Access the latest NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Geography Chapter-4: Agriculture, updated for 2024-2025. Solution is designed to help students tackle difficult questions with ease. The content is written in simple, easy-to-understand language.
Exercise
Multiple Choice Questions
(i) Which one of the following describes a system of agriculture where a single crop is grown on a large area?
(a) Shifting Agriculture
(b) Plantation Agriculture
(c) Horticulture
(d) Intensive Agriculture
Answer: (b) Plantation Agriculture
(ii) Which one of the following is a rabi crop?
(a) Rice
(b) Gram
(c) Millets
(d) Cotton
Answer: (b) Gram
(iii) Which one of the following is a leguminous crop?
(a) Pulses
(b) Jawar
(c) Millets
(d) Sesamum
Answer: (a) Pulses
Short Answer Questions (30 Words)
(i) Name one important beverage crop and specify the geographical conditions required for its growth.
Answer: Tea is an important beverage crop. It requires warm, moist, frost free climates, well drained fertile soil rich in humus, and frequent showers throughout the year for continuous leaf growth.
(ii) Name one staple crop of India and the regions where it is produced.
Answer: Rice is a staple crop grown in regions like Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Punjab, and Haryana.
(iii) Enlist the various institutional reform programmes introduced by the government in the interest of farmers.
Answer:
- Abolition of Zamindari
- Consolidation of land holdings
- Crop insurance schemes
- Grameen banks and cooperative banks
- Minimum Support Price (MSP) policies
- Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme
- Operation Flood (White Revolution)
Long Answer Questions (120 Words)
(i) Suggest the initiative taken by the government to ensure the increase in agricultural production.
Answer: The government has introduced various initiatives to boost agricultural production:
- Green Revolution: Focused on high yielding varieties (HYV) of seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation infrastructure.
- Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY): Ensures access to irrigation (Har Khet Ko Pani) and promotes water use efficiency.
- Minimum Support Price (MSP): Provides farmers with a fair price for their crops to avoid exploitation.
- Kisan Credit Card (KCC): Offers short term loans for crop production.
- Crop Insurance: Protection against losses due to natural disasters.
(ii) Describe the geographical conditions required for the growth of rice.
Answer: Rice is a kharif crop that requires:
- Temperature: Above 25°C
- Rainfall: More than 100 cm annually
- Humidity: High levels are essential for growth
- Soil: Fertile alluvial soil with good water retention capacity
- Regions with assured irrigation like Punjab and Haryana also grow rice despite receiving lower rainfall.
Other Important Short answer Questions
Here are important short answer questions (with answers) derived from Chapter 4: Agriculture from the NCERT Class 10 Geography textbook. These questions focus on concepts frequently asked in past NCERT exams and relevant for UPSC preparation.
Short Answer Questions on Agriculture (NCERT Class 10, Chapter 4)
1. What is primitive subsistence farming?
Primitive subsistence farming is a traditional agricultural method practiced on small patches of land using simple tools like hoe and digging sticks. It relies on monsoon rains, natural soil fertility, and family labor. An example is “Jhumming,” or slash and burn agriculture, practiced in the northeastern states of India.
2. What are the characteristics of intensive subsistence farming?
Intensive subsistence farming involves cultivating small plots of land to meet the needs of a growing population. It requires high labor input, irrigation, and the use of fertilizers to achieve high productivity. It is common in areas with high population density, such as West Bengal and Bihar.
3. Explain commercial farming with examples.
Commercial farming focuses on producing crops for sale in the market. It involves using modern inputs like high yielding seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. Plantation agriculture, a type of commercial farming, grows a single crop on a large scale. Examples include tea in Assam and coffee in Karnataka.
4. What is the importance of cropping seasons in India?
India has three cropping seasons:
- Rabi (Winter crop): Sown in OctoberDecember and harvested in AprilJune (e.g., wheat, barley).
- Kharif (Monsoon crop): Sown with the onset of monsoon in JuneJuly and harvested in SeptemberOctober (e.g., rice, cotton).
- Zaid (Summer crop): Grown between Rabi and Kharif seasons (e.g., watermelon, cucumber).
