India Agriculture

Class 10 | Social Science — Geography | Unit 3

Class 10 Unit 3 Geography

Unit – 3 India – Agriculture

Learning Objectives

To understand the nature of India's soil types and their distribution. To know about the importance of irrigation and multi-purpose projects in India. To study about the agriculture, its types and importance. To understand the livestock and fishing resources of India. To comprehend the problems of farming in India.

Soil is one of the most important natural resources. India's varied natural environments resulted in a great variety of soils compared to any other country of similar size in the world. The rich, deep and fertile soils support high density of population through agricultural prosperity.

3.1 Soils

Soil is the uppermost layer of the land surface, usually composed of minerals, organic matter, living organisms, air and water. Grains in the soil are of three categories namely, clay, silt, and sand. Soils are generally formed by the weathering of rocks under different conditions. Some soils are formed by the deposition of agents of denudation. Soils can vary greatly from one region to the other.

Types of Soils

The Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) set up in 1953 divides the soils of India into the following eight major groups. They are:

1. Alluvial soil
2. Black soils
3. Red soils
4. Laterite soils
5. Forest and mountain soils
6. Arid and desert soils
7. Saline and alkaline soils
8. Peaty and marshy soils

Soil Type	Characteristics	Distribution	Crops growing
Alluvial soil	Khadar – light coloured, more siliceous. Bhangar – the older alluvium composed of lime nodules and has clayey composition. It is dark in colour. Formation - sediments deposited by streams and rivers when they slowly loose. Chemical properties - rich in potash, phosphoric acid, lime and carbon compounds but poor in nitrogen. Nature –Sandy-loam-silt-clay profile shows no marked differentiation	Ganga and Brahmaputra River valleys; Plains of Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Punjab, Haryana, West Bengal and Bihar and river mouth of east coast.	Rice, Wheat, Sugarcane and Oilseeds
Black soils	Formation - Derived from basalts of Deccan trap. Colour - black colour, due to presence of titanium, iron. Chemical properties - Consist of calcium and magnesium carbonates, high quantities of iron, aluminium, lime and magnesia. Rich in potash lime, Aluminium calcium and magnesium poor in Nitrogen Phosphoric acid and humus. Nature - Sticky when wet High degree of moisture retentivity	Maharashtra and Malwa plateaus, Kathiawar peninsula, Telangana and Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh and northern part of Karnataka	Cotton, Millets, Tobacco and Sugarcane
Red soils	Formation - decomposition of ancient crystalline rocks like granites and gneisses and from rock type. Chemical properties - rich in minerals such as iron and magnesium. Deficient in nitrogen, humus, phosphoric acid and lime. Nature - Light texture, porous friable presence of limited soluble salts Clay fraction of the red soils generally consists of Kaolinitic minerals.	Eastern parts of Deccan plateau, southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Chota Nagpur plateau (Jharkhand)	Wheat, Rice, Cotton, Sugarcane and Pulses
Laterite soils	Formation - formed in the regions where alternate wet and hot dry conditions prevail. It is formed by the process of leaching. Chemical properties - Composed mainly of hydrated oxides of iron and aluminium, Nature - More acidic on higher areas poor in high level, cannot retain moisture while plains they consist of heavy loam and clay and easily retain moisture	Assam hills, hill summits of Kerala and Karnataka and eastern Ghats and region of Odisha	Coffee, Rubber, Cashewnut and Tapioca
Forest and mountain soils	Differ from region to region depending on climate. Formation - due to mechanical weathering caused by snow, rain, temperature variation. Chemical properties - are deficient in potash, Phosphorus and lime. Nature - light, sandy, thin and found with the pieces of rock. Their character changes with the parent rocks. Very rich in humus. slow decomposition makes it acidic	Coniferous forest belts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim. Eastern and Western Ghats	Coffee, tea, rice, maize, potato, barley, tropical fruits and various types of spices
Arid and desert soils	Formation - Due to prevalence of the dry climate, high temperature and accelerated evaporation, the soil is dry, it also lacks humus content due to the absence of vegetative cover. Chemical properties - Contain high percentages of soluble salts, alkaline with varying degree of calcium carbonate and are poor in organic matter; rich enough in phosphate though poor in nitrogen. Nature - light in colour, low humus, friable structure, low in moisture	Rajasthan, Northern Gujarat and southern Punjab	Millets, barley, cotton, maize and pulses (with irrigation)
Saline and alkaline soils	Formation - formed due to ill drainage which causes water logging, injurious salts are transferred from subsurface to the top soil by the capillary action, it causes the salinisation of soils. Chemical properties - liberate sodium, magnesium and calcium salts and sulphurous acid Nature - Consists of an excess of sodium salts and mineral fragments which are weathering	Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. In the drier parts of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Maharashtra	Crops do not grow because of excess salinisation of soils
Peaty and marshy soils	Formation - formed in humid regions from the organic matter. It is found in the areas of heavy rainfall and high humidity Peaty soils are black, heavy and highly acidic. Chemical properties - deficient in potash and phosphate. Nature - Contain considerable amount of Soluble salts and 10 to 40 per cent of organic matter; and high proportion of vegetable matter.	Kottayam and Alappuzha districts of Kerala; and coastal areas of Odisha and Tamil Nadu, Sundarbans of West Bengal, in Bihar and Almora district of Uttarakhand	Paddy, jute

