What is the main characteristic that distinguishes Intensive Subsistence Farming from Primitive Subsistence Farming?

High doses of biochemical inputs and irrigation

Dependence on natural soil fertility

Why is rice considered a commercial crop in Haryana and Punjab, but a subsistence crop in Odisha?

The degree of commercialisation of agriculture varies

Farmers in Odisha lack modern inputs

Which of the following factors primarily contributed to the success of the Green Revolution in Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh?

Package technology and HYV seeds

Use of traditional farming methods

Package technology and HYV seeds

Assertion (A): Land productivity in primitive subsistence agriculture is low. Reason (R): Farmers do not use fertilisers or other modern inputs in this type of farming.

A and R both correct, R explains A

Assertion (A): Pulses are mostly grown in rotation with other crops. Reason (R): Being leguminous crops, they help in restoring soil fertility by fixing nitrogen from the air.

A and R both correct, R explains A

Assertion (A): The government announces Minimum Support Price (MSP) for important crops. Reason (R): This is done to check the exploitation of farmers by speculators and middlemen.

A and R both correct, R explains A

A farmer in a region with high population density and fragmented land holdings wants to maximize yield from his small plot. He uses HYV seeds, chemical fertilisers, and irrigation. Which type of farming is he practicing, and what is its primary challenge?

Intensive Subsistence Farming; challenge is enormous pressure on agricultural land.

Primitive Subsistence Farming; challenge is soil erosion.

Commercial Farming; challenge is market access.

Intensive Subsistence Farming; challenge is enormous pressure on agricultural land.

Plantation Agriculture; challenge is capital intensive inputs.

A region in India receives annual rainfall above 100 cm and experiences temperatures above 25°C with high humidity. Canal irrigation and tubewells have been developed here. Which of the following crops would be most suitable for cultivation in this region, and which states are known for its production under these conditions?

Rice; Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh

Cotton; Maharashtra and Gujarat

A farmer is planning to grow a crop that requires moist and humid climate with rainfall of more than 200 cm and temperature above 25°C. It is also an important industrial raw material. Which crop is the farmer most likely considering, and in which regions of India is it mainly grown?

Rubber; Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka

Sugarcane; Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra

Rubber; Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka

The image displays a modern agricultural practice. Which of the following statements correctly describe the benefits of such practices?

It reduces labour input and increases efficiency.

It promotes primitive subsistence farming.

It decreases overall agricultural production.

It makes farming entirely dependent on monsoon.

Which two of the following are important institutional reform programmes introduced by the Indian government for farmers?

White Revolution (Operation Flood)

Is this Class 10 Social History Agriculture quiz free?

Yes, this quiz is completely free for all students. No hidden charges or subscriptions.

How many questions are in the quiz?

The game mode features 40 questions covering various aspects of the Agriculture chapter.

Is this quiz aligned with the NCERT syllabus?

Absolutely! All questions are based on the latest NCERT Class 10 Social History textbook for the 'Agriculture' chapter.

What topics does the quiz cover?

The quiz covers types of farming, cropping patterns (rabi, kharif, zaid), major crops (food and non-food), and technological and institutional reforms in Indian agriculture.

Can I access this quiz offline?

Currently, an internet connection is required to play the quiz as it is server-rendered.

What are the difficulty levels of the questions?

The quiz includes a mix of Easy, Medium, and Hard questions to challenge your understanding at different levels.

Home › CBSE › Class 10 › Social_History › AGRICULTURE

CBSE · Class 10 · 📘 Social_History · Chapter 4

AGRICULTURE

Primitive Subsistence FarmingIntensive Subsistence FarmingCommercial FarmingRabi, Kharif, Zaid CropsMajor Food CropsMajor Non-Food Crops

This chapter explores the vital role of agriculture in India, covering different farming systems from primitive subsistence to commercial farming. It delves into the country's diverse cropping patterns, including rabi, kharif, and zaid seasons, and details major food and non-food crops like rice, wheat, millets, pulses, tea, coffee, cotton, and jute. Furthermore, it highlights the technological and institutional reforms undertaken to boost agricultural production and farmer welfare in India.

