RBSE Class 10 Social Science Important Questions Geography Chapter 4 Agriculture

Rajasthan Board RBSE Class 10 Social Science Important Questions Geography Chapter 4 Agriculture Important Questions and Answers. 

RBSE Class 10 Social Science Important Questions Geography Chapter 4 Agriculture

Objective Type Questions 

Question 1. 
Jhooming cultivation of Indonesia is called : 
(a) Conuco
(b) Roca 
(c) Ladang
(d) Milpa 
Answer:
(c) Ladang

Question 2. 
Which one is not a plantation crop ? 
(a) Tea 
(b) Coffee 
(c) Rubber
(d) Wheat 
Answer:
(d) Wheat

Question 3. 
Which one is a zaid crop ? 
(a) Rice
(b) Maize 
(c) Watermelon 
(d) Bajra 
Answer:
(c) Watermelon 

Question 4. 
Which one is a non-food crop ? 
(a) Cotton
(b) Sugarcane 
(c) Rice
(d) Wheat 
Answer:
(a) Cotton

Question 5. 
The following is the kharif crop-
(a) Wheat
(b) Bajra 
(c) Barley
(d) Mustard 
Answer:
(b) Bajra

Question 6. 
Which country is the largest producer of rice in the world ? 
(a) India
(b) China 
(c) America
(d) Brazil 
Answer:
(b) China 

Question 7. 
Which of the following is not a coarse grain ? 
(a) Jowar
(b) Bajra 
(c) Ragi
(d) Barley 
Answer:
(d) Barley

Question 8. 
The crops used both as food and fodder are-
(a) Maize
(b) Rice 
(c) Bajra
(d) Barley 
Answer:
(a) Maize

Question 9. 
Which of the following is the pulses crop ?
(a) Soyabean 
(b) Ragi
(c) Peas 
(d) Flax seeds 
Answer:
(c) Peas

Question 10. 
Which type of crop is jute ?
(a) Pulses crop 
(b) Planting crop 
(c) Fibrous 
(d) Horticultural crops 
Answer:
(c) Fibrous

Fill in the blanks 

1. Two-thirds population of India is engaged in ..............
2. The 'slash and burn’ system is called as ............... in the north-eastern regions of India.
3. .............. is the largest producer as well as the consumer of pulses in the world. 
4. The Arabic variety of ........... is produced in the country.
5. India is believed to be the original home of the ............... plants.
Answer:
1. agriculture
2. jhum
3. India
4. coffee
5. cotton. 

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. 
Name the most important food crop of India and mention its two producing states.
Answer:
Most important food crop of India is rice.
The producing states - West Bengal, Assam.

Question 2. 
Name any two beverage crops of India.
Answer:

1. Tea
2. coffee.

Question 3. 
Name two leading states of India in production of Jowar and Bajra. 
Answer:
Jowar - Maharashtra, Karnataka
Bajra - Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh 

Question 4. 
Name some fibre crops of India. 
Answer:
Cotton, jute, natural silk, hemp.

Question 5. 
Which is the leading producing state of sugarcane in India ?
Answer:
Uttar Pradesh.

Question 6. 
Which crop is called the commercial crop of Haryana and Punjab ?
Answer:
Rice 

Question 7. 
Name some plantation crops of India. 
Answer:
Tea, coffee, rubber, sugarcane, banana.

Question 8. 
Which type of agriculture has an interface of agriculture and industry ?
Answer:
Plantation agriculture.

Question 9. 
Name the three cropping seasons of India.
Answer:

1. Rabi
2. Kharif
3. Zaid. 

Question 10. 
Name any two kharif crops. 
Answer:

1. Rice and 
2. Jute.

Question 11. 
Which is the leading producer of bajra in India?
Answer:
Rajasthan.

Question 12. 
Which type of crop is grown in dry areas?
Answer:
Ragi.

Question 13. 
Which type of crops are cultivated in crop rotation ?
Answer:
Pulses.

Question 14. 
What is the process of primitive subsistence agriculture ?
Answer:
Primitive subsistence farming is practised on small patches of land with the help of primitive tools like hoe, dao, digging sticks and family or community labour.

Question 15. 
Name the states of India where primitive subsistence farming is found.
Answer:
Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland.

