AGRICULTURE

CONCEPT

Agriculture means land cultivation. It also
includes animal husbandry and fishing.

At present in different parts of India, the types of
farming being carried out are primitive subsistence
farming, intensive subsistence farming and
commercial farming.

Primitive subsistence farming is characterised by

Wheat — It requires a temperature between 16°
to 22°C and a rainfall between 50-75 cm.

Millets — Jowar, Bajra, Ragi.

Fibre crops — Cotton and jute are the two
important fibre crops grown in India.

Beverage crops — Tea and coffee are important
beverage crops.

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small and scattered landholdings and use of primitive
Cash crops — The major cash crops are
tools. The farmers do not use fertilisers and high- sugarcane, rubber, tobacco, spices and fruits and

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yielding variety of seeds. vegetables.

Intensive subsistence farming is carried out in the

Persian wheel has been replaced by water pump,
areas with high population pressure on land.

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Irrigation, fertilisers and pesticides are used to get
maximum output from limited land. Various
the plough by tiller and harrow drawn by tractor, the
bullock cart by truck.

Flooding of fields is being replaced by drip

SH H
machines are introduced.
irrigation. Chemical fertilisers took the place of farm

Commercial farming is characterised by use of
manure.
higher doses of modern inputs in order to obtain
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Chemical fertilisers are being replaced by bio-
higher productivity.
fertilisers.

Plantation farming, a form of commercial farming,
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The technological advancements gave birth to
involves growing of a single crop on a large area.
Green Revolution, White Revolution or Operation

In India, there are three crop seasons —
Flood.
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Kharif, Rabi, Zaid.

The Government abolished the Zamindari

Kharif — It starts with the onset of the system.
B

monsoon and continues till the beginning of
Radio and television inform the farmers about the
winter (June-July to September-October). new improved techniques of farming.
The kharif crops include rice, maize, millet,

Rural banks, cooperative societies and Kisan
cotton, jute, groundnut, moong, urad, etc.
Credit Card ensure easy availability of funds to
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Rabi — It starts with the beginning of winter

farmers.
and continues till the beginning of summer

Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian
(October-December to April-June). The rabi
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crops include wheat, barley, gram and economy.

oilseeds.
Considering the importance of agriculture the

Zaid — This is a short crop season in

Government of India took steps to modernise
between the rabi and the kharif season. agriculture.
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Crops like watermelons, muskmelons,
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

cucumber, some vegetables and fodder crops was established.
are the major crops.
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Indian farmers are facing a big challenge from

India produces a wide variety of crops,
namely cereals, pulses and oilseeds, fibre crops,
beverage crops, cash crops.

Cereals — It covers about three-fourth of the
total cropped area of the country. The principal
cereals grown in India are — rice, wheat, millets,
maize, pulses.

Rice — It requires a temperature between 20° to
27°C and a rainfall above 100 cm.
Goyal’s Assignments in Social Science X (Term-I)
international competition and our government is
going ahead with reduction in the public investment
in agriculture sector particularly in irrigation power,
rural roads, market and mechanisation.

The foodgrain production has increased from 51
million tonnes in 1950-51 to 209.8 million tonnes in
1999-2000.

A food stock of 44.7 million tonnes had been
accumulated in 2001.
T-I — 1

In spite of the surplus foodgrains, many Indians
do not have enough money to feed themselves.

There has been a gradual shift from cultivation of
food crops to cultivation of fruits, vegetables,
oilseeds and crops which also act as industrial raw
material.

In 2000-01, India produced only 196.8 million
tonnes of foodgrain.

The use of more and more land for construction
of factories, warehouses and shelters has reduced the
land under cultivation and new fertile land for
farming is no longer available.
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Fertilisers, pesticides and insecticides which once
showed a dramatic result are now being held
A R
responsible for degrading soils.

