Class X- Geography

Chapter 4: Agriculture
(updated on 5th August 2023 as per NCERT online textbook edition November 2022)
1. Why is India called an agrarian economy? (1)
Two-thirds of India’s population is engaged in agricultural activities.

2. What is agriculture? Give its importance. (2)

• Agriculture is a primary activity, which produces most of the food that we
consume.
• Besides food grains, it also produces raw material for various industries.
• Moreover, some agricultural products like tea, coffee, spices, etc. are also
exported.

3. Can you name some industries based on agricultural raw material? (1)
Agro-based industries like cotton, woollen, jute, silk textile, rubber and sugar, tea,
coffee and edible oil.
TYPES OF FARMING
4. What are the two types of agriculture? (1)
a) Subsistence agriculture (for self-consumption)
b) Commercial agriculture (for profit)

5. Distinguish between subsistence and commercial farming. (5) *

Point of Subsistence farming Commercial farming

difference
1. Purpose Crops are consumed by the Cash crops are mainly cultivated
farmers and their family. and sold in the market for profit.
2. Farm size Farms are small and fragmented. Landholdings are large.
3. Farm Old tools and implements are Farmers widely use inputs like
inputs used by the farmer. There is irrigation, chemical fertilizer,
limited use of modern equipment insecticides, pesticides, and high
like tractors, and farm inputs like yielding varieties of seeds.
chemical fertilizers, insecticides
and pesticides.
4.Manpower Greater use of manpower. Less manpower is used.
5.Crops Farmers grow staple food crops Farmers grow cash crops like
grown like rice and wheat. cotton, sugarcane and jute.

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6. What are the two types of subsistence farming? (1)
i. Primitive subsistence farming
ii. Intensive subsistence farming

7. Give the characteristics of primitive subsistence farming. (3)

i) It is practiced on small patches of land, with the help of primitive tools like
hoe, dao and digging sticks and family/ community labour.
ii) This type of farming depends upon monsoons.
iii) It depends upon natural fertility of the soil and suitability of other
environmental conditions to the crops grown. The farmers do not use fertilizers or
other modern inputs.
iv) There is no population pressure on agricultural land.
v) This type of farming is still practiced in few pockets of India. Eg. North eastern
states, Andaman and Nicobar islands.

8. What is slash and burn agriculture? (3)*

Ø Farmers clear a patch of land and produce cereals and other food crops to sustain
their family.
Ø When the soil fertility decreases, the farmers shift and clear a fresh patch of land
for cultivation.
Ø This type of shifting allows nature to replenish the fertility of the soil through
natural processes; land productivity in this type of agriculture is low as the farmer does
not use fertilisers or other modern inputs.

9. What is slash and burn agriculture called in different parts of India and in different parts
of the world? (1)*
India
Jhumming North- eastern states like Assam,
Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland
Pamlou Manipur
Dipa Bastar district of Chhattisgarh
Andaman and Nicobar Island
Bewar or Dahiya Madhya Pradesh
Podu or Penda Andhra Pradesh
Pama Dabi or Koman or Bringa Odisha
Kumari Western Ghats
Valre or Waltre South eastern Rajasthan

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Khil Himalayan belt
Kuruwa Jharkhand

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 World
Milpa Mexico and Central America
Conuco Venezuela
Roca Brazil
Masole Central Africa
Ladang Indonesia
Ray Vietnam

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10. Read the following text and answer the question:
Rinjha lived with her family in a small village at the outskirts of Diphu in Assam. She
enjoys watching her family members clearing, slashing and burning a patch of land for
cultivation. She often helps them in irrigating the fields with water running through a
bamboo canal from the nearby spring. She loves the surroundings and wants to stay here
as long as she can, but this little girl has no idea about the declining fertility of the soil and
her family’s search for fresh a patch of land in the next season.

a) Can you name the type of farming Rinjha’s family is engaged in? (1)
Slash and burn agriculture called Jhumming in Assam

b) Can you list some crops which are grown in such farming? (1)
Cereals and other food crops like Rice, maize, cassava, sweet potato etc.

11. Give the characteristics of intensive subsistence farming. (Refer to Answer 11)
i)
12. Distinguish between Primitive subsistence farming and Intensive subsistence farming. (3-
5 marks)*
Point of Primitive Subsistence Farming Intensive Subsistence Farming
difference
1.Where is This type of farming is still This type of farming is practiced in
it practiced practiced in few pockets of India. areas of high population pressure
on land.
2. Method It is practiced on small patches of It is a labour intensive farming,
of land, with the help of primitive where high doses of bio- chemical
cultivation tools like hoe, dao and digging inputs are used for obtaining
sticks and family/ community higher production.
labour.
3. This type of farming depends upon Irrigation is used in this type of
Irrigation monsoons. farming.
4. Inputs It depends upon natural fertility It does not depend on the natural
of the soil and suitability of other fertility of the soil instead bio-
environmental conditions to the chemical inputs are used.
crops grown. The farmers do not
use fertilizers or other modern
inputs.
5. There is no population pressure Though the ‘right of inheritance’
Population on agricultural land. leading to the division of land
pressure among successive generations has

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 rendered land holding size
uneconomical, the farmers
continue to take maximum output
from the limited land in the
absence of alternative source of
livelihood.