Do You Know?

Soil degradation: Soil degradation is an acute problem in India. According to a 2015 report of the Indian institute of remote sensing (IIRS). The estimated the amount of soil erosion that occurred in India was 147 million hectares. The main problems of the Indian soils are i) soil erosion (sheet erosion, Rill erosion, Gully erosion, Ravine and Badland) ii) Degradation of Soil, iii) Water-logging, iv) Saline and Alkaline, and v) Salt Flats, types of soils are different erosion.

Methods of Conservation and Management of Soil

1. Afforestation
2. Constructing Dams and Barrages
3. Prevention of Overgrazing
4. Improved methods of Agricultural practices

Contour method, Rotation of crops, Contour bunding, Strip cropping, Planting of shelter belts, Adopting the techniques of sustainable agriculture are different conservation methods for better soil management.

3.2 Irrigation

Watering of agricultural plants through artificial means is called irrigation. Being a hot country with seasonal and irregular rainfall, it always needs irrigation to carry out agricultural activities during dry period.

Sources of Irrigation

In India, different sources of irrigation are used depending upon the topography, soils, rainfall, availability of surface or groundwater, nature of river (whether perennial or non-perennial), requirements of crops etc. The main sources of irrigation used in different parts of the country are Canal irrigation Well irrigation and Tank irrigation

a) Canal Irrigation

It is the second most important source of irrigation in our country. Canals are the effective source of irrigation in areas of low-level relief, deep, fertile soils, perennial source of water and extensive command area. The canals are of two types:

1. Inundation Canals: In this, water is taken out directly from the rivers without making any kind of barrage or dam. Such canals are useful for the diversion of flood water from the rivers and remain operational during rainy season.

2. Perennial Canals: These are developed from perennial rivers by constructing barrage to regulate the flow of water. About 60 percent of the canal irrigated area falls in the northern plains of India.

b) Well Irrigation

A well is a hole or trough, usually vertical, excavated in the earth for bringing groundwater to the surface. Well irrigation is the most important source of irrigation. It is a cheap, dependable, and popular source of irrigation in the country. Well irrigation is unavoidable in the region of low rainfall and becomes an essential one where the canals and tank irrigation are not available. Wells are of two types:

1. Open Wells: This type of irrigation is widely practiced in the areas where groundwater is sufficiently available. The areas are in Ganga Plains, the deltaic region of Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery and parts of Narmada and Tapti valleys.

2. Tube Wells: Tube wells are developed in the areas of low water table, sufficient power supply and soft subsurface geological units. Tube wells are predominant in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

c) Tank Irrigation

A tank is a natural or man-made hollow on the surface developed by constructing a small bund around it across a stream. It is used to collect and store water for irrigation and other purposes. Irrigation by tanks is a very old system in India. It also includes irrigation from lakes and ponds. The tank irrigation is popular in the peninsular India due to the following reasons:

1. The undulating relief and hard rocks make difficult to dig canals and wells.
2. Natural depressions serve as reservoirs.
3. Absence of perennial rivers.
4. Impermeable rock structure which do not permit percolation.
5. The scattered nature of population and agricultural fields

Modern irrigation methods

There are many ways in Modern Irrigation. Among them mostly practiced in India are drip irrigation, sprinklers and Rain Gun and central pivot irrigation

Drip Irrigation Method: It was first developed. In this method, water is supplied in the form of drops through nozzles. water can be saved upto 70%.

Sprinkler Method: It is the simplest and easiest method of all. In this method, water is supplied to the field from the source through the pipes with have small holes. It can be used in the areas of uneven surface also.