Periodic scarcity of water has led to reduction in
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area under irrigation. Inefficient water management
has led to waterlogging and salinity.
SH H
A T ASSIGNMENTS FOR SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
I. MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
K O
A. IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
A R
1. Which of the following is the most important
occupation of the people of India?
B
(a) Food gathering (b) Agriculture
c) Manufacturing (d) Services
2. Which of the following types of economic
activity is agriculture?
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(a) Primary activity (b) Secondary activity
(c) Tertiary activity (d) All the above
3. What is Primitive Subsistence Farming
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known as in north-eastern states like Assam,
Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland?
(a) Horticulture (b) Penda
(c) Jhumming (d) Milpa
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4. Which of the following types of farming is
practised in areas with high population
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pressure on land?
(a) Primitive Subsistence Farming
(b) Intensive Subsistence Farming
(c) Commercial Farming
(d) Plantations
5. Which of the following is the principal crop
grown in areas of Intensive Subsistence
Farming?
(a) Yams and Sweet Potato (b) Wheat
(c) Rice (d) Cotton
T-I — 2

Biotechnology can be used to modify different
crops genetically to increase the yield per hectare.

Biotechnology is environmentally safe and
sustainable.

Globalisation is based on the philosophy of free
and open international trade.

Globalisation ensures that good quality goods at
competitive prices alone will survive in the market.

India has an abundance of human labour. Every
effort will have to be made to raise their efficiency
and equip them with new and advanced tools,
implements and machines to enable them to compete
with their counterparts in other parts of the world.

India will have to develop techniques which the
developed countries have been using.

An unrestricted united national market for farm
products within the country must be set up. This will
require the development of roads, electricity,
irrigation and credit facilities to farmers and traders.
(1 mark)
6. Rice is a subsistence crop in Orissa. In which of
the following states, is rice a commercial crop?
(a) West Bengal and Bihar
(b) Jammu and Kashmir
(c) Punjab and Haryana
(d) Tamil Nadu and Kerala
7. Which of the following has been an important
factor in the successful growth of rabi crops
like wheat?
(a) Monsoon rainfall throughout the year
(b) Huge population pressure in these areas
(c) Success of Green Revolution in the states
growing rabi crops
(d) Good transport network in the states
growing rabi crops
8. Which of the following crops is produced
during zaid cropping season?
(a) Sugarcane (b) Muskmelon
(c) Groundnut (d) Moong
9. How many crops of paddy are grown in a
year in the states like Assam, West Bengal and
Orissa and they are termed as which of the
following?
(a) Once-Arabica (b) Two-Rabi and Zaid
(c) Three-Aus, Aman, Boro
(d) Three-Kumar, Valre, Waltre
Goyal’s Assignments in Social Science X (Term-I)
10. Which of the following is an annual crop? (a) Mustard (b) Coconut
(a) Sugarcane (b) Cotton (c) Groundnut (d) Soyabean
(c) Jute (d) Cucumber 18. Which of the following group of crops are
11. Which of the following factors has facilitated known as beverage crops?
the growth of rice in areas of less rainfall like (a) Castor seed and Sunflower
Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh (b) Peas and Gram (c) Cotton and Jute
and parts of Rajasthan? (d) Tea and Coffee
(a) Winter rain due to western temperate 19. Tea cultivation is an example of which of the
cyclones (b) High humidity following types of agriculture?
(c) Bright sunshine at the time of ripening (a) Horticulture (b) Plantation
(d) Dense network of canal irrigation and tube (c) Beverage cultivation
wells (d) Intensive agriculture

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12. Which of the following are known as coarse 20. Why is tea processed within tea gardens?
grains? (a) To restore its freshness

A R
(a) Wheat and Rice (b) Because it is a perishable product
(b) Millets—Jowar, bajra and ragi (c) To bring down the cost of production

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(c) Pulses—urad, arhar, gram (d) Because cheap labour is available there
(d) Oilseeds 21. Indian coffee is known throughout the world
13. Which of the following crops is used both as a due to which of the following reasons?

