Agriculture

contribution of agriculture to national economy, employment and output

1) agriculture has been the backbone of the indian economy though its share in the GDP has registered a declining trend from 1951 onwards 2) in 2010-11 about 52 percent of the total work force was employed by the farm sector which makes more than half of the indian population dependant on agriculture for sustenance 3) the declining share of agriculture in GDP is a matter of serious concern because any decline and stagnation in agriculture will lead to a decline in other spheres of the economy having wider implications for society

horticulture crops

1) in 2016, india was the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world after china 2) india is producer of tropical as well as temperate fruits mangoes-maharashtra, andhra pradesh, telengana, UP and wB oranges-nagpur, cherrapunjee(meghalaya) Bananas-kerala, mizoram, lichi and guava- UP and bihar pineapples-meghalaya grapes-andhra pradesh and maharashtra apples pears, apricots walnuts-Jammu and kashmir, himachal pradesh 3)India produces 13 percent of the worlds vegetables, an important producer of pea, cauliflower, onion, cabbage, tomato, potato, brinjal

JUTE

1) known as golden fibre 2) grows well on well drained fertile soils in flood plains where soils are renewed every year 3)high temperature is required at time of growth 4) places- West Bengal, Bihar, assam, Odisha, Meghalaya 5)uses- making gunny bags, mats, ropes, carpets and other artefacts 6)Due to its high cost, it is losing market to synthetic fibres and packing materials particularly nylon

MILLETS-RAGI

1) ragi is very rich in iron, calcium, other micronutrients and roughage. 2) Ragi is a crop of dry regions and grows well on red, black, sandy, loamy and shallow black soils. 3) places: karnataka, tamil nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Jharkhand and Arunachal Pradesh

Give the main reasons which have necessitated agricultural reforms.

1) sustained uses of land without compatible techno-institutional changes have hindered the pace of agricultural development. 2) Most of the farmers still depend on monsoons because large parts of the country still do not have irrigation facilities. 3)Farmers still depend on natural fertility in order to carry on their agriculture, i.e., they lack material resources, e.g., fertilizers, etc. 4)Ours is an agricultural economy and about 63% of people depend on agriculture for employment and livelihood 5)For raising the agricultural productivity levels to produce sufficient food for the growing population. 6)To overcome environmental, economic and social constraints, agricultural reforms have to be seriously implemented. 7)The declining share in GDP is a matter of serious concern because decline and stagnation in agriculture will lead to decline in other spheres of economy.

RUBBER

1)Equatorial crop, but under special conditions, also grown in tropical and subtropical areas. 2) requires moist, humid climate with rainfall more than 200 cm and temperature above 25C. 3)important industrial raw material (automobile tyre, footwear, latex foam) 4) grown in kerala, karnataka, Tamil Nadu, andaman and nicobar islands, meghalaya (Garo hills) 5) india ranked fourth among the worlds natural rubber producers. (2010-11)

what is different names for primitive subsistence farming in different parts of India?

1)Jhumming in north eastern states like Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland 2)Pamlou in Manipur 3)Dipa in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh and in Andaman and Nicobar islands.

MILLETS-JOWAR

1)Jowar is the third most important food crop with respect to area and production 2) rain fed crop, grown in moist areas which hardly needs irrigation 3) places: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh

TEA

1)Tea cultivation is also an example of plantation agriculture. 2)an important beverage crop introduced in india initially by british, but today most tea plantations are owned by indians 3) tea plant grows well in tropical and subtropical climates endowed with deep and fertile well drained soil rich in humus and organic matter 4) tea bushes require warm and moist frost free climate all throughout the year. 5) frequent showers evenly distributed over the year ensures continus growth of tender leaves 6) tea is a labour intensive industry because it requires abundant cheap and skilled labour 7) tea is processed within the tea garden to restore its freshness 8)places: asaam, hills of darjeeling and jalpaiguri districts, west bengal, himachal pradesh, kerala, tripura 9)in 2016 india was third largest producer of tea after china and turkey