Types of Farming in India

India mein agriculture ek age-old economic activity hai. Cultivation methods physical environment, technological know-how aur socio-cultural practices ke according change hote rahe hain. Farming ke main types hain:

1. Primitive Subsistence Farming

Kya hai? Small patches of land par ki jaane wali farming, jismein primitive tools (jaise hoe, dao, digging sticks) aur family/community labour ka use hota hai.
Dependence: Monsoon, natural soil fertility aur environmental conditions par depend karti hai.
Method: 'Slash and Burn' agriculture (jhumming) ka example hai. Farmers land clear karte hain, crops ugaate hain, aur jab soil fertility kam hoti hai toh nayi patch par shift kar jaate hain.
Productivity: Low hoti hai, kyunki fertilizers ya modern inputs use nahi hote. Nature ko soil fertility replenish karne ka time milta hai.
Different Names:
North-Eastern States (Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland): Jhumming
Manipur: Pamlou
Chhattisgarh (Bastar district) & Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Dipa
Madhya Pradesh: Bewar/Dahiya
Andhra Pradesh: Podu/Penda
Odisha: Pama Dabi/Koman/Bringa
Western Ghats: Kumari
South-eastern Rajasthan: Valre/Waltre
Himalayan belt: Khil
Jharkhand: Kuruwa
Global Names (for 'Slash and Burn'):
Mexico & Central America: Milpa
Venezuela: Conuco
Brazil: Roca
Central Africa: Masole
Indonesia: Ladang
Vietnam: Ray

2. Intensive Subsistence Farming

Kya hai? High population pressure wale areas mein ki jaati hai.
Characteristics:
Labour-intensive farming.
High doses of biochemical inputs aur irrigation ka use hota hai for higher production.
Land-holding size small hoti hai due to 'right of inheritance' (successive generations mein land divide ho jaati hai).
Farmers limited land se maximum output nikalne ki koshish karte hain, kyunki alternative livelihood options kam hote hain.
Agricultural land par enormous pressure hota hai.

3. Commercial Farming

Kya hai? Higher productivity ke liye modern inputs ka use hota hai.
Modern Inputs: HYV (High Yielding Variety) seeds, chemical fertilisers, insecticides, pesticides.
Commercialisation ka degree: Region to region vary karta hai.
Example: Rice Haryana aur Punjab mein commercial crop hai, but Odisha mein subsistence crop hai.
Plantation: Commercial farming ka hi ek type hai.
Definition: Single crop ko large area par ugaya jaata hai.
Nature: Agriculture aur industry ka interface (judav).
Requirements: Large tracts of land, capital intensive inputs, migrant labourers.
Output: Produce ko raw material ki tarah industries mein use kiya jaata hai.
Examples in India: Tea (Assam, North Bengal), Coffee (Karnataka), Rubber, Sugarcane, Banana.
Key Factor: Well-developed transport aur communication network important hai, kyunki production market ke liye hota hai.

❗Important

India ki 2/3rd population agricultural activities mein engaged hai. Agriculture primary activity hai jo food aur industries ke liye raw material provide karti hai.

💡Tip

Primitive, Intensive aur Commercial farming ke beech ke differences ko table format mein prepare karein. Yeh frequently asked question hai.

Cropping Seasons of India

India mein physical diversities aur cultural plurality ki wajah se alag-alag cropping patterns hain. Mainly teen cropping seasons hain:

1. Rabi Crops

Sowing Season: Winter mein (October to December).
Harvesting Season: Summer mein (April to June).
Important Crops: Wheat, Barley, Peas, Gram, Mustard.
Major Producing Regions: North aur North-Western parts of India – Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh.
Key Factor: Winter months mein western temperate cyclones se hone wali precipitation in crops ke liye helpful hoti hai.
Green Revolution ka Impact: Punjab, Haryana, Western UP aur Rajasthan mein Green Revolution ne rabi crops ki growth mein important role play kiya hai.

