All questions
5
Q1
Differentiate between primitive subsistence, intensive subsistence, and commercial farming.
Primitive subsistence farming uses simple tools, small plots, and family labour, often depending on monsoon and shifting cultivation. Intensive subsistence farming uses high labour and inputs on small holdings to produce more food. Commercial farming uses modern inputs and aims at market sale, with plantation agriculture as an important type.
Q2
Explain the three main cropping seasons of India.
Kharif crops are grown with the monsoon and harvested in autumn, such as rice, maize, and cotton. Rabi crops are sown in winter and harvested in spring, such as wheat, barley, and mustard. Zaid crops are grown in the short summer season, such as watermelon, cucumber, and fodder crops.
Q3
Compare the geographical conditions required for rice and wheat.
Rice needs high temperature, high humidity, and plenty of water, so it grows well in areas of heavy rainfall or irrigation. Wheat needs a cool growing season, bright sunshine at ripening, and moderate rainfall or irrigation, so it grows well in northern and north-western India.
Q4
Why is agriculture important for food security and the Indian economy?
Agriculture provides food grains, raw materials for industries, employment for a large population, and demand for transport, trade, and services. Food security depends on stable agricultural production and fair distribution, especially for staple crops like rice and wheat.
Q5
What technological and institutional reforms have influenced Indian agriculture?
Technological reforms include high-yielding seeds, irrigation, fertilisers, pesticides, farm machinery, and better storage. Institutional reforms include land reforms, consolidation of holdings, cooperatives, rural credit, crop insurance, minimum support prices, and agricultural extension services.