MAIZE

1)crop used as both food and fodder 2) kharif crop 3) requires temperature between 21 degree to 27 degree C 4) grows well in old alluvial soil 5)In some states like Bihar, maize is grown in rabi season 6) use of modern HYV seeds, fertilizers and irrigation has contributed to increased production of maize 7) places: Karnataka, Bihar, andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya pradesh, Telengana

Intensive Subsistence Farming

1)practiced in areas of high population pressure on land. 2) it is labor intensive farming 3)high doses of biochemical inputs and irrigation are used for obtaining a higher production 4) through the right of inheritance, leading to division of land among successive generations had rendered land-holding sizes small and uneconomical. 5)Thus farmers continue to take maximum output from limited land (raising 2-3 crops in a year from same land ie multiple cropping) in the absence of alternative source of livelihood 6)Thus there is enormous pressure on agricultural land.

what is primitive subsistence farming?

1)practiced in few pockets of India. 2)primitive subsistence agriculture is practiced on small patches of land with primitive tools like hoe, Dao and digging sticks and family/community labor 3) This type of farming depends upon monsoon, natural fertility of soil and sustainability of other environmental conditions to the crops grown 1)it is a slash and burn agriculture 2)farmers clear a patch of land and produce cereals and other food crops to sustain their family. 3)when soil fertility decreases, farmers shift and clear a fresh patch of land for cultivation 4) This type of shifting allows nature to replenish fertility of the soil through natural processes 5) land productivity in this type of agriculture is low as farmers do not use fertilizers or other modern inputs

SUGARCANE

1)tropical as well as subtropical crop 2)grows well in hot and humid climate with temperature 21 to 27 degres c annual rainfall between 75 cm and 100 cm. 3) irrigation required in areas of low rainfall 4) can be grown on variety of soils and needs manual labour from sowing to harvesting 5) india is second largest producer after brazil 6) main source of sugar, gur(jaggery), khandsari and mollases 7) states:UP, Punjab,Haryana

Write four points to stress the importance of agriculture in India. Or, Why is India called an agriculturally important country? Write four supportive arguments. Or, 'Agriculture has been the backbone of the Indian Economy' Explain the statement by giving reason.

1)two thirds of its population is engaged in agricultural activities which provides livelihood. 2) agriculture is a primary activity, which produces most of the food we consume 3) it produces raw materials for various industries eg cotton, textile and sugar industry 4)some agricultural products like tea, coffee, spices are exported and earn foreign exchange 5) The share of agriculture in providing employment and livelihood to the population is very high.

what is the zaid season? (3)

1. In between the rabi and Kharif seaons, there is a short season during the summer months known as the zaid season. mainly between March-April and June-July in different parts of the country). 2. important crops are watermelon, musk melon, cucumber, vegetables fodder crops, etc. 3. sugarcane takes almost a year to grow

Name some industries based on agricultural raw material.

Cotton Textile Industry and Sugar Industry.

FOOD SECURITY

PAPEER

GLOBALISATION

PAPER

Where are rabi crops mainly grown? Describe the climatic conditions required for their growth.

1) Rabi crops such as wheat and other crops are grown mainly in states from the north and north-western parts such as Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. 2)Climatic conditions: Availability of precipitation during winter months due to western temperate cyclones help in success of these crops. 3) 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 rabi crops.

What is the most important characteristic of commercial farming?Give an example of a crop which is commercial in one region and provides subsistence in another.

1) The main characteristic of commercial farming is the use of higher doses of modern inputs, e.g., high yielding varieties seeds (HYVs), chemical fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides to increase productivity. 2) The degree of commercialization of agriculture varies from one region to another. 3)for example Rice is a commercial crop in Haryana and Punjab, while in Odisha it is a subsistence crop.

what are kharif crops?

.Kharif crops (Crops of the rainy season): are sown with the onset of monsoon (June-July) harvested in September-October. Important crops are rice, maize, millets, jowar, bajra, tur (arhar), moong, urad, cotton, jute, groundnut and soyabean.

The contribution of agriculture to national economy is on the decline." Write five facts to support this statement.

