. It is capital intensive farming

4. In this kind of farming, more than one

Generally, one crop is cultivated.
crop is cultivated in the agricultural field.

5. Low production
High production
6. Simple tools are used
Modern technology is used

Q.3 Distinguish between Primitive Subsistence and Intensive Subsistence agriculture.

Primitive Subsistence Intensive Subsistence

This type of farming is practised in areas of high

1. It is practised on a small piece of land.
population pressure on land.
2. It is done to meet the needs of
It is done to obtain higher production from the
farmer’s family
limited land

3. Primitive tools such as hoe, digging Modern methods such as HYV seeds,
sticks and dao are used. fertilizers, chemicals etc. are used.

High doses of biochemical inputs and irrigation

4. No fertilizers and manures is used and
are used for obtaining higher production.
land productivity is low.

Q.4 What is Agriculture ?

Ans. 1. Agriculture is derived from Latin words 'Ager or agri' and 'culture'.
2. Ager / Agri meaning land and Culture meaning cultivation.
3. Agriculture means land cultivation. In wider terms, agriculture is the science and art of
cultivation on the soil, raising crops and rearing livestock.

Q.5 Which type of agriculture is known as slash and burn agriculture? Explain with its
disadvantages.
Ans. Shifting agriculture is known as slash and burn agriculture.
1. A plot of land is cleared by cutting the trees and burning them.
2.Then ashes are mixed with soil.
3.Crops are grown.
4. When fertility of soil decreases, the field is abandoned.
5. Then cultivators are moved to a new plot.
Disadvantages :-

1. Such type of agriculture is harmful to the environment.

 2. Due to the burning of plants and bushes, it causes pollution.
3. It leads to the deforestation and loss of natural vegetation.
4. It leads to soil erosion.

Q.6 Distinguish between Rabi and Kharif crop.

Rabi Kharif

Rabi crops are sown in winter from October to Kharif crops are sown with the onset of
December monsoon in June

These crops are harvested in summer from These crops are harvested in the month of
April to June. September and October.

Paddy, maize, jowar, tur, moong, urad, cotton,

Wheat, barley, peas, gram and mustard are
jute, groundnut and soyabean are some of the
some major rabi crops.
important crops.

North and north western parts of the country

North and north eastern parts of the country are
are important for the growth of rabi crops.
important for the growth of kharif crops.

Q.7 Name three crops of paddy with states.

Ans. Three crops – Aus, Aman and Boro
States – Assam, West Bengal and Odisha
Q.8 What is Zaid season ?
Ans. It is a short season between the rabi and the kharif seasons during the summer months
known as the Zaid season.
Some Zaid crops are – watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber, vegetables and fodder crops etc.

Q.9 Why are some pulses known as the leguminous crop? Why are they grown in rotation
with other crops?
Ans.

1. Maximum pulses are known as leguminous crops.

2. It helps in fixation of nitrogen.
3. Pulses are grown in rotation with other crops as they help in restoring soil fertility by using
nitrogen from the air.
Q.10 Explain the factor upon which the different farming practices depends.
Ans. The types of farming practised depend on the following two factors:

1. Physical factors: It includes relief, climate and location.

2. Human Factors: Human factors include the cultural background of people, availability of
irrigation and agricultural practices.
Q.11 Why is agriculture important for Indian economy?
Ans.

1. Two third population of India engaged in agricultural activities.

2. Agriculture is a primary activity, which produces most of the food that we consume.
3. It also produces raw material for various industries like cotton, sugar and jute industry
4. It also helps in collecting foreign exchange.
Q.12 Kerala leads in the production of rubber. Give three reasons.
Ans.

1. Rubber requires high temperature and heavy rainfall throughout the year and Kerala has both
these requirements.
2. Rubber collection is a labour oriented occupation and as such it requires cheap labour and it is
easily available in Kerala.
3. It is a tropical crop and Kerala lies near the equator.
Q.13 Why has Indian agriculture started a declining trend in food production? Explain with
any three reasons.
Ans.

1. Indian farmers are facing a big challenge from international competition.

2. The quality of our products is not able to compete with those of the developed countries.
3. Subsidy on fertilizers, pesticides and HYV seeds has been decreased, it leads to an increase in
the production cost.
Q.14 Write briefly about the movement started by Vinoba Bhave known as a Bloodless
revolution?
Ans.

