Extra 30 short-answer questions (2–3 marks each) from Chapter: Agriculture (Class 10 CBSE Geography).
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1. What are the different types of farming in India?
Answer: The major types of farming in India are:
1. Primitive Subsistence Farming – Practiced on small land using traditional tools.
2. Intensive Subsistence Farming – Uses more labor and fertilizers for higher yields.
3. Commercial Farming – Grown for sale using modern inputs like fertilizers and pesticides.
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2. What is shifting agriculture? Why is it discouraged?
Answer: Shifting agriculture (slash-and-burn) is a farming practice where land is cleared by burning vegetation, cultivated temporarily, and then abandoned. It is discouraged because:
It leads to deforestation.
It depletes soil fertility.
It contributes to soil erosion.
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3. What is the importance of agriculture in the Indian economy?
Answer:
Provides livelihood to over 50% of the population.
Contributes around 17–18% to India's GDP.
Supplies raw materials to industries like textile and sugar.
Supports food security and exports.
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4. What is the difference between Kharif and Rabi crops?
Answer:
| Kharif Crops | Rabi Crops |
|------------------|---------------|
| Sown in June-July, harvested in September-October. | Sown in October-November, harvested in March-April. |
| Requires high temperature and rainfall. | Requires a cool climate for growth. |
| Examples: Rice, Maize, Cotton. | Examples: Wheat, Barley, Mustard. |
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5. What are Zaid crops? Give two examples.
Answer: Zaid crops are short-season crops grown between Rabi and Kharif seasons (March to June). Examples:
Watermelon
Muskmelon
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6. Name two staple food crops of India. Also, name the regions where they are grown.
Answer:
1. Rice – Grown in West Bengal, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh.
2. Wheat – Grown in Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh.
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7. What conditions are required for growing wheat?
Answer:
Temperature: 10-15°C (sowing), 21-26°C (ripening).
Rainfall: 50-75 cm.
Soil: Well-drained loamy soil.
States: Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh.
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8. Which crop is called the ‘Golden Fibre’? Why?
Answer: Jute is called the ‘Golden Fibre’ because of its golden shine and high commercial value. It is used to make ropes, bags, and textiles.
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9. What is plantation agriculture? Give two examples.
Answer:
A type of commercial farming where a single crop is grown on a large scale for sale.
Uses modern techniques and labor.
Examples: Tea, Coffee.
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10. Why is subsistence farming still practiced in India?
Answer:
Small landholdings.
Farmers lack capital for modern equipment.
Heavy dependence on monsoons.
Farming is done mainly for family consumption.
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11. What are the major challenges faced by Indian farmers?
Answer:
Dependence on monsoons.
Low productivity due to outdated techniques.
Lack of irrigation facilities.
Price fluctuations and debt burden.
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12. What are the major characteristics of commercial farming?
Answer:
Crops are grown for sale in the market.
Uses HYV (High Yield Variety) seeds, fertilizers, and machinery.
Requires large landholdings.
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13. What are millets? Name two important millets grown in India.
Answer: Millets are coarse grains that require less water and grow in dry conditions. Examples:
1. Jowar – Grown in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
2. Bajra – Grown in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
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14. What are the climatic conditions required for cotton cultivation?
Answer:
Temperature: 21-30°C.
Rainfall: 50-100 cm (moderate).
Soil: Black soil.
States: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh.
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15. What is organic farming? Mention two benefits.
Answer: Organic farming avoids chemical fertilizers and pesticides, using natural manure and biological pest control.
Benefits:
Environmentally friendly.
Produces chemical-free food.
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16. What are pulses? Name any two major pulses grown in India.
Answer: Pulses are protein-rich crops like lentils and beans.
Examples:
1. Tur (Arhar)
2. Moong
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17. What are the factors responsible for the declining importance of jute?
Answer:
Competition from synthetic fibers.
High cost of production.
Declining exports.
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18. What are the advantages of growing oilseeds in India?
Answer:
Used for edible oil production.
Essential for industrial products like soap and paints.
Reduces dependence on oil imports.
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19. Name two major sugarcane-producing states in India.
Answer:
1. Uttar Pradesh
2. Maharashtra
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20. What is terrace farming? Where is it practiced?
Answer:
Terrace farming involves cutting steps into hills for cultivation.
Practiced in hilly regions like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
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21. What is horticulture?
Answer: Horticulture is the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. India is a leading producer of mangoes, bananas, and spices.
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22. What are the benefits of the Green Revolution?
Answer:
Increased crop productivity.
Reduced dependency on food imports.
Improved irrigation facilities.
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23. Name any two beverage crops grown in India.
Answer:
1. Tea – Assam, West Bengal.
2. Coffee – Karnataka, Kerala.
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24. Name the major rice-producing states of India.
Answer:
1. West Bengal
2. Uttar Pradesh
3. Punjab
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25. What is mixed farming?
Answer: Mixed farming is the practice of growing crops along with animal husbandry on the same farm.
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26. What is dryland farming? Where is it practiced?
Answer: Farming in areas with low rainfall and without irrigation. Practiced in Rajasthan and parts of Maharashtra.
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27. Why is India called an agricultural country?
Answer:
Majority of the population depends on farming.
Large area under cultivation.
Major contributor to GDP.
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28. What is subsistence farming?
Answer: Farming where crops are grown primarily for the farmer’s family with little surplus for sale.
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29. What are the major problems faced by Indian agriculture?
Answer:
Small landholdings.
Overuse of chemical fertilizers.
Lack of irrigation facilities.
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30. What is the significance of agriculture in India?
Answer:
Provides employment to over 50% of the workforce.
Contributes to food security.
Supports industries and exports.