13. Distinguish between Commercial farming and Subsistence farming.

(as per CBSE sample paper 2018-19) (5) *

A. Commercial Farming
i. Use of higher doses of modern inputs like HYV seeds, fertilizers, etc.
ii. Commercialization of agriculture varies from region to another
iii. Plantation is also a type of commercial farming
iv. Use of well-developed network of transport and communication
v. High productivity for commercial purpose

B. Subsistence Farming
i. Is practiced on small patches of land
ii. Labour intensive farming
iii. Use of primitive tools
iv. Dependent on monsoons
v. Called as ‘Slash and burn’ agriculture.
vi. Low productivity

C. Example: Rice is a commercial crop in Haryana and Punjab but in Odisha it is a

subsistence crop.

14. Can you name some of the states of India where intensive subsistence farming is
practiced? (1)
Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh

15. Can you give some more examples of crops which may be commercial in one region and
may provide subsistence in another region? (1)
Wheat is a major crop of India, which is grown in almost all states of India. In Punjab
and Haryana it is a commercial crop and in states like Madhya Pradesh and Bihar it is a
subsistence crop.
COMMERCIAL FARMING
16. Write the characteristics of plantation farming. (5)**
Ø Plantation is also a type of commercial farming. In this type of farming, a single crop
is grown on a large area.

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 Ø The plantation has an interface of agriculture and industry.
Ø Plantations cover large tracts of land, using capital intensive inputs, with the help of
migrant labourers. All the produce is used as raw material in respective industries.
Ø In India, tea, coffee, rubber, sugarcane, banana, etc., are important plantation crops.
Tea in Assam and North Bengal coffee in Karnataka are some of the important
plantation crops grown in these states.
Ø Since the production is mainly for market, 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.

CROPPING PATTERN
17. Name the three cropping seasons of India. (1)
Rabi, Kharif and Zaid

18. Distinguish between Rabi and Kharif season. (3)*

Point of Rabi Crops Kharif Crops
difference
Time period Rabi crops are sown in winter Kharif crops are grown with
(Sown and from October to December the onset of monsoon in
harvested) and harvested in summer different parts of the country
from April to June. and these are harvested in
September-October.
Important Some of the important rabi Important crops grown during
Crops grown crops are wheat, barley, peas, this season are paddy, maize,
gram and mustard. jowar, bajra, tur (arhar),
moong, urad, cotton, jute,
groundnut and soyabean.
Some Though, these crops are grown Some of the most important
important in large parts of India, states rice growing regions are
Region from the north and north- Assam, West Bengal, coastal
western parts such as Punjab, regions of Odisha, Andhra
Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil
Jammu and Kashmir, Nadu, Kerala and
Uttarakhand and Uttar Maharashtra, particularly
Pradesh are important for the the (Konkan coast) along
production of wheat and other with Uttar Pradesh and
rabi crops. Bihar.
Recently, paddy has also
become an important crop of
Punjab and Haryana.

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 In states like Assam, West
Bengal and Odisha, three crops
of paddy are grown in a year.
These are Aus, Aman and
Boro.

19. What is zaid season? Which crops are grown during this season? (1+1)
• In between the rabi and the kharif seasons, there is a short season during the
summer months known as the Zaid season.
• Some of the crops produced during ‘zaid’ are watermelon, muskmelon,
cucumber, vegetables and fodder crops.

20. How long does sugarcane take to grow? (1)

Sugarcane takes almost a year to grow.

21. Describe five main features of the Rabi crop season. (5)
Ø Availability of precipitation during winter months due to the western
temperate cyclones helps in the success of rabi crops.
Ø 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 rabi crops.
Ø Time period / Crops grown /Region where it is grown
(include the points from A18)

22. In which states of India three crops of paddy are grown and what are they called? (1+1)
In states like Assam, West Bengal and Odisha, three crops of paddy are grown in a
year. These are Aus, Aman and Boro.

MAJOR CROPS

23. Why do we have diversity in agricultural practices and cropping patterns in India?
A variety of food and non-food crops are grown in different parts of the country
depending upon the variations in soil, climate and cultivation practices.
Major Crops
Geographical conditions required for the growth of crops
Climate (Temperature, rainfall, humidity, frost- free days, sunshine) Soil etc.
General requirements/ conditions: (Other than geographical conditions)
Irrigation, labour, capital etc.

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 Crop Importance/ Conditions for growth Region/ States
Features
1.Rice 1. Staple food crop of 1.High temperature 1. Areas where rice is grown in
a majority of the (above 25° C)
- plains of north and north-
people in India.
2. High humidity with eastern India
2. India is the second annual rainfall above
- coastal areas
largest producer of 100 cm.
Rice in the world after - deltaic regions
3. In the areas of less
China.
rainfall, it grows with 2. Development of dense network
3. Kharif crop the help of irrigation. 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 and
parts of Rajasthan.
2. Wheat 1. Second most 1.Requires a cool Two important wheat growing
important cereal crop growing season and zones
bright sunshine at the
2. It is the main food 1.Ganga – Satluj plains in
time of ripening.
crop, in north and north-west
north western part of 2. 50-75 cm annual
2. Black soil region of the
the country rainfall, evenly
Deccan
distributed over the
3. Rabi crop
growing season. Major wheat producing states are
Punjab, Haryana, Uttar
Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh,
Bihar and Rajasthan.
3. Millets 1. Jowar, bajra and ragi are the important millets grown in India. Though these
are known as coarse grains, they are very high in nutritional value.

2. For example, Ragi is very rich in iron, calcium, other micro nutrients and
roughage.
3.1 Jowar Third most important Rain fed crop mostly Major jowar producing states are
crop with respect to grown in the moist areas Maharashtra, Karnataka,
(Sorghum)
area and production. which hardly need Andhra Pradesh and Madhya
irrigation. Pradesh.