1. Vinoba Bhave introduced voluntary redistribution of farm-lands to poor landless farmers for
their economic well-being.
2. It started when some poor landless villagers demanded some land for their economic
well being and unexpectedly Shri Ram Chandra Reddy offered 80 acres of land to be
distributed among 80 landless villagers. This act was known as Bhoodan
3. Some zamindars , owners of many villages offered to distribute some villages among the
landless. It was known as Gramdan.
4. Many landowners chose to provide some part of their land to the poor farmers due to the
land ceiling act. This Bhoodan and Gramdan movement initiated by Vinoba Bhave is also
known as the Bloodless Revolution.

Q.15 What do you know about Green Revolution?

Ans. 1. Green Revolution is a phrase used to describe the tremendous increase in the production
of food grains like wheat and rice in India.
2. It has been caused by the large-scale use of a high yielding variety of seeds and
development of surface and groundwater irrigation systems.
3. Large-scale use of fertilizers, insecticides, and pesticides, land reforms, rural electrification
and farm mechanization has caused due to Green revolution.
Q.16 Which is the staple crop for the majority of the people in India? What are the
Geographical conditions required for its growth? Name the major areas of its production.
Ans.

6. Introduction: Rice is the staple food crop of the majority of the population.
7. Climate: Paddy is a tropical crop and grows well in the wet monsoon.
8. Temperature: Above 25o C, with heavy humidity.
9. Rainfall: It requires an annual rainfall above 100 cm. It requires heavy rainfall in summer and
irrigation in areas of less rainfall.
10. Areas of Cultivation: Rice is grown in the plains of north and north-eastern India, coastal areas
and the deltaic region. Development of the dense network of canal irrigation and tube wells
have made it possible to grow rice in areas of less rainfall such as Punjab, Haryana and
western Uttar Pradesh.
Q.17 Which is the second most important cereal crop? What are the Geographical
conditions required for its growth? Name the major areas of its production.
Or
Why is wheat mainly grown in Punjab? Give three reasons.
Ans.

1. Introduction: Wheat is the second most important cereal crop. It is Rabi Crop. It is the main
food crop, in north and north-western parts of the country.
2. Soil Type: Alluvial soil and black soil
3. Temperature: Cool growing season and bright sunshine at the time of ripening.
4. Rainfall: 50 to 75 cm of annual rainfall evenly distributed over the growing season.
5. Areas of Cultivation: There are two prominent wheat growing zones in the country- the Ganga-
Sutlej plain in the north-west and black soil region of Deccan. Wheat producing states are
Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan and certain parts of Madhya Pradesh.
Or

1. Cool and moist climate during growing season is found in Punjab.

2. The dry sunny warm climate at the time of ripening is also found in Punjab.
3. The fertile alluvial soil is found there.
Q.18 What are millets and why are they called coarse grains? Give some examples of millet
crops and areas they are grown in.
Ans. Jowar, Bajra and ragi are the important millets grown in India. These are known as coarse
grains because they have very high nutritional value and generally consumed by rural people.

1. Jowar: Maharashtra is the largest producer of jowar followed by Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
and Madhya Pradesh.
2. Bajra: Rajasthan is the largest producer of bajra followed by Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Gujarat, and Haryana.
3. Ragi: Karnataka is the largest producer of ragi followed by Tamil Nadu.

Q.19 Explain the favourable temperature, rainfall and soil conditions required for the
growth of tea. Name the leading tea producing states.
Ans. 1. Introduction: Tea is the main beverage crop. India is the leading producer and exporter of
tea in the world.
2. Climate: Tea plants grow well in tropical and subtropical climate. Tea thrives well in a hot and
humid climate.
3. Soil Type: The soil requirement is deep fertile well-drained soil which is rich in humus and
organic matter.
4. Temperature: Ideal temperature for the growth is 20o C to 30o C.
5. Rainfall: 150 to 250 cm annual rainfall is required. High humidity and frequent showers evenly
distributed throughout the year are good for the rapid development of tender leaves.
Main tea producing states Assam and West Bengal.
Q.20 Explain the favourable temperature, rainfall and soil conditions required for the
growth of coffee. Name the leading Coffee producing states.
Ans.

