NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS CLASS – 12 | GEOGRAPHY INDIA- PEOPLE AND ECONOMY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS | CHAPTER- 15 | LAND RESOURCES AND AGRICULTURE | EDUGROWN |

In This Post we are  providing  CHAPTER 15 LAND RESOURCES AND AGRICULTURE NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS for Class 12 GEOGRAPHY INDIA- PEOPLE AND ECONOMY which will be beneficial for students. These solutions are updated according to 2021-22 syllabus. These MCQS  can be really helpful in the preparation of Board exams and will provide you with a brief knowledge of the chapter

NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ON LAND RESOURCES AND AGRICULTURE

Question 1.
Discuss the geographical conditions favouring the cultivation of wheat. Describe production and areas of cultivation in India.
Answer:
Wheat is one of the master grains of the world. It is the ‘staple food’ for 1/3 people of the world. It is a valuable cereal due to high gluten content. It has been grown since pre-historic times. It was originally grown in Mediterranean lands.

Conditions of Growth. Wheat is a plant of temperate latitudes. It is grown in a variety of climates. The cultivation of wheat is widespread in the world. Every month, wheat is being seeded or being harvested in some part of the world.

(i) Temperature. Wheat requires a minimum temperature of 10°C in the growing period and a maximum temperature of 20°C in the harvesting period. A frost-free period of 100 days is required for wheat.

(ii) Rainfall. The wheat lands generally need a moderate rainfall between 50 to 100 cms. annually. Wheat needs a cool and wet growing season, but a warm and a dry harvesting season.

(iii) Irrigation. Means of irrigation are used in areas of low rainfall as in Indus and Punjab. Dry farming methods are also used.

(iv) Soil. Light clay or heavy loamy soil is the best soil for wheat.

(v) Land. Wheat needs well-drained level land. It suits the use of machinery and means of irrigation.

(vi) Economic Factors: Wheat is a soil exhausting crop. Better seeds, chemical fertilisers and new varieties are used to increase the yield per hectare. It is a mechanised agriculture.Machines like tractors, combines, harvesters are often used. Huge stores are required to store wheat.

Production in India: India ranks as the second largest producer of wheat in the world (12% production). Wheat is a winter crop and India produces about 67 million metric tons of wheat. India has become self-sufficient in wheat production due to Green Revolution, yield per hectare is 2618 kg.

Area of cultivation: Wheat is grown in most of the Sutlej-Ganga plain (N.W. India). Spring wheat is grown in hilly areas of Lahaul-Spiti (Himachal Pradesh), Ladakh, Sikkim in the Sub-Himalayan region, upto a height of 2700 metres. Wheat is grown on 14% of Net Sown area. Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are the main wheat producing areas. These regions have the favourable conditions of fertile soils, winter rain, irrigation facilities.

Question 2.
Describe the conditions of growth, production and major area of cultivation of rice in India.
Answer:
Rice had been cultivated since pre-historic times. China and India are regarded as the birthplace of rice. Rice is the staple food of millions of people in monsoon Asia. Rice is also called ‘Gift of Asia’.

Types of rice:
There are many varieties of rice but rice is broadly divided into two types
(i) Upland Rice. This rice is grown in hilly areas and has low yields.
(ii) Lowland Rice. This rice is grown on the lowland areas of river valleys and deltas and has high yields.

Methods of cultivation:
Rice is sown by three methods:
(i) Drilling method
(ii) Broadcasting method.
(iii) Transplanting method.

Conditions of growth:
Rice is a crop of hot-wetland of the tropics. Rice cultivation is concentrated in Monsoon Asia.
(i) Temperature. Rice needs a temperature of 20°C during the growing season and a temperature of 27°C during the harvesting period. Due to uniformly high temperature, 3 crops of rice a year are produced in West Bengal.

(ii) Rainfall. Rice is a plant of wet areas with an annual rainfall between 100 to 200 cms. Rice is grown in flooded fields. Irrigation is used in areas of low rainfall as in Punjab.