SH H
food and as a fodder? (a) India is the leading producer of coffee
(a) Jowar (b) Wheat (b) Indian coffee is very cheap
A T
(c) Maize (d) Tea
14. India is the largest producer as well as the
(c) Indian coffee is of good quality
(d) Coffee was produced first in India
consumer of which of the following crops? 22. Which of the following are known as
K O
(a) Rice (b) Millets horticulture crops?
(c) Pulses (d) Oilseeds (a) Tea and coffee (b) Cotton and Jute
A R

15. Which of the following crops is the main (c) Rubber and Tobacco
source of jaggery, khandsari and molasses? (d) Fruits and Vegetables
B

(a) Arhar (b) Coconut 23. India is believed to be the original home of
(c) Linseed (d) Sugarcane which of the following fibre crops?
16. Which of the following countries is the largest (a) Cotton (b) Jute
producer of oilseeds? (c) Hemp (d) Silk
PR L

(a) China (b) Brazil 24. White Revolution involves improvement in

(c) India (d) Yemen the production of which of the following
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17. Which of the following is a kharif crop and products?

accounts for about half of the major oilseeds (a) Cotton (b) Wheat
produced in the country? (c) Maize (d) Milk

B. QUESTIONS FROM CBSE EXAMINATION PAPERS

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1. India is the leading producer and exporter of 4. Which one of the following beverage crops of
__________ in the world. [2010 (T-1)] India is the leading producer as well as
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(a) Rubber (b) Sugarcane exporter in the world? [2010 (T-1)]

(c) Tea (d) Rice (a) Coffee (b) Pulses
2. Which one is an important rabi crop? (c) Tea (d) Curd
[2010 (T-1)] 5. Which one of the following is the feature of
(a) Paddy (b) Watermelon plantation agriculture? [2010 (T-1)]
(c) Wheat (d) Maize (a) Single crop (b) Large area
3. Which among the following is a fibre crop? (c) Produce raw material for industries
[2010 (T-1)] (d) All of the above
(a) Rubber (b) Jute
(c) Tomato (d) Coffee
Goyal’s Assignments in Social Science X (Term-I) T-I — 3
6. Which of the following crops is not a millet? fruits and vegetables in the world?
[2010 (T-1)] [2010 (T-1)]
(a) Jowar (b) Maize (a) Canada (b) USA
(c) Ragi (d) Bajra (c) Pakistan (d) India
7. What is the rearing of silkworms for the 18. Arabica veriety of coffee was initially brought
production of silk called? [2010 (T-1)] to India from which of the following
(a) Horticulture (b) Pisciculture countries? [2010 (T-1)]
c) Sericulture (d) Agriculture (a) Yemen (b) Vietnam
8. Hoe, dao, digging sticks are associated with : (c) Japan (d) Korea
[2010 (T-1)] 19. Which one of the following is not a fibre
(a) Primitive subsistence farming crop? [2010 (T-1)]

N S
(b) Commercial farming (a) Cotton (b) Rubber
(c) Green Revolution (d) Horticulture (c) Jute (d) Hemp

A R
9. Which one of the following crops is the 20. Which one of the following crops is known as
example of plantation farming? [2010 (T-1)] ‘Golden Fibre? [2010 (T-1)]
(a) Rice (b) Wheat (a) Wheat (b) Rice

E
(c) Rubber (d) None of these (c) Groundnut (d) Jute
10. In which of the following states of India rice 21. Which one of the following is not a millet?

SH H
is considered a commercial crop? [2010 (T-1)] [2010 (T-1)]
(a) West Bengal (b) Orissa (a) Jowar (b) Wheat
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(c) Bihar (d) Punjab
11. Which of the following crops are grown with 22.
(c) Ragi (d) Bajra
Which one of the following crops is a
K O
the onset of monsoons and harvested in the beverage crop? [2010 (T-1)]
month of September and October? (a) Tea (b) Cotton
[2010 (T-1)] (c) Wheat (d) Bajra
A R

(a) Rabi (b) Kharif 23. Which one of the following is not a cropping
(c) Zaid (d) None of the above season? [2010 (T-1)]
B

