Chapter 4 – Agriculture Questions and Answers: NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science – Geography

1. 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

2. Answer the following questions in 30 words.
(i) Name one important beverage crop and specify the geographical conditions required for its growth.

Answer:-(i) Tea is an important beverage crop. This plant grows well in tropical or sub tropical climates . Deep, fertile and well-drained soil which is rich in humus and organic matter is the most suitable for tea plantation. Tea bushes require warm and moist frost-free climate all through the year with frequent showers that ensures continuous growth of the tender leaves.

(ii) Name one staple crop of India and the regions where it is produced.

Answer:-(ii) Rice is a staple crop of India. It is majorly grown in the following regions:
• Plains of North
• North East India
• Coastal Areas
• Deltaic Regions

(iii) Enlist the various institutional reform programmes introduced by the government in the interest of farmers.

Answer:-(iii) Various institutional reform programmes introduced by the Government in the interest of farmers are:
• Minimum Support Price (MSP)
• Provision for crop insurance against drought, flood, etc.
• Subsidy on Fertilisers
• Establishment of Grameen banks to provide low-interest loans
• Facilities of Kissan Credit Card and Personal Accident Insurance Scheme

(iv) The land under cultivation has got reduced day by day. Can you imagine its consequences?

Answer:-(iv) Consequences of the decline in land under cultivation come out to be as follows:
• Shortage of food
• Rise in prices of food grains
• Shortage of supply of raw material for agro-industries.
• Increase in unemployment
• Increase in import of food grains will put stress on the economy

3. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.
(i) Suggest the initiative taken by the government to ensure the increase in agricultural production.

Answer:-(i) Major initiatives taken by the government to ensure the increase in agricultural production are:
• The Green Revolution based on the use of package technology and the White Revolution (Operation Flood) were some of the strategies initiated to improve a lot of Indian agriculture.
• A comprehensive land development programme was initiated in the 1980s and 1990s that included both institutional and technical reforms.
• Provision for crop insurance against drought, flood, fire, etc.
• Establishment of Grameen banks, cooperative societies and banks for providing low-interest loans.
• Kissan Credit Card (KCC), Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (PAIS) are some other schemes introduced by the Government for the benefit of the farmers.
• Subsidy on agricultural inputs and resources such as power and fertilizers
• Minimum support price, remunerative and procurement prices for important crops to check the exploitation of farmers by speculators and middlemen.

(ii) Describe the impact of globalisation on Indian agriculture.

Answer:-(ii) The impact of globalisation on Indian agriculture has been felt since the time of colonisation. In the nineteenth century, Indian spices were exported to different countries of the world and farmers of south India were encouraged to grow these crops. In 1917, Indian farmers revolted in Champaran because they were forced to grow indigo on their land to supply dye to Britain’s flourishing textile industry. They were unable to grow food grains to sustain their families. Post liberalisation, Indian farmers have been exposed to new challenges in the form of competition from highly subsidised agriculture of developed nations. Despite being an important producer of rice, cotton, rubber, tea, coffee, jute and spices, our agricultural products are not able to compete with those countries. To make the Indian agriculture successful and profitable, proper thrust should be given to the improvement of the condition of marginal and small farmers.

(iii) Describe the geographical conditions required for the growth of rice.

Answer:-(iii) The geographical conditions required for growth of rice are as follows :
• It requires hot and humid climate for cultivation of rice crop. High temperature, (above 25°C) and high humidity with annual rainfall above 100 cm are favourable for the growth of rice.
• In areas with less rainfall, it grows with the help of dense network of canal irrigation and tubewells.
• Rich alluvial soil is the best for rice cultivation.
• Abundant rainfall or good water supply is necessary during the earlier part of its growing season in June-July.
• Plains of north and north-eastern India, coastal areas and the deltaic regions are ideal for rice cultivation.