CBSE Class 10 Social Science Agriculture Notes

Agriculture

Summary :

Technological and Institutional reforms :

- Consolidation of holdings, co-operation and abolition of zamidari, etc. were given priority to bring about institutional reforms in the country after independence.

- Land reform was the main focus of our first five year plan.

- The green revolution based on the use of package technology and the white revolution

(operation flood) were some of the strategies initiated to improves the lot of Indian agriculture.

- Development in few selected areas. In the 1980s and 1990s, a comprehensive land development progreamme was initiated, which includes both institutional and technological reforms.

- Provision for crop insurance against drought, flood, cyclone, fire and disease.

- Establishment of Grameen Banks, cooperative societies and banks for providing loan facilities to the farmers at lower rates of interest.

- Kissan credit cards and personal accident insurance schemes introduced.

- Special weather bulletins and agricultural programmes for farmers were introduced on radio and T.V.

- The government also announces minimum support price.

- Remunerative and procurement prices for important crops to check the exploitation of farmers by speculators and middleman.

3. Contribution of Agricultures to the National Economy, Employment and Output : -

- Agriculture backbone of Indian Economy.

- Share in the gross domestic product.

- Providing employment.

- Livelihood to the population.

- The government of India made concerted efforts to modernize agriculture.

- Establishment of Indian council of Agricultural Research, agricultural universities.

- Veterinary services and animal breading centres.

- Horticulture development.

- Research and development in the field of meteorology and weather forecast.

Important Questions NCERT Class 10 Social Science Chapter 4 Agriculture

Question. India is the largest producer as well as consumer of which agricultural product in the world?

Ans. Pulses

Question. Describe any four geographical conditions required for the growth of tea. Mention the two major tea producing states of South India.

Ans. Tea : Grows well in tropical and sub-tropical climates.

Soil type : Deep and fertile, well drained soil, rich in humus and organic matter.

Climate : Warm and moist, frost-free climate throughout the years.

Rainfall : Frequent showers throughout the year.

Two states : Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya and Tripura.

Question. Compare the geographical conditions required for the production of cotton and jute.

Ans. 

Question. Describe any three main features of ‘Rabi crop season.’

Ans. (a) Rabi crops are also known as winter crops. They are sown from October to December and harvested from April to June.

(b) Wheat, barley, pea, gram and mustard are the important rabi crops. Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhan and Uttar Pradesh are the important producers of rabi crops.

(c) Availability of precipitation during winter months due to the western disturbances helps in the success of these crops. However, the success of the green revolution in Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh and parts of Rajasthan has also been an important factor in the growth of the above mentioned rabi crops.

Question. Give an account of oilseeds in India. State the importance of groundnut and name the states where it is grown.

Ans. Importance of oil seeds :

(i) These are edible and used as cooking medium.

(ii) Also used as raw material in production of soaps, cosmetics and ointments.

(iii) India is the largest producers of oil seeds. Groundnut :

(i) Kharif crop

(ii) Accounts for half of the total oilseed production in India.

(iii) State : Andhara Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Question. What are the climatic conditions required for the growth of rice?

Ans. (i) Three geographical conditions for the growth of rice :

(a) It requires high temperature (above 25°C).

(b) Annual rainfall above 100 cm.

(c) High humidity

(ii) It is possible to grow rice in areas of less rainfall with the help of irrigation as done in Punjab and Haryana.

Q1.) Define the term ‘agriculture’

Ans- the science or practice of cultivating soil and rearing animals is known as agriculture.

Q2.) What is called Jhumming cultivation in Madhya Pradesh ?

Ans- The jhumming cultivation in Madhya Pradesh is called ‘ Bewar’ or ‘Dahiya’

Q3.) Name the states of India where intensive subsistence farming is practiced

Ans- With increasing population, the pressure on land is continuously increasing. Therefore, in all the densely populated states of India intensive cultivation has become anorm eg. in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.

Q4.)What is the main characteristic of commercial agriculture?

Ans- The main characteristic of commercial farming is the use of higher doses of modern inputs like HYV seeds, commercial fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides in order to obtain higher productivity.

Q5.) Rice an example of a crop which may be commercial in one region and may provide subsistence crop in another region.

Ans-Rrice is a commercial crop in Haryana and Punjab, but in Orissa it is a subsistence crop

Q6.) What is meant by leguminous plants?

Ans- leguminous plants are those plants that help to restore the fertility of the soil as their small nodes absorb nitrogen from the air and fix it into the soil. All pulses are leguminous.