Rain Gun: Rain gun is used to spread water like rain. It can be used to water the crops which grow upto 4 feet. It is useful to irrigate the crops like sugarcane and maize.

Central - Pivot Irrigation: It is also called water wheel and circle irrigation. It is a method of crop irrigation in which equipment rotates around a pivot and crops are watered with sprinklers.

Multipurpose River Valley Projects

It is a scientific management of water resources in our country. Construction of dam across rivers is aimed at many purposes. Hence, it is termed as multi-purpose river valley projects. The various purposes of a dam serves are irrigation, hydro power generation, water supply for drinking and industrial purpose, controlling floods, development of fisheries, navigation etc. Generally, majority of multipurpose projects are combination of irrigation and hydro-power which are the major aims of the projects.

Name of projects	River	Benefit States
Damodar Valley project	Damodar	Jharkhand, West Bengal
Bhakra-Nangal Project (highest gravity dam in the world)	Sutlej	Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan
Hirakud Project (longest dam in the world)	Mahanadi	Orissa
Kosi project	Kosi	Bihar & Nepal
Tungabhadra Project	Tungabhadra	Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka
Tehri Dam	Bhagirathi	Uttarakhand
Chambal valley project	Chambal	Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh
Nagarjuna Sagar Project	Krishna	Andhra Pradesh
Sardar Sarover Project	Narmada	Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan
Indira Gandhi Canal Project	Satluj	Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana
Mettur Dam	Cauveri	Tamilnadu

Do You Know?

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): This has been implemented to get more production by using water saving and conservation technologies.

3.3 Agriculture

Agriculture is the process of producing food for people, fodder for cattle, fiber and many other desired products by the cultivation of certain plants and the raising of domesticated animals (livestock).

Determinants of Agriculture

Agriculture in India is determined by a set of factors. Some of the important factors:

1. Physical factors: relief, climate and soil.
2. Institutional factors: Size of farm holdings, land tenure, and land reforms.
3. Infrastructural factors: Irrigation, power, transport, credit, market, insurance and storage facilities.
4. Technological factors: High yielding varieties of seeds, chemical fertilisers, insecticides and machinery.

Types of Farming

a) Subsistence Farming: A considerable proportion of farmers in the country practice subsistence farming. Farmers grow crops with the help of family members and consumes almost the entire farm produce with little surplus to sell in the market. Preference is given to food crops. In addition to the food crops, sugarcane, oilseeds, cotton, jute and tobacco are also cultivated. Traditional farming method results in low productivity.

b) Shifting Agriculture: This type of agriculture is performed by tribal people in a piece of forest land after clearing the trees through felling and burning the trunks and branches. Once the land is cleared, crops are grown for two - three years and the land will get abandoned as the fertility of the soil decreases. The farmers then move to new areas and the process will be repeated. They cultivate some grains and vegetable crops using the manual labour. It is also called as "Slash and burn" cultivation.

Name	Place
Jhum	Assam
Poonam	Kerala
Beewar, Mashan, Penda, Beera	Madhya Pradesh
Podu	Andhra Pradesh, Odisha

c) Intensive Farming: Intensive farming is an agricultural intensification and mechanization system that aims to maximize yields from available land through various means, such as heavy use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers.

d) Dry Farming: This type of farming is practiced in arid areas where irrigation facilities are lacking. Crops cultivated in these areas can withstand dry conditions. The crops grown generally with the help of irrigation are also grown under dry farming. In such circumstances, the yields are generally low. Most of the areas under dry cultivation entertain only one crop per year.

e) Mixed Farming: Mixed farming is defined as a system of farm which includes crop production, raising livestock, poultry, fisheries, bee keeping etc. to sustain and satisfy as many needs of the farmer as possible.

f) Terrace Farming: This type of cultivation is practiced specially in hilly areas, where lands are of sloping nature. The hill and mountain slopes are cut to form terraces and the land is used in the same way as in permanent agriculture. Since the availability of flat land is limited, terraces are made to provide small patches of level land. Soil erosion is also checked due to terrace formation on hill slopes.

3.4 Major Crops Cultivated in India

The major crops of India are divided into four major categories as follows:

1. Food crops (wheat, maize, rice, millets, pulses etc.).
2. Cash crops (sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, jute, oilseeds etc.).
3. Plantation crops (tea, coffee and rubber).
4. Horticulture crops (fruits, flowers and vegetables).