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3.2 Bajra - Grows well on sandy Major bajra producing states are
soil and shallow black Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh,
(Pearl
soil. Maharashtra, Gujarat and
millet)
Haryana
3.3 Ragi Rich in iron, calcium Crop of dry regions and Major ragi producing states are
and other micro grows well on red, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu,
(Finger
nutrients and black, sandy, loamy Himachal Pradesh,
millets)
roughage and shallow black Uttarakhand, Sikkim,
soils. Jharkhand and Arunachal
Pradesh.
4. Maize 1.Used both as food 1. Temperature Major maize producing states are
and fodder between 21° C and 27° Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh,
C. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra
2. Kharif crop
Pradesh and Telangana.
2. grows well in old
3. Use of modern
alluvial soils. In some states like Bihar maize
inputs such as HYV
is grown in rabi season also.
seeds, fertilizers and
irrigation have
contributed to
increasing production
of maize.
5. Pulses 1. India is the largest Pulses need less Major pulse producing states are
producer as well as moisture and survive Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan,
consumer of pulses in even in dry conditions. Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh
the world. and Karnataka.
2. These are a major
Can you distinguish
source of protein in a
which pulses are grown
vegetarian diet.
in kharif season and
3. Major pulses that which are grown in rabi
are grown in India are season? # Being leguminous crops, all
- Tur (arhar), urad, these crops except arhar help in
Kharif pulses- tur
moong, masur, peas restoring soil fertility by fixing
(arhar), moong, urad
and gram. nitrogen from the air. Therefore
Rabi pulses- gram, these are mostly grown in
masur, peas rotation with other crops.

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 Food Crops other than Grains
Crop Importance/ Features Conditions for Region/ States
growth
1.Sugarcane 1.Kharif crop 1.It grows well in The major sugar producing
hot and humid states are Uttar Pradesh,
2.Tropical as well as sub-
climate with a Maharashtra,
tropical crop.
temperature of 21° Karnataka, Tamil Nadu,
3. India is the second largest C to 27° C Andhra Pradesh,
producer of sugarcane only Telangana, Bihar,
2.Annual rainfall
after Brazil. Punjab and Haryana.
between 75-100 cm
3. can be grown on a
variety of soils.
4. Irrigation is It is the main source of
required in regions sugar, gur (jaggery),
of low rainfall. khandsari and molasses.
5. Needs manual
labour from sowing
to harvesting.
2. Oilseeds 1. Different oilseeds are grown covering approximately 12 percent of the total
cropped area of the country.
2. Main oilseeds produced in India are groundnut, mustard, coconut, sesamum
(til), soyabean, castor seeds, cotton seeds, linseed and sunflower.
3. Uses
(a) cooking mediums
(b) raw material in the production of soap, cosmetics and ointments.
2.1 1. In 2017, India was the - Gujarat was the largest
Groundnut second largest producer of producer of groundnut
groundnut in the world after followed by Rajasthan and
China. Andhra Pradesh in 2016-
17.
2. Kharif crop
3. Accounts for about half of
the major oilseeds
produced in the country.

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2.2 Rabi crops - -
Linseed and
Mustard
2.3 Kharif in north India - -
Sesamum
Rabi in south India

2.4 Castor Grown as both both Rabi - -

seed and Kharif crop.
2.5 In rapeseed production - -
Rapeseed India was the third largest
producer in the world after
Canada and China in 2017.
3. Tea 1. Tea cultivation is an 1.The tea plant Major tea producing states
example of plantation grows well in are Assam, hills of
agriculture. Tropical and sub- Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri
tropical climates. districts of West Bengal,
2. An important beverage
Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
crop introduced in India 2. Endowed with
initially by the British. deep fertile, well Apart from these Himachal
Today most of the tea drained soils rich in Pradesh, Uttarakhand,
plantations are owned by humus and organic Meghalaya, Andhra
Indians. matter. Pradesh and Tripura are
also tea producing states in
3. Labour intensive 3. Tea bushes
the country.
industry require warm and
moist frost free
4. Tea is processed within
climate all through
the tea garden to restore its
the year.
freshness.
4. Frequent
5. In 2017 India was the
showers evenly
second largest producer of
distributed over the
tea after China.
year ensure
continuous growth
of tender leaves.
5. Tea is a labour
intensive industry. It
requires abundant

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 cheap and skilled
labour.
4. Coffee Indian coffee is known in the - The Arabica variety
world for its good quality. initially brought from
Yemen is produced in the
country. This variety is in
great demand all over the
world.
Initially its cultivation was
introduced on the Baba
Budan Hills.
Even today its cultivation is
confined to the Nilgiris in
Karnataka, Kerala and
Tamil Nadu.
5. 1. In 2017 India was the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the
Horticulture world after China.
crops
2. India is a producer of tropical as well as temperate fruits.
3. It is an important producer of pea, cauliflower, onion, cabbage, tomato, brinjal
and potato.
5.1 Mangoes Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar
Pradesh and West Bengal
5.2 Oranges Nagpur and Cherrapunjee (Meghalaya)
5.3 Bananas Kerala, Mizoram, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu
5.4 Lichi and Guava Uttar Pradesh, Bihar
5.5 Pineapples Meghalaya
5.6 Grapes Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra
5.7 Apples, Pear and Apricots Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh
and walnuts are in great demand all over the world.

