Agriculture Flashacrds

Question 1

Q1. Why is agriculture important for the Indian economy?

Answer 1

A1. Agriculture is important for the Indian economy because it provides livelihood to nearly two-thirds of the population, ensures food security, serves as a source of raw materials for various industries, contributes to GDP, and earns foreign exchange through exports.

Question 2

Q2. Name the types of farming carried out in India.

Answer 2

A2. The types of farming carried out in India are primitive subsistence farming, intensive subsistence farming, and commercial farming, including shifting agriculture or slash and burn agriculture.

Question 3

Q3. What are the features of Primitive subsistence farming?

Answer 3

A3. Primitive subsistence farming features small farm sizes, the use of primitive tools, reliance on family and community labor, dependence on monsoons, and low land productivity due to the absence of fertilizers.

Question 4

Q4. Give the features of slash and burn agriculture.

Answer 4

A4. Slash and burn agriculture involves clearing forest land by felling and burning trees, growing crops for two or three years, shifting to new areas when soil fertility declines, and cultivating crops like paddy, maize, and millets. It’s also known as Jhumming in the northeast states.

Question 5

Q5. State the characteristic features of Intensive subsistence farming.

Answer 5

A5. Intensive subsistence farming is characterized by small landholdings, labor-intensive practices, heavy use of bio-chemical inputs and irrigation, and pressure on limited land due to the absence of alternative livelihoods

Question 6

Q6. Mention the features of commercial Farming.

Answer 6

A6. Commercial farming features the use of high-yielding variety seeds, chemical fertilizers and pesticides, production for sale, high per-hectare yield, and varying degrees of commercialization across different regions.

Question 7

Q7. State the features of Plantation agriculture.

Answer 7

A7. Plantation agriculture involves large-scale single-crop farming, capital-intensive methods, extensive use of hired labor, production for industrial raw materials, and the cultivation of crops like sugarcane, banana, tea, coffee, and rubber.

Question 8

Q8. Describe the main features of Rabi and Kharif crop.

Answer 8

A8. Rabi crops are sown in winter and harvested in summer, including wheat, barley, peas, gram, and mustard. Kharif crops are grown with the onset of monsoon and harvested in September to October, including paddy, maize, jowar, bajra, and tur.

Question 9

Q9. Which factors are responsible for the growth of Rabi crops in north and northwest India?

Answer 9

A9. The growth of Rabi crops in north and northwest India is facilitated by precipitation during winter months, the development of the Green Revolution, and the presence of fertile alluvial soil brought down by Himalayan rivers.

Question 10

Q10. Why are different types of food and non-food crops grown in India?

Answer 10

A10. A variety of food and non-food crops are grown in different parts of India due to the variety of soil, varied climatic conditions, cultivation practices, and varied relief, which make certain regions suitable for specific crops

Question 11

Q11. Name the major cereal crops of India and specify the geographical conditions required for their growth.

Answer 11

A11. The major cereal crops of India include rice, wheat, millets (jowar, bajra, ragi), and maize. Each crop requires specific geographical conditions like climate, rainfall, and soil type for optimal growth and yield.

Question 12

Q12. What is the importance of pulses? Where are they grown in India?

Answer 12

A12. Pulses are important as they help restore soil fertility, serve as a major protein source in vegetarian diets, and are grown in rotation with other crops. Major pulse-growing states include Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.

Question 13

Q13. Describe the geographical conditions required for the growth of sugarcane. Name the states where sugarcane is cultivated in India.

Answer 13

A13. Sugarcane cultivation requires tropical to sub-tropical climates, temperatures between 21°C to 27°C, annual rainfall between 75cm to 100cm, and a variety of soils. Major sugarcane-producing states in India include Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, and Telangana.

Question 14

Q14. Write a note on oilseed cultivation in India.

Answer 14

A14. Oilseed cultivation covers approximately 12% of India’s cropped area. Major oilseeds produced include groundnut, mustard, coconut, sesamum, soybean, castor seeds, cotton seeds, linseed, and sunflower. These oilseeds have various uses, including as cooking mediums and raw materials for soap, cosmetics, and ointments.