Q7.) What is sericulture?
Ans – the rearing of silk worms for the production of silk is called sericulture

Q8.) What is horticulture?
Ans- intensive cultivation of fruits, flowers and vegetables for the commercial purpose is known as horticulture

Q9.) Name the short cropping season practiced in india. And name some crops grown in this period.
Ans- Zaid is the season and watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber, vegetables and fodder crops are grown in this season.

Q10.) What is called as the ‘golden fiber’ of India? What is its importance?
Ans- Jute is called the golden fiber of India and it is used to make gunny bags, mats, ropes and yarns

Q11.) Name the important millets grown in this area.
Ans- Jowar, bajra and ragi are the important millets grown In India.

Q12.) Why is there enormous pressure on agricultural land in intensive subsistence farming?
Ans- The right of inheritance leading to the division of land among successive generations has rendered land – holding size uneconomical. The famers continue to take maximum output from the limited land in the absence of alternative sources of livelihood.
Thus there is enormous pressure on agricultural land.

Q13.) Which is the most classic example of plantation crop grown in India? Name its 2 major producing states.
Ans- tea is the most classic example of plantation crop grown in India. Its 2 major planting states are Assam and West Bengal.

Q14.) Which variety of coffee is mainly grown in India?
Ans- Arabica coffee is mainly grown in India.

Q15.) What is the other name for white revolution?
Ans- Operation flood is the other name for white revolution.

Q16.) Name the 4 major fiber crops grown in India.
And- Cotton, jute, hemp and natural silk are the 4 major fiber crops in India. The first 3 are derived from the crops grown in the soil, the latter is obtained from cocoons of the silkworms fed on green leaves specially mulberry

Q17.) What is India’s rank among the worlds rubber production?
Ans- India is ranked 5th among the worlds rubber production

Q18.) What was the main focus of the first 5 year plan for agriculture?
Ans- Land reforms was the main focus of the first 5 year plan for agriculture.

Q19.) What is the position of India among the world’s rice producer?
Ans – our country is the 3nd largest producer of rice in the world after china.

Q20.) Name the cereal crop of India which is used both as a food and fodder
Ans- Maize is the cereal crop of India which is used both as a food and fodder.

Q21.) How is the agriculture important for Indian economy?
Ans- India is an agriculturally important country.
 

Important Questions NCERT Class 10 Social Science Chapter 4 Agriculture

Question. How many cropping seasons are found in India? Name them and write a short note on each.

Ans. The three cropping seasons in India are:

(i) Rabi (ii) Kharif (iii) Zaid Rabi

These are characterized as :

(i) The kharif season largely coincides with Southwest Monsoon under which the cultivation of tropical crops such as rice, cotton, jute, jowar, bajra and tur is possible.

(ii) The rabi season begins with the onset of winter in October-November and ends in March- April. The low temperature conditions during this season facilitate the cultivation of temperate and subtropical crops such as wheat, gram and mustard.

(iii) Zaid is a short duration summer cropping season beginning after harvesting of rabi crops.

Question. Which is the leading coffee producer state in India?

Ans. Karnataka

Question. Describe the geographical conditions required for the growth of 'wheat' in India.

Ans. Wheat requires a cool growing season and a bright sunshine at the time of ripening. It requires 50 to 75 cm of annual rainfall evenly distributed over the growing season. Fertile alluvial soil or mixed soil and plain land or gentle slope is ideal for wheat cultivation.

There are two important wheat-growing zones in the country – the Ganga-Satluj plains in the northwest and black soil region of the Deccan. The major wheat-producing states are Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan and parts of Madhya Pradesh.

Question. Explain the geographical conditions required for the cultivation of pulses. Name any two important pulses producing states.

Ans. Pulses are mostly grown in rotation with other crops because

(i) Pulses need less moisture and survive even in dry conditions.

(ii) Being leguminous crops, all these crops help in restoring soil fertility by fixing nitrogen from the air.

Major pulse producing states are : Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

Question. Explain any three steps for agriculture reforms taken by the Government of India, after the independence.

Ans. Three steps were as follows :

From the earliest days agriculture was given great importance in the “five year plans”. Other important steps included :

1. Abolishment of zamindari system. The right to own the land was given to the actual cultivators which then led to the increase in the production.

2. Cooperative societies were formed which provided quality seeds and fertilizers to farmers at low price.

3. Another act called 'land ceiling act' was passed, according to which the land could not be held by a person beyond a defined limit.