1. Introduction: It is the second most important beverage crop of India. Indian coffee is known for
its quality and is hence in great demand all over the world. The variety produced in India is
Arabica variety which was initially brought from Yemen.
2. Climate: It requires hot and humid climatic conditions for growth.
3. Soil Type: The soil requirement is deep fertile well-drained soil which is rich in humus and
organic matter.
4. Temperature: 23o C to 28o C
5. Rainfall: rainfall 100 to 200 cm annually
6. Areas of Cultivation: Its cultivation was initiated on Baba Budan hills and is today confined to
the Nilgiri in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Q.21 What is Horticulture? Name the fruits grown in India?
Ans.
“Horticulture:-It is an art of cultivating fruits and vegetables. India is the largest producer of fruits
and vegetables in the world. India is the producer of tropical as well as temperate fruits.”
India is known for

1. Mangoes – Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

2. Oranges – Nagpur and Cherrapunjee (Meghalaya)
3. Bananas– Kerala, Mizoram, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu
4. Lichi and guava– Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
5. Pineapples – Meghalaya
6. Grapes – Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra
7. Apples, pears, apricots, and walnuts – Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh are in great
demand all over the world.
India produces about 13 per cent of the world vegetables. It is an important producer of pea,
cauliflower, onion, cabbage, tomato, brinjal and potato
Q.22 What are the four important fibre crops of India? Describe any one of them.
Ans. four important fibre crops of India are Cotton, Jute, Hemp and Natural silk.
Cotton:-

1. India is the third largest producer of cotton in the world.

2. Cotton grows well in the drier parts of the black cotton soil of the Deccan plateau.
3. It requires high temperature, light rainfall or irrigation, 210-frost-free days and bright sunshine
for its growth.
4. It is Kharif crop and requires 6 to 8 months to mature.
5. Major Cotton producing states are Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra
Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
Q.23 Which crop is known as golden fibre? What are the Geographical conditions required
for its growth? Name the major areas of its production.
Ans.

1. Jute is known as the golden fibre. It is used to make mats, ropes, carpets, yarns, gunny bags
and many other ornamental things.
2. Soil Type: Well-drained fertile soil in the floodplains. The soil which renewed every year.
3. Temperature: High temperature at the time of growth.
4. Rainfall : 150 to 200 cm
5. Areas of Cultivation: West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Orissa and Meghalaya are the major Jute
producing states.
Q.24 Name the crop which is used both as food and fodder? What are the Geographical
conditions required for its growth? Name the major areas of its production?
Ans.

1. Maize is a crop which is used both as food and fodder. It is a Kharif crop.
2. Soil Type: It grows well in old alluvial soil.
3. Temperature: It requires temperature between 21 o C to 27o C .
4. Rainfall: annual rainfall between 60 to 110 cm
5. Areas of Cultivation: In some states like Bihar maize is grown in Rabi season also. Use of
modern inputs such as HYV seeds, fertilizers and irrigation have contributed to the increasing
production of maize. Major maize producing states are Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar.
Q.25 Name the crop which is the main source of Sugar and Gur? What are the Geographical
conditions required for its growth? Name the major areas of its production?
Ans.
1. Sugar cane is the main source of sugar and gur. India is the second largest producer of
sugarcane in the world after Brazil. It is a tropical and sub-tropical crop.
2. Climate: It grows well in hot and humid climate.
3. Soil Type: it can be grown well on a variety of soils.
4. Temperature: Temperature requirement is 21 degree C to 27 degree C .
5. Rainfall: Annual rainfall between 75 cm and 100 cm.
6. Areas of Cultivation: The major sugarcane producing states are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab and Haryana.
Q. 26 Name any four oilseeds produced in India. Explain the importance of oilseeds in our
day to day life.
Ans. Main oil seeds like groundnut, coconut, soyabean, cotton seeds, etc. are produced.
USES :- 1. Edible
2. Raw material in the production of soap, cosmetics and ointments.
Q. 27 What are the basic features of Indian agriculture?
Ans.