1. Food Crops

Due to its large population, Indian agriculture is largely dominated by the food crops.

Rice: Rice is an indigenous crop. India is the second largest producer of rice in the world after China. It is mainly a tropical crop, growing mainly with mean temperatures of 24°C and annual rainfall of 150 cm. Deep fertile clayey or loamy soils are suited well for rice cultivation. It also needs abundant supply of cheap labour. Rice in India is sown in three ways: 1) Broadcasting, 2) Ploughing or drilling 3) Transplanting

Due to increased use of High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds (CR Dhan 205, AR Dhan 306, CRR 451 etc., many of the indigenous varieties were disappeared. In 2016, the first 10 leading rice producing states are West Bengal (First in India) Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Assam, and Haryana.

Wheat: Wheat is the second most important food crop of the country, after rice. It accounts for 22 percent of the total area and 34 percent of the total production of food grains in the country. It requires 10 to 15 degree Celsius at the time of sowing and 20 to 25 degree Celsius at the time of ripening of grains. Over 85% of the India's wheat production comes from 5 states namely Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Apart from these regions, the black soil tract of the Deccan covering parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat also contribute a major wheat production.

Cropping seasons	Major Crops cultivated Northern States	Southern States
Kharif Season June – September	Rice, Cotton, bajra, Maize, Jowar, Tur	Rice, Ragi, Maize, Jowar, Groundnut
Rabi Season October – March	Wheat, Gram, Rapeseeds, Mustard, Barley	Rice, Maize, Ragi, Groundnut, Jowar
Zaid Season April-June	Vegetables, Fruits, Fodder	Rice, Vegetables, Fodder

Jowar: Jowar is the third important food crop of our country. It is an indigenous plant of Africa. The plant has a tendency to grow in adverse climatic conditions. Its grains are rich in carbohydrates, protein, minerals, and vitamins. Hence, it provides cheap food to the large section of the poor population. It is also used as fodder in many parts of the country. Jowar is essentially a crop of the Peninsular India. Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh are the leading producers of Jowar.

Bajra: Bajra is an indigenous plant of Africa. This forms the staple food for poor people. Its stalks are used as fodder for cattle and for thatching purposes. Bajra is a crop of dry region. Rajasthan is the largest producer of bajra followed by Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Barley: Barley is one of the important cereals of our country. Besides, being poor man's diet, it is used for making barley water, beer and whiskey. Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh are the two leading producers of Barley.

Pulses: Pulses include a large number of crops which are mostly leguminous and rich in vegetable protein. They are used as human food and feeding cattle. They fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil and hence are usually rotated with other crops. India is the largest producer of pulses.

2. Cash Crops

The crops which are cultivated for commercial purpose are called cash crops. These crops include sugarcane, tobacco, fibre crops (cotton, jute, and mesta) and oilseeds.

Sugarcane: It is the second largest producer in the world. This crop provides raw material for the sugar industry which is the second largest industrial category of our country. Besides providing sugar, gur and khandsari, it supplies molasses for alcohol industry and bagasse for paper industry. India is ranked third in sugar production in the world after Cuba and Brazil. At the state level, Uttar Pradesh is the leading producer of sugarcane followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.

Cotton: Cotton is the most important cash crop of India. It provides raw material to the largest industry of India. India ranks second next to China in the production of cotton. About 79% of the total area and production in the country were contributed by four states namely., Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab.

Jute: It is a tropical fibre crops, grows well in the alluvial soil. It provides raw material for Jute industry. It is used for manufacturing of gunny bags, carpets, hessian, ropes and strings, rugs, clothes, tarpaulins, upholstery etc. West Bengal is the leading state both in cultivation and production of jute. The other cultivators of jute are Bihar, Assam and Meghalaya.

Oil Seeds: Oil seeds, the premier source of fat in the Indian diet are derived from number of crops like groundnut, rapeseed, mustard, sesame, linseed, sunflower, castor seed, cotton seed, niger seed etc. These provide oil and oilcake which are used for making lubricants, varnish, medicine, perfume, candles, soaps, manure and cattle feed. Gujarat is India's largest oilseeds producing state. In groundnut production, India is the second largest producer in the world after China.

3. Plantation Crops

Plantation crops are cultivated for the purpose of exports. These are cultivated in large estates on hilly slopes. Tea, coffee, rubber and spices are the major plantation crops of India.