5. Why is rice considered a staple crop in India?
Rice is the primary food for a large population in India. It grows best in areas with high temperature (above 25°C) and high rainfall (over 100 cm). Regions like West Bengal, Assam, and coastal Odisha are major producers. In areas with low rainfall, irrigation is used (e.g., Punjab and Haryana).
6. Which crops are considered millets, and why are they important?
Millets like jowar, bajra, and ragi are coarse grains with high nutritional value. Ragi, for example, is rich in calcium and iron. These crops are drought resistant and suited for dry areas. Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Karnataka are major millet producing states.
7. What is the role of pulses in Indian agriculture?
Pulses such as arhar, moong, and gram are rich in protein and help restore soil fertility by fixing nitrogen. They require less moisture and are often grown in rotation with other crops. Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are significant producers of pulses.
8. What geographical conditions are required for sugarcane cultivation?
Sugarcane requires a hot and humid climate with temperatures between 21°C to 27°C and annual rainfall between 75 cm and 100 cm. Irrigation is essential in areas with low rainfall. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu are leading producers.
9. What are the major fiber crops in India?
Cotton, jute, hemp, and natural silk are the major fiber crops. Cotton grows well in black soil with light rainfall and high temperatures. Jute is cultivated in the floodplains of West Bengal, Bihar, and Assam, requiring high temperatures and water availability.
10. What were the key agricultural reforms in post independence India?
After independence, several reforms were introduced:
- Abolition of Zamindari system
- Land consolidation and cooperative farming
- Green Revolution (1960s): Focus on high yield crops and modern inputs
- White Revolution (Operation Flood): Boosted dairy production
11. What is the significance of the Green Revolution?
The Green Revolution aimed to increase food production using high yielding seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation. It focused on crops like wheat and rice and was successful in regions like Punjab and Haryana. However, it also led to environmental challenges such as soil degradation.
12. Explain the BhoodanGramdan movement.
The BhoodanGramdan movement was initiated by Vinoba Bhave to encourage landowners to donate land to landless farmers. It aimed at promoting cooperative farming and rural development. Some landowners distributed land due to fear of the land ceiling act.
13. What are the challenges faced by Indian agriculture today?
- Dependence on monsoons and unpredictable rainfall
- Fragmented land holdings due to inheritance
- Limited access to irrigation and modern technologies
- Soil degradation from overuse of fertilizers and pesticides
14. What are horticulture crops? Provide examples.
Horticulture refers to the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. India is a major producer of fruits like mangoes, grapes, and oranges. Vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, and cauliflower are also grown extensively.
15. How does the government support farmers through Minimum Support Price (MSP)?
The government announces MSPs for essential crops to prevent exploitation by middlemen. This ensures farmers receive a fair price, even during market fluctuations. MSP helps maintain food security and supports rural income.
16. What are the benefits of crop rotation?
Crop rotation involves growing different crops sequentially on the same land to improve soil health and fertility. Pulses are often included in rotation to fix nitrogen in the soil. This practice reduces soil erosion and pest infestation.
17. What are the advantages of cooperative farming?
In cooperative farming, farmers pool their land, resources, and labor. This reduces costs and allows for better access to technology, irrigation, and credit facilities. It also promotes social and economic equality among farmers.
18. What is the role of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) in Indian agriculture?
The KCC scheme provides short term credit to farmers at low interest rates, helping them buy seeds, fertilizers, and equipment. It ensures timely access to funds, reducing dependence on moneylenders.
19. Why is tea cultivation important in India?
Tea is a major export crop that requires a warm, humid climate and well drained soil. Major tea producing regions include Assam, West Bengal, and Kerala. The industry is labor intensive and contributes significantly to rural employment.
20. What steps can be taken to promote sustainable agriculture in India?
- Use of organic farming techniques
- Adoption of water saving methods like drip irrigation
- Promotion of agroforestry and crop diversification
- Awareness programs for farmers on sustainable practices
MCQs: Agriculture
Here are 20 multiple choice questions (MCQs) with answers based on Chapter 4: Agriculture from the NCERT Class 10 Geography textbook. These questions target topics that are commonly asked in previous years’ Class 10 exams and UPSC preliminaries.