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 Non- Food Crops
Crop Importance/ Conditions for growth Region/ States
Features
1.Rubber 1.It is an 1. It requires moist and It is mainly grown in Kerala, Tamil
equatorial crop, humid climate Nadu, Karnataka, Andaman and
but under special Nicobar Islands and Garo hills of
2. Rainfall more than
conditions it is also Meghalaya.
200 cm
grown in tropical
Activity:
and sub- tropical 3. Temperature above
areas. 25° C. List the items which are made of
rubber and are used by us.
2. Important
industrial raw Auto tyres and tubes, footwears,
material. belts and hoses, latex foam, camel
back.
2. Fibre 1. Cotton, jute, hemp and natural silk are the four major fibre crops grown in India.
Crops
2. First three are derived from crops grown in the soil, the latter is obtained from
cocoons of silkworms fed on green leaves specially mulberry.
3. Rearing of silk worms for the production of silk fibre is known as sericulture.
2.1 1. India is believed 1. Cotton grows well in Major cotton producing states are-
Cotton to be the original the drier parts of the Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya
home of the black cotton soil of the Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra
cotton plant. Deccan Plateau. Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu,
Punjab, Haryana and Uttar
2. Cotton is one of 2. It requires high
Pradesh.
the main raw temperature, light
materials for the rainfall or irrigation.
cotton textile
3. 210 frost-free days
industry.
and bright sunshine
3. In 2017, India for its growth.
was the second
largest producer
of cotton after
China.
4. Kharif Crop
5. Requires 6-8
months to mature

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2.2 Jute 1. It is known as 1. Jute grows well on West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha
the golden fibre well drained, fertile and Meghalaya are the major jute
soil in the flood plain producing states.
2. Uses- used in
where soils are renewed
making gunny
every year.
bags, mats, ropes,
Problem: Due to its high cost, it is
yarn, carpets, and 2. High temperature is
losing market to synthetic fibres and
other artefacts. required during the time
packing materials, particularly the
of growth.
nylon.

1- RICE
24. What is the rank of India in term rice production in the world? (1)
Second after China

25. Write two geographical requirements for the growth of rice. (2)
1.High temperature (above 25°C)
2. High humidity with annual rainfall above 100 cm.

26. Give three major rice growing regions of India. (3)*

1. Areas where rice is grown in
- plains of north and north- eastern India
- coastal areas
- deltaic regions
2. Development of 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 and parts of Rajasthan.
2- WHEAT
27. Write two geographical requirements for the growth of wheat. (2)
1.Requires a cool growing season and bright sunshine at the time of ripening.
2. 50-75 cm annual rainfall, evenly distributed over the growing season.

28. Give two major wheat growing zones of India. (2)*

Two important wheat growing zones
1.Ganga – Satluj plains in north-west
2. Black soil region of the Deccan

Major wheat producing states are

Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan.

3- MILLETS
29. Give three examples of millets grown in India. (1)

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 Jowar, Bajra and Ragi

30. Name the states of India where jowar is grown. (1)

Major jowar producing states are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and
Madhya Pradesh.

31. Name the states where bajra is grown in India. (1)

Major bajra producing states are Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat
and Haryana.

32. Write one geographical requirements for the growth of Bajra. (1)
Grows well on sandy soil and shallow black soil.

33. Write one geographical requirements for the growth of Ragi. (1)
Crop of dry regions and grows well on red, black, sandy, loamy and shallow black
soils.

34. Name the states where ragi is grown. (1)

Major ragi producing states are Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh,
Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Jharkhand and Arunachal Pradesh.

35. What is the nutritional value of ragi? (1)

Very rich in iron, calcium, other micro nutrients and roughage.

4- MAIZE
36. Name a crop that is used both as food and fodder. (1)
Maize

37. Write two geographical requirements for the growth of Maize. (2)
1. Temperature between 21° C and 27° C.
2. Grows well in old alluvial soils.

38. In which state maize is grown as a Rabi crop? (1)

Bihar

39. State the factors that have led to an increase in the production of maize in the recent
years. (1)
Use of modern inputs such as HYV seeds, fertilizers and irrigation have contributed to
increasing production of maize.

5- PULSES
40. Name the crop for which India is the largest producer and consumer. (1)
Pulses

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 41. Why are pulses grown in rotation with other crops? (1)
They help in restoring soil fertility by fixing nitrogen from the air.

42. Which pulse does not help in restoring soil fertility? (1)
Arhar
Food crops other than grains
6- SUGARCANE
43. What is the rank of India in terms of sugarcane production? (1)
India is the second largest producer of sugarcane only after Brazil.

44. Write five requirements for the growth of sugarcane . (5)**

1. It grows well in hot and humid climate with a temperature of 21° C to 27° C
2. Annual rainfall between 75-100 cm
3. Can be grown on a variety of soils.
4. Irrigation is required in regions of low rainfall.
5. Needs manual labour from sowing to harvesting.

45. Name the state where sugarcane is grown. (1)

The major sugar producing states are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil
Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Punjab and Haryana.

46. What is sugarcane used for? (1)

It is the main source of sugar, gur (jaggary), khandsari and molasses.

7- OILSEEDS
47. What is the rank of India in terms of rapeseed production? (1)
In rapeseed production India was the third largest producer in the world after Canada
and China in 2017.

48. Name the largest producer state for Groundnut. (1)

Gujarat

49. Name the oilseed which is a Kharif crop in north India and a Rabi crop in south India? (1)
Sesamum (til)

50. Give the uses of oilseeds. (1)

(a) cooking mediums
(b) raw material in the production of soap, cosmetics and ointments.

