Social Science SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS(3 Mark)

Rice is a staple food crop of India. It grows in the plains of north and north-east India, coastal areas and the deltaic regions.

Tea is an important beverage crop. This plant grows well in tropical or sub tropical climates, and deep and fertile well-drained soil which is rich in humus and organic matter.

A declining area of land under cultivation coupled with increasing population has many consequences. These are:

• Food shortage for the rising population.
• Rise in price of food grains.
• Unemployment and loss of livelihood for farmers.
• Shortage of supply of raw material for agro-industries.
• Adverse affect on export trade as agricultural products comprise a major section of international trade.

The various institutional reform programmes introduced by the government in the interest of farmers are mentioned below:

1. Provision for crop insurance against drought, flood, cyclone, fire and disease.
2. Establishment of Grameen banks, cooperative societies and banks for providing loan facilities to the farmers at lower rates of interest.
3. Kissan Credit Card (KCC), Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (PAIS) schemes is introduced by the Government of India for the benefit of the farmers.
4. Moreover, special weather bulletins and agricultural programmes for farmers have been introduced on the radio and television.
5. The government had also announced minimum support price, remunerative and procurement prices for important crops to check the exploitation of farmers by speculators and middlemen.

Wells and tube wells are popular means of irrigation in the northern plains of India.

1. Level terrain.
2. Availability of ground water at a shallow level.
3. Porous nature of sedimentary rocks.
4. Fertile land resulting in more land under agriculture which requires water.

Substantial shift in employment in primary Sector hasn’t happened because of the following reasons.
1. Insufficient job creation in the secondary and tertiary sectors: The primary reason for the limited shift in employment from the primary sector is the failure to generate an adequate number of jobs in the secondary (industrial) and tertiary (service) sectors. The growth of industrial output and service sector production has been significant, but the corresponding increase in employment opportunities has been comparatively lower.

2. Underemployment in the agricultural sector: The primary sector, particularly agriculture, suffers from underemployment, with more people engaged in farming than necessary. Even if a few individuals are moved out of agriculture, it does not significantly affect the production. This indicates that workers in the agricultural sector are not fully utilized, leading to a lower productivity level.

3. Share of Sectors in Employment though industrial output or the production of goods went up by more than nine times during the period, employment in the industry went up by around three times. The same applies to the tertiary sector as well. While production in the service sector rose by 14 times, employment in the service sector rose around five times. As a result, more than half of the workers in the country are working in the primary sector, mainly in agriculture, producing only about one sixth of the GDP. In contrast to this, the secondary and tertiary sectors produce the rest of the produce whereas they employ less about half the people

• Rabi crops are sown in October to December.
• Harvested in April to June.
• Some Rabi crops cultivated are: wheat in Punjab, barley in Uttar Pradesh, etc.

• Karif crops are sown in June to August.
• Harvested in September to October.
• Some Kharif crops cultivated are: paddy in Assam, Maize in Andhra Pradesh, etc.

1. Farmers can now grow various kinds of crops in the drier region of the country, due to irrigation.
2. It saw the use of hyv seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, therefore increasing the production of crops.
3. Due to the green revolution production has increased, food shortages were reduced and even helped the agricultural sector to contribute more in the economic sector of the country, and reduced the hardships of the peasant to a greater extent.

Commercial Farming: In such farming there is a use of higher doses of modern inputs, e.g. high yielding variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilisers, insecticides and pesticides in order to obtain higher productivity. The degree of commercialisation of agriculture varies from one region to another. For example, rice is a commercial crop in Haryana and Punjab, but in Odisha, it is a subsistence crop.

The Five year plans were introduced by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in the year 1951 – 1956. Planning Commission was responsible for implementing these plans in India.
The main objectives of the First Five year plan was:

1. To improve the living standards of the people in India by making the best use of its resources.
2. More importance to be given to agriculture and irrigation.
3. To remove poverty and development aimed in seven broad areas namely irrigation, energy, agriculture, community development, transport and communications, industry, social services, land rehabilitation, etc.