Tea: Tea is an evergreen plant that mainly grows in tropical and subtropical climates. Tea is a labour intensive and grows faster under light shade. Tea plants require high rainfall but its root cannot tolerate water logging. Two major varieties of tea are cultivated in India. They are 1) Bohea - originated from China 2) Assamica - from India. A number of hybrid varieties have been developed by mixing these two. India is the second largest producer of tea after China in the world. Assam is the larger producer of tea in India. Other states are Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal.

Coffee: Coffee is grown in shade and it grows effectively in the altitudes between 1,000 and 1,500 m above mean sea level. There are two main varieties of coffee. They are 1) Arabica (High quality-cultivated more in India) 2) Robusta (Inferior quality). India is the 7th largest producer of coffee globally. Karnataka is the leading producer of coffee in India. It produces 71% in India, and 2.5 % in the world (source; coffee board of India-2018).

Rubber: Rubber plantation were first established in Kerala in 1902. It needs hot and wet climatic conditions (temperature above 20°C and rainfall above 300cm). Most of the land under rubber belongs to small land holders. The major rubber growing areas are Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Spices: India has been world famous for its spices since ancient times. These spices mostly used for flavouring or tampering cooked food and for preparing medicines, dyes etc. Pepper, chillies, turmeric, ginger, cardamom, clove and areca nut are the major spices cultivated in India. Kerala is the leading producer of spices in India.

4. Horticulture Crops

It refers to the cultivation of fruits, flowers and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are important supplement to the human diet, as they provide essential minerals, vitamins, and fibres required for maintaining health. India is in the second position in the production of fruits and vegetables.

3.5 Livestock

Livestock is an integral component of the farming system in India. The livestock sector is socially and economically very significant due to its multi-functional outputs and contribution to socio-cultural security. It also helps to improve food and nutritional security by providing nutrient-rich food products, generate income and employment and act as a cushion against crop failure, provide draught power and manure inputs to the crop subsector.

Cattle: Cattle constitute 37.3 percent of livestock population in India. India has second largest cattle population after Brazil at World level. Cattle population in India belongs to different breeds. These include: 1.Milch Breed 2. Draught breed 3. Mixed or General breed.

Goats: The goat is the poor man's cow providing milk, meat, skin and hair. It is the main source of meat for the country.

Buffaloes: Buffaloes are an important source of milk supply for India. Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of buffaloes (28.2%) followed by Rajasthan (9.6%) and Andhra Pradesh (7.9%).

Do You Know?

Livestock Census: First Livestock Census in India was conducted with the title of Dairy Cattle Census in 1919.

How is livestock census conducted in Tamil Nadu? State Government is conducting Livestock Census with the help of Department of Animal Husbandry at state level and Regional Joint Director at District level under the guidelines of Government of India Ministry of Agriculture and farmers welfare, Department of Animal Husbandary Dairying and Fisheries.

Dairy, Meat and Wool Production

According to 2016 to17 Census held by State /UT Animal Husbandry Department, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. While looking at the meat, Uttar Pradesh is the leading producer following Maharashtra and West Bengal. The leading state in the wool production is Rajasthan followed by Karnataka.

3.6 Fisheries

Fisheries in India are a very important economic activity and a flourishing sector with varied resources and potentials. Fishing in India is a major industry in its coastal states, employing over 14 million people. It produces about 3 percent of World's fish and occupies second place among the fish producing nations of the world after China. It also helps in augmenting food supply, generating employment, raising nutritional level and earning valuable foreign exchange.

In India, fishing is categorised into two types: They are 1. Marine or Sea Fisheries 2. Inland or Fresh Water Fisheries

1. Marine or Sea Fisheries: It includes coastal, off-shore and deep-sea fisheries mainly on the continental shelves. Kerala leads in the marine fish production in India.

2. Inland or Fresh Water Fisheries: Rivers, lakes, canals, reservoirs, ponds, tanks etc. are the sources of fresh water fresh water fisheries. About 50 percent of the country's total fish production comes from the inland fisheries and Andhra Pradesh is the leading producer in India.

In India, the important varieties of fishes caught by the fisherman are Cat fish, Herrings, Mackerels, Perches, Eels, Mullets etc.

3.7 Major issues faced by farmers in India

Small and fragmented land-holdings: The problem of small and fragmented holdings is more serious in densely populated and intensively cultivated states in India.

High Costs of Inputs: Good quality seeds are out of reach for many small and marginal farmers due to their high price.

Infertile Soil: Indian soils have been used for growing crops over thousands of years without caring much for replenishing. This has led to depletion and exhaustion of soils resulting in low productivity.