8- TEA
51. Where is tea grown in India? (2)

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 • Major tea producing states are Assam, hills of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts
of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
• Apart from these Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Andhra
Pradesh and Tripura are also tea producing states in the country.

52. Name the beverage crop introduced in India by the British. (1)
Tea

53. Write five requirements for the growth of tea . (5)**

1.The tea plant grows well in tropical and sub- tropical climates.
2. Endowed with deep fertile, well drained soils rich in humus and organic matter.
3. Tea bushes require warm and moist frost free climate all through the year.
4. Frequent showers evenly distributed over the year ensure continuous growth of
tender leaves.
5. Tea is a labour intensive industry. It requires abundant cheap and skilled labour.

9- COFFEE
54. Name the variety of coffee which was brought into India. From where was it brought? (2)
Arabica variety initially brought in from Yemen.

55. Where was the cultivation of coffee initially introduced in India? (1)
Baba Budan Hills (Karnataka)

56. Where is coffee grown in India? (1)

Nilgiris in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

10- HORTICULTURE CROPS

57. What is horticulture? (1) #
The cultivation of fruits, vegetables and flowers.

58. Oranges grown in which states in India are in demand all over the world? (1)
Nagpur and Cherrapunjee (Meghalaya)

59. Name two States/ UTs where apples, pears, apricots are widely grown. (1)
Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.

60. Name the state where pineapples are grown. (1)

Meghalaya

Non-food crops
11- RUBBER

61. Write three geographical requirements for the growth of rubber. (3)*

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 1. It requires moist and humid climate
2. Rainfall more than 200 cm
3. Temperature above 25° C.

62. Where is rubber grown in India?

Rubber is mainly grown in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andaman and Nicobar
Islands and Garo hills of Meghalaya.

Fibre crops
63. What is sericulture? (1)
Rearing of silk worms for the production of silk.

64. Name the four important natural fibres of India. (2)

Cotton, jute, hemp & silk.

12- COTTON

65. Write three geographical requirements for the growth of cotton. (3)*
1. Cotton grows well in the drier parts of the black cotton soil of the Deccan Plateau.
2. It requires high temperature, light rainfall or irrigation.
3. 210 frost-free days and bright sunshine for its growth.

13- JUTE
66. Give four uses of jute. (2)
Jute is used for making gunny bags, mats, ropes, yarn, carpets, and other artefacts.

67. Write two geographical requirements for the growth of jute. (2)
1. Jute grows well on well drained, fertile soil in the flood plain where soils are renewed
every year.
2. High temperature is required during the time of growth.

68. Which crop is called the Golden Fibre? (1)

Jute

69. Why is Jute losing market? (1)

Due to its high cost, it is losing market to synthetic fibres and packing materials,
particularly nylon.

70. State whether the following crops are Rabi or Kharif.

a. Wheat -Rabi
b. Linseed -Rabi
c. Mustard -Rabi

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 d. Gram -Rabi
e. Rice -Kharif
f. Maize -Kharif, Rabi crop in Bihar
g. Sugarcane -Kharif
h. Groundnut -Kharif
i. Cotton -Kharif
j. Millets -Kharif

71. What is the position of India in the world with respect to the production of the following
crops?
a. Pulses -First
b. Rice -Second after China
c. Sugarcane -Second after Brazil
d. Groundnut -Second after China
e. Tea -Second after China
f. Cotton -Second after China
g. Fruits and vegetables -Second after China
h. Rapeseed -Third after Canada and China

Technological and Institutional Reforms

72. Why do we need technological and institutional reforms in agriculture? (3)
• Agriculture has been practiced in India for thousands of years. Sustained uses of
land without compatible techno-institutional changes have hindered the pace of
agricultural development.
• In spite of development of sources of irrigation most of the farmers in large parts
of the country still depend upon monsoon and natural fertility in order to carry
on their agriculture.
• For a growing population, this poses a serious challenge. Agriculture which
provides livelihood for more than 60 per cent of its population, needs some
serious technical and institutional reforms.

73. Enlist the various institutional reform programmes introduced by the government in the
interest of farmers. Q2 (iii) (5)*
OR
Which steps were taken by the Indian Government for a comprehensive land development
programme?
OR
Suggest the initiatives taken by the government to ensure the increase in agricultural
production. Q3 (i)
(i) Agriculture which provides livelihood for more than 60 per cent of its population, needs
some serious technical and institutional reforms. Thus, collectivisation, consolidation of

20
 holdings, cooperation and abolition of zamindari, etc. were given priority to bring about
institutional reforms in the country after Independence.
(ii) ‘Land reform’ was the main focus of our First Five Year Plan. The right of inheritance
had already led to fragmentation of land holdings necessitating consolidation of holdings.

The Government of India embarked upon introducing agricultural reforms to improve Indian
agriculture in the 1960s and 1970s.
(iii)The Green Revolution based on the use of package technology and the White Revolution
(Operation Flood) were some of the strategies initiated to improve the lot of Indian
agriculture. But, this too led to the concentration of development in few selected areas.
(iv) Therefore, in the 1980s and 1990s, a comprehensive land development programme was
initiated, which included both institutional and technical reforms.
(v) 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 were some important steps in this
direction.
(vi) Kissan Credit Card (KCC), Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (PAIS) are some
other schemes introduced by the Government of India for the benefit of the farmers.
(vii) Moreover, special weather bulletins and agricultural programmes for farmers
were introduced on the radio and television.
(viii) The government also announces minimum support price, remunerative and
procurement prices for important crops to check the exploitation of farmers by
speculators and middlemen.