The important institutional reforms carried out by the Government of India have been as follows :

(i) Provision for crop insurance against drought, flood, cyclone, fire and disease.

(ii) Establishment of Grameen (regional rural) banks, cooperative societies and banks for providing loan facilities to the farmers at lower rates of interest.

(iii) Establishment of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), agricultural universities, veterinary services and animal breeding centers, horticulture development, research and development in the field of meteorology and weather forecasting etc.

Question. Explain any five initiatives taken by the government to ensure the increase in agricultural production.

Ans. The main initiatives include :

(i) Land reforms : Collectivisation, consolidation of land holdings, cooperation and abolition of zamindari.

(ii) Agricultural reforms : Green revolution and white revolution.

(iii) Land development programmes : Provision for crop insurance against drought, flood, cyclone, etc., establishment of Grameen banks, Cooperative societies and banks for providing loans.

(iv) Issuing of Kisan Credit Card and Personal Accident Insurance Scheme, etc.

(v) Special weather bulletins and agricultural programmes for farmers on radio and TV.

(vi) Government announces Minimum support Price (MSP) and remunerative and procurement prices to check exploitation.

(vii) The government provides HYV seeds and fertilisers.

(viii) Government provides technical assistance and training for farmers.

(ix) Soil testing facilities, cold storage and transportation for farmers.

Question. Describe 'Jhumming cultivation' in one sentence.

Ans. Slash and burn cultivation in the NE region of India.

Question. Name the two most important staple food crops of India. Name the states where they are produced. Write the geographical conditions required for their growth.

Ans. The most important staple crops are rice and wheat. The states where they are grown and geographical conditions for the production of rice and wheat are :

Question. What is the importance of millets?

Ans. In addition to their good nutritional value, an important feature of these crops is that they require much less water to grow than rice and wheat. They can be successfully cultivated in semi-arid tropics and on poor soils.

Question. Why has Indian agriculture started to decline in the trend of food production? How can we overcome this problem?

Ans. Indian agriculture started a decline in the trend of food production because :

(i) More and more land is used for construction of factories, warehouses and shelters. This has reduced good land under cultivation.

(ii) Soil gets degraded by the use of pesticides, fertilizers, over-irrigation, etc., which leads to water logging and salinity.

Remedial measures:

(i) Use of agricultural techniques which are environmentally sustainable.

(ii) Use of biotechnology in modifying different crops and increase the yield per hectare. It reduces dependence on insecticides and also require less water.

Question. Categories the following as ‘Rabi crops’ and ‘Zaid crops’ :
(i) Wheat (ii) Watermelon
(iii) Fodder crops (iv) Mustard
(v) Cucumber (vi) Peas

Ans. 

Question. What are millets? Give brief description of the climatic conditions and producing states of the millets grown in India.

Ans. Millets are coarse grains but have high nutritional value e.g., ragi-rich in iron, calcium.

(i) Jowar – Rain fed crop mostly grows in moist area.

(ii) Bajra – grows well on sandy soils and shallow black soil.

States producing – Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujrat, Haryana and U.P.

(iii) Ragi – grows well in dry region on red, black, sandy and loamy soils.

States producing – Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim.

• Slash and burn’ agriculture -Clears a patch of forest land and produce crops, when the soil fertility decreases the farmer shifts and clear a fresh patch of land, known by different
names in different parts of India- like Jhumming,mostly done in the Northeastern-states
• Rabi Crops-Sown in Winter from October to December and harvested in Summer from April to June-eg. Wheat, Barley, Peas, Gram
• Kharif Crops-Grown with the onset of the Monsoon, harvested in September Octobereg. paddy, Maize, Jowar, Bajra
• Zaid Crops-in between Rabi and Kharif season-short season during the summer monthseg. water melon, cucumber.

Question and Answer (3 Mark)

1. Write the uses of jute. Why is it losing its market in India today?
• It is known as the golden fibre. It is used in making gunny bags, mats, ropes, yarn, carpets and other artefacts. Due to its high cost, it is losing market to synthetic fibres and packing materials, particularly the nylon.
2. List the two beverage crop of India and write the climatic conditions need for its growth.
• Tea- Well drained soil,rich in humus and organic matter-Warm-moist-frost freedays,frequent showers evenly distributed over the years Coffee- Cool climate,hilly region - Well drained soil Question and Answer (5 Marks)
3. Explain any five features of Indian agriculture.
• Intensive subsistence, labour intensive farming, high doses of bio chemical inputs and irrigation are used for obtaining high yield. The right of inheritance has led to
division of land among successive generations.