Lack of Irrigation: Only one-third of the cropped area falls under irrigated area. To make agriculture reliable, irrigation facility has to be developed.

Lack of mechanization: In spite of the large scale mechanization of agriculture in some parts of the country, most of the agricultural operations in larger parts are carried on by human hand using simple and conventional tools.

Soil erosion: Large tracts of fertile land suffer from soil erosion by wind and water.

Agricultural marketing: Due to the absence of sound marketing facility, the farmers have to depend on local traders and middlemen for the disposal of their farm products which is sold at low price. Besides, there is a fluctuation in the prices of agriculture products.

Inadequate storage facilities: Storage facilities in the rural areas are either totally absent or grossly inadequate. Under such conditions the farmers are compelled to sell their products immediately after the harvest irrespective of the condition of market.

Inadequate transport: One of the main handicaps with Indian agriculture is the lack of cheap and efficient means of transportation.

Scarcity of capital: Agriculture is an important industry which requires a huge capital. The role of capital plays a major role in the purchase of advanced farm machineries and equipments.

Revolution	Related product
Yellow Revolution	Oil seed Production (Especially Mustard and Sunflowers)
Blue Revolution	Fish Production
Brown Revolution	Leather or cocoa or Non- Conventional Products
Golden Fibre Revolution	Jute Production
Golden Revolution	Fruits or Honey Production or Horticulture Development
Grey Revolution	Fertilizers
Pink Revolution	Onion Production or Pharmaceuticals or Prawn Production
Silver Revolution	Egg Production or poultry Production
Silver Fibre Revolution	Cotton
Red Revolution	Meat Production or Tomato Production
Round Revolution	Potato
Green Revolution	Food Grains
White Revolution	Milk Production

SUMMARY

Soil is the finest particle found on the earth surface. The main sources of irrigation found in India are canal irrigation, well irrigation and tank irrigation etc. Kharif, Rabi, and Zaid are the three cropping seasons of India. The agricultural crops of India can be divided into food crops, cash crops, plantation crops and horticultural crops. Fishing in India is categorized into marine fishing and inland fishing

Exercise 1. Choose the correct answer

1. The soil which is rich in iron oxides is ____.

a) Alluvial b) Black c) Red d) Alkaline

2. Which of the following organization has divided the Indian soils into 8 major groups?

a) Indian Council of Agricultural Research b) Indian Meteorological Department c) Soil Survey of India d) Indian Institute of Soil Science

3. The soils formed by the rivers are:

a) Red soils b) Black soils c) Desert soils d) Alluvial soils

4. ____ dam is the highest gravity dam in India.

a) Hirakud dam b) Bhakra Nangal dam c) Mettur dam d) Nagarjuna Sagar dam

5. ____ is a cash crop.

a) Cotton b) Wheat c) Rice d) Maize

6. Black soils are also called as:

a) Arid soils b) Saline soils c) Regur soils d) Mountain soils

7. The longest dam in the world is ____.

a) Mettur dam b) Kosi dam c) Hirakud dam d) Bhakra Nangal dam

8. Which crop is called as "Golden Fibre" in India?

a) Cotton b) Wheat c) Jute d) Tobacco Exercise 2. Consider the given statements and choose the right option given below

1. Assertion (A): Horticulture involves cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
Reason (R): India ranks first in the world in the production of mango, banana, and citrus fruits.

(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) explains (A) (b) Both (A) and (R)are true: (R) does not explain (A) (c) (A) is correct (R) is false (d) (A) is false (R) is true

2. Assertion (A): Alluvial soil is formed by the deposition of eroded and decayed materials brought by the rivers.
Reason (R): Paddy and wheat are grown well in the soil.

(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) explains (A) (b) Both (A) and (R)are true and (R) does not explain (A) (c) (A) is correct (R) is false (d) (A) is false (R) is true Exercise 3. Pick the odd one out

1.

a) Wheat b) Rice c) Millets d) Coffee

2.

a) Khadar b) Bhangar c) Alluvial soil d) Black soil

3.

a) Inundational canals b) Perennial canals c) Tanks d) Canals Exercise 4. Match the following