74. Which two revolutions, revolutionised Indian agriculture? (2)

Period when the productivity of agriculture increased drastically as a result of new
advances.
• Green Revolution- Wheat and Rice
• White Revolution- Growth of milk production
Operation Flood is the programme that led to the “The White Revolution”.

75. Describe the main features of Bhoodan and Gramdan? (5)

• Mahatma Gandhi declared Vinoba Bhave as his spiritual heir. He also
participated in Satyagraha as one of the foremost satyagrahis. He was one of the
votaries of Gandhi’s concept of gram swarajya.
• After Gandhiji’s martyrdom, Vinoba Bhave undertook padyatra to spread
Gandhiji’s message covered almost the entire country.
• Once, when he was delivering a lecture at Pochampalli in Andhra Pradesh, some
poor landless villagers demanded some land for their economic well-being.
• Vinoba Bhave could not promise it to them immediately but assured them to talk
to the Government of India regarding provision of land for them if they undertook
cooperative farming.
• Suddenly, Shri Ram Chandra Reddy stood up and offered 80 acres of land to
be distributed among 80 land-less villagers. This act was known as ‘Bhoodan’.
• Later he travelled and introduced his ideas widely all over India.

21
 • Some zamindars, owners of many villages offered to distribute some villages
among the landless. It was known as Gramdan.
• However, many land-owners chose to provide some part of their land to the
poor farmers due to the fear of land ceiling act.
• This Bhoodan-Gramdan movement initiated by Vinoba Bhave is also known as the
Blood-less Revolution.

76. Who was declared by Mahatma Gandhi as his spiritual heir? (1)
Acharya Vinoba Bhave

77. Who started Bhoodan? What was its aim? (2)

Acharya Vinoba Bhave
Aim was to donate land to the landless.
Map Work (Identification only)
Requirement: 3 political maps of India and colour pencils
Map 1: Major areas of Rice - Page 37 (Shade the major and minor areas)
Map 2: Major areas of Wheat – Page 39 (Shade the major and minor areas)
Map 3: Largest/ Major producer states of -
(Shade the state and write the name of the state and the crop)
1. Sugarcane- Uttar Pradesh
2. Tea- Assam
3. Coffee- Karnataka
4. Rubber- Kerala
5. Cotton- Maharashtra/Gujarat
6. Jute- West Bengal
Map 4 - 9:
Note: Apart from the major producer state other important crop producer states can also be asked
in the exam.
Full Forms
Kissan Credit Card (KCC)
Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (PAIS)
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
Back Exercises (Page 46)
1. (i) (b) Plantation Agriculture
(ii) (b) Gram

22
 (iii) (a) Pulses
SOURCE BASED QUESTIONS

Q. Read the following case study and answer the questions:

Rinjha lived with her family in a small village at the outskirts of Diphu in Assam. She enjoys
watching her family members clearing, slashing and burning a patch of land for cultivation. She
often helps them in irrigating the fields with water running through a bamboo canal from the
nearby spring. She loves the surroundings and wants to stay here as long as she can, but this little
girl has no idea about the declining fertility of the soil and her family’s search for fresh a patch
of land in the next season.

1. Can you name the type of farming Rinjha’s family is engaged in? (1)
Slash and burn agriculture
2. Can you list some crops which are grown in such farming? (1)
Rice, maize, cassava, sweet potato

Study table 4.1 and answer the following questions:

i) In which of the following sectors of the economy there has been a constant growth?
Industry
ii) Why has the growth rate in the agricultural sector has been decelerating?

Q. Read the table and answer the questions:

Table 4.1: India: Growth Rate of GDP and Major Sectors (in %) Sector 2013–14 2014–-15
2015–16

a) Comment on the growth rate of agriculture.

Though the GDP growth rate is increasing over the years, it is not generating sufficient
employment opportunities in the country. The growth rate in agriculture has been
decelerating which is an alarming situation.

b) Why are farmers committing suicides in several states of the country?

Today, Indian farmers are facing a big challenge from international competition and
reduction in the public investment in agriculture sector. Subsidy on fertilisers is decreased
leading to increase in the cost of production. Moreover, reduction in import duties on
agricultural products have proved detrimental to agriculture in the country. Farmers are
withdrawing their investment from agriculture causing a downfall in the employment in
agriculture.

c) When farmers have been facing so many problems and land under agriculture is
decreasing, can we think of alternative employment opportunities in the agriculture
sector?
o Animal Husbandry/ dairy farming

23
 o Sericulture

Pictures for interpretation:

Fig 4.1- Slash and Burn agriculture
Fig 4.8- Sugarcane Cultivation
Fig 4.10- Tea Cultivation
Fig 4.11- Tea Cultivation
Fig 4.14- Cotton cultivation
Fig 4.16- Tissue culture

Sample Paper Question (2017-18)

Mohan owns a farm in Uttar Pradesh, he wishes to cultivate either jute or sugarcane. He shall
cultivate which crop out of these two, keeping in mind the conditions required for their growth?
Explain. (3)
Boards (2018)
“The Government of India has introduced various institutional and technological reforms to
improve agriculture in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Support this statement with examples.
OR
Compare intensive subsistence farming with that of commercial farming practiced in India. (5)

Sample Paper Question (2018-19)

Establish the difference between Commercial farming and subsistence farming with the help of a
suitable example. (3)
Boards (2019)
Describe any three main features of ‘Rabi crop season.’ (3)
OR
Describe any three main features of ‘Kharif crop season.’ (3)
Sample Paper Question (2019 - 20)
Complete the following table with correct information with regard to cultivation of Rice: (1)
Rice Annual rain fall required Cropping season Temperature required for
its growth (in degrees)
100 cm (A) - ? (B) - ?

