NCERT Solutions Class 10 Social Science
Contemporary India II (Geography)
The NCERT Solutions in English Language for Class 10 Social Science Contemporary India II (Geography) Chapter – 4 (Agriculture) has been provided here to help the students in solving the questions from this exercise.
Chapter – 4 (Agriculture)
| Exercises |
1. Multiple choice questions.
(i) Which one of the following describes a system of agriculture where a single crop is grown in a large area?
(a) Shifting Agriculture
(b) Plantation Agriculture
(c) Horticulture
(d) Intensive Agriculture
Answer – (b) Plantation Agriculture
(ii) Which one of the following is a rabi crop?
(a) Rice
(b) Millets
(c) Gram
(d) Cotton
Answer – (c) Gram
(iii) Which one of the following is a leguminous crop?
(a) Pulses
(b) Millets
(c) Jawar
(d) Sesamum
Answer – (a) Pulses
2. Answer the following questions in 30 words.
(i) Name one important beverage crop and specify the geographical conditions required for its growth.
Answer – Tea is an important beverage crop. To grow well, the tea plant needs tropical or sub tropical climates, and deep and fertile well-drained soil which is rich in humus and organic matter.
(ii) Name one staple crop of India and the regions where it is produced.
Answer – 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.
(iii) Enlist the various institutional reform programmes introduced by the government in the interest of farmers.
Answer – The various institutional reform programmes introduced by the government for the benefit of farmers are − Minimum Support Price policy, provision for crop insurance, subsidy on agricultural inputs and resources such as power and fertilisers, Grameen banks, Kissan Credit Card and Personal Accident Insurance Scheme.
(iv) The land under cultivation has got reduced day by day. Can you imagine its consequences?
Answer – A declining area of land under cultivation coupled with increasing population can lead to serious foodgrain shortages. This would in turn increase imports of foodgrains, thereby causing the economy to reel under huge debts.
3. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.
(i) Suggest the initiative taken by the government to ensure the increase in agricultural production.
Answer – To ensure increase in agricultural production, the government prioritised collectivisation, consolidation of holdings, cooperation and abolition of zamindari system. ‘Land reform’ was the main focus of the First Five Year Plans. In the 1960s and 1970s, agricultural reforms were the order of the day. The Green Revolution and the White Revolution (Operation Flood) were aimed at improving Indian agricultural productivity. During the 1980s and 1990s, a comprehensive land development programme was initiated. Under this, various technical and institutional reforms were introduced by the government for the benefit of farmers, e.g., Minimum Support Price policy, provision for crop insurance, subsidy on agricultural inputs and resources such as power and fertilisers, Grameen banks, Kissan Credit Card, Personal Accident Insurance Scheme, and special weather bulletins and agricultural programmes like ‘Krishi Darshan’ on national television.
(ii) Describe the impact of globalisation on Indian agriculture.
Answer – Globalisation is not a new phenomenon. It was there at the time of colonisation. In the nineteenth century, when European traders came to India, at that time too, Indian spices were exported to different countries of the world and farmers of south India were encouraged to grow these crops. Till today, it is one of the important items of export from India. Under globalisation, particularly after 1990, the farmers in India have been exposed to new challenges. Despite being an important producer of rice, cotton, rubber, tea, coffee, jute and spices, our agricultural products are not able to compete with the developed countries because of the highly subsidised agriculture in those countries. Today, Indian agriculture finds itself at crossroads. To make agriculture successful and profitable, proper thrust should be given to the improvement of the condition of marginal and small farmers.
