I. Choose the Correct Option
(Questions and Answers)
|
Q.
No. |
Question |
Answer |
|
1. |
Crops are associated with the south-west monsoon. |
Kharif |
|
2. |
Identify a non-kharif crop. |
Wheat |
|
3. |
Assertion
(A): Categorisation of the cropping season does not exist in southern
India. Reason (R): The temperatures are sufficiently high to
grow tropical crops during any period in the year provided the soil moisture
is available. |
Both
A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
|
4. |
The kharif crops are sown in June and July and harvested in... |
September
and October |
|
5. |
Wheat and barley are associated with which agricultural season? |
Rabi |
|
6. |
The crops which are raised throughout the year are known as... |
Zaid |
|
7. |
Assertion
(A): India is by and large self-sufficient in food grains. Reason (R): Indian agriculture is largely dominated
by food crops. |
Both
A and R are true but R does not explain A. |
|
8. |
Name the grass-like plants, which have starchy edible seeds that are a
warehouse of nutrients. |
Cereals |
|
9. |
Assertion
(A): Rice, an indigenous crop, is grown all over the country. Reason (R): Rice is a kharif crop in North India. In
the south, it can be grown throughout the year if irrigation is available. |
Both
A and R are true but R does not explain A. |
|
10. |
Rice grows best in... areas. |
warm,
humid |
|
11. |
Rice thrives in the... soils along the river banks. |
alluvial |
|
12. |
A farmer is using the dry method of rice cultivation, seeds are sown
in rows with drills. As a student of geography what can you say about the
rainfall in the area? |
moderate
rainfall |
|
13. |
Assertion
(A): Millets serve as food grains for the poorer sections of the society. Reason (R): They are highly nutritious, easily
digestible food that grows in harsh conditions. |
Both
A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
|
14. |
Pulses are important crops because they... |
All
of the above. (Complement the Indian starch-rich diet, are a rich source of
protein, fix atmospheric nitrogen.) |
II. Answer the Following Questions
Q.1
(a) Name the three cropping seasons in India.
The three cropping seasons are Kharif, Rabi, and Zayad (or Zaid).
(b) Which is the most important method of rice cultivation in India?
Why?
The most important method is the Transplanting method.
Reason: It gives a higher yield, allows farmers to select only healthy
seedlings for resowing, helps to remove weeds, and results in less wastage of
seeds.
(c) Name the two states where rice is grown as a cash crop. Why?
States: Punjab and Haryana.
Reason: In these states, rice is grown using high inputs like HYV seeds,
fertilisers, and mechanisation, leading to the highest yields. The bulk of the
produce is exported or supplied to other regions rather than just being
consumed locally, making it a cash crop.
(d)
Give three points of difference between upland and lowland rice.
|
Upland
Rice |
Lowland
Rice |
|
Grown on mountainous regions (uplands). |
Grown on low-lying regions (plains, river
deltas). |
|
Cultivation depends only on rainfall distribution. |
Requires plenty of water and often
standing water. |
|
Sown in March-April and harvested in September-October. |
Sown in June and harvested in October. |
Q.2
(a) Why are cereals referred to as 'staff of life'?
Cereals are the 'staff of life' because they have formed the basic diet
of mankind due to their high nutritional value and simple form of cultivation.
(b)
State two geographical conditions suitable for the cultivation of rice.
1. Temperature: A mean temperature
of $24^{\circ}C$ in a warm and humid
climate.
2. Rainfall/Water: High rainfall (150 to 300 cm) and the requirement of 5 to 10 cm of standing water during the earlier growth
phase.
3. Soil: Deep fertile clayey or loamy soils that can retain
water, such as alluvial soils. (Any two points are
valid).
(c) Give a geographical reason for each of the following:
(i) Wheat cultivation is confined to the northern parts of the country.
Wheat is a Rabi (winter) crop and requires a cool, moist climate for
growth. The northern parts provide the ideal cool winter temperatures and the
necessary winter rain, while the south's climate is too hot and humid for this
crop.
