Agriculture
- (i)
Agriculture is the practice of cultivating land, growing crops, and
raising animals for food, fuel, and other products that are essential for
human consumption and economic development.
(ii) The factors influencing agriculture are:
- Climate:
temperature, precipitation, and sunlight affect crop growth.
- Soil:
the type, fertility, and texture of soil influence crop productivity.
- Topography:
the physical features of land such as elevation and slope can affect
agriculture.
- Water:
availability of water resources such as rivers, lakes, and groundwater is
critical for crop growth.
- Technology:
advancements in farming practices, machinery, and irrigation systems can
increase crop yield and efficiency.
- Market:
demand and prices for agricultural products impact the decisions of
farmers.
(iii) Shifting cultivation is a traditional method
of farming in which farmers clear a section of land, grow crops for a few years
until the soil loses fertility, and then move on to another plot. The old plot
is left fallow for a few years to regain fertility before being used again. The
disadvantages of shifting cultivation are:
- Soil
erosion and depletion of soil fertility due to the repeated clearing of
forests.
- Loss
of biodiversity as natural habitats are destroyed.
- Vulnerability
to climate change and unpredictable weather patterns.
- Difficulty
in market-oriented production and income generation.
(iv) Plantation agriculture is a form of commercial
farming in which large-scale monoculture crops such as tea, coffee, rubber,
sugarcane, and cotton are grown for export. It involves the use of
capital-intensive inputs such as machinery, chemicals, and fertilizers.
Plantation agriculture is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions with
adequate rainfall and fertile soils.
(v) Fibre crops are crops grown primarily for their
fiber content, which is used in the production of textiles, paper, and other products.
Some examples of fibre crops and the climatic conditions required for their
growth are:
- Cotton:
requires a warm and humid climate with moderate rainfall.
- Jute: grows best in a hot and humid climate with plenty of rainfall.
- Hemp:
can grow in a wide range of climatic conditions, but requires well-drained
soil and moderate rainfall.
- (i)
Agriculture is a primary activity in India because it is the primary
source of livelihood for a majority of the population. Around 58% of the
population is engaged in agriculture and related activities, and it
contributes around 17-18% of the country's GDP.
(ii) Different crops are grown in different regions
due to variations in climate, soil, and topography. India has a diverse
agro-climatic zone that allows for the cultivation of a wide range of crops.
For example, rice is predominantly grown in the eastern and southern regions
with high rainfall, while wheat is grown in the northern regions with a dry
winter season.
- (i)
Primary activities are those activities that involve the extraction of
natural resources, such as agriculture, fishing, mining, and forestry.
Tertiary activities are those that provide services to people and
businesses, such as banking, retail, transportation, and healthcare.
(ii) Subsistence farming is a type of farming in
which farmers produce only enough food to feed themselves and their families.
It is usually practiced in rural areas where there is limited access to modern
technology and markets. Intensive farming, on the other hand, is a form of
farming that involves the use of high inputs of labor, capital, and technology
to maximize crop yields and profits. It is usually practiced in commercial
farming operations.
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