MCQs on Agriculture (NCERT Class 10, Chapter 4)
1. What type of agriculture involves clearing small patches of forest for cultivation?
a) Commercial farming
b) Intensive subsistence farming
c) Primitive subsistence farming
d) Plantation farming
Answer: c) Primitive subsistence farming
2. Which crop is associated with the Kharif season in India?
a) Wheat
b) Gram
c) Rice
d) Mustard
Answer: c) Rice
3. What is the primary characteristic of commercial farming?
a) Use of traditional tools
b) Large Scale production with modern inputs
c) Slash And Burn agriculture
d) Subsistence production for family use
Answer: b) Large Scale production with modern inputs
4. Which state in India is known for plantation agriculture of coffee?
a) Assam
b) Karnataka
c) Punjab
d) Odisha
Answer: b) Karnataka
5. Which crop requires a cool growing season and bright sunshine at the time of ripening?
a) Sugarcane
b) Wheat
c) Cotton
d) Tea
Answer: b) Wheat
6. What is the term for agriculture where a single crop is grown on a large area?
a) Horticulture
b) Plantation agriculture
c) Shifting agriculture
d) Intensive subsistence agriculture
Answer: b) Plantation agriculture
7. What is the key condition for growing rice in India?
a) High temperature and low rainfall
b) Moderate temperature and low humidity
c) High temperature and high humidity
d) Low temperature and dry climate
Answer: c) High temperature and high humidity
8. Which of the following is a leguminous crop?
a) Jowar
b) Gram
c) Maize
d) Bajra
Answer: b) Gram
9. Which Indian state leads in the production of groundnut?
a) Gujarat
b) Tamil Nadu
c) Maharashtra
d) Uttar Pradesh
Answer: a) Gujarat
10. In which cropping season are watermelon and muskmelon grown?
a) Rabi
b) Kharif
c) Zaid
d) Monsoon
Answer: c) Zaid
11. Which crop is known as the “Golden Fibre” in India?
a) Cotton
b) Jute
c) Silk
d) Rubber
Answer: b) Jute
12. Which Indian initiative was introduced to increase milk production?
a) Green Revolution
b) White Revolution
c) Blue Revolution
d) Yellow Revolution
Answer: b) White Revolution
13. What is the ‘Bhoodan’ movement associated with?
a) Distribution of village land
b) Land donation to the landless
c) Agricultural technology reforms
d) Abolition of Zamindari system
Answer: b) Land donation to the landless
14. Which crop is extensively grown on black cotton soil in the Deccan Plateau?
a) Wheat
b) Jowar
c) Cotton
d) Tea
Answer: c) Cotton
15. What was the major aim of the Green Revolution in India?
a) Promote export of grains
b) Increase crop yield using advanced technology
c) Encourage organic farming
d) Focus on horticulture crops
Answer: b) Increase crop yield using advanced technology
16. Which crop is a major source of jaggery and molasses in India?
a) Rice
b) Maize
c) Sugarcane
d) Cotton
Answer: c) Sugarcane
17. Which state in India has achieved significant success in wheat production due to the Green Revolution?
a) Punjab
b) Bihar
c) Maharashtra
d) Tamil Nadu
Answer: a) Punjab
18. What type of farming is common in the NorthEastern states of India, known as ‘Jhumming’?
a) Commercial farming
b) Shifting agriculture
c) Plantation farming
d) Intensive subsistence farming
Answer: b) Shifting agriculture
19. What is the main factor limiting agricultural production in rainfed areas?
a) Overuse of fertilizers
b) Lack of mechanization
c) Dependence on monsoon rainfall
d) Absence of high yield variety seeds
Answer: c) Dependence on monsoon rainfall
20. Which Indian crop is known for being both a Kharif and Rabi crop in different regions?
a) Rice
b) Maize
c) Wheat
d) Bajra
Answer: b) Maize
Other Chapter
| Chapter 1:- Resources and Development | Chapter 2:- Forest and Wildlife Resources |
| Chapter 3:- Water Resources | Chapter 5:- Mineral and Energy Resources |
| Chapter 6:- Manufacturing Industries | Chapter 7:- Lifeline of National Economy |