2. Kharif Crops

Sowing Season: Monsoon ke onset ke saath (June-July).
Harvesting Season: September-October.
Important Crops: Paddy (Rice), Maize, Jowar, Bajra, Tur (Arhar), Moong, Urad, Cotton, Jute, Groundnut, Soyabean.
Major Producing Regions (Rice): Assam, West Bengal, Coastal regions of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra (Konkan coast), Uttar Pradesh, Bihar. Recently, Punjab aur Haryana mein bhi paddy important crop ban gaya hai.
Multiple Paddy Crops: Assam, West Bengal aur Odisha mein saal mein teen baar paddy ugaaya jaata hai – Aus, Aman, Boro.

3. Zaid Season

Season: Rabi aur Kharif seasons ke beech ka short summer season.
Important Crops: Watermelon, Muskmelon, Cucumber, Vegetables, Fodder crops.
Special Mention: Sugarcane ko grow hone mein almost ek saal lagta hai, isliye yeh kisi specific season mein nahi aata.

⭐Remember

Sugarcane ek aisi crop hai jise grow hone mein almost ek saal lagta hai, isliye yeh kisi specific cropping season mein fit nahi hoti.

Major Food Grains and Pulses

India mein soil, climate aur cultivation practices mein variation ke chalte alag-alag food aur non-food crops ugaayi jaati hain.

1. Rice (Chawal)

Staple Food: India ki majority population ka staple food crop.
World Rank: China ke baad second largest producer.
Crop Type: Kharif crop.
Geographical Conditions:
Temperature: Above 25°C.
Humidity: High.
Rainfall: Above 100 cm annually. Kam rainfall wale areas mein irrigation se grow hota hai.
Producing Regions: North aur North-Eastern India ke plains, coastal areas, deltaic regions. Canal irrigation aur tubewells ki wajah se Punjab, Haryana, Western UP aur Rajasthan jaise kam rainfall wale areas mein bhi grow hota hai.

2. Wheat (Gehun)

Importance: Second most important cereal crop. North aur North-Western India ka main food crop.
Crop Type: Rabi crop.
Geographical Conditions:
Growing Season: Cool growing season.
Ripening Time: Bright sunshine.
Rainfall: 50 to 75 cm annually, evenly distributed.
Producing Regions:
Ganga-Satluj plains (North-West).
Black soil region of the Deccan.
Major states: Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan.

3. Millets (Coarse Grains)

Types: Jowar, Bajra, Ragi.
Nutritional Value: High nutritional value (iron, calcium, other micronutrients, roughage).
Jowar:
Third most important food crop (area aur production wise).
Crop Type: Rain-fed crop, mostly moist areas mein grow hota hai, kam irrigation chahiye.
Major states: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh.
Bajra:
Sandy soils aur shallow black soil mein achha grow hota hai.
Major states: Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana.
Ragi:
Dry regions ki crop. Red, black, sandy, loamy aur shallow black soils mein grow hota hai.
Major states: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh.

4. Maize (Makka)

Use: Food aur fodder dono ke liye use hota hai.
Crop Type: Kharif crop. Bihar jaise states mein rabi season mein bhi grow hota hai.
Geographical Conditions:
Temperature: 21°C to 27°C.
Soil: Old alluvial soil mein achha grow hota hai.
Modern Inputs: HYV seeds, fertilisers, irrigation ne production badhaya hai.
Major states: Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana.

5. Pulses (Dal)

World Rank: India largest producer aur consumer hai.
Nutritional Value: Vegetarian diet mein protein ka major source.
Types: Tur (Arhar), Urad, Moong, Masur, Peas, Gram.
Requirements: Less moisture chahiye, dry conditions mein bhi survive kar sakte hain.
Soil Fertility: Arhar ko chhodkar, baaki sab leguminous crops hain, jo air se nitrogen fix karke soil fertility restore karti hain. Isliye inhe rotation mein ugaaya jaata hai.
Major states: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka.