Question 16. 
What is the main objective of commercial farming ?
Answer:
By using HYV seeds, chemical fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides in order to obtain high productivity.

Question 17. 
What is the major characteristics of plantation agriculture ?
Answer:

• Large scale farming 
• Capital investment
• Application of modern science and technology
• Marketing the final product.

Question 18. 
Write the names of any four rabi crops.
Answer:
Wheat, peas, gram and mustard.

Question 19. 
How much time is required for sugarcane plants to grow fully ?
Answer:
Almost one year. 

Question 20. 
Name four oilseed crops.
Answer:
Groundnut, mustard, coconut and soyabean.

Question 21. 
What are zaid crops? Give examples.
Answer:
Zaid are sown between rabi and kharif crops.
e.g., Watermelon, cucumber.

Question 22. 
There are different types of food crops and non-food crops in India. Why?
Answer:
Different types of soil, climate and techniques of agriculture are found in India. So, there are different type of food and non-food crops in India.

Question 23. 
Write any two wheat producing areas in India.
Answer:

1. Ganga-Satluj plain region of northwestern India
2. black soil area of the Deccan.

Question 24. 
Name two cotton producing states in India.
Answer:

1. Maharashtra
2. Gujarat.

Question 25. 
In the present time the demand of jute products is decreasing. Why ? 
Answer:
High cost of production and cheap substitutes are available.

Question 26. 
After Independence, what steps were taken by the government of India to bring about institutional reforms in the country ?
Answer:
Collectivisation, consolidation of holdings, cooperation and abolition of Zamindari etc. were given priority to bring about institutional reforms in the country after independence.

Question 27. 
Which type of crop is called the golden fibre of India?
Answer:
Jute.

Question 28. 
What is organic agriculture ?
Answer:
Agriculture where only biotic manures are used without using chemical fertilizers and pesticides is called organic agriculture.

Question 29. 
What is sericulture ?
Answer:
Rearing of silk worms for the production of silk fibre is known as sericulture.

Question 30. 
What are the products made from jute ?
Answer:
Making of gunny bags, mats, ropes, carpets etc.

Question 31. 
What is the importance of genetic engineering ?
Answer:
Genetic engineering is involved in the gene revolution. It is recognised as a powerful supplement in inventing new hybrid varieties of seeds.

Question 32. 
Name any two bio-diesel crops.
Answer:

1. Jatropha
2. Jojoba.

Short Answer Type Questions (Type-I)

Question 1. 
Describe the geographical conditions for wheat farming.
Answer:

• Wheat crop requires a coal 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.
• Black soil and alluvial soil are appropriate for the growth of wheat.

Question 2. 
Compare the primitive subsistence farming and commercial farming.
Answer:

Primitive subsistence farming	Commercial farming
Primitive subsistence farming is also known as slash and burn farming, jhumming farming or intensive subsistence farming. Its features are - It is practiced on small patches of land which Jare usually scattered. It involves the family / community farming.	The main characteristic of this type of farming is the use of higher dose of modern inputs e.g. high yielding variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides in order to obtain higher productivity.

Question 3. 
What do you understand by intensive cultivation ? Explain it. 
Answer:
This method of cultivation practised in those areas where the availability of land is limited in proportion to the population. Agriculture practice in such area is called intensive cultivation.

It is labour intensive farming, where high doses of biochemical inputs and irrigation are used for obtaining higher production.

Question 4. 
Write the importance of agriculture in India.
Answer:
Importance of agriculture in India:

• India is an agriculturally important country. 52% of its population is engaged in agricultural activities.
• Agriculture is a primary activity which produces most of the food that we consume.
• Beside food grains, it also produces raw materials for various industries.
• Moreover, some agricultural products like tea, coffee, spices are also exported.

Question 5. 
What is the main objective of Bhoodan and who undertook this policy ?
Answer:
The main objective of Bhoodan was to offer lands to landless villagers which was started by Vinobha Bhave when Shri Ramchandra Reddy offered 80 acres of land to be distributed among 80 landless villagers.

Question 6. 
Write any three features of plantation agriculture. 
Answer:

1. Large scale farming
2. Capital investment 
3. Application of modern science and technology 

Question 7. 
Write two features of Rabi season crops.
Answer:

1. Rabi crops are sown in winter from October to December and harvested in summer from April to June (wheat, gram etc.).
2. These crops are grown in large parts of India. States from north and north-western parts such as U.P., Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand are important for the production of Rabi crops.

