Question 1

Question 2(c)What was the impact of Green Revolution on Indian agriculture?

Accepted Answer

Green Revolution had the following impact on Indian agriculture -It enabled Indian agriculture to change from subsistence to commercial and market-oriented.It led to the development of intensive agricultural production system that increased production and paved the way for self-sufficiency in respect of food grains.The adoption of new technology under Green Revolution created more employment opportunities in agriculture sector.It enabled the farmers to obtain increasing returns from agriculture by greater utilisation of agricultural inputs.It increased rural prosperity.

Question 2

Question 2(d)With reference to the given image, answer the following questions:(i)	What are the inputs of the above-mentioned project in transforming Indian agriculture?(ii) Which crop was experimented with its inputs?

Accepted Answer

(i) The inputs of Green Revolution in transforming Indian agriculture are as follows:Use of large capital and technological inputs.Adoption of modern scientific methods of farming.Use of High Yielding Varieties (HYV) of seeds.Extension of irrigation facilities, particularly ground water resources.Proper use of chemical fertilizers.Improvement in marketing and storage facilities.Use of insecticides and pesticides.Consolidation of landholdings.Supply of agricultural credit.Rural electrification.(ii) Wheat.

Question 3

Question 3(a)Give two points of difference between Extensive and Intensive farming.

Accepted Answer

Extensive farmingIntensive farmingFarms are huge in size.Farms are small in size.It is highly capital intensive.It is labour intensive system.

Question 4

Question 3(b)State any two advantages of Commercial farming.

Accepted Answer

Two advantages of commercial farming are-It increases the yield rate of crops.By utilizing high-end machinery for cultivating the lands, it takes less time to perform the agricultural operations.

Question 5

Question 3(c)Give a reason for each of the following:(i) Plantations are managed by large multinational companies.(ii) Fields are rotated instead of crops in shifting cultivation.(iii) In extensive agriculture, yield per hectare is low but total yield is large.

Accepted Answer

(i) Plantations are managed by large multinational companies because plantation crops are grown on large farms which are modern, scientific and self-contained units. Only one crop is grown on a large-scale. Enormous capital investment is required to set up a plantation and a large number of labourers are employed. Hence, only multinational companies can manage such large scale plantations.(ii) Crops are not rotated in shifting agriculture because the people who practice shifting agriculture have become habitual of consuming specific crops. Hence, when the fertility of the current field is lost, they shift to another field instead of changing their crops.(iii) In extensive agriculture, yield per hectare is low but total yield is large because it is practised in areas with large land holdings, using less labour and less chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Question 6

Question 3(d)(i) What type of farming is practised in areas where population is sparse and land is in plenty?(ii) Name two areas in India where such type of farming is practised.

Accepted Answer

(i) Extensive farming is practised in areas where population is sparse and land is in plenty.(ii) Extensive farming is practised in Punjab and Haryana.

Question 7

Question 4(a)Give two points of difference between plantation and mixed farming.

Accepted Answer

Plantation farmingMixed farmingOnly one crop is cultivated using modern scientific methods.Two or more crops are grown together.Only crops are cultivated.Crops and animals are raised simultaneously.

Question 8

Question 4(b)Give any two effects of globalisation on Indian agriculture.

Accepted Answer

Two effects of globalisation on Indian agriculture are-Farmers have started adopting modern techniques of farming.Establishment of food processing industries has increased employment.

Question 9

Question 4(c)Mention any three measures taken by the government to boost agricultural production.

Accepted Answer

Three measures taken by the government to boost agricultural production are-Various land reforms have been introduced. Zamindari and all intermediaries have been completely abolished.Creation of irrigation infrastructure and its optimum utilisation has been given greater importance.The Government of India provides subsidy on fertilizers to ensure adequate availability of fertilizers to farmers at reasonable rates.

Question 10

Question 4(d)Agriculture in India is a gamble on the monsoon. Explain.

Accepted Answer

Indian agriculture is dependent to a large extent on the monsoons, which are uncertain, irregular and unequally distributed. Nearly 55% of the net sown area continues to depend on rainfall rather than irrigation. Hence, agriculture in India is a gamble on the monsoon.

Question 11

Question 5(a)How is shifting cultivation carried out?

Accepted Answer

In shifting cultivation, a patch of land is cleared by cutting and burning of the stumps. The ash is spread on the field as manure. After the land is cleared of trees, seed are sown in the ground and the land is cultivated. Neither ploughing of the soil nor any other agricultural practices are followed in this type of agriculture.After 2-3 years, when the fertility of the soil is lost, the fields are abandoned and allowed to regain its fertility. The farmers move to a fresh piece of land and the same process is repeated.

Question 12

Question 5(b)Where is shifting cultivation practised in India? State any one disadvantage of shifting cultivation.

Accepted Answer

Shifting cultivation is practised in Assam, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Himalayan region, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh.The disadvantage of shifting cultivation is that it accelerates soil erosion and causes floods and silting in the lower reaches of the riverine flood plains.

Question 13

Question 5(c)State any two steps being taken by the government to discourage shifting cultivation.

Accepted Answer

Two steps being taken by the government to discourage shifting cultivation are-The Government is promoting Intercropping as an alternative to shifting cultivation.The Government is promoting large scale plantations of fast growing timber varieties to help in restoration of land and creation of wealth for the land owners.

Question 14

Question 5(d)What is subsistence farming? Mention two features of subsistence farming.