(iii) Land. Rice needs level land so that the fields can be flooded. Rice is grown on hilly slopes with Terraced Agriculture upto a height of 2000 metres.

(iv) Soils. Heavy clay or loamy soil is the ideal soil for rice. River valleys, delta and coastal plains are most suited for rice cultivation.

(v) Cheap Labour. Rice needs large supply of cheap human labour. It is labour intensive crop because most of the work in the fields is done by hand. It is also called ‘Hoe-culture’. The densely populated areas supply cheap plentiful labour.

In brief we can say ‘Rice needs plenty of heat, plenty of water, plenty of alluvium, plenty of labour to produce plenty of rice for plenty of people. ’

India. India is the second largest producer of rice in the world. About 24% (22%) of the (40 million hect.) cultivated land is under rice. India produces about 86 million metric tons of rice. Over large areas, only one crop of rice is grown every year. The yield per hectare is not high. High-yielding varieties are being used to increase the production. Yield per hectare is 1562 kg.

West Bengal is the largest producer of rice in India. Due to hot and wet climate, 3 crops are grown on the same land in a year. Aman, Aus and Boro are the three types of rice crops. Rice is grown throughout the Sutlej-Ganges plain in Punjab, Haryana (with irrigation), Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and coastal plains.

Question 3.
Describe the conditions of growth, production, areas of cultivation of cotton in India.
Answer:
Cotton is the leading fibre crop of the world. Of all the fibres, cotton is produced in the largest quantity. It is known from the writing of Herodotus that cotton has been in use in India since 3000 BCE. It is a universal fibre. Now-a-days many synthetic fibres are being used, but the cheapness and lightness of cotton make it an ideal fibre for clothing.

Conditions of Growth. Cotton is a plant of tropical and subtropical areas.
(i) Temperature. Cotton needs uniformly high summer temperatures between 22°C to 32°C. It requires a warm climate with bright sunshine. Frost is harmful to cotton plant. A growing period of 210 frost free days is necessary. It is grown as an annual crop. Sea breezes increase the lustre and length of the cotton fibre.

(ii) Rainfall. Cotton needs light to moderate rainfall between 50 to 100 cms. It needs light showers during the growing period and a dry sunny picking period.

(iii) Irrigation. In arid areas, irrigation is used. It increases the yield per hectare as in Punjab.

(iv) Soils. Cotton grows best on rich,well-drained loamy soils. Lava soil is capable of retaining moisture and is highly suitable for the cultivation of cotton. Regular use of fertilisers is required to maintain the fertility of the soil.

(v) Cheap Labour. Cotton is picked by hand. Generally women labour is used. The presence of large, cheap and hard-working labour is necessary.

(vi) Land. Cotton is grown best on flat, or rolling lands. These are well-drained areas. Machinery can be used in such areas.

(vii) Absence of Diseases. The control of pests and diseases is necessary.
India. India is the fourth largest producer (8.3%) of cotton in the world. India has the largest acreage under cotton cultivation. India is the oldest cotton- producing country in the world. The Cotton Textile Industry depends on Indian cotton. India has low yield of cotton.

Mostly short staple cotton is produced. Long staple cotton is imported from Egypt, Sudan and Pakistan. About 65 lakh hectare area (4.7% area) is under cotton cultivation. The total production is 20 lakh tonnes.

Areas of Cultivation. Due to a great diversity in climate and soil the cotton producing areas are found scattered over India. Southern India produces more cotton than Northern India.

(i) Black Cotton Soil Region. This is chief cotton growing area of India on the lava soils of North-West Deccan. Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh are the major cotton-producing states.

(ii) Red Soil Region. Medium staple cotton is grown in the red soil area including the states of Tamilnadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

(iii) Alluvial Soil Region. Long staple cotton (Narma) is grown on the Alluvial soils of Northern plain. The states of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan are the important producers of cotton. Punjab has the highest yield per hectare due to wrarm climate, fertile soil and facilities of irrigation.