Question 15

Q15. Name two beverage crops and give a brief account of tea cultivation in India.

Answer 15

A15. Two beverage crops in India are tea and coffee. Tea cultivation requires a tropical to sub-tropical climate, warm and moist conditions, and well-drained, fertile soil. Major tea-producing states include Assam, Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Andhra Pradesh.

Question 16

Q16. Where is coffee produced in India?

Answer 16

A16. Coffee is produced in states like Karnataka (Baba Budan hills and Nilgiri Hills), Tamil Nadu, and Kerala

Question 17

Q17. What is horticulture?

Answer 17

A17. Horticulture refers to the intensive cultivation of vegetables, fruits, and flowers. India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world after China

Question 18

Q18. Where is rubber cultivated in India? What are the geographical requirements for rubber cultivation?

Answer 18

A18. Rubber is cultivated in states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Meghalaya (Garo hills). Geographical requirements for rubber cultivation include a moist and humid climate, temperatures above 25°C, and rainfall exceeding 200 cm.

Question 19

Q19. Name the major fibre crops grown in India. How do we obtain them?

Answer 19

A19. The major fibre crops grown in India include cotton, jute, hemp, and natural silk. Cotton, jute, and hemp are obtained from crops grown in the soil, while natural silk is obtained from cocoons of silk worms fed on mulberry leaves.

Question 20

Q20. Where is cotton cultivated in India? What are its geographical requirements?

Answer 20

A20. Cotton is cultivated in states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana. Geographical requirements for cotton cultivation include black soil, high temperatures, light rainfall, and frost-free conditions

Question 21

Q21. What are the geographical requirements for Jute cultivation? Where is it cultivated in India?

Answer 21

A21. Jute cultivation requires high temperatures during growth and well-drained fertile soils in floodplains. Major jute-growing states in India are West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha, and Meghalaya.

Question 22

Q22. What are the Technological reforms and institutional reforms made by the government of India to improve Indian agriculture?

Answer 22

A22. Institutional reforms include the abolition of the Zamindari system, consolidation of land holdings, agricultural programs on TV and radio, crop insurance, credit facilities, special weather bulletins, and minimum support prices. Technological reforms include the use of machines, construction of all-weather roads, use of fertilizers and HYV seeds, irrigation facilities, and modern farming techniques.

Question 23

Q23. Write briefly about the Bhoodan-gramdan Movement.

Answer 23

A23. The Bhoodan-Gramdan Movement, initiated by Vinoba Bhave, aimed at voluntary redistribution of land to poor landless farmers. It began with individuals offering land to be distributed among the landless, fostering a blood-less revolution for land reform in India

Question 24

Q24. Give the main reasons which have necessitated agricultural reforms.

Answer 24

A24. Agricultural reforms are necessary due to sustained land use without compatible techno-institutional changes hindering development, reliance on natural fertility and monsoons, India’s agricultural economy with a large population dependent on it, the need for increased production for a growing population, and overcoming environmental, economic, and social constraints

Question 25

Q1. What is biodiversity?

Answer 25

A1. Biodiversity refers to the variety of flora and fauna in the biological world. It encompasses a wide range of species, both wild and cultivated, and is characterized by diverse forms and functions closely integrated into ecosystems through multiple networks of inter-dependencies.

Question 26

Q2. Why is biodiversity important for human beings?

Answer 26

A2. Biodiversity is essential for human beings because it contributes to the recreation of air, water, and soil quality necessary for survival. Additionally, forests, which are key components of biodiversity, play a crucial role in ecological systems as primary producers that sustain all other living beings

Question 27

Q3. Why do we need to conserve our forests and wildlife?

Answer 27

A3. We need to conserve forests and wildlife to preserve ecological diversity, maintain life support systems (such as water, air, and soil), and protect the genetic diversity of plants and animals, which is vital for species growth and breeding

Question 28

Q4. Write a short note on good practices towards conserving forest and wildlife.