Question 8. 
Write two features of Kharif season crops.
Answer:

1. Kharif crops are grown with the onset of monsoon in different parts of the country and these are harvested in September to October.
2. Important Kharif crops are-rice, maize, jowar, bajra, arhar, moong, cotton, jute, groundnut etc.

Question 9. 
Describe the cultivation of rice under the following points-(i) climate, (ii) producing area.
Answer:
Climate- It is the staple food crop of the people of India.
It is the Kharif crop which requires high temperature (>25°C) and high humidity with annual rainfall above 100 cm. It is planted by irrigating in areas with low rainfall.

Producing areas- Rice is grown in the plains of north and north-eastern India, coastal India and deltaic regions.

Development of dense network of canal irrigation and tubewells have made it possible to grow rice in areas of less rainfall such as Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh and parts of Rajasthan

Question 10. 
Briefly describe the ragi crop.
Answer:
Ragi is a millet. Ragi is a crop of dry regions and grows well on red, black, sandy, loamy, and shallow black soils. Major ragi producing states are : Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Jharkhand and Arunachal Pradesh.

Question 11. 
For what reasons, in almost all over the country, rice cultivation has been successful ?
Answer:

• By the increasing usage of HYV seeds of paddy.
• Improved techniques.
• High profile irrigational facilities.
• By the usage of modern chemicals, fertilizers and manure, paddy is harvested before winter.

Question 12. 
What is the impact of globalisation on Indian farmers?
Answer:
Under globalisation, particularly after 1990, the farmers in India have been exposed to new challenges. Despite being an important producer of rice, cotton, rubber, tea, coffee, jute and spices, our agricultural products are not able to compete with developed countries because of the highly subsidised agriculture in those countries.

Question 13. 
What are the negative effects of free power to a section of farmers ?
Answer:
Free powers to a section of farmers have encouraged them to pump groundwater to grow water intensive crops in low rainfall areas (Rice in Punjab, sugarcane in Maharashtra). This unsustainable pumping has reduced water storage in aquifers. Consequently many wells and tube wells have run dry.

Question 14. 
What type of farming would you suggest for positive effect on environment and why?
Answer:
For positive effect on environment I would suggest organic farming. This type of farming is much in vogue today because it is practiced with factory made chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides. So it does not affect environment in negative manner.

Question 15. 
Write a short note on slash and burn agriculture.
Answer:

• Farmers clear a patch of land and produce cereals and other food crops to sustain their family.
• When the soil fertility decreases, the farmers shift and clear and make fresh the patch of land for cultivation.
• This type of shifting allows nature to replenish the fertility of the soil through natural processes.

Question 16. 
Write different names of slash and burn farming in the world.
Answer:
The slash and burn agriculture is also known as primitive subsistence farming.
This type of agriculture is known as Milpa in Mexico and Central America; Conuco in Venezuela; Roca in Brazil, Masole in Central Africa; Ladang in Indonesia and Ray in Vietnam.

Question 17. 
Explain the climatic conditions required for the production of cotton.
Answer:

• It requires high temperature and light rainfall or irrigation.
• 210 frost-free days and bright sunshine for its growth.
• It is a kharif crop and requires 6-8 months to mature.

Producing states : Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, U.P.

Question 18. 
Explain the climatic conditions required for the production of jute. What are the uses of Jute ?
Answer:

• Jute is known as the “Golden fibre”.
• It grows well in well-drained fertile soils in the flood plains where soils are renewed every year.
• High temperature is required during the time of growth.

Producing states: West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha.
Uses: Gunny bags, mats, ropes, carpets etc.

Question 19. 
Mention other names of slash and burn agriculture in India.
Answer:
In India, in north-eastern states like Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland, slash and burn agriculture is called Jhumming; Pamlou in Manipur; Dipa in Baster districts of Chhattisgarh and in Andaman and Nicobar Islands; Khil in the Himalayan belts, Kumhari in western ghats and Valre in Rajasthan.