(ii) Punjab is the leading producer of wheat in India.
Punjab has the highest input of High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds,
fertilisers, and mechanisation, resulting in very high per hectare yields.
(iii) Government of India is encouraging cultivation of pulses.
The government encourages pulses because they are leguminous crops that
fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil, which helps to restore or maintain soil
fertility. They are also a vital source of vegetable protein in the Indian
diet.
(d) (i) Name the state that produces the highest quantity of rice in
India.
West Bengal.
(ii)
State two advantages of growing rice in all seasons in South India.
1. Year-round Supply: The continuously high temperatures allow the tropical crop to be grown
throughout the year, ensuring a steady supply.
2. Increased
Production: Growing multiple crops (three crops) per year significantly increases the total annual production of this staple
food.
Q.3
(a) What kind of soil is needed for the cultivation of wheat?
Wheat grows best in well-drained loams and clay loams. It is commonly
grown on the alluvial soils of the Northern Plains.
(b)
State two geographical conditions necessary for the growth of wheat in India.
1. Temperature: $10-15^{\circ}C$ for sowing (cool climate) and $20-25^{\circ}C$ during harvest (sunny climate).
2. Rainfall: About 80 cm of annual rainfall is ideal, with $12.5 \text{ cm}$ of rainfall in winter being
beneficial for grain filling.
(c) (i) Name two states that grow wheat extensively.
Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.
(ii) What climatic features have helped these states in this respect?
These states are in the Northern Plains, which provides the necessary
cool, dry winters essential for the growth of this Rabi crop, as well as the
occurrence of beneficial winter rain.
(iii)
Give three differences between the climatic conditions needed for wheat and
rice cultivation.
|
Feature |
Rice
(Kharif Crop) |
Wheat
(Rabi Crop) |
|
Season |
Primarily a Kharif crop (Monsoon) |
A Rabi crop (Winter) |
|
Temperature |
Requires warm and humid conditions, mean
temp of $24^{\circ}C$. |
Requires cool climate for growth (sowing $10-15^{\circ}C$). |
|
Rainfall |
Requires high rainfall (150-300 cm) and
standing water. |
Requires moderate rainfall (about 80 cm),
and winter rain is sufficient. |
Q.4
(a) What is meant by 'transplantation'? State two of its advantages.
Transplantation is the method where rice seeds are first sown in
nurseries, and after about four to five weeks, the healthy seedlings are
manually transferred and replanted into a prepared, puddled field.
Advantages:
1. It yields a higher production than other methods.
2. It allows for the selection of only healthy plants and the removal of weeds during the process.
(b) How does the cultivation of pulses usually help in restoration of
fertility of the soil?
Pulses are leguminous crops that host bacteria in their root nodules.
These bacteria perform nitrogen fixation, which adds or restores atmospheric
nitrogen back into the soil, thereby increasing its natural fertility.
(c) (i) Why are pulses grown as rotational crops?
They are grown as rotational crops because their nitrogen-fixing
property helps to maintain or restore soil fertility which is depleted by
non-leguminous crops (like cereals).
(ii) Explain why India is the largest consumer of pulses.
Pulses are the main source of vegetable protein for a large section of
India's population, especially those who consume a starch-rich vegetarian diet.
Q.5
(a) What are millets?
Millets refer to a number of inferior grains like jowar, bajra, and
ragi. They are hardy, small-seeded grasses.
(b) Why are millets referred to as 'food grains of the poor'?
They are called 'food grains of the poor' because they are highly
nutritious, easily digestible, affordable, and can be grown in harsh conditions
(infertile soil, low rainfall) with minimal inputs, making them reliable for
poorer sections of society.
(c) Why are millets known as dry crops?
Millets are known as dry crops because they are rainfed crops and can
thrive in arid and semi-arid areas with low rainfall and infertile soils. They
are highly resistant to drought.
(d)
In what way are the millets different from rice?
1. Water Requirement: Millets require low rainfall and no standing water, while rice requires
high rainfall and standing water.