Answer 28

A4. Good practices for conserving forests and wildlife include implementing the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, establishing projects for protecting specific animals, and focusing on biodiversity conservation rather than just individual species.

Question 29

Q5. How are forests classified in India? Give their distribution.

Answer 29

A5. Forests in India are classified into Reserved Forests, Protected Forests, and Unclassed Forests. Their distribution varies across different states, with Reserved and Protected Forests being found in states like Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan

Question 30

Q6. Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife.

Answer 30

A6. Communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife through various initiatives, including fighting against mining, declaring forest areas as protected zones, participating in afforestation movements like the Chipko movement, and engaging in programs like Joint Forest Management (JFM) to manage and restore degraded forests

Question 31

Q7. Write a brief note on Project Tiger.

Answer 31

A7. Project Tiger was launched in 1973 by the government of India to conserve the dwindling tiger population. It aims to protect tigers and their habitats from threats such as poaching, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict. Examples of Project Tiger reserves include Corbett National Park, Sunderbans National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park, Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary, Manas Tiger Reserve, and Periyar Tiger Reserve.

Question 32

Q8. Write a detailed note on Joint Forest Management (JFM) program in India.

Answer 32

A8. Joint Forest Management (JFM) is a program in India that involves local communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests. It began formally in 1988 in Odisha and relies on the formation of village institutions to undertake protection activities on forest lands managed by the forest department. In return, members of these communities receive benefits like non-timber forest products and a share in timber harvested from protected areas.

Question 33

Q1. What is a Resource?

Answer 33

A1. A resource is anything found in the environment that can be used to satisfy human needs, provided it is technologically accessible, economically feasible, and culturally acceptable.

Question 34

Q2. Why is human resource considered to be the most important resource?

Answer 34

A2. Human beings are essential components of resources. They transform materials available in the environment into resources, interact with nature through technology, and create institutions to accelerate economic development

Question 35

Q3. What is resource development? Why is it important?

Answer 35

A3. Resource development involves the exploitation, preservation, and reuse of natural resources. It is important for human survival, maintaining the quality of life, and ensuring that resources are used effectively to meet human needs

Question 36

Q4. List the problems faced by man due to indiscriminate exploitation of resources.

Answer 36

A4. Problems caused by indiscriminate exploitation of resources include depletion of resources, unequal distribution leading to societal divides, and global ecological crises such as global warming, ozone layer depletion, environmental pollution, and land degradation

Question 37

Q5. What is sustainable development? Why is it important?

Answer 37

A5. Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is important because resources are limited, and overutilization can harm the environment, affecting future generations.

Question 38

Q6. What is resource planning? Why is it necessary?

Answer 38

A6. Resource planning is a strategy for the judicious use of resources. It is necessary because resources are limited, and proper planning is essential to prevent overexploitation and ensure the sustainable existence of all forms of life.

Question 39

Q7. Why is resource planning important in India?

Answer 39

A7. Resource planning is important in India due to the uneven distribution of resources across regions. Balanced resource planning at the national, state, and local levels is necessary to ensure equitable utilization and sustainable development

Question 40

Q8. State the three stages of resource planning in India.

Answer 40

A8. The three stages of resource planning in India are identification and inventory of resources, evolution of planning structure and technology, and matching resource development plans with overall national development plans.

Question 41

Q9. Resources can contribute to development only when they are accompanied by appropriate technological development and institutional changes. Explain this statement in the light of India’s experience in different phases of colonization.

Answer 41

A9. India’s experience in colonization shows that the availability of resources alone is not sufficient for development. Technological development and institutional changes are also necessary to harness resources effectively and ensure equitable development.

Question 42

Q10. Why is resource conservation necessary?

Answer 42

A10. Resource conservation is necessary to overcome socio-economic and environmental problems caused by irrational consumption and overutilization of resources, ensuring their sustainable use for future generations.

Question 43

Q11. What were Gandhiji’s views about resource conservation?