Question 20. 
Write a short note on groundnut as oilseed.
Answer:
India is the largest producer of oilseeds in the world.
Groundnut is a kharif crop and accounts for about half of the major oilseeds produced in the country. Gujarat is the largest producer of groundnut followed by Rajastahan and Andhra Pradesh in 2016-17.

Question 21. 
Write a short note on the crop of coffee.
Answer:
Indian coffee is known in the world for its good quality. The Arabica variety initially brought from Yemen is produced in the country. This variety is in great demand all oner the world. Initially its cultivation was introduced on the Bababudan hills and even today its cultivation is confined to the Nilgiri in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Short Answer Type Questions (Type-II)

Question 1. 
Write a short note on Primitive Subsistence Farming.
Answer:
Primitive Susbsistence Farming : It is found in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram and Chhattisgarh and in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The primitive subsistence agriculture is practised on small patches of land with the help of primitive tools like hoe, dao, digging sticks and family or community labour which depends on monsoon, natural fertility of the soil and suitability of other environmental conditions for growing crops.

Question 2. 
What are the negative effects of agricultural subsidy given by the government?
Answer:

• Fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides, which once showed dramatic results, are being held responsible for degrading the soils.
• Periodic scarcity of water led to the reduction in areas under irrigation.
• Inefficient water management has led to water logging and salinity.
• There has been a gradual shift from cultivation of food crops to cultivation of fruits, vegetables, oilseeds and industrial crops. This has led to reduction in net sown area under cereals and pulses

Question 3. 
Write the names of plantation crops other than tea. Sugarcane is produced mainly in Uttar Pradesh - give three reasons.
Answer:
Other than tea, in India, coffee, sugarcane, banana, rubber are important plantation crops.
Uttar Pradesh is the leading producing state of sugarcane in India.

• It grows well in hot and humid climate with a temperature of 21°C -27°C and an annual rainfall of 75 cm - 100 cm. This favourable climatic conditions are present in Uttar Pradesh.
• Irrigational facilities are present in Uttar Pradesh.
• Supply of manual labour in Uttar Pradesh is cheap.

Question 4. 
Write a short note on pulses production in India.
Answer:
India is the largest producer as well as the consumer of pulses in the India. These are the major source of protein in a vegetarian diet. Major pulses - arhar, urad, moong, masur, peas and gram.

Pulses need less moisture and survive even in dry conditions. All the crops except arhar have been restoring soil fertility by mixing nitrogen from the air. Therefore, these are mostly grown in rotation with other crops.
Producing states - MP, UP, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka.

Question 5. 
Describe crop of maize in India.
Answer:

• Maize is a crop which is used both as a food and fodder:
• It is a kharif crop which requires temperature between 21-27°C and grows well in all alluvial soils.
• In Bihar, maize is also grown in rabi season.
• Uses of HYV seeds, fertilizers and irrigation have contributed to the increasing production go maize.

Producing states - Karnataka, UP, Andhra Pradesh, MP.

Question 6. 
Differentiate between Rabi and Kharif crops.
Answer:
Rabi crops are sown with the beginning of winter, in the months of October-November and are harvested in the months of March-April (wheat, gram, oilseeds, etc.).

Kharif crops are sown with the onset of the monsoon, i.e., Junuary-July and are harvested in the beginning of winter, October-November (maize, jute, rice etc.).

Question 7. 
Write a short note on millets production (crop) in India.
Answer:
Millets-Jowar, Bajra and ragi are the important millets grown in India. These are known as coarse grains, they have very high nutritional value (ragi is very rich in iron, calcium and roughage)

Jowar- It is the third most important food crop with respect to area and production. It is a rain fed crop mostly grown in the moist areas which hardly needs irrigation. Producing states of jowar - Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh.

Bajra- Bajra grows well in sandy soils and shallow black soil. Producing states - Rajasthan, U.P., Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana. 

Ragi- Ragi is a crop of dry region and grows well in red, black, sandy, loamy and shallow black soils. Producing states - Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

Question 8. 
Write a short note on oilseeds production in India.
Answer:

• As of 2016 India is the largest producer of oilseeds in the world after china.
• In rapeseed production India was third largest producer in the world after Canada and China in 2016.
• Oilseeds are grown covering approximately 12% of the total cropped area of the country (groundnut, mustard seed, coconut, til, soyabean, cotton seeds, sunflower etc.).
• Most of these are edible and used as cooking medium.
• Some of these are also used as raw materials in the production of soap, cosmetics and ointments.
• Andhra Pradesh is the largest producer of groundnut followed by Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
• Mustard and linseeds are rabi crops. Sesamum is a kharif crop in north and rabi crop in south India.
• Castor seed is grown both as rabi and kharif crop.