12. In which type of soil does Maize grow well? (a) Winter (b) Kharif
[2010 (T-1)] (c) Rabi (d) Zaid
(a) Black (b) Light domat 24. Which of the following is an example of
(c) Old alluvial (d) None of the above Kharif crop? [2010 (T-1)]
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13. Cultivation of coffee is confined to which of (a) Rice (b) Wheat

the following hills? [2010 (T-1)] (c) Gram (d) Peas
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(a) Nilgiri (b) Aravali 25. Which one of following rights has led to
(c) Shivalik (d) None of the above fragmentation of land holding size?
14. Which of the following crops grows well in the [2010 (T-1)]
Black soil? [2010 (T-1)] (a) Right to succession
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(a) Jute (b) Rice (b) Right to information

(c) Cotton (d) Wheat (c) Right to inheritance
15. Which country is the largest producer of oil (d) Right to land ceiling
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seeds in the world? [2010 (T-1)] 26. Cultivation of fruits and vegetables is called:
(a) China (b) India [2010 (T-1)]
(c) U.S.A (d) Pakistan (a) Floriculture (b) Sericulture
16. Which one of the following is an example of (c) Horticulture (d) Agriculture
plantation agriculture? [2010 (T-1)] 27. Which of the following crops is the example of
(a) Jute (b) Wheat zaid season? [2010 (T-1)]
(c) Tea (d) Oilseeds (a) Rice (b) Wheat
17. Which country is the largest producer of (c) Gram (d) Peas

T-I — 4 Goyal’s Assignments in Social Science X (Term-I)

II.SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
A. IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
1. Define agriculture. Why have cultivation methods 4. Why are some pulses known as leguminous crop?
changed significantly over years?
2. What is plantation farming? What are its main
characteristics? Name some plantation crops.
3. What are millets? Why are millets very important 5. Define sericulture and horticulture. What is India’s
food crop in India?
OR
Write a short note on the important millets grown
N S
in India.
B. QUESTIONS FROM CBSE EXAMINATION PAPERS
A R
1. Enlist the various institutional reform programmes
introduced by the government in the interest of
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farmers. [2010 (T-1)]
2. Describe the geographical conditions required for
SH H
the growth of sugarcane and tea crops.
[2010 (T-1)]
3. Why is subsistence agriculture still practised in
A T
certain parts of the country? Give four reasons.
[2010 (T-1)]
K O
4. What are differences between subsistence and
commercial agriculture? [2010 (T-1)]
A R
5. Differentiate between the kharif and rabi crops.
[2010 (T-1)]
6. Compare the geographical conditions, required
B
of the two major cereal crops in India, rice and
wheat. Give one major area where they are grown.
[2010 (T-1)]
7. State any four geographical conditions required
PR L
for tea cultivation. [2010 (T-1)]
8. What are the soil type, climatic conditions and
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rainfall conditions required for the cultivation of
tea? Write two states of India where tea grows.
[2010 (T-1)]
9. Explain any four 19th institutional reforms carried
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out by the government to improve agricultural
production in India. [2010 (T-1)]
10. What geographical conditions are required for the
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cultivation of sugarcane? Name two largest
producing states of sugarcane. [2010 (T-1)]
11. Describe any four features of agriculture in India.
[2010 (T-1)]
III. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
A. IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
1. Which type of farming is also known as ‘slash
and burn’ agriculture? Why? Name some areas
Goyal’s Assignments in Social Science X (Term-I)
(3 mark)
Why are they grown in rotation with other crops?
Name the major pulses grown in India and the
states leading in their production.
position in production of horticulture crops?
12. Write the geographical conditions required for
the cultivation of rice and tea. [2010 (T-1)]
13. Describe the geographical conditions required for
production rubber and maize. [2010 (T-1)]
14. Describe any four technological reforms
introduced by government in the interest of
farmers after independence. [2010 (T-1)]
15. State the geographical conditions required for
growing rice and cotton. [2010 (T-1)]
16. “Agriculture had been the backbone of the Indian
economy. But the declining share of agriculture
in the GDP now is matter of serious concern.”
Explain the meaning of this statement.
[2010 (T-1)]
17. Why has Indian agriculture started a declining
trend in food production? Explain any four reason.
[2010 (T-1)]
18. Name the four fibre crops grown in India? Which
one of the them is not obtained directly from the
crops? What is the name given to the process
involved in its production? [2010 (T-1)]
19. Describe any four important characteristics of
wheat cultivation in India? [2010 (T-1)]
20. Explain the importance of pulses in Indian
agriculture. [2010 (T-1)]
21. ‘Agriculture has a great contribution to Indian
economy.’ Describe any four points to justify it.
[2010 (T-1)]
22. Explain briefly about any two types of farming
practised in India. [2010 (T-1)]
(4 marks)
of India where it is practised. What is the main
disadvantage of this type of farming?
T-I — 5
2. Distinguish between Intensive Subsistence
Farming and Commercial Farming.
3. Describe the geographical conditions for growth
of cotton. Name the major areas of its production.
Why is West Bengal the leading producer of Jute,
the second important fibre crop of India?
OR
Which are the important fibre crops of India?
Mention the major producing areas of each crop.
Write about the geographical conditions required
for the growth of the most important fibre crop.
(i) Name the crop shown in the picture.