1) Although GDP growth rate of the country is increasing, it is not generating sufficient employment opportunities in the country, especially in the field of agriculture. 2) the growth rate in agriculture is decelerating which is an alarming situation 3) indian farmers are facing challenging international competition and there is reduction in public investment by government in the agricultural sector particularly in areas of irrigation, power, rural roads, market and mechanisation. 4) subsidy on fertilizers is decreased leading to increase in cost of production 5) reduction in import duties on agricultural products have proved detrimental to agriculture in the country 6) farmers are thus withdrawing their investment from agriculture causing a downfall in the employment in agriculture

MILLETS-BAJRA

1) Bajra grows well on sandy soils and shallow black soils 2) places: Maharashtra, gujarat, Haryana, rajasthan, uttar pradesh

FIBRE CROPS

1) Cotton, Jute, Hemp and natural silk are four major fiber crops grown in India. 2) first three are derived from crops grown in soil. silk is obtained from cocoons of silkworms fed on green leaves especially mulberry. 3) rearing of silk worms for production of silk fibre is known as sericulture.

Describe some concerted efforts made by the government to modernize Indian agriculture and improve its share in the GDP.

1) Establishment of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). 2)Setting up of Agricultural Universities. 3)Development of advanced Veterinary Services and Animal Breeding Centres. 4)Development of horticulture. 5)Research and Development in the field of meteorology and weather forecasts, etc. Improving the rural infrastructure is essential for the same.

Name one horticultural plantation crop and two beverage plantation crops and two States each which specialize in their production respectively.

1) Horticultural plantation crop is apples, mainly grown in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. Beverage crops: 2) Tea which is mainly a plantation crop in Assam and North Bengal. 3) Coffee which is grown in Karnataka.

OIL SEEDS

1) IN 2016 india was second largest producer of groundnut inthe wprld after china 2) in rape seed production, india was third largest producer after Canada and China in 2016 3)different oil seeds are grown covering approx 12 percent of the total cropped area of the country 4) main oil seeds produced in india are groundnut, mustard, coconut, sesamum, soyabean, castor seeds. cotton seeds, linseed and sunflower. 5) most of these are edible and used as cooking mediums, some are used as raw material in the production of soaps, cosmetics, ointments 6) groundnut (kharif crop) accounts for about half of the major oilseeds produced in the country 7)gujarat was largest producer of groundnut followed by rajasthan and tamil nadu (2016-17) 8) Linseed and mustard are rabi crops 9) sesamum is kharif crop in north and rabi crop in south india. 10) Castor seed is grown as both rabi and kharif crops.

COFEE

1) INDIAN coffee is known in the world for its good quality, most important beverage of south india, ndia produces about 4% of the world's coffee production. 2) Arabica variety initially brought from Yemen is produced in the country because this variety is in great demand all over the world. 3)initially its cultivation was introduced on the Baba budan hills and even today its cultivation is confined to the Nilgiri in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

PULSES

1) India is the largest producer as well as consumer of pulses in the world as they are the major source of protein in a vegetarian diet. 2) Major pulses that are grown in India are tur(arhar), urad, moong, masur peas and gram 3) Pulses need less moisture and survive even in dry conditions. 4) Being leguminous crops, all these crops except arhar help in restoring soil fertility by fixing nitrogen from the air. Hence they are grown in rotation with other crops. 5) places: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh Uttar pradesh, Rajasthan

MILLETS

1) Jowar, Bajra and Ragi are important millets in India 2) known as coarse grains but high nutritional value important diet for poor people

BHOODAN GRAMDAN

1) MAHATMA gAndhi declared vinoba bhave as his spiritual heir. 2) he participated in satyagraha as one of the foremost satygrahis 3)he was one of the votaries of gadhijis concept of gram swarajya 4) after gandhijis martyrdom, Vinoba bhave undertook padyatra to spread gandhijis message across the country 5) once he was delivering a lecture at pochampalli in andhra pradesh, some poor landless villagers demanded land for their economic wellbeing. Vinoba bhave couldnt promise anythingto them but assured to talk to the government regarding provision of land for them if they undertook cooperative farming 6) suddenly shri ram chandra reddy stood up and offered 80 acres of land to be distributed among 80 landless villagers. This act was known as Bhoodan 7) later, he travelled and introduced his ideas widely over india 8) zamindars, owners of many villages offered to distribute villages among landless. It was known as Gramdan 9) however many land owners chose to provide some part of their land to farmers due to fear of land ceiling act 10) This bhoodan gramdan movement initiated by Vinoba Bhave is known as blood less revolution

Name three states which raise three paddy crops in a year. Name these crops also.