💡Tip

Har major crop ke liye geographical conditions (temp, rainfall, soil) aur major producing states ko yaad rakhein. Yeh map work aur direct questions mein aata hai.

❗Important

Pulses ko rotation mein ugaana soil ki fertility maintain karne mein help karta hai, kyunki ye nitrogen fixation karte hain.

Other Major Commercial and Beverage Crops

Food grains ke alawa, India mein kai aur important crops bhi ugaayi jaati hain:

1. Sugarcane (Ganna)

Crop Type: Tropical as well as subtropical crop.
World Rank: Brazil ke baad second largest producer.
Geographical Conditions:
Climate: Hot aur humid.
Temperature: 21°C to 27°C.
Rainfall: 75 cm to 100 cm annually. Kam rainfall wale areas mein irrigation chahiye.
Soil: Variety of soils mein grow ho sakta hai.
Labour: Sowing se harvesting tak manual labour chahiye.
Uses: Sugar, jaggery (gur), khandsari aur molasses ka main source.
Major states: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana.

2. Oil Seeds (Telhan)

Importance: India mein total cropped area ka approximately 12% oil seeds cover karte hain.
World Rank (Groundnut): China ke baad second largest producer (2020).
Main Oil-seeds: Groundnut, Mustard, Coconut, Sesamum (Til), Soyabean, Castor seeds, Cotton seeds, Linseed, Sunflower.
Uses: Most edible hain aur cooking mediums mein use hote hain. Kuchh soap, cosmetics aur ointments ke production mein raw material ke roop mein bhi use hote hain.
Crop Types:
Groundnut: Kharif crop. Total major oilseeds ka lagbhag half produce karta hai. Gujarat (largest producer), Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu.
Linseed & Mustard: Rabi crops.
Sesamum (Til): North India mein Kharif, South India mein Rabi crop.
Castor Seed: Rabi aur Kharif dono season mein grow hota hai.

3. Tea (Chai)

Crop Type: Plantation agriculture ka example. Important beverage crop.
Origin: Initially British ne India mein introduce kiya tha.
World Rank: China ke baad second largest producer (2020).
Geographical Conditions:
Climate: Tropical aur sub-tropical.
Soil: Deep aur fertile well-drained soil, rich in humus aur organic matter.
Weather: Warm aur moist frost-free climate throughout the year. Evenly distributed frequent showers continuous growth ke liye zaroori hain.
Labour: Labour-intensive industry. Abundant, cheap aur skilled labour chahiye.
Processing: Freshness maintain karne ke liye tea garden ke andar hi process kiya jaata hai.
Major states: Assam, Darjeeling aur Jalpaiguri districts (West Bengal), Tamil Nadu, Kerala. Other states: Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh, Tripura.

4. Coffee (Coffee)

Quality: Indian coffee apni good quality ke liye world-famous hai.
Variety: Arabica variety (originally Yemen se laayi gayi) India mein produce hoti hai, jiski world over high demand hai.
Cultivation: Initially Baba Budan Hills par introduce ki gayi thi. Abhi bhi Nilgiri hills (Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu) tak limited hai.

5. Horticulture Crops (Fruits and Vegetables)

World Rank: China ke baad second largest producer (2020).
Variety: Tropical aur temperate fruits dono produce karta hai.
Famous Fruits:
Mangoes: Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, UP, West Bengal.
Oranges: Nagpur, Cherrapunjee (Meghalaya).
Bananas: Kerala, Mizoram, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu.
Lichi & Guava: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar.
Pineapples: Meghalaya.
Grapes: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra.
Apples, Pears, Apricots, Walnuts: Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh.
Important Vegetables: Pea, Cauliflower, Onion, Cabbage, Tomato, Brinjal, Potato.

❗Important

Plantation agriculture mein single crop large area par ugayi jaati hai aur yeh agriculture aur industry ka interface hota hai.

