Name one important beverage crop and specify the geographical conditions required for its growth.
Crop:Tea is an important beverage crop.
Geographical Conditions:
Climate: Tropical and sub-tropical climates with warm and moist frost-free days all through the year.
Soil: Deep and fertile well-drained soil, rich in humus and organic matter.
Rainfall: Frequent showers evenly distributed over the year ensure continuous growth of tender leaves.
Question 2
Name one staple crop of India and the regions where it is produced.
Crop:Rice is the staple food crop of a majority of the people in India.
Regions:
Major Areas: Plains of North and North-Eastern India, coastal areas, and the deltaic regions.
States: West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
Irrigation: In areas of less rainfall (like Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan), it is grown with the help of canal irrigation and tube wells.
Question 3
List the various institutional reform programmes introduced by the government in the interest of farmers.
To help farmers, the government introduced several institutional reforms:
Land Reforms: Abolition of Zamindari and consolidation of landholdings (Chakbandi).
Financial Aid: Establishment of Grameen Banks and Cooperative Societies to provide loans at low interest rates.
Schemes: Kissan Credit Card (KCC) and Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (PAIS).
MSP: Announcement of Minimum Support Price to protect farmers from exploitation by middlemen.
Long Answer Questions
Question 1
Describe the geographical conditions required for the growth of Rice and Wheat.
1. Rice (Kharif Crop):
Temperature: High temperature (above 25°C).
Rainfall: High humidity with annual rainfall above 100 cm. In areas with less rainfall, irrigation is required.
Soil: Clayey alluvial soil with good water retention capacity is ideal.
2. Wheat (Rabi Crop):
Temperature: Requires a cool growing season and bright sunshine at the time of ripening.
Rainfall: Requires 50 to 75 cm of annual rainfall evenly distributed over the growing season.
Zones: Two main zones in India are the Ganga-Satluj plains in the north-west and the black soil region of the Deccan.
Question 2
Explain the three main types of farming practised in India.
1. Primitive Subsistence Farming: Practised on small patches of land with primitive tools like hoe and digging sticks. It depends on monsoon and natural fertility of the soil. It includes “Slash and Burn” agriculture (Jhumming).
2. Intensive Subsistence Farming: Practised in areas of high population pressure on land. It is labour-intensive farming where high doses of biochemical inputs and irrigation are used to obtain higher production. Landholding size is small due to the right of inheritance.
3. Commercial Farming: The main characteristic is the use of higher doses of modern inputs (HYV seeds, fertilizers, pesticides) to obtain higher productivity. Plantation agriculture (Tea, Coffee, Rubber) is a type of commercial farming where a single crop is grown on a large area.
Question 3
Suggest the initiative taken by the government to ensure the increase in agricultural production.
The Government of India has taken concerted efforts to modernize agriculture:
Infrastructure: Improvement in rural infrastructure and specialized institutions like the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), agricultural universities, and veterinary services.
Technology: Development of horticulture, animal breeding centers, and meteorology (weather forecast) services.
Subsidy Crisis: However, subsidies on fertilizers have decreased, leading to an increase in production costs. Reduction in import duties on agricultural products has forced Indian farmers to compete with international markets.
Diversification: Encouraging farmers to shift from cereals to high-value crops (fruits, vegetables, medicinal herbs) to increase income and reduce environmental degradation.
Key Concepts & Map Work
Concept
Bhoodan – Gramdan Movement
Known as the Bloodless Revolution, initiated by Vinoba Bhave.
Bhoodan: During a lecture in Pochampalli (Andhra Pradesh), rich farmers offered 80 acres of land to landless villagers. This act was called ‘Bhoodan’.
Gramdan: Later, some zamindars offered to distribute whole villages among the landless. This was known as ‘Gramdan’.
Map Work
Major Crop Producing States (Locate and Label)
For the Board Exam, identify the major producers of the following:
Rice: West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab.
Wheat: Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana.
Sugarcane: Uttar Pradesh (The Sugar Bowl of India), Maharashtra.
Tea: Assam (Major Producer), Darjeeling (West Bengal).