1. Sugar bowl of India
2. Coffee
3. Tehri
4. Hirakud
5. Horticulture

Exercise 5. Answer in brief

1. Define soil.

2. Name the types of soil found in India.

3. State any two characteristics of black cotton soil.

4. Define Agriculture.

5. State the types of agriculture practices in India.

6. Name the seasons of agriculture in India?

7. Mention the plantation crops of India.

8. Write a brief note on the categories of fisheries in India?

Exercise 6. Give reasons

1. Agriculture is the backbone of India.

2. Rain water harvesting is necessary.

Exercise 7. Distinguish between the following

1. Rabi and Kharif crop seasons.

2. Inundational canal and perennial canal.

3. Marine fishing and Inland fishing.

4. Alluvial soils and Black soils.

Exercise 8. Answer in a paragraph

1. State any five types of soil in India and explain the characteristics and distribution of soil.

2. What is Multipurpose projects and write about any two Multipurpose projects of India.

3. Bring out the characteristics of Intensive and Plantation farming.

4. Examine the geographical conditions favourable for the cultivation of rice and wheat.

Exercise 9. Hot questions

1. Can you imagine a world without agriculture?

2. Can you give solutions for the prevailing water disputes in South India?

Exercise 10. Map exercise

1. Demarcate the major tracts of alluvial soils.
2. Delineate the main regions of black soil.
3. Locate the Hirakud dam, Mettur dam and Damodar dam.
4. Shade the regions of jute cultivation.
5. Mark any three tea and coffee growing areas.
6. Demarcate the regions of desert soil.
7. Locate the fishing hubs: Tuticorin, Chennai, Cochin, Mumbai, Machilipatnam
8. Demarcate: Cauveri delta, Godavari delta

REFERENCE BOOKS

1. Singh, G. (1976). A Geography of India. Atma Ram & Sons Publications, New Delhi.
2. Siddhartha, K. and Mukherjee, S. (2013). Geography through Maps (11th Edition). Kisalaya Publications Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi.
3. Husain, M. (2015). Geography of India (6th Edition). McGraw Hill Education, New Delhi.
4. Sharma, T.C. and Coutinho, O. (1978). Economic and Commercial Geography India (2nd Edition). Vikas Publishing House Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi.
5. Mamoria, C.B. (1980). Economic and Commercial Geography of India. Shiva Lal Agarwala & Company, Agra.

INTERNET RESOURCES

1. https://extension.psu.edu/introduction-to-soils-managing-soils
2. http://mospi.nic.in/statistical-year-book-india/2017/181
3. http://www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpinfo/index.php?title=Multi_Purpose_Projects
4. http://dahd.nic.in/sites/default/filess/Volume%20I.pdf

Book-back Exercises — Questions & Answers

Answers generated strictly from the Samacheer Kalvi textbook content. Attempt each question first, then click "Show Answer" to check.

1 Choose the correct answer

1. The soil which is rich in iron oxides is ______.

a) Alluvial b) Black c) Red d) Alkaline

Answer: c) Red

Explanation: Red soils are rich in minerals such as iron and magnesium. They are formed by decomposition of ancient crystalline rocks like granites and gneisses.

2. Which of the following organization has divided the Indian soils into 8 major groups?

a) Indian Council of Agricultural Research b) Indian Meteorological Department c) Soil Survey of India d) Indian Institute of Soil Science

Answer: a) Indian Council of Agricultural Research

Explanation: The Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) set up in 1953 divides the soils of India into eight major groups.

3. The soils formed by the rivers are:

a) Red soils b) Black soils c) Desert soils d) Alluvial soils

Answer: d) Alluvial soils

Explanation: Alluvial soils are formed by sediments deposited by streams and rivers when they slowly lose velocity.

4. ______ dam is the highest gravity dam in India.

a) Hirakud dam b) Bhakra Nangal dam c) Mettur dam d) Nagarjuna Sagar dam

Answer: b) Bhakra Nangal dam

Explanation: Bhakra-Nangal Project is mentioned as the highest gravity dam in the world on river Sutlej.

5. ______ is a cash crop.

a) Cotton b) Wheat c) Rice d) Maize

Answer: a) Cotton

Explanation: Cotton is mentioned as the most important cash crop of India and provides raw material to the largest industry of India.

6. Black soils are also called as:

a) Arid soils b) Saline soils c) Regur soils d) Mountain soils

Answer: c) Regur soils

Explanation: Black soils are derived from basalts of Deccan trap and are known as regur soils.

7. The longest dam in the world is ______.

a) Mettur dam b) Kosi dam c) Hirakud dam d) Bhakra Nangal dam

Answer: c) Hirakud dam

Explanation: Hirakud Project is mentioned as the longest dam in the world on river Mahanadi.