Question 4.
Describe the geographical conditions required for the cultivation of Tea. Describe its production and distribution in India.
Answer:
Tea is the most popular and stimulating drink in the world. Assam (India) and China are the native places of tea. Tea plantations were started by the Europeans. Tea is made from the leaves of a tropical bush. It contains a stimulating substance called Theme’or ‘Tannic acid.’

Types of Tea. Different varieties of Tea fall into four main types:

• Black Tea.
• Green Tea.
• Brick Tea.
• Oolong Tea.

Conditions of Growth. Tea is a plant of both tropical and temperate areas.
(i) Temperature. Tea requires uniformly high temperature (20°C – 30°C) throughout the year. More pickings can be done due to warm summers. Frost is harmful for tea leaves.

(ii) Rainfall. An annual rainfall of 150 cms. is essential for the growth of tea. Rainfall should be uniform and in frequent showers. Long-dry season is harmful for tea. Shady trees protect tea-bushes from strong sunlight. Irrigation is also used.

(iii) Soil. Tea requires a deep and fertile soil. Soil should be acidic to give better flavour. A content of iron and potash is helpful.

(iv) Land. Tea is grown on gently sloping, well- drained hilly slopes and valley-sides. Tea plantations are most suited upto a height of 300 metres above sea level.

(v) Labour. Tea is a labour intensive crop. It requires a cheap, skilled labour for picking tea leaves. Picking is done by hand. Mostly women labour is used for picking.

(vi) Management. A successful tea plantation requires a good management and huge capital.

(vii) Weather. Heavy fog, high humidity and morning dew favour the growth of tea leaves.

Major Producing Areas:

India. Tea is a commercial crop in India. India is the largest producer of Tea (28%) of the world. India is the third largest exporter of tea in the world, earning a foreign exchange of ? 1100 crores. There are about 12000 tea estates managed by 700 tea companies. The total production is 81 crore kg.
Areas of Cultivation. More tea is produced in Northern India than Southern India.

(a) Assam. Assam is the largest producer of tea in India. Tea is grown on the valley-sides of Brahmputra and in Duar region. Hot-Wet Monsoon climate, cheap labour, fertile land and good management are favourable factors.

(b) West Bengal. Tea is grown in Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts in West Bengal. Darjeeling tea has a special flavour. This flavour is due to slow growth under high humidity and low temperature due to high altitude.

(c) Southern India. Tea is grown on the slopes of Nilgiris, Cardamom and Anamalai hills. Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu), Malabar coast (Kerala), Coorg region (Karnataka) and Ratnagiri (Maharashtra) are important areas of tea production.

(d) Other Areas.

• Ranchi Plateau in Jharkhand.
• Palampur in Himachal Pradesh.
• Kumaon and Garhwal hills in Uttarakhand.
• Tripura Region.

Question 5.
Describe the conditions of growth, production and distribution of coffee in India.
Answer:
Coffee. Coffee is a plantation crop. It is a powder obtained from the seeds of berries of a tree. It contains a stimulating substance called “Caffeine”. Next to tea, coffee is the most popular drink in the world. It is prized for its flavour. Conditions of Growth. Coffee is a plant of tropical and sub-tropical regions.

(i) Temperature. Coffee requires uniformly high temperature (22 °C), throughout the year. Strong winds and frost are harmful. Therefore, coffee is planted on the protected hill slopes.

(ii) Rainfall. Coffee needs an annual rainfall of 100 to 150 cms. Coffee needs a hot-wet growing season, but a cool dry harvesting season. Irrigation is also used in dry season.

(iii) Shady Trees. Coffee can’t stand direct sunshine. Therefore coffee trees are planted under shady trees such as bananas.

(iv) Soils. Coffee needs deep, fertile soil. It should contain iron, potash and organic content. Lava soils and deep loams are suitable.

(v) Land. Coffee grows best on well-drained hill slopes. Most of coffee is grown at height up to 1000 metres.

(vi) Cheap Labour. Coffee has to be hand picked. Therefore a large, cheap labour is required. The transplanting, pruning, harvesting and processing of coffee need a large supply of human labour.