1. Groundnut
2. Mustard
3. Coconut
4. Sesamum
5. Soyabean, sunflower, etc.

Importance of oilseeds: Most of these are edible in the form of oil. Used as raw material for manufacturing paints, varnishes, soaps, perfumes etc, oil cake is used as cattle feed. Oil cake is also used as a fertiliser.

This is a type of agriculture in which farmers clcar a patch of land and produce cereals and other food crops to sustain their family. When the soil fertility decreases, the farmers shift and clear a fresh patch of land for cultivation.

Those who are engaged in the agricultural department of Assam fully concentrates on cultivating rice as it falls under their main priority. Other food crops cultivated in Assam agriculture include sugarcane, fruits, tea, pulses.

Jowar is the third most important food crop with respect to area and production. It is a rain-fed crop mostly grown in the moist areas which hardly needs irrigation.

Jowar, bajra and ragi are the important millets grown in India.

1. Jowar: Jowar is the third most important food crop with respect to area and production. It is a rain-fed crop mostly grown in the moist areas which hardly needs irrigation.
2. Bajra: Bajra grows well on sandy soils and shallow black soil. Rajasthan is the largest producer of bajra.
3. Ragi: ragi is very rich in iron, calcium, other micro nutrients and roughage. Ragi is a crop of dry regions and grows well on red, black, sandy, loamy and shallow black soils.

India produces about four per cent of the world’s coffee production. Indian coffee is known in the world for its good quality. The Arabica variety initially brought from Yemen is produced in the country. This variety is in great demand all over the world. Intially its cultivation was introduced on the Baba Budan Hills and even today its cultivation is confined to the Nilgiri in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

India is an agriculturally important country. Two-thirds of its population is engaged in agricultural activities. Agriculture is a primary activity, which produces most of the food that we consume. Besides food grains, it also produces raw material for various industries.
Moreover, some agricultural products like tea, coffee, spices, etc. are also exported.

Jhum cultivation, also known as the slash and burn agriculture, is the process of growing crops by first clearing the land of trees and vegetation and burning them thereafter. The burnt soil contains potash which increases the nutrient content of the soil.

The prerequisite for the development of plantation is a strong system of transport and communication connecting the market area with the plantation area, along with the use of the capital intensive technique.

Plantation is a type of commercial farming where a single crop is grown on a large area.Four characteristics (features) of plantation agriculture:

1. Single crop is grown on a large area.
2. Use of capital-intensive inputs with the help of migrant labourers.
3. Produce is used as raw materials in respective industries.
4. Interface of agriculture and industry.

1. Maize is a kharif crop that is used both as food and fodder. The geographical conditions required for its cultivation are:

• Temperature: It requires temperature between 21°C to 27°C.
• Rainfall: It grows well in regions of 50-100cm of rainfall. In areas of less rainfall, it can be grown with the help of irrigation.
• Soil: Maize grows well in old alluvial soil.

2. Major maize-producing states are Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

It is an equatorial crop, but under special conditions, it is also grown in tropical and sub-tropical areas. It requires moist and humid climate with rainfall of more than 200cm. and temperature above 25°C. Rubber is an important industrial raw material. It is mainly grown in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andaman and Nicabar islands and Garo hills of Meghalaya. India ranks fifth among the world’s natural rubber producers.

Primitive subsistence agriculture is practised on small patches of land with the help of primitive tools like hoe, dao and digging sticks, and family/community labour. This type of farming depends upon monsoon, natural fertility of the soil and suitability of other environmental conditions to the crops grown. It is a ‘slash and burn’ agriculture.

‘slash and burn’
Farmers clear a patch of land and produce cereals and other food crops to sustain their family. When the soil fertility decreases, the farmers shift and clear a fresh patch of land for cultivation. This type of shifting allows Nature to replenish the fertility of the soil through natural processes; land productivity in this type of agriculture is low as the farmer does not use fertilisers or other modern inputs. It is known by different names in different parts of the country.