N S
4. How have technological reforms and institutional
reforms been able to improve the condition of (ii) State the climatic conditions required for
Indian agriculture? Explain with suitable cultivation of this crop.

A R
examples. (iii) Name the two major regions growing this
5. Look at the picture carefully and answer the crop.
6. Explain briefly any four features of intensive

E
questions that follow :
subsistence farming in India.

SH H
B. QUESTIONS FROM CBSE EXAMINATION PAPERS

1. State any four characteristies of commercial

A T (i) Name the crop shown in the picture.
farming in India. [2009] (ii) State the climatic conditions required for
2. Look at the given picture carefully and answer cultivation of this crop.
K O
the questions that follow : [2009] (iii) Name the two major regions growing this
crop.
A R

3. Mention the geographical conditions for the

growth of wheat. Name the major areas of wheat
B

production. [2010]
OR
Which is the staple crop in the north and north-
western part of India? Describe the temperature,
PR L

rainfall and soil conditions required for its growth.

Name the major areas of its production.
YA

IV. MAP WORK (4 marks)

O

A. IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

1. On an outline map of India, mark and label (b) Two major tea-producing areas
G

the following. (c) Two major cotton-producing states.

(a) Main rice-producing state in eastern India
(b) A rice-producing area in the deltaic area of
coastal plains.
(c) Two major wheat-producing states.
(d) Largest producer of jowar.
2. On an outline map of India mark and label
the following.
(a) Leading producers of coffee
(d) Leading producer of jute
3. On an outline map of India, mark and label
the following.
(a) Leading producer of sugarcane.
(b) Largest producer of groundnut.
(c) Two leading producers of rubber, one in
northeast, one in south.
(d) Two places famous for oranges.

T-I — 6 Goyal’s Assignments in Social Science X (Term-I)

 B. QUESTIONS FROM CBSE EXAMINATION PAPERS

1. For Identification [2010 (T-1)]

N S
A R
E
SH H
A T
K O
A R B
PR L
YA
O
G

Goyal’s Assignments in Social Science X (Term-I) T-I — 7

 N S
A R
E
SH H
A T
K O
A R B
2. For locating and lebelling. [2010 (T-1)]
(1) Major producing state of maize
(2) Major wheat producing state.
(3) Leading rubber producing state.
PR L
(4) The largest producing state of sugarcane.
(5) The largest producing state of coffee.
YA
ASSIGNMENTS FOR FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
A. PROJECT WORK
O
1. On a big chart paper draw or paste four outline
political maps of India. On Map No. 1 mark the
rice-producing areas of India. Paste grains of rice
G
on the areas marked with the help of adhesive.
On Map No. 2, mark the wheat-producing areas
and paste whole wheat over them. On Map No.
3 mark the areas producing fibre crops – cotton
and jute. Paste cotton ball and jute fibre in their
respective areas. On Map No. 4, mark the areas
growing beverage crops—tea and coffee. Paste
tea leaves and coarse coffee powder in their
respective areas. Sprinkle some grounded
napthalene over the maps to prevent their spoilage
T-I — 8
(6) The largest jute producing area.
(7) Major producing state of tea.
(8) Largest producing state of Jowar.
(9) Major producing state of sugarcane
(10) A cotton producing state.
(11) The largest producing state of maize.
(12) One major tea producing state of North-east.
by insects. Display them in the class.
2. Visit a nearby village.
Find out what crops grow in that region. Identify
the type of cultivation practised in the region.
Talk to some farmers and find out about :
(a) The cropping seasons and agricultural
calendar.
(b) The government support they receive.
(c) The problems they face.
Take photographs of the crops, the farmers, the
irrigation system and machineries they use.
Prepare a Project Report on the topic
‘Agricultural Economy of an Indian Village.’
Goyal’s Assignments in Social Science X (Term-I)
 B. ACTIVITIES
1. Name game
Primitive Subsistence Farming is known by different names in different parts of India. Place the correct
name beside each state or region.