Question 9. 
Desçirbe the horticultural crop in India.
Answer:
The description of herticultural crops in India is clear in the following points
(1) As per the year 2016 production, India was the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world after China.
(2) India is a producer of tropical as well as temperate fruits.
(3) Mangoes of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, oranges of. Nagpur and Cherrapunjee (Meghalaya), bananas of Kerala, Mizoram, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, Lichi and guava of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, pineapples of Meghalaya, grapes of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashra, apples, pears, apricots and walnuts of jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh are in great demand the world over.
(4) Among Vegetables, India has a prominent place in the production of peas, cauliflower, onions, cabbage, tomatoes, brinjals, potatoes, etc.

Question 10. 
Describe the reforms brought in the Indian agriculture after independence through the efforts of the Indian government.
Answer:
(a) Institutional reforms- To increase the production of agriculture the government has introduced some institutional measures which include collectivisation, consolidation of holding and abolition of Zamindari system.

(b) Comprehensive land development programme- In the 1980s and 1990s, a comprehensive land development programme was initiated which included both institutional and technical reforms.

(c) Subsidies- The government is providing huge subsidies in agricultural inputs (maximum is given on fertilizers).

(d) HYV seeds and agricultural universities- In order to enhance production, the government is providing HYV seeds to the farmers. Many new agricultural universities have been established.

(e) Crop insurance and agricultural finance- The government of India has established special banks like the NABARD to provide agricultural loans to farmers

Question 11. 
Write a short note on Bhoodan - Gramdan.
Answer:
Once, Vinobha Bhave, was delivering a lecture at Andhra Pradesh, some poor landless villagers, demanded some land for their economic well-being. He could not promise it to them immediately but assured them to talk to the government of India regarding provisions of land for them if they undertook cooperative farming.

Shri Ramchandra Reddy, stood up and offered 80 acres of land to be distributed among 80 landless villagers. This act was known as Bhoodan.

Some Zamindars, owners of many villages, offered to distribute some villages among the landless. It was known as Gramdan
This Bhoodan-Gramdan movement initiated by Vinobha Bhave is also known as Bloodless revolution

Question 12. 
Why food grains production has remained stagnant or fallen in India?
Answer:

• The completion for land between non-agricultural uses such as housing etc. and agriculture has resulted in reduction in the net sown area.
• Fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides, which one showed dramatic results, are now being held responsible for degrading the soils.
• There has been a gradual shift from cultivation of food crops to cultivation of fruits, vegetables, oilseeds and industrial crops. This has led to the reduction in net sown area under cereals and pulses.
• Periodic scarcity of water has led to reduction in area under irrigation.
• Inefficient water management has led to water logging and salinity.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1. 
Write the different types of farming in India. Write the main characteristics of primitive subsistence farming.
Answer:
Types of farming in India : 

• Primitive subsistence farming
• Intensive subsistence farming
• Commercial farming
• Plantation farming

Characteristics of primitive subsistence farming : 
The primitive subsistence agriculture is practised on small patches of land with the help of primitive tools like hoe, dao, digging sticks and family or community labour which depends on monsoon, natural fertility of the soil and suitability of other environmental conditions for growing crops.

It is a slash and burn agriculture. Farmers clear a patch of land and produce cereals and other food crops to sustain their family. When the soil fertility decreases, the farmers shift and clear and make fresh patch of land for cultivation. This type of shifting allows nature to replenish the fertility of the soil through natural processes.

In India, in north eastern states like Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland, slash and burn agriculture is called Jhumming, Pamlou in Manipur, Dipa in Baster districts of Chhattisgarh and in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Khil in the Himalayan belts, Kumhari in western ghats, Valre in Rajasthan. :

Question 2. 
Write the characteristics of intensive subsistence farming and commercial farming in India.
Answer:
Intensive subsistence farming: It is a type of farming in which the agricultural production is increased by using scientific methods and better agricultural inputs.

