Q1. Write a short note explaining the different cropping seasons.
Ans: There are three major cropping seasons, i.e. Rabi, Kharif and Zaid.
(a) Rabi: Crops are sown in winters between October to December and harvested between February to April. Major crops of this season are: wheat, barley, peas, gram, and oilseeds.

(b) Kharif: Crops are sown in summers between May to July and harvested after rain i.e. between September to October. Major crops of this season are: rice, maize, jowar, bajra, sugarcane, jute.

(c) Zaid: In between Rabi and Kharif crops zaid crops like: watermelon, cucumber are grown between April to June.

Q2. What is Agriculture Development?
Ans: Agricultural Development refers to efforts made to increase farm production in order to meet the growing demand of increasing population. This can be achieved in many ways such as:
(a) Increasing the cropped area.
(b) Multiple cropping (Number of crops grown in a year)
(c) Improving irrigation facilities
(d) Use of fertilizers and high yielding variety of seeds.
(e) Mechanization of agriculture is also another aspect of agricultural development.

Q3. How has Green Revolution changed agriculture in India?
Ans: Dr. Norman Borlaug is known as the father of Green Revolution and Dr. M S Swaminathan is known as the father of Green Revolution in India. Green Revolution had great impact on the entire agricultural world. In India the main effects of green revolution are stated below:
(a) Increase in Agricultural Production
(b) Increase in Per Hectare Yield
(c) Reduction in Import of Food grains
(d) Change in Attitude
(e) Enlargement of Production Function
(f) Impact on Employment
(g) Shift from Traditional Agriculture
(h) Significant Change in Cropping Pattern
(i) Prosperity of Farmers
(j) Industrial Growth

Q4. What are Millets? List out the geographical conditions required for the cultivation of millets.
Ans: Millets are a group of highly variable small-seeded grasses, widely grown around the world as grains. Millets are also known as coarse grains. Geographical conditions required for the cultivation of millets are:
(a) These grains can be grown on less fertile and sandy soils.
(b) It needs low rainfall and high to moderate temperature.
(c) Jowar, bajra and ragi are millet crops grown in India.
(d) Major producers: China, India, Nigeria, USA, Brazil, etc.

Q5. Compare the type of farming in India with that of USA.
Ans. Following is the comparison between India and USA as per the farming

Q6. State the geographical conditions favourable for cultivation of:
(a) Rice (b) Wheat (c) Maize (d) Cotton (e) Tea (f) Coffee
Ans. Following are the geographical conditions required for the cultivation of rice and wheat:-
(a) Rice:
• Rice is the major food crop of the world. It is the staple diet of the tropical and sub-tropical regions.
• Rice needs high temperature, high humidity and rainfall. It grows best in alluvial clayey soil, which can retain water.
• Leading producers of rice in the world: - China, India, Japan, Sri Lanka, etc.

(b) Wheat:
• It requires moderate temperature and rainfall during growing season and bright sunshine at the time of harvest.
• It requires well drained loamy soil for its growth.
• Wheat is grown extensively in USA, Canada, Argentina, Russia, Ukraine, Australia and India.

(c) Maize:
• Maize is used as both food and fodder crop. It is also known as "Corn".
• Requires moderate temperature, rainfall and lots of sunshine and also, needs well-drained fertile soils.
• Maize is grown in North America, Brazil, China, Russia, Canada and India.

(d) Cotton:
• Cotton is a fiber crop grown in tropical areas. Cotton requires high temperature, light rainfall, 210 frost-free days and bright sunshine for its growth.
• It grows best on black soil and requires at least 6 to 8 months.
• China, USA, India, Pakistan, Brazil and Egypt are the leading producers of cotton. It is one of the main raw materials for the cotton textile industry.

(e) Tea:
• Tea is a beverage crop.
• Tea plants grow well in tropical and sub-tropical climate. It requires warm and moist free climate and well distributed frequent showers throughout the year. It needs deep, fertile, well-drained loamy soils and gentle slopes, rich in humus and organic matter.
• Cheap and skilled labour is required in large number to pick the leaves. Tea is processed within the tea gardens to restore its freshness.
• India, Kenya, China, Sri Lanka produce the best quality tea in the world.
• India is the leading producer and exporter of tea. Assam, Darjeeling, West Bengal and Tripura are leading producers of tea in India.

(f) Coffee:
• Hill slopes are more suitable for growth of this crop.
• It requires warm & wet climate and well drained loamy soil.
• Brazil is the leading producer followed by Columbia and India.
• In India coffee is cultivated in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

 

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