2. Soil: Millets can grow
on infertile, rocky, or sandy soils, while rice requires deep, fertile, clayey soil.
3. Nutrition: Millets are known
for being rich in nutrients like iron and calcium, while rice is primarily a
source of carbohydrates.
Q.6
(a) In which region is ragi grown in India? Why?
Ragi is mainly grown in the drier parts of South India, particularly in
Karnataka.
Reason: Ragi is one of the hardiest crops that can withstand very severe
drought and grow on less fertile soils, making it suitable for these dry
regions.
(b) In which part of the year is wheat grown in India? Why?
Wheat is grown in the Rabi (winter) season, typically sown in
October-November and harvested in March-April.
Reason: It requires a cool, moist climate for growth, which is provided
by the winter season.
(c) Why is wheat not grown in the eastern and in the extreme southern
parts of India? Name the state that is the largest producer of wheat.
Wheat is not grown extensively there because the climate is generally
hot and humid or rainy, which is unsuitable for this crop that requires cool
winters.
Largest Producer of Wheat: Uttar Pradesh.
(d)
In the year 2023–24 the government has imposed restrictions on rice exports,
according to news reports. As a student of geography give reasons to support
government's decision. (Hint: low rainfall in August 2023)
1. Ensuring Food
Security: Since rice is the primary staple food, restricting exports ensures adequate domestic supply to feed the population,
especially when the yield is threatened.
2. Mitigating Drought
Impact: Low rainfall (like in August 2023) threatens the yield of the Kharif
rice crop, which is highly water-dependent. Export restrictions help the
government maintain a buffer stock and prevent domestic shortages
or price spikes.
Q.7
(a) Name the crop which is being planted (referring to a picture of
transplantation). Give one benefit of this method of planting this crop.
The crop being planted is Rice.
Benefit: It results in a higher yield (or ensures only healthy plants
are selected).
(b) Name the other method of planting the crop. In which area is this
method practised?
The other method is the Broadcasting Method (scattering seeds by hand).
Area Practised: It is practised in less fertile areas where labour is
scarce. (The Drilling Method is practiced in Peninsular India).
(c) Give a geographical reason for each of the following:
(i) Rice is not the main crop in the Deccan Plateau.
The Deccan Plateau comprises large areas of dry farming regions with
black soil. Rice requires high rainfall and standing water, conditions that are
generally not met across the plateau, where jowar (a millet/dry crop) is
preferred.
(ii) Punjab is the largest producer of rice despite deficient rainfall.
The deficiency in rainfall is overcome by extensive irrigation from
canals and tube wells. High productivity is achieved through the use of HYV
seeds, fertilisers, and mechanisation.
(iii) Wheat grows well in loamy soil.
Loamy soil is an ideal mixture that provides the well-drained yet
moisture-retaining conditions necessary for a well-pulverised but compact
seed-bed, which is essential for good wheat germination.
(d) Mention the climatic conditions which favour the cultivation of the
crop being planted.
The crop (Rice) requires a warm and humid climate with a mean
temperature of 24∘C and high rainfall (150-300 cm).
Q.8
(a) What is meant by 'dry method' of rice cultivation? In which region
is it practised?
The Dry Method of rice cultivation involves sowing the seeds directly,
either by broadcasting (scattering) or by drilling (sowing in rows). It is
practiced in areas with moderate rainfall or where irrigation is used to
compensate for insufficient rain.
Region Practised: The Drilling Method is practiced in Peninsular India.
(b) Why are millets known as coarse grains?
Millets are known as coarse grains because they are considered inferior
grains compared to cereals like rice and wheat. They are cultivated on inferior
soils and consumed largely by the poorer sections of society.
(c)
Explain the importance of pulses in India.
1. Dietary: They are the main
source of vegetable protein in the starch-rich vegetarian Indian
diet.
2. Agricultural: Being leguminous crops, they fix atmospheric nitrogen
in the soil, helping to restore soil fertility
when rotated with other crops.
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