(vii) Absence of disease. Most of the coffee plantations have been destroyed due to insects like beetle. So plant protection from diseases is necessary.

India. Coffee was introduced by a Muslim faqir named Baba Boodan’. Coffee plantations were started in 1830 in Chick-mangloor district (Karnataka). India produces about two lakh tonne coffee on the area of 2 lakh hectares. About 60% of the total production is exported through the ports of Kozhi-Kode, Chennai

and Mangaluru. India earns a foreign exchange of about ₹ 1500 crores by this export.

Areas of Cultivation: Cool climate doesn’t encourage coffee cultivation in Northern India. Coffee is mostly grown in the hills and plateaus of Southern India in Shimoga, Kadoor, Hassan and Coorg districts (Nilgiris in Karnataka).

Question 6.
Analyse the geographical conditions required for the cultivation of Sugarcane. Describe the major producing areas of Sugarcane in India.
Answer:
Sugar is an important item in man’s food. Sugar is most widely liked and used in the world. This luxury item has a universal demand. The two main sources of sugar are sugarcane and sugar beet. About 5% sugar of the world is obtained from sugarcane. It is a commercial and industrial crop. Many products like Gur, Molasses, Paper, Wax and Fertilizers are prepared from sugarcane. India is considered the native place of sugarcane.

Conditions of Growth. Sugarcane is a plant of hot and wet tropical region.
(i) Temperature. High temperatures between 21°C and 27°C are required throughout the year. It is grown in a long sunny growing season. Frost and cloudiness are harmful for sugarcane.

(ii) Rainfall. A rainfall of 100 to 175 cms. is required. The harvesting period should be dry. Sugarcane is grown under irrigation in dry areas.

(iii) Soils. Sugarcane is grown well on deep, fertile soils which can retain moisture. Alluvial soils, volcanic soils and calcareous (Limestone) soils are best suited for the growth of sugarcane.

(iv) Cheap Labour. Large supply of cheap labour is required mainly at the harvest time.

(v) Land. Sugarcane is cultivated on level, well- drained low lands. Such areas provide easy transportation, irrigation and use of machines.

(vi) Sea-Breezes. In coastal areas, sea breezes are useful. These increase the sugar content.

(vii) Use of fertilisers. Soils are kept fertile with the use of fertilisers. It gives high yields.

Major Sugarcane Producing Areas:

India. India is the second largest and the oldest sugarcane producer (23%) in the world. India has the largest acreage (33%) under sugarcane in the world. But the yield is low. In India, favourable conditions are found in Southern India. This region with hot- wet climate gives better yield. About 60% of sugarcane  is produced in Northern plain due to fertile soils. India produces about 2900 lakh metric ton sugarcane on an area of 33 lakh hectares.

Areas of Cultivation: The sugar belt of India extends from Gurdaspur (Punjab) to Darbhanga (Bihar), Uttar Pradesh with a production of 88 lakh tonnes, is the largest producer of sugarcane in India. It is grown in Doab, Terai and Gorakhpur region. Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Punjab and Bihar are other main producers of sugarcane.

Question 7.
Describe the conditions of growth, production and distribution of Millets in India.
Answer:
Millets
(i) Jowar. Jowar ranks third in area among foodgrains. Jowar can be grown in semi-arid and arid having rainfall under 45 cms. High temperature is necessary for its growth. It is generally grown on poor soils and in precarious rainfall zones. Jowar is both kharif and rabi crop. About 7.0 million hectares (5.3%) are devoted to this crop in India. Thanks to the hybrid seeds, its production increased.

Jowar is grown throughout the peninsular India but its notable concentration is on heavy or medium black soils and in regions with annual rainfall under 100 cms. Half (50.1%) of the jowar cropped area of the country is in Maharashtra. Karnataka (21.2%), Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh are also major jowar producers.

(ii) Bajra. Bajra, an inferior millet crop, is grown on lighter soils and drier conditions than jowar, and therefore, does well on well-drained sandy, loamy soils and shallow black soils. Marusthali and Aravalli hills of Rajasthan, south-western Haryana, Chambal basin, south-western Uttar Pradesh; Kachchh, Kathiawar and northern Gujarat, and rain shadow area of Western Ghats of Maharashtra are important areas of bajra cultivation. It is also a rainfed kharif crop.