Features : 

• HYV seeds and modern inputs are used to increase the production.
• More than one crop is cultivated during a year.
• It is practised in thickly populated areas. (iv) Per hectare yield is very high.

Commercial farming : It is a type of farming under which farmers grow crops to sell in the market.
Features :

• Farmers use higher doses of modern inputs, e.g. HYV seeds, chemical fertilizers, insecticides etc.
• Per hectare productivity is very high.
• Rice, sugarcane, tea, coffee are the major crops.

Question 3. 
Write a geographical essay on the cropping pattern of India.
Answer:
India has three cropping seasons.
Rabi crops season : 

• Rabi crops are sown in winter from October to December and harvested in summer from April to June (wheat, gram, mustard, peas etc.).
• These crops are grown in large parts of India, states from north and north western parts such as UP, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Uttaranchal are important for the production of Rabi crops.
• Availability of precipitation in winter due to the western temperate cyclones help in the success of these crops. This success has brought Green Revolution to Punjab, Haryana, U.P. and parts of Rajasthan.

Kharif crops season : 

• Kharif crops are grown with the onset of monsoon in different parts of the country and these are harvested in September to October (Paddy, Jute etc.).
• Important Kharif crops producing areas in India - West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh etc.

Zaid crops season : 

• Zaid are sown between rabi and kharif crops. There is a short season during the summer months known as zaid season.
• Important zaid crops - water melon, cucumber, muskmelon, vegetables and fodder crops. Sugarcane takes almost a year to grow.

Question 4. 
Discuss about the major food crops of India.
Answer:
A variety of food crops are grown in different parts of the country.
Rice :
(i) Temperature : It is a kharif crop which requires high temperature and humidity. The mean monthly temperature of about 25°C with minor variation during the sowing, growing and harvesting season is suitable for the growth of the plant.

(ii) Rainfall : Rice needs abundant rainfall, i.e more than 100 cm. It can grow in areas with less rainfall but with assured irrigation. Rice is grown in Punjab and Haryana with the help of irrigation

(iii) Soil : Rice can grow in a variety of soils including silts, loams and gravels but it is grown best in alluvial soil with a sub-soil of impervious clay.

Area of production : Rice is cultivated in almost all the states of India, but most of its cultivation is concentrated in the river valleys, deltas of rivers and the coastal plains. The main rice producing states are West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Odisha, Karnataka and Maharashtra.

Wheat :

• Temperature : Cool and moist weather during growth and warm and dry climate during ripening is required.
• Rainfall : 50-75 cm is required. 
• Soil : Light loamy soil is required. It can also be grown in black soil.
• Producing states : Punjab, Haryana, UP, M.P.

Millets :

• Jowar, bajra and ragi are the important millets grown in India.
• These are known as coarse grains. They have very high nutritional value (ragi is very rich in iron, calcium and roughage).
• It is a rain fed crop mostly grown in the moist areas which hardly needs irrigation.

Pulses :
(i) India is the largest producer as well as the consumer of pulses in the India. These are the major source of protein in a vegetarian diet. Major pulses -- tur, urad, moong, masur, peas and gram.

(ii) Pulses need less moisture and survive even in dry conditions. All the crops except arhar have been restoring soil fertility by mixing nitrogen from the air. Therefore, these are mostly grown in rotation with other crops.

(iii) Producing states - MP, UP, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka.

Maize :

• Maize is a crop which is used both as a food and fodder.
• It is a kharif crop which requires temperature between 21-27°C and grows well in all alluvial soils.
• In Bihar, maize is also grown in rabi season.
• Uses of HYV seeds, fertilizers and irrigation have contributed to the increasing production of maize.
• Producing states - Karnataka, UP, Andhra Pradesh, M.P.

Question 5. 
Describe the non-food crops of India.
Answer:
Cotton :
As per year 2016 production, India was second largest producer of cotton after china.
(i) It requires high temperature, light rainfall or irrigation.
(ii) 210 frost-free days and bright sunshine are required for its growth.
(iii) It is a kharif crop and requires 6-8 months to mature.
Producing states : Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, U.P.