⭐Remember

Indian coffee ki Arabica variety world mein bahut popular hai.

Non-Food Crops and Fibre Crops

Food aur beverage crops ke alawa, India mein kuch non-food aur fibre crops bhi ugaayi jaati hain jo industries ke liye raw material provide karti hain.

1. Rubber (Rubber)

Crop Type: Equatorial crop. Special conditions mein tropical aur sub-tropical areas mein bhi grow hota hai.
Geographical Conditions:
Climate: Moist aur humid.
Rainfall: More than 200 cm annually.
Temperature: Above 25°C.
Importance: Important industrial raw material.
Major states: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Garo hills of Meghalaya.

2. Fibre Crops (Resha Faslein)

Main Types: Cotton, Jute, Hemp, Natural Silk.
Origin: First three (Cotton, Jute, Hemp) soil mein grow hone wali crops se milte hain. Natural silk silkworms ke cocoons se milta hai, jo mulberry leaves par feed karte hain.
Sericulture: Silk fibre ke production ke liye silkworms ko rear karna sericulture kehlata hai.

a. Cotton (Kapas)

Origin: India ko cotton plant ka original home mana jaata hai.
Importance: Cotton textile industry ke liye main raw material.
World Rank: China ke baad second largest producer.
Crop Type: Kharif crop. Mature hone mein 6 se 8 months lagte hain.
Geographical Conditions:
Soil: Drier parts of the black cotton soil of the Deccan plateau mein achha grow hota hai.
Temperature: High temperature.
Rainfall: Light rainfall ya irrigation.
Frost-free days: 210 frost-free days.
Sunshine: Bright sunshine.
Major states: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh.

b. Jute (Pat san)

Nickname: Golden Fibre.
Geographical Conditions:
Soil: Well-drained fertile soils in the flood plains, jahan soils har saal renew hoti hain.
Temperature: High temperature during growth time.
Uses: Gunny bags, mats, ropes, yarn, carpets aur other artefacts banane mein use hota hai.
Major states: West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha, Meghalaya.

📖Definition

Sericulture: Silk fibre ke production ke liye silkworms ko paalna (rearing of silkworms) sericulture kehlata hai.

❗Important

Cotton ke liye black cotton soil aur 210 frost-free days bahut important conditions hain.

Technological and Institutional Agricultural Reforms

India mein agriculture hazaron saalon se ho rahi hai, lekin sustained use of land without compatible techno-institutional changes ne agricultural development ko slow kar diya hai. Growing population ke liye yeh ek serious challenge hai.

Reforms Post-Independence

Initial Focus: Independence ke baad, collectivisation, consolidation of holdings, cooperation aur zamindari abolition ko priority di gayi.
First Five Year Plan: 'Land reform' main focus tha. Inheritance right ki wajah se land holdings fragment ho gayi thi, isliye consolidation of holdings zaroori tha.
Implementation Issue: Land reforms ke laws toh banaye gaye, par unka implementation lacking ya lukewarm raha.

Agricultural Reforms (1960s & 1970s)

Green Revolution: Package technology (HYV seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, irrigation) par based thi. Isne agricultural production badhaya, especially wheat aur rice ka.
White Revolution (Operation Flood): Dairy sector mein development ke liye thi, milk production badhane par focus tha.
Limitation: In reforms se development kuch selected areas tak hi concentrated raha.

Comprehensive Land Development Programme (1980s & 1990s)

Objective: Indian agriculture ko improve karne ke liye institutional aur technical reforms dono ko include kiya gaya.
Key Initiatives:
Crop Insurance: Drought, flood, cyclone, fire aur disease ke against crop insurance provide kiya gaya.
Financial Support: Grameen banks, cooperative societies aur banks establish kiye gaye taaki farmers ko lower rates par loan facilities mil sakein.
Farmer Schemes:
Kisan Credit Card (KCC)
Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (PAIS)
Information Dissemination: Special weather bulletins aur agricultural programmes radio aur television par introduce kiye gaye.
Price Support: Government minimum support price (MSP), remunerative aur procurement prices announce karti hai taaki speculators aur middlemen farmers ka exploitation na kar sakein.