Bajra occupies 7.6 million hectares (about 5.0%) of cropped area of the country. Its production increased to 4.6 million tonnes. Rajasthan, is the largest bajra producing state in the country. Uttar Pradesh Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Haryana are other important producers of bajra.

(iii) Maize. Maize occupies 3.6 per cent of the cropped area of the country. Its production was 10.3 million tonnes. Both the area and production have increased rapidly. Use of yield raising hybrid strains, fertilisers, and irrigation helped in enhancing productivity. Production of maize has increased ten times between 1951 and 2001.

Maize is cultivated throughout the country. Karnataka ranks first in production, followed by Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Himachal Pradesh are other producers.

(iv) Pulses. Pulses are the main source of protein in Indian diet. They are leguminous crops and enhance soil fertility by fixing. Nitrogen Pulses need less moisture and survive even in dry conditions. Tur (pigeonpea), urd (black gram), moong (green gram), and moth (brown gram) are major kharif crops and gram, peas, tur, masoor (lentil) and urd are rabi crops. Their production rose from 8.4 million tonnes to 11.4 million tonnes.

(v) Gram is the principal pulse crop in the country. The major gram growing areas are the Malwa plateau of Madhya Pradesh, north-eastern Rajasthan and southern Uttar Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh produces more than two-fifths (40.8%) of the total gram output in the country, Uttar Pradesh is next to it (19.6%).

Tur is another important pulse crop. Major tur producers are Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. The distribution of other pulse crops varies widely. Uttar Pradesh produced 2.2 million tonnes (20.3%) of pulses, and thus was the largest producer of pulses in the country. Madhya Pradesh (19.5%), and Maharashtra (15.3%) are other major pulse producing states.

Question 8.
What is Green Revolution ? What are its effects ?
Answer:
Green Revolution. Since the 1960s a new strategy has beer used for the intensive agricultural development in India. It has led to a rapid increase in the production of foodgrains in the country. A revolution has taken place in the agricultural methods and technology.

This revolution is known as Green Revolution. It includes the use of better quality seeds, high yielding varieties, chemical fertilisers, agricultural machinery, and to provide irrigation facilities. It has led to a complete modernisation of Indian agriculture.

This strategy was introduced to do away with food shortage and import of foodgrains. In 1965, the total production of foodgrains was 90 million tonnes. It became essential to increase the cropped area total production and yield per hectare. Wonderful results were achieved through Green Revolution. The total production of foodgrains in 2005-2006 has increased to above 230 million tonnes. In fact, Green Revolution has been a grain revolution.

It is clear from the following table :

Year	Foodgrains production (Million tonnes)
1966—67	74
1970—71	107
1977—78	110
1980—81	111
1984—35	150
1989—90	175
2005—06	230
2015—16	280

The adoption of Green Revolution has given a boost to agricultural development in many aspects such as— (i) The cropped area has increased due to multiple cropping.

(ii) The use of high yielding varieties of wheat and rice like Kalyan, Sonalika, Jaya, Ratna, etc. has led to increased yields per hectare. The yield of wheat rose from 13 quintal per hectare to 33 quintal per hectare in Punjab. In case of rice, a 45% increase in productivity was obtained in Andhra Pradesh.

(iii) The use of extensive irrigation increased the total production of foodgrains.

(iv) Use of chemical fertilisers led to higher yield per hectare.

(v) Massive programme of farm mechanisation, use of better quality seeds, and pesticides, use of agricultural implements has led to the success of Green Revolution.

Social effects: The standard of living of farmers has risen due to increase in per capita income. Tractor is a common asset in Punjab. Literacy has risen among the farmers. Recreation facilities are increasing due to Green Revolution.

It has not been possible to apply Green Revolution all over the country. Due to inadequate facilities of irrigation, fertilisers, lack of capital to purchase machinery, uneconomic size of land holdings, the sm all farmers could not take the advantage of Green Revolution.