Rubber :
(i) It requires moist and humid climate with rainfall >200 cm and temperature >25°C.
(ii) Important producing states - Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Garo hills of Meghalaya.
Items made from rubber- Cycle tyre & tube, camel back, footwares, latex, foam, belts, hoses, auto tyre and tubes.

Jute : 
(i) Jute is known as the “Golden fibre”.
(ii) It grows well in well-drained fertile soils in the flood plains where soils are renewed every year.
(iii) High temperature is required during the time of growth.
Producing states : West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha.
Uses : Gunny bags, mats, ropes, carpets etc.

Silk fibre :
Rearing of silk worms for the production of silk fibre is known as sericulture.

Question 6. 
Describe food crops other than
grains.
Answer:
Sugarcane-Uttar Pradesh is the leading producing state of sugarcane in India.

• It grows well in hot and humid climate with a temperature of 21°C -27°C and an annual rainfall of 75 cm - 100 cm. These favourable climatic conditions are present in Uttar Pradesh.
• Irrigational facilities are present in Uttar Pradesh.
• Supply of manual labour in Uttar Pradesh is cheap.

Oilseeds :

• In 2016, India was the second largest producer of groundnut in the world after China.
• Oilseeds are grown covering approximately 12% of the total cropped area of the country (groundnut, mustard seed, coconut, til, soyabean, cotton seeds, sunflower etc.).
• Most of these are edible and used as cooking medium.
• Some of these are also used as raw materials in the production of soap, cosmetics and ointments.
• Andhra Pradesh is the largest producer of groundnut followed by Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
• Mustard and linseeds are rabi crops. Sesamum is a kharif crop in north and rabi crop in south India.
• Castor seed is grown both as rabi and kharif crop

Coffee :
Indian coffee is known in the world for its good quality. The Arabica variety initially brought from Yemen is produced in the country. Initially it's cultivation was introduced on the Baba Budan Hills and even today its cultivation is confined to the Nilgiri in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Tea : Geographical conditions :
Climate : Warm and moist frost-free climate throughout the year.
Rainfall : Frequent showers evenly distributed. Producing states : Assam, West Bengal. 

Horticulture crops :
As per year 2016 India is the largest producer of foods and vegetables in the world after China. Mango (Maharashtra, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh), oranges (Nagpur, Cherrapunji), bananas (Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu), lichi and guava (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar), pineapples (Meghalaya), grapes. (Andhra Pradesh), apples, pears, walnut (Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh).

Among vegetable’s India has a prominent place in the production of (cauliflower, brinjal, onion, cabbage, tomato, potato etc.).

Question 7. 
Explain the climatic conditions required for production of tea. 
Answer:
Temperature : A tea plant grows well in tropical and sub-tropical climate. It requires warm and moist, frost-free climate throughout the year. Tea bushes require warm and moist frost-free climate all through the year.
Rainfall : This plant needs heavy rainfall between 200-250 cm:
Soil : This plant requires a light loamy soil. The soil should be rich in humus and iron content. Frequent use of chemicals and fertilizers and manures is essential.
Other Conditions- Tea is a labourintensive industry. It requires abundant, cheap and skilled labour. Tea is processed within the tea garden to restore its freshness.
Producing states : Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh and Tripura.

Question 8. 
What should be done to make Indian agriculture efficient and profitable ?
Answer:
To make Indian agriculture efficient and profitable the following points should be noted-
(1) To make agriculture successful and profitable, proper thrust should be given to the improvement of the condition of marginal and small farmers.
(2) New hybrid varieties of seeds should be invented by genetic engineering.
(3) Organic farming should be increased because it is practised without factory made chemicals such as fertilisers and pesticides. Hence, it does not affect environment in a negative manner
(4) A few economists think that Indian farmers have a bleak future if they continue growing foodgrains on the holdings that grwon smaller and smaller as the population rises. India's rural population is about 833 million (2011) which depends upon 250 million (approximate) hectares of agricultural land, and average of less than half a hectare per person.
(5) Indian farmers should diversity their cropping pattern from cereals to high-value crops. This will increase incomes and reduce environmental degradation simultaneously.
(6) Fruits, medicinal herbs, flowers, vegetables, bio-diesel crops like jatropha and jojoba need much less irrigation than rice or sugarcane.
(7) India's diverse climate should be harnessed to grow a wide range of high-value crops.