Need for Reforms

Agriculture 60% se zyada population ko livelihood provide karti hai.
Irrigation sources ke development ke bawajood, abhi bhi bahut se farmers monsoon aur natural fertility par depend karte hain.
Techno-institutional changes ki zaroorat hai taaki productivity badh sake aur farmers ki condition improve ho sake.

💡Tip

Green Revolution aur White Revolution ke objectives aur impacts ko acche se samajh lein. Yeh short answer questions mein aa sakte hain.

❗Important

Kisan Credit Card (KCC) aur Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (PAIS) farmers ke liye government ki important initiatives hain.

The Bhoodan-Gramdan Movement

Bhoodan-Gramdan movement ek important land reform movement tha jo Vinoba Bhave ne shuru kiya tha.

Background

Vinoba Bhave: Mahatma Gandhi ke spiritual heir the aur unhone Satyagraha mein bhi participate kiya tha. Gandhi ke 'gram swarajya' concept ke strong supporter the.
Pochampally Incident: Gandhiji ki martyrdom ke baad, Vinoba Bhave ne Gandhiji ke message ko spread karne ke liye padyatra shuru ki. Jab woh Telangana ke Pochampally mein lecture de rahe the, tab kuch poor landless villagers ne economic well-being ke liye land ki demand ki.

Bhoodan (Land-Gift)

Vinoba Bhave ne immediately land ka promise nahi kiya, par unhone cooperative farming karne par government se land provide karne ki baat kahi.
Tabhi, Shri Ram Chandra Reddy ne 80 acres land 80 landless villagers mein distribute karne ke liye offer ki. Is act ko 'Bhoodan' ke naam se jaana gaya.

Gramdan (Village-Gift)

Vinoba Bhave ne apni padyatra continue rakhi aur apne ideas ko India mein widely spread kiya.
Kuch zamindars aur bade land-owners ne apne villages landless logon mein distribute karne ka offer diya. Is act ko 'Gramdan' kaha gaya.
Motivation: Kai land-owners ne 'land ceiling act' ke dar se bhi apni land ka kuch part poor farmers ko diya.

Significance

Bhoodan-Gramdan movement ko 'Blood-less Revolution' ke naam se bhi jaana jaata hai, kyunki ismein violence ke bina land redistribution hui.

ℹ️Fact

Vinoba Bhave ne Bhoodan-Gramdan movement shuru kiya tha, jise 'Blood-less Revolution' bhi kehte hain.

⭐Remember

Pochampally (Telangana) woh jagah thi jahan Bhoodan movement ki shuruaat hui, jab Shri Ram Chandra Reddy ne land donate ki.

Easy (15)