24
Boards (2020)
Set 1: Q30. Why is agriculture called the backbone of Indian economy? Explain. (5)
Set 2: Q30. Explain any five features of plantation farming. (5)
Set 3: Q30. Describe any five features of primitive subsistence farming. (5)
Sample Paper Question (2020-21)- 3 marks

Q5. Choose the correctly matched pair about the Primitive Cultivation in India from the
following options: (1)
A. Dahiya – Madhya Pradesh -ANSWER
B. Kumari-Jharkhand
C. Khil -Andhra Pradesh
D. Koman- Karnataka

Q6. Fill in the blank- (1)

Barley: Rabi crop, cotton: kharif, ___________________: zaid crop.
A. Wheat
B. Mustard
C. Soya bean
D. Cucumber - ANSWER

Q8. A type of millet rich in iron, calcium, other micro nutrients and roughage is (1)
A. Bajra
B. Rajma
C. Jowar
D. Ragi - ANSWER

No map question in the sample paper.

Sample Question paper (2021-22)

Q6. Choose the correctly matched pair about the crops and the areas they are grown in: (1)
A. Groundnut- Assam
B. Tea- Gujarat
C. Coffee- Karnataka
D. Sugarcane – Chhattisgarh

Ans. C. Coffee- Karnataka (Pg. 41)

Read the source given below and answer any 5 of the 6 questions that follow by

25
choosing the most appropriate option:
There has been a gradual shift from cultivation of food crops to cultivation of fruits,
vegetables, oil-seeds and industrial crops. This has led to the reduction in net sown area
under cereals and pulses. With the growing population of India, the declining food
production puts a big question mark over the country’s future food security.
The competition for land between non-agricultural uses such as housing etc. and
agriculture has resulted in reduction in the net sown area. The productivity of land has
started showing a declining trend. Fertilisers, pesticides and insecticides, which once
showed dramatic results, are now being held responsible for degrading the soils. Periodic
scarcity of water has led to reduction in area under irrigation. Inefficient water
management has led to water logging and salinity.

Q53. One can infer from the above given information that marginal and small farmers have been
pushed out of cultivation. Which one of the following is the prominent cause?
A. Food and fruit crops are expensive in market
B. Shift to multifarious crops according to demand
C. Periodic scarcity of water in many regions
D. Soil degradation and extensive Green Revolution

Q54. Read the following statements and find the INCORRECT from the given options:
I. Indian farmers are diversifying their cropping pattern.
II. They are shifting production from cereals to fruits, vegetables, etc.
III. Jute is in high demand in the Indian market.
Options:
A. I & II
B. II&III
C. III Only
D. II Only
Q55. According to the information given above, there has been reduction in the net sown area
under cereals and pulses. Identify the reason.
A. Lack of markets to sell cereals and pulses
B. Earn more income from non-agricultural sector
C. Need of huge labour in cultivating cereals and pulses
D. Availability of more profits from commercial crops
Q56. ‘Fertilisers, pesticides and insecticides, which once showed dramatic results, are now
being held responsible for degrading the soil.’ Infer the positive effects of these inputs
noticed earlier from the following statements.
A. These inputs have shown increased outputs and productivity.
B. These are integral to the process of reducing agrarian losses.
C. These inputs can cut the amount of harvestable produce.
D. These are the leading causes of mortality and health problems.
Q57. There are states in India which are using fertilisers, pesticides and insecticides at excessive

26
level to increase their agricultural production. Identify the states which are at prominent
level from the following options.
A. Karnataka and Kerala
B. Haryana and Punjab
C. Punjab and Gujarat
D. Haryana and Telangana
Q58. Food production provides the base for food security and is a key determinant of food
availability. Why is this trend shifting towards industrial crops? Choose the correct option
in reference to the context.
A. To improve the land use pattern
B. To use intensive farming techniques
C. To improve the fertility of soil
D. To fetch more income and high profit

On the given outline map of India, identify the locations with the help of specified
information.

Q59. On the political map of India, ‘A’ is marked as a Dam. Identify it from the following
options.
A. Salal
B. Bhakra-Nangal
C. Tehri
D. Rana Pratap Sagar

Q60. On the same map, ‘B’ is also marked as a major Tea cultivating state. Identify it from
the following options. (1)
A. Assam

27
B. Punjab
C. Bihar
D. Gujarat
Ans. A. Assam
Boards (2021-22) TERM 1- 30th November 2021
34.Two statements are given below as Assertion (A) and Reasoning (R).
Read the statement and choose the most appropriate option:
Assertion (A): Indian farmers should diversify their cropping pattern from cereals to
high value crops.
Reason (R): This will increase income and reduce environmental degradation
simultaneously.
(a) Both Assertion (A) and Ronson (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of
Assertion (A)
(b) Both Assertion (A) and Resson (R) are true but Reason (R) is not the correct
explanation of Assertion (A)
(c) Assertion (A) is true but Ronson (R) is false,
(d) Assertion (A) is false but Reason (R) is true
Answer 34: a

Case A: Read the source given below. Attempt any 5 questions out of 6 (Q. No. 47 - 52)
questions.