Jute is known as the golden fibre.It grows well on:

• Well-drained fertile soils in the flood plains where soils are renewed every year.
• High temperature is required during the time of growth.
• West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha and Meghalaya are the major jute producing states.

Wheat is the second most important cereal crop. It is the main food crop, in north and north-western part of the country. This is the rabi crop which needs a cool growing season and a bright sunshine at the time of ripening. It requires 50 to 75cm of annual rainfall evenly distributed over the growing season.

1. India is the largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world due to variation in climate, topography and variety of soils found in India.
2. India is a producer of tropical as well as temperate fruits. For example, mango, banana, guava, pineapple, grapes, apples, etc.
3. India produces about 13 percent of the world's vegetables. It is an important producer of pea, cauliflower, onion, cabbage, tomato, brinjal and potato.

Plantation farming. It Plantation is a type of commercial farming where single crop is grown on a large area. The plantation has an interface of agriculture and industry. The production is mainly for market and all the produce is used as raw material in respective industries. It requires well-developed network of transport and communication to connect the plantation areas, processing industries and markets together. In India, tea, coffee, rubber, sugarcane, banana, etc. are important plantation crops. This type of farming is practised in Assam and North Bengal (tea), and Karnataka (coffee).

Intensive subsistence farming is practiced in areas of high population and efforts are directed to obtain maximum output from the land. As a result, high dosages of biochemical inputs and intensive irrigation facilities are employed, that puts enormous pressure on land.

White revolution is one of the revolutiosn which helped India become self reliant. It increased the production of milk and dairy products. It means huge increase in milk production and it becomes possible by using new , improved breeds of cattle and buffalo, giving them better feed and care. It's chief architect is Dr. V. Kurien who is the founder chairman of the NATIONAL DAIRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD (NDDB) . He is referred as the FATHER OF WHITE REVOLUTION.

1. Agriculture has been the harkhone of the Indian economy. It provides employment and livelihood to the 63% of population.
2. Two-thirds of its population is engaged in agricultural activities.
3. It is a primary activity which produces most of the food that we consume.
4. Besides food grains, it also produces raw material for various industries.
5. Moreover, some agricultural products like tea, coffee, spices, etc. are also exported. All other sectors of Indian economy heavily depend on agriculture for their growth.

Cotton grows well in drier parts of the black cotton soil of the Deccan plateau. It requires high temperature, light rainfall or irrigation, 210 frost-free days and bright sunshine for its growth. It is a kharif crop and requires 6 to 8 months to mature.

1. Provision for crop insurance against drought, flood, cyclone, fire and disease.
2. Establishment of Grameen banks, co-operative societies and banks for providing loan facilities to the farmers at lower rate of interest.
3. Introduction of agricultural programmes for farmers on the radio and television.

Kerala is the leading rubber plantation state in India. It accounts to 92 percent of the country’s total natural rubber production. This crop was brought to India during the reign of British. Most of the hilly regions in Kerala grow rubber especially North Kerala region is concentrating on rubber plantation.

1. The Arabica variety of coffee is grown in India.
2. This variety is in great demand all over the world because of its high quality.
3. Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu.

Four features of Indian agriculture:

1. Indian agriculture is the backbone of indian economy. Its share in overall employment job is more than 60%
2. Most of agriculture fields are small and seattered.
3. Indian agriculture is largely dependent on Monsoons. A good Monsoon ensures
4. Most of the agriculture is subsistance type. Large plantation farming is absent.

1. Rubber requires moist and humid climate with annual rainfall more so than 200cm and temperature above 25°C.
2. It is an equatorial crop. It is grown in the states of Kerala and Karnataka because these states are close to the equator.
3. It is an important industrial raw material and also used in automobile industry.

Millets are coarse grains but have high nutritional value e.g. ragi-rich in iron, calcium.

1. Jowar: Rain fed crop mostly grown in moist area.

States producing: Maharashtra, Karnataka and M.P.