Accepted Answer

Subsistence farming is characterised by small and scattered land holdings and use of primitive tools, like hoe and digging sticks by family members. As the farmers are poor, they do not use fertilizers and high yielding variety of seeds in their fields.Facilities like irrigation and electricity are generally not available to them. These factors result in low productivity. Most of the food production is consumed by the farmers and their families.Two features of subsistence farming are-Land holdings are small and scattered.The farmers use traditional methods of agriculture.

Question 15

Question 6(a)What is Organic farming?

Accepted Answer

Organic farming is a unique production management system which promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity, and this is accomplished by using on-farm agronomic, biological and mechanical methods in exclusion of all synthetic off-farm inputs.

Question 16

Question 6(b)What is Cooperative farming?

Accepted Answer

Cooperative farming refers to an organisation of farmers where farmers pool their resources in certain areas of activity. Each member farmer owns his land individually but carries out all the farming activities jointly with other farmer members. But profit is distributed in the ration of land owned by each member farmer.

Question 17

Question 6(c)What are the main characteristics of organic farming?

Accepted Answer

The main characteristics of organic farming are-It protects the long term fertility of the soil by maintaining organic matter levels, and creating optimised conditions for biological activity within the soil.It provides crop nutrients indirectly using relatively insoluble nutrient sources which are made available to the plant by the action of soil micro-organisms.It maintains nitrogen self sufficiency through the use of legumes and biological nitrogen fixation as well as effective recycling of organic materials including crop residues and livestock manures.It prevents weeds, diseases and pests by relying primarily on crop rotations, natural predators diversity, organic manuring, resistant varieties and limited thermal, biological and chemical intervention.It provides attentive care and management of livestock, paying full regard to their evolutionary adaptations, behavioral needs and animal welfare issues with respect to nutrition, housing, health, breeding and rearing.

Question 18

Question 6(d)State why is organic farming gaining popularity in recent times.

Accepted Answer

Organic farming is gaining popularity in recent times because people have become aware of their benefits. They contain no chemical pesticides and fertilizers and are grown naturally with manure or compost and only natural pesticides and insecticides are used.Children are more susceptible than adults to diseases caused by chemical pesticide residues in food and so parents prefer to give them organic foods. Another advantage is that organic foods do not contain growth hormones or antibiotic residues. Animals are often given growth hormones and antibiotics in animal feeds which are directly passed into animal foods like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products and from foods to the consumers. In organic farming these practices are banned and animals feed outside in natural surroundings.

Question 19

Question 1Your penfriend, who lives in Australia, has read that India is an agricultural country. He wants to know the details about the nature of agriculture practised in India and the problems faced by the farmers. Write to your friend replying to his queries.

Accepted Answer

Agriculture plays a significant role in the Indian economy. The agriculture practiced here is diverse, including both subsistence farming, where crops are grown for personal consumption, and cash crop cultivation, which involves growing crops like cotton, sugarcane, tea, coffee, and spices for commercial purposes.India underwent a Green Revolution in the 1960s and 1970s, which introduced high-yielding crop varieties, modern farming techniques, and increased use of fertilizers and irrigation. This revolution significantly improved agricultural productivity and helped the country achieve self-sufficiency in food production.Indian farmers encounter several challenges, which impact their livelihoods and agricultural practices. These challenges include:Fragmented Land Holdings — Land holdings in India are often small and fragmented, which makes it challenging for farmers to adopt modern farming techniques and achieve economies of scale.Dependence on Monsoons — Agriculture in India heavily relies on monsoon rains for irrigation. Inadequate or irregular rainfall can lead to droughts, crop failure, and financial distress for farmers.Lack of Access to Credit — Many farmers struggle to access formal credit, forcing them to rely on informal moneylenders who charge high interest rates. This perpetuates a cycle of debt and financial vulnerability.Inadequate Infrastructure — Insufficient rural infrastructure, such as storage facilities, transportation networks, and market linkages, hampers farmers' ability to store, transport, and sell their produce efficiently.Climate Change Impact — Indian farmers are increasingly facing the impacts of climate change, such as erratic weather patterns, changing rainfall patterns, and increased instances of pests and diseases.Old and Inefficient Techniques — Most of the farmers in India use old and inefficient techniques of farming. Mechanisation is limited. Farmers continue to use traditional methods of irrigation.

Question 20

Question 2Your grandfather, a farmer, was a young boy when the Green Revolution began. What does he tell you about the pros and cons of the Green Revolution.

Accepted Answer

My grandfather experienced the Green Revolution as a young boy and he told me many things about the Green Revolution.The advantages of Green Revolution as per my grandfather are:Increased Crop Yields — The Green Revolution introduced high-yielding crop varieties and modern farming techniques, resulting in a significant increase in crop production and improved food security.Improved Livelihoods — Higher crop yields meant increased incomes for farmers, improving their living standards.Food Self-Sufficiency — The Green Revolution made the country self-sufficient in food production and ensured a stable food supply.The disadvantages of Green Revolution as per my grandfather are:Environmental Impact — Intensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides led to soil degradation, water pollution, and a loss of biodiversity.Income Inequality — Large-scale farmers with better access to resources benefitted more, exacerbating income inequality and leaving small-scale farmers at a disadvantage.Dependency on External Inputs — Farmers became reliant on costly inputs like fertilizers and pesticides.Loss of Traditional Knowledge — The focus on high-yielding varieties led to a decline in traditional crop varieties, risking the loss of indigenous knowledge and agricultural diversity.

Agriculture — I

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