What percentage of India's population is engaged in agricultural activities?
- One-fourth
- One-third
- Two-thirds (correct)
- Three-fourths
Why: Two-thirds of India's population is engaged in agriculture.
Which of the following is a primitive tool used in subsistence farming?
- Tractor
- Hoe (correct)
- Harvester
- Sprinkler
Why: Hoe is a primitive tool used in subsistence farming.
The 'slash and burn' agriculture is known as 'Jhumming' in which part of India?
- Western Ghats
- North-eastern states (correct)
- Andhra Pradesh
- Madhya Pradesh
Why: Jhumming is the term for 'slash and burn' agriculture in North-eastern states.
Which of the following is a characteristic of commercial farming?
- Small patches of land
- Use of primitive tools
- High doses of modern inputs (correct)
- Dependence on monsoon
Why: Commercial farming uses high doses of modern inputs for higher productivity.
Which crop is an example of a plantation crop?
- Wheat
- Rice
- Tea (correct)
- Maize
Why: Tea is a prominent example of a plantation crop.
Rabi crops are sown in which season?
- Summer
- Monsoon
- Winter (correct)
- Spring
Why: Rabi crops are sown in winter, from October to December.
Which of the following is a Kharif crop?
- Wheat
- Gram
- Paddy (correct)
- Mustard
Why: Paddy (rice) is a major Kharif crop.
The short season between rabi and kharif is known as the ______ season.
Why: The short season between rabi and kharif is called Zaid.
India is the second largest producer of rice in the world after China.
Why: This statement is true; India is indeed the second largest rice producer.
Wheat requires a cool growing season and bright sunshine at the time of ripening.
Why: This statement is true regarding the ideal conditions for wheat.
Which of the following millets is very rich in iron and calcium?
- Jowar
- Bajra
- Ragi (correct)
- Maize
Why: Ragi is known for being rich in iron and calcium.
The movement initiated by Vinoba Bhave for land distribution is known as Bhoodan-Gramdan.
Why: This statement is true; Vinoba Bhave initiated the Bhoodan-Gramdan movement.
Identify the crop that is used both as food and fodder.
- Rice
- Wheat
- Maize (correct)
- Pulses
Why: Maize serves the dual purpose of food for humans and fodder for animals.
Which of the following is a major source of protein in a vegetarian diet?
- Sugarcane
- Oil seeds
- Pulses (correct)
- Tea
Why: Pulses are a significant source of protein for vegetarians.
The 'Golden Fibre' refers to which crop?
- Cotton
- Jute (correct)
- Hemp
- Silk
Why: Jute is famously known as the 'Golden Fibre'.

Medium (15)

In which type of farming do farmers clear a patch of land and produce cereals and other food crops to sustain their family, then shift to a fresh patch when soil fertility decreases?
- Commercial Farming
- Intensive Subsistence Farming
- Primitive Subsistence Farming (correct)
- Plantation Agriculture
Why: This describes primitive subsistence farming, also known as 'slash and burn'.
What is the main characteristic that distinguishes Intensive Subsistence Farming from Primitive Subsistence Farming?
- Reliance on primitive tools
- Practice on small land patches
- High doses of biochemical inputs and irrigation (correct)
- Dependence on natural soil fertility
Why: Intensive subsistence farming uses high biochemical inputs and irrigation for higher output.
Why is rice considered a commercial crop in Haryana and Punjab, but a subsistence crop in Odisha?
- Soil conditions are different
- Climate varies significantly
- The degree of commercialisation of agriculture varies (correct)
- Farmers in Odisha lack modern inputs
Why: The classification depends on the degree of commercialisation, varying by region.
Which of the following factors primarily contributed to the success of the Green Revolution in Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh?
- Availability of monsoon rains
- Use of traditional farming methods
- Package technology and HYV seeds (correct)
- Large-scale land consolidation
Why: The Green Revolution's success was driven by package technology and HYV seeds.
Match the local names of 'slash and burn' agriculture with their respective regions in India.
Why: Each local name corresponds to a specific region where 'slash and burn' is practiced.
Match the cropping season with its typical sowing period.
Why: Rabi is winter, Kharif is monsoon, and Zaid is summer.
Match the crop with its primary type.
Why: Each crop belongs to a specific category based on its use or type.
Match the oilseed with its typical cropping season.
Why: Groundnut and Sesamum (North) are Kharif, while Linseed and Mustard are Rabi.
What is the term for rearing of silkworms for the production of silk fibre?
Why: Rearing silkworms for silk is called Sericulture.
Name the type of revolution associated with the improvement of milk production in India.
Why: The White Revolution (Operation Flood) is linked to milk production.
What is the name of the scheme introduced by the Government of India to provide loan facilities to farmers at lower rates of interest?
Why: Kisan Credit Card (KCC) provides farmers with loan facilities.
Arrange the following steps in the typical sequence of 'slash and burn' agriculture: 1. Cultivation of crops, 2. Clearing a patch of land, 3. Shifting to a fresh patch, 4. Burning the cleared vegetation.
Why: The sequence is clearing, burning, cultivating, then shifting.
Arrange the following crops according to their typical growing season, starting with Rabi: 1. Paddy, 2. Wheat, 3. Watermelon.
Why: Wheat is Rabi, Watermelon is Zaid, and Paddy is Kharif.
Identify the crop being harvested in the image, typically grown in the black cotton soil of the Deccan plateau.
- Jute
- Cotton (correct)
- Sugarcane
- Tea
Why: The image shows cotton, a fibre crop thriving in black cotton soil.
The image shows a plantation crop that requires abundant, cheap, and skilled labour. Which crop is it?
- Coffee
- Rubber
- Tea (correct)
- Banana
Why: The image shows tea leaf harvesting, a labour-intensive process.