State/Region Local Name for Primitive Subsistence Farming

Assam, Meghalaya.
Manipur.
Mizoram.
Bastar district of Chhattisgarh.
Madhya Pradesh.

N S
Andhra Pradesh.

A R
Orissa.
Western Ghats.
South-eastern Rajasthan.

E
Himalayan belt.

SH H
Jharkhand.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Penda, Pama Dabi, Valre, Dipa, Bewar, Pamlou, Kumari, Kuruwa, Khil, Jhumming (same name may
A T
be repeated in two or more states).
2. Observe the pictures carefully and answer the following questions.
K O
A R B

(a) Name the fruits shown in the pictures.

(b) Name the type of agriculture.
PR L

(c) Name the areas where such fruits are grown.

(d) Name a tropical fruit from India which is in great demand worldwide.
YA

C. ASSIGNMENTS
1. Name three types of crops for the following.
O

(a) Pulses : ________________ ________________ ________________

(b) Oilseeds : ________________ ________________ ________________
G

(c) Millets : ________________ ________________ ________________

(d) Vegetables : ________________ ________________ ________________
(e) Fibre crops : ________________ ________________ ________________
2. For each of the cultivation types select the crop grown and circle it.
(a) Primitive Subsistence Farming – Pulses, Wheat, Sweet Potato, Banana.
(b) Intensive Subsistence Farming – Cassava, Wheat, Jute, Rice.
(c) Commerical Farming – Yams, Wheat, Rice, Jowar.
(d) Plantation – Tea, Rice, Maize, Groundnut.
(e) Horticulture – Bamboo, Bajra, Banana, Sunflower.
Goyal’s Assignments in Social Science X (Term-I) T-I — 9
 D. QUIZZES
1. Who Am I ?
(a) _________ (Known as golden fibre)
(b) _________ (Grown in black soil of Deccan)
(c) _________ (Poor man’s cereal crop)
(d) _________ (Commercial non-food crop grown in Andaman and Nicobar Islands).
(e) _________ (Variety of coffee produced in India)
2. Crossword Puzzle.
Solve the puzzle by filling the correct answers with help of the hints.

N S
Across Down
1. Summer cropping season of India (6) 1. A product made from sugarcane (9)

A R
2. A millet that grows well in sandy soil 2. A millet rich in iron content (4)
of Rajasthan (5)

E
3. An equatorial crop growing in tropical 3. A crop grown in zaid season (8)
and subtropical areas of India, used

SH H
mainly for making auto tyres and tubes (6)
4. A beverage crop introduced in Baba Budan 4. A crop known as golden fibre growing
A T
hills and cultivated in the Nilgiris (6)
5. A leguminous crop (4)
in West Bengal and Assam (4)
5. Silkworms are fed on these leaves (8)
K O
6. Cultivation of fruits, vegetables and
flowers (12) 6. A fibre crop growing on regur soil (6)
7. Primitive Subsistence Agriculture is 7. A vegetable grown in India (7)
A R

known by this name in Central Africa (6)

8. Second most important cereal crop (5) 8. White Revolution is also known by this
B

name [two words – (9) and (5)]

PR L
YA
O
G

T-I — 10 Goyal’s Assignments in Social Science X (Term-I)