Question 9.
‘Inspite of significant I development, Indian Agriculture suffers from some problems? Explain.
Or
“Erratic monsoons and indebtness” are the major problems of Indians for agricultureSuggest and explain the measures to overcome these problems.
Or
Describe the major challenges of I agriculture in present india.
Or
“Lack of Land reforms and degradation I of cultivable land are the major problems of Indian agriculture.” Substantiate the ; statement.
Or
“Erratic monsoon and low productivity are the major problems of Indian ; agriculture.” Substantiate the ; statement.
Answer:
Problems of Indian Agriculture. Though Herculean efforts are being made for agricultural development, productivity of crops, however, is still low in comparison to the developed countries of the world. This situation is the result of the interplay of several factors. These are grouped into four classes: (i) environmental
(ii) economic
(iii) institutional, and
(iv) technological.

(i) Environmental Factors. The most serious problem is the erratic nature of the monsoon. Temperature remains high throughout the year. Therefore, crops can be grown all the year round if sufficient water could be supplied regularly. But it is not possible because major portion of the country receives rainfall during 3-4 months and rainfall amount and its seasonal and regional distribution are highly variable.

This situation affects the agricultural development. Major part of the country is sub-humid, sub-arid and arid as far as amount of rainfall is concerned. These regions suffer from frequent occurrences of droughts. Development of irrigation and water harvesting can raise productivity of these regions.

(ii) Economic factors. Investment in agriculture, use of inputs such as HYV, fertilisers etc. and transport facilities constitute economic factors. On account of lack of marketing facilities or non availability of loan on fair rate of interest, the cultivators are not able to invest the requisite resources in agriculture. This results in low productivity. In fact the pressure of population on land is continuously increasing. Consequently, per capita cropped land has declined from 0.444 hectare in 1921 to 0.296 hectare in 1961 and 0,219 hectare in 1991. The land holdings being small, the capacity to invest is also low.

(iii) Institutional factors. Increasing pressure of population is responsible for the sub-division and fragmentation of holdings. In 1961-62, about 52% of total holdings were marginal and small (below 2 ha. in size). In 1990-91, the percentage reached to 78% of the total holdings. Most of these holdings are also fragmented into a number of tiny plots. The uneconomic size of holdings is one of the major obstacles in the way of modernisation of agriculture. Land tenure system also does not favour large scale investment by tenants because of the insecurity of tenure.

(iv) Technological factors. Agricultural techniques are old and inefficient. Wooden plough and bullocks are still used by a majority of farmers. Mechanization is very limited. Use of fertilisers and HYV of seeds are also limited. Only one-third of the cropped area could be provided irrigation facilities. Its distribution is not in accordance with the deficit

Question 10.
Review any five measures adopted to solve the problems of Indian agriculture.
Answer:
Agriculture is a very important sector of Indian economy. In spite of the phenomenal progress particularly since the 1960s, Indian agriculture still suffers from several serious problems, such as :

(1) Dependence on Erratic Monsoon : Unfortunately, most parts of the India receive rainfall in 3 – 4 months of the rainy season and rest of the year is practically dry, large (parts) of the country do not receive sufficient amount of rainfall. Such areas can give high agricultural productivity if sufficient arrangements for irrigation and water harvesting are made.

(2) Low Productivity : Yields of almost all the crops in India is very low. High pressure of population results in low labour productivity. We have to use HYV seeds and fertilizes to increase the productivity.

(3) Small Farm Size: Small land holdings is major obstacle in the way of modernisation of agriculture. These are some states where consolidation of holding has not yet been carried out even once.

(4) Lack of Commercialisation : Indian agriculture is still of subsistence type. Foodgrains produced by small and marginal farmers are just sufficient to meet the requirement of the family members of the farmers. Irrigation and modern farm techniques has spread to the country at a rapid pace.

(5) Lack of development of rural infrastructure, withdrawal of subsidies and price support and crop rotation etc., reduce the regional imbalances if these implement properly.