1. Indian agriculture mainly depends on the arriving of monsoon. Though large areas in India,
after independence, have been brought under irrigation, only one-third of the cropped area is
actually irrigated in a true sense.
2. Maximum farmers are not aware of the modern farming techniques.
3. Indian farmers use fertilizers. Use of these fertilizers and pesticides has increased and large
areas have been brought under a high yielding variety of seeds.
4. Indian farmers, in certain parts, still practice subsistence agriculture. Farmers actually own
small pieces of land and grow crops primarily for their own purpose.
5. In India animals also play a significant role in various kinds of agricultural operations.

Q.28 Why the growth rate in agriculture has been decreasing day by day. Give reasons.
Ans.

1. Indian farmers are facing a challenge from international competition.

2. The cost of production inputs is increasing day by day.
3. Reduction in public investment in the agricultural sector especially irrigation power, rural, roads,
market, etc.
4. The pressure of WTO on the Indian government to remove the subsidies given to the farmers.
5. Reduction in import duties on agricultural products.
6. Withdrawal of investments by farmers from agriculture resulting in reducing employment in
agriculture.

Q.29 What are the efforts made by the government to modernize agriculture in India?
Ans.

6. Establishment of Indian Council of Agricultural Research centre.

7. In the 1980s and 1990s, a comprehensive land development program was initiated, which
include both institutional and technical reforms.
8. Provision for crop insurance against drought, flood, cyclone, fire and disease.
9. Kissan Credit Card, Personal Accident Insurance schemes introduced by the Government.
10. Establishment of Agricultural universities.
11. Establishment of Veterinary services and animal breeding centres.
12. Initiating Research and development in the field of meteorology and weather forecast,
13. Improving the rural infrastructure. (any five)

Q.30 How has irrigation changed the cropping pattern in many regions of India. Explain
with examples.
Ans. Irrigation has changed the cropping pattern of many regions, with farmers shifting to water-
intensive and commercial crops.

 Due to the success of the Green Revolution in Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh and
parts of Rajasthan, these states have started growing rabi crops like wheat, barley, peas and
gram.
 Paddy has become an important crop of Punjab and Haryana. In states like Assam, West
Bengal and Orissa, three crops of paddy are grown in a year. They are Aus, Aman and Boro.
 The development of canal irrigation and tubewells has made it possible to grow rice in areas
of less rainfall such as Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh and parts of Rajasthan.
 The use of modern inputs like HYV (High Yielding Variety) seeds, fertilizers and irrigation
has contributed to high production of maize.

Q.31 Which Land reforms were given priority after independence ?

Ans. 1.Collectivisation
2. Consolidation of land holdings
3. Cooperation and abolition of zamindari system.

Q.32 What are the technological and institutional reforms introduced by the government in
the interest of farmers ?

Ans. Technological Reforms :-

New techniques of irrigation

Chemical fertilizers
Quality seeds
Green and White Revolution
Tractors and Iron plough

Institutional Reforms :-

1. Provision for crop insurance against drought, flood, fire and disease etc.
2. Establishment of banks for providing loan facilities at low interest rate.
3. Many schemes like KCC and PAIS etc. are introduced.
4. Special weather bulletins and agricultural programmes were introduced on the radio
and television.
5. Provide minimum support price to check the exploitation of farmers by speculators
and middlemen.

Q.33 What is organic farming? Write its advantages.

Ans. It is practised without factory made chemicals such as fertilisers and pesticides. In other
words, organic farming is a new system of farming or agriculture that repairs, maintains and
improves the ecological balance.
Advantages:-
  Economical- In organic farming no expensive fertilizers, pesticides, HYV seeds are
required for the plantation of crops. Therefore, no extra expenses.

 Good return on Investment- With the usage of cheaper and local inputs, a farmer can
make a good return on investment.
 High Demand– There is a huge demand for the organic product in India and across the
globe, generating more income through export.
 Nutritional- As compared to chemical and fertilizer utilized products, organic products are
more nutritional, tasty, and good for health.
 Environment-Friendly- The farming of organic product is free of chemical and fertilizers,
so it doesn’t harm the environment.

Q.34 Indian farmers should diversify their cropping pattern from cereals to high-value
crops. Explain. (OR) Diversification of agriculture can be helpful for the Indian farmers.
Explain.

Ans. 1. This will increase incomes and reduce environmental degradation.

2. Fruits, vegetables, flowers and medicinal herbs etc. need much less irrigation than rice or
sugarcane.
3. India’s diverse climate can be used to grow a wide range of high value crops.