Answer 43

A11. Gandhiji emphasized the importance of resource conservation, stating “There is enough for everybody’s need, but not for anybody’s greed.” He criticized mass production and advocated for decentralized production by the masses.

Question 44

Q12. Why is land resource considered to be of utmost importance? Why is it necessary to plan its use?

Answer 44

A12. Land is crucial as it supports natural vegetation, wildlife, human life, economic activities, and infrastructure. Planning its use is necessary due to its finite nature and the need to allocate it carefully for various purposes.

Question 45

Q13. India has land under a variety of relief features. Discuss the importance of each feature.

Answer 45

A13. Land under different relief features serves various purposes such as agriculture, industry, tourism, and ecological balance. Plains provide agricultural and industrial facilities, plateaus contain mineral resources, and mountains give rise to perennial rivers and provide opportunities for tourism and ecological conservation.

Question 46

Q14. Give a short account of the purposes for which land resources are used.

Answer 46

A14. Land resources are used for various purposes including agriculture, forests, non-agricultural uses like buildings and roads, pastures, and fallow lands. The net sown area is essential for crop cultivation, while gross cropped area includes land sown more than once in an agricultural year.

Question 47

Q15. What is the total geographical area of India? Why is land use data available for only 93% of the total area?

Answer 47

A15. The total geographical area of India is 3.28 million sq. km. Land use data is available for only 93% of the total area because some regions, like the northeast states and areas occupied by Pakistan and China, have not been surveyed.

Question 48

Q16. Why has the pressure of livestock population increased on agricultural land?

Answer 48

A16. The pressure of livestock population has increased due to the decrease in land under permanent pastures. Livestock in India are now reared on agricultural waste and fodder crops, leading to increased pressure on agricultural land.

Question 49

Q17. Name the states which have high and low proportion of Net Sown Area. Give reasons for the same.

Answer 49

A17. States like Punjab and Haryana have a high proportion of Net Sown Area due to good irrigation facilities, modern agriculture methods, favorable climate, and level topography. States like Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands have a low proportion due to mountainous terrain, thin soil layer, and lack of awareness.

Question 50

Q18. What is land degradation? State the human activities that are responsible for land degradation in India.

Answer 50

A18. Land degradation is the process of soil loss and decline in fertility due to natural and human activities. Human activities responsible for land degradation in India include mining, overgrazing, over-irrigation, mineral processing, and industrial effluents.

Question 51

Q19. State the measures adopted to control land degradation.

Answer 51

A19. Measures adopted to control land degradation include afforestation, terrace farming, strip cropping, shelter belts, proper management of grazing, control on mining activities, proper management of wastelands, and proper disposal of industrial effluents and waste after treatment

Question 52

Q20. Describe the factors that influence the formation of soil.

Answer 52

A20. Factors influencing soil formation include relief, parent rock or bedrock, climate, vegetation, other forms of life, time, natural forces like temperature changes and water flow, and chemical and organic changes in the soil

Question 53

Q21. Name the different types of soils found in India. Give a brief account of each.

Answer 53

A21. The different types of soils found in India include alluvial soil, black soil, red and yellow soils, laterite soil, arid soil, and forest soils. Each soil type has unique characteristics, formation processes, and agricultural significance

Question 54

Q22. What is soil erosion? How is it caused?

Answer 54

A22. Soil erosion is the removal of soil, especially the fertile top layer, either naturally by wind and water or as a result of human action. It is caused by factors such as deforestation, overgrazing, construction, mining, and improper farming practices.

Question 55

Q23. Explain the types of soil erosion.

Answer 55

A23. Types of soil erosion include gully erosion, sheet erosion, and wind erosion. Gully erosion occurs when running water cuts deep channels through clayey soil, sheet erosion occurs when water flows as a sheet over large areas, and wind erosion occurs when wind blows loose soil off flat or sloping land.

Question 56

Q24. Discuss the methods of soil conservation.

Answer 56

A24. Methods of soil conservation include contour plowing, terrace farming, strip cropping, shelter belts, afforestation, proper management of grazing, control of mining activities, and proper disposal of industrial effluents. These methods help prevent