2. Bajra: Grown well on sandy soils and shallow black soil.

States producing: Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujrat, Haryana and U.P.

3. Ragi: Grown well in dry region on red, black, sandy and loamy soils.

States producing: Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim.

Agriculture has been practised in India for thousands of years. Sustained uses of land without compatible techno-institutional changes have hindered the pace of agricultural development. Inspite of development of sources of irrigation most of the farmers in large parts of the country still depend upon monsoon and natural fertility in order to carry on their agriculture. For a growing population, this poses a serious challenge. Agriculture which provides livelihood for more than 60 percent of its population, needs some serious technical and institutional reforms.

Inspite of development of sources of irrigation most of the farmers in large parts of the country still depend upon monsoon and natural fertility in order to carry on their agriculture. For a growing population, this poses a serious challenge. Agriculture which provides livelihood for more than 60 percent of its population, needs some serious technical and institutional reforms.

The Bhoodan Movement or Land Gift Movement was a voluntary land reform movement in India, started by Acharya Vinoba Bhave in 1951 at Pochampally village in Telangana which is now known as Bhoodan Pochampally.
The mission of the movement was to persuade wealthy landowners to voluntarily give a percentage of their land to the landless people. However, this land could not be sold. In effect, landless laborers were being given a small plot of land on which they can settle, as well as grow some of their own food, so as to give them an incentive to remain in the village as a captive labour pool for the richer farmers and landlords.

Pulses are known as the poor man's meat because they are rich in nutrition and low in cost. Therefore, most low income populations can use this nutritious crop as their staple food.

Vinobha Bhave introduced voluntary redistribution of farm-lands to poor landless farmers for their economic well-being. It started when some poor landless villagers demanded some land for their economic well-being and unexpectedly Shri Ram Chandra Reddy (landowner) offered 80 acres of land to be distributed among 80 landless villagers. This act was known as 'Bhoodan'. Some other zamindars and owners of many villages also offered some villages to distribute among the landless. It was known as Gramdan. This Bhoodan-Gramdam movement initiated by Vinoba Bhave is also known as the Blood-less Revolution.

"Wheat and rice in india are fairly different from each other" as follows:

1. Wheat is a rabhi crop which reqires cool growing season but rice is a krif crop and requires high temparature, high humidity.
2. Wheat requires 50-70cm of annual rainfall and raice requires 100cm of annual rainfal.
3. Wheat is grown in the ganga sutluj plains in the north west, black soil in the deccan platue and rice is grown in the north, north east india, coastal areas, deltic area.

It is a tropical as well as a subtropical crop. It grows well in hot and humid climate with a temperature of 21°C to 27°C and an annual rainfall between 75cm. and 100cm. Irrigation is required in the regions of low rainfall. It can be grown on a variety of soils and needs manual labour from sowing to harvesting. India is the second largest producer of sugarcane only after Brazil.
It is the main source of sugar, gur (jaggary), khandsari and molasses.

The main characteristic of this type of farming is the use of higher doses of modern inputs, e.g. high yielding variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilisers, insecticides and pesticides in order to obtain higher productivity. The degree of commercialisation of agriculture varies from one region to another. For example, rice is a commercial crop in Haryana and Punjab, but in Orissa, it is a subsistence crop.

There is a short season between Kharif and Rabi season in the months of March to July. The crops that grow in this season are Zaid crops. These crops are grown on irrigated lands and do not have to wait for monsoons. Some examples of Zaid types of crops are pumpkin, cucumber, bitter groud.

Maize: It is a crop which is used both as food and fodder. It is a kharif crop which requires temperature between 21°C to 27°C and grows well in old alluvial soil. In some states like Bihar maize is grown in rabi season also. Use of modern inputs such as HYV seeds, fertilisers and irrigation have contributed to the increasing production of maize. Major maize-producing states are Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

Initially, the Arabica variety of coffee was brought from Yemen and produced in India. The cultivation of coffee was initially introduced on the Baba Budan Hills. Major producers: Nilgiris in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.