Assam, West Bengal and Orissa grow three crops of paddy in a year. The crops are Aus, Aman and Boro.

COTTON

1. india is known as original home of the cotton plant 2. cotton is the main raw material for cotton textile industry 3. In 2008, India was largest producer of cotton after China 4. Cotton grows well in drier parts of black cotton soil of the deccan plateu 5. requirements- high temperature light rainfall/irrigation 210 frost free days bright sunsine 6. kharif crop nees 6-8 months to mature 7. places-Madhya pradesh, Andhra pradesh, Maharashta, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, UP

RICE (6)

1. kharif crop 2. staple food crop of majority of people in India 3. India is largest producer of rice after China 4. requires high temperature (above 25degree), high humidity with rainfall above 100 cm, in areas of low rainfall, grows with help of irrigation 5. Four major regions of rice cultivation are: Plains of North India Plains of North-Eastern India Coastal areas Deltaic regions. 6. irrigated rice is produced in Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Development of dense network of canals and tubewells has made it possible to grow rice in these states which receive less rainfall.

Name some important rice growing regions of India.

Assam, West Bengal, Coastal regions of Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra particularly the konkan coast along with Uttar Pradesh and Bihar

WHEAT (6)-+

1. rabi crop 2. second most important cereal crop 3.main food crop in north and north western part of the country 4. climatic requirements: Cool growing season. Bright sunshine at the time of ripening. 50 to 75 cm annual rainfall evenly distributed over the growing season. Loamy soil is best for its growth. 5. Two important wheat growing zones in India are: The Ganga-Sutlej plains in the North-West and Black soil region of the Deccan 6.The major wheat producing states are: Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.

Name one type of agriculture which falls in the category of commercial agriculture. Write the main characteristics of this type of agriculture. or Write six characteristics of plantation agriculture.

Plantation agriculture is a type of commercial farming .Characteristics of plantation agriculture: 1) A single type of crop is grown on a large area. 2) Plantations cover large tracts of land using lot of capital intensive inputs, with the help of migrant laborers. 3) The plantation has an interface of agriculture and industry. All the produce is used as raw material in the respective industries. 4)The production is mainly for the market, i.e., commercial agriculture. 5) A well developed network of transport and communication connecting the plantation areas, processing industries and markets plays an important role in the development of plantations.

what are rabi crops?

Rabi crops (Winter crops):These are sown in winter from October to December. Harvested in summer from April to June. Important crops are wheat, barley, peas, gram, mustard etc.

What are 'Institutional Reforms'? Enlist various institutional reforms taken by the Indian Government to bring about improvements in agriculture. (2015)

Steps taken by the government to bring about improvements in agriculture are termed as 'Institutional Reforms'.Some steps are: Collectivisation and consolidation of land holdings to make them economically viable. The green revolution based on the use of package technology and the White Revolution to increase milk production are important strategies which were initiated to improve agriculture. Cooperation with farmers and Abolition of Zamindari system. Provision of crop insurance to protect the farmers against losses caused by natural calamities, i.e. 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 Card (KCC), Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (PAIS) are some other schemes introduced by the government for the benefit of farmers. Special weather bulletins and agricultural programmes for farmers were introduced on the Radio and TV. Announcement of minimum support price, remunerative and procurement prices for crops to check the exploitation of farmers by speculators and middlemen and removing the elements of uncertainty

Name some important plantation crops.

Tea, coffee, rubber, sugarcane and banana are examples of some important plantation crops.

What is horticulture? (

cultivation of fruits,vegetables and flowers is called horticulture.

recently, paddy has become an important crop where?

punjab and haryana

what do the cultivation methods changing depend on? Why do farming practices vary in different regions? Give three major reasons.

three major reasons are-: 1)physical environment like relief, soil and climate 2)technological know how 3) socio-cultural pratices

crops grown in different parts of the country depends on?

variations in soil, climate and cultivation practices