Jhumming: The ‘slash and burn’ agriculture is known as ‘Milpa’ in Mexico and Central America,
‘Conuco’ in Venzuela, ‘Roca’ in Brazil, ‘Masole’ in Central Africa, ‘Ladang’ in Indonesia, ‘Ray’
in Vietnam. In India, this primitive form of cultivation is called ‘Bewar’ or ‘Dahiya’ in Madhya
Pradesh, ‘Podu’ or ‘Penda’ in Andhra Pradesh, ‘Pama Dabi’ or ‘Koman’ or Bringa’ in Odisha,
‘Kumari’ in Western Ghats, ‘Valre’ or ‘Waltre’ in South-eastern Rajasthan, ‘Khil’ in the
Himalayan belt, ‘Kuruwa’ in Jharkhand, and ‘Jhumming’ in the North-eastern region.

47. How is Primitive Subsistence Agriculture related with Jhumming?

(a) It is based on shifting cultivation
(b) It is intensive in nature
(c) It is based on plantation cultivation
(d) It depends upon cash crop
Answer 47: a

48. The 'slash and burn' agriculture is known as' Conuco' in which one of the following
countries?
(a) Venezuela
(b) Brazil
(c) Indonesia
(d) Mexico
Answer 48: a

28
49. The wash and burn agriculture is known as "Roca' in which one of the following countries?
(a) Mexico
(b) Indonesia
(c) Brazil
(d) Venezuela
Answer 49: c
50. Identify the major problem of Jhumming cultivation.
(a) Single crop dominance
(b) Modern inputs
(c) High cost
(d) Low production
Answer 50: d

51. In India 'slash and burn agriculture is known as 'Bewar', in which one of the following
States?
(a) Andhra Pradesh
(b) Madhya Pradesh
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Jharkhand
Answer 51: b

52. Match Column I with Column Il and choose the correct options:
Column I: Column II
(I) Andhra Pradesh: (A)Kuruwa
(II) Odisha: (B) Valre
(III) Rajasthan: (C) Penda
(IV) Jharkhand: (D) Pama Dabi

(a) 1-C 11-D I -B IV-A

(b) I-A 1-B III-C IV-D
(c) 1-B II-A III-D IV-C
(d) 1-D 1-C III-A IV-B
Answer 52: a

60. On the same map 'B' is also marked as the largest Jute producer state. Identify it from the
following options in
(a) West Bengal
(b) Bihar
(c) Assam
(d) Odisha
Answer 60: a

Sample Question paper (2022-23)

Q5. Identify the crop with the help of the following information

29
 • It is a crop which is used both as food and fodder.
• It is a kharif crop which requires temperature between 21°C to 27°C.
• It grows well in old alluvial soil.
• Use of modern inputs have contributed to the increasing production of this crop.

Options:
A. Wheat
B. Maize
C. Rice
D. Sugarcane
Ans: B. Maize
Boards (2022-2023)- 15th March 2023
Q26. Explain any three institutional reforms taken for the development of Indian agriculture. (3)
Sample Question paper (2023-24)
Q23. Mr. ‘P’ is from Assam. He wishes to cultivate either Tea or Wheat. Which one of the crops
out of the two can he cultivate in his state? Substantiate your answer with any two reasons. (2)
Mr. ‘P’ must cultivate Tea in Assam as the soil and climatic conditions in Assam are suitable to
grow Tea.
• The tea plant grows well in tropical and sub-tropical climates endowed with deep and
fertile well drained laterite soil, rich in humus and organic matter. Tea bushes require a
warm and moist frost free climate all through the year.
• Frequent showers evenly distributed over the year ensure continuous growth of tender
leaves.
WEBLINKS
Subsistence and Commercial Agriculture (General- Mr Sin)
https://youtu.be/xztjTlnCZiY(6:34)
Types of farming (Primitive subsistence farming)
https://youtu.be/x-M6uwt6x0A(3:16)
Primitive Subsistence farming- Slash and burn agriculture (animated)
https://youtu.be/vQa3ZLO9A_8 (3:02)
Jhum Practice in Kohima district (only pictures)
https://youtu.be/bGnze6x0ZBI (3:34)
Plantation Agriculture
https://youtu.be/CCTpN1w9Ka8 (4:36)

30
Rice cultivation in India
https://youtu.be/7w0XuoqvCFg (4:17)
Wheat- Norman Bourloug
https://youtu.be/fd6YmVnwNJ0 (6:46)
Millets
https://youtu.be/LojLTEWTXN0 (4:34)
Maize Cultivation in India
https://youtu.be/NLQ2auANTe0 (9:20)
Pulses
https://youtu.be/d9Uq-6pScds (2:28)
Sugarcane
Sugarcane cultivation process in India
https://youtu.be/V9w9BV795lI (7:23)
Sugarcane cultivation in Brazil
https://youtu.be/fNzq5YasHX8 (13:00)
Tea Industry in Assam
https://youtu.be/COJMci9hTtw
Silk
https://youtu.be/b8rX5DRusNI
History of Indian Coffee
https://youtu.be/CVeKGRAjWw0
Cropping pattern & Major Crops of India
https://youtu.be/IrwRM244lPQ
Bhoodan and Gramdan (General historical background)
https://youtu.be/pI3f00rofsg
Vinobha Bhave – Father of Bhoodan movement (1: 34) (GOOD)
https://youtu.be/cFv5cvos9J8

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