Hard (10)

Assertion (A): Land productivity in primitive subsistence agriculture is low. Reason (R): Farmers do not use fertilisers or other modern inputs in this type of farming.
Why: Low productivity in primitive farming is directly due to lack of modern inputs.
Assertion (A): Pulses are mostly grown in rotation with other crops. Reason (R): Being leguminous crops, they help in restoring soil fertility by fixing nitrogen from the air.
Why: Pulses are rotated because they enrich soil nitrogen.
Assertion (A): The government announces Minimum Support Price (MSP) for important crops. Reason (R): This is done to check the exploitation of farmers by speculators and middlemen.
Why: MSP protects farmers from exploitation by ensuring a fair price.
A farmer in a region with high population density and fragmented land holdings wants to maximize yield from his small plot. He uses HYV seeds, chemical fertilisers, and irrigation. Which type of farming is he practicing, and what is its primary challenge?
- Primitive Subsistence Farming; challenge is soil erosion.
- Commercial Farming; challenge is market access.
- Intensive Subsistence Farming; challenge is enormous pressure on agricultural land. (correct)
- Plantation Agriculture; challenge is capital intensive inputs.
Why: The farmer is practicing intensive subsistence farming, facing pressure on land.
A region in India receives annual rainfall above 100 cm and experiences temperatures above 25°C with high humidity. Canal irrigation and tubewells have been developed here. Which of the following crops would be most suitable for cultivation in this region, and which states are known for its production under these conditions?
- Wheat; Punjab and Haryana
- Rice; Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh (correct)
- Coffee; Karnataka and Kerala
- Cotton; Maharashtra and Gujarat
Why: High temperature, humidity, and rainfall are ideal for rice, especially with irrigation in drier areas.
A farmer is planning to grow a crop that requires moist and humid climate with rainfall of more than 200 cm and temperature above 25°C. It is also an important industrial raw material. Which crop is the farmer most likely considering, and in which regions of India is it mainly grown?
- Sugarcane; Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra
- Tea; Assam and West Bengal
- Rubber; Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka (correct)
- Jute; West Bengal and Bihar
Why: The conditions and industrial use point to rubber, grown in specific southern states.
Identify the type of farming shown in the image, characterized by a single crop grown on a large area, using capital-intensive inputs and migrant labourers.
- Primitive Subsistence Farming
- Intensive Subsistence Farming
- Plantation Agriculture (correct)
- Mixed Farming
Why: The image shows a banana plantation, a form of plantation agriculture.
The image displays a modern agricultural practice. Which of the following statements correctly describe the benefits of such practices?
- It reduces labour input and increases efficiency. (correct)
- It promotes primitive subsistence farming.
- It decreases overall agricultural production.
- It makes farming entirely dependent on monsoon.
Why: Modern equipment increases efficiency and reduces manual labour.
Which two of the following are important institutional reform programmes introduced by the Indian government for farmers?
- Green Revolution
- Kisan Credit Card (KCC) (correct)
- White Revolution (Operation Flood)
- Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (PAIS) (correct)
Why: KCC and PAIS are direct institutional reforms for farmer welfare.
Which two of the following conditions are essential for the growth of cotton?
- High temperature (correct)
- More than 200 cm rainfall
- 210 frost-free days (correct)
- Cool growing season
Why: Cotton needs high temperature and a long frost-free period.