8. Which crop is called as "Golden Fibre" in India?

a) Cotton b) Wheat c) Jute d) Tobacco

Answer: c) Jute

Explanation: Golden Fibre Revolution is related to Jute Production according to the list of agricultural revolutions in India.

2 Consider the given statements and choose the right option given below

1. Assertion (A): Horticulture involves cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
Reason (R): India ranks first in the world in the production of mango, banana, and citrus fruits.

a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) explains (A) b) Both (A) and (R) are true; (R) does not explain (A) c) (A) is correct (R) is false d) (A) is false (R) is true

Answer: c) (A) is correct (R) is false

Explanation: Horticulture refers to the cultivation of fruits, flowers and vegetables. However, India is in the second position in the production of fruits and vegetables, not first.

2. Assertion (A): Alluvial soil is formed by the deposition of eroded and decayed materials brought by the rivers.
Reason (R): Paddy and wheat are grown well in the soil.

a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) explains (A) b) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) does not explain (A) c) (A) is correct (R) is false d) (A) is false (R) is true

Answer: b) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) does not explain (A)

Explanation: Alluvial soils are formed by sediments deposited by streams and rivers. Rice, wheat, sugarcane and oilseeds grow in alluvial soil. Both statements are true but (R) doesn't explain (A).

3 Pick the odd one out

1. a) Wheat b) Rice c) Millets d) Coffee

Answer: d) Coffee

Explanation: Wheat, rice and millets are food crops, while coffee is a plantation crop.

2. a) Khadar b) Bhangar c) Alluvial soil d) Black soil

Answer: d) Black soil

Explanation: Khadar and Bhangar are types of alluvial soil, while black soil is a different soil type derived from basalts of Deccan trap.

3. a) Inundational canals b) Perennial canals c) Tanks d) Canals

Answer: c) Tanks

Explanation: Inundational canals and perennial canals are types of canal irrigation, while tanks are a separate source of irrigation.

4 Match the following

1. Match the Following

Column A	Column B
1. Sugar bowl of India	a) Mahanadi
2. Coffee	b) Golden revolution
3. Tehri	c) Karnataka
4. Hirakud	d) Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
5. Horticulture	e) Highest dam in the India

Answers: 1-d, 2-c, 3-e, 4-a, 5-b

5 Answer in brief

1. Define soil.

Answer: Soil is the uppermost layer of the land surface, usually composed of minerals, organic matter, living organisms, air and water. Grains in the soil are of three categories namely, clay, silt, and sand.

2. Name the types of soil found in India.

Answer: The eight major groups of soils in India are: Alluvial soil, Black soils, Red soils, Laterite soils, Forest and mountain soils, Arid and desert soils, Saline and alkaline soils, and Peaty and marshy soils.

3. State any two characteristics of black cotton soil.

Answer: Black soils are sticky when wet and have high degree of moisture retentivity. They are derived from basalts of Deccan trap and are rich in potash lime, aluminium calcium and magnesium.

4. Define Agriculture.

Answer: Agriculture is the process of producing food for people, fodder for cattle, fiber and many other desired products by the cultivation of certain plants and the raising of domesticated animals (livestock).

5. State the types of agriculture practices in India.

Answer: The types of farming in India are: Subsistence Farming, Shifting Agriculture, Intensive Farming, Dry Farming, Mixed Farming, and Terrace Farming.

6. Name the seasons of agriculture in India?

Answer: The three cropping seasons in India are: Kharif Season (June – September), Rabi Season (October – March), and Zaid Season (April-June).

7. Mention the plantation crops of India.

Answer: The major plantation crops of India are Tea, coffee, rubber and spices. These are cultivated in large estates on hilly slopes for the purpose of exports.

8. Write a brief note on the categories of fisheries in India?

Answer: In India, fishing is categorised into two types: Marine or Sea Fisheries which includes coastal, off-shore and deep-sea fisheries, and Inland or Fresh Water Fisheries from rivers, lakes, canals, reservoirs, ponds and tanks.

6 Give reasons

1. Agriculture is the backbone of India.

Answer: Agriculture is the backbone of India because it produces food for people, fodder for cattle, and provides employment to a large population. Due to India's large population, Indian agriculture is largely dominated by food crops, making it essential for food security and economic stability.

2. Rain water harvesting is necessary.

Answer: Rain water harvesting is necessary because being a hot country with seasonal and irregular rainfall, India always needs irrigation to carry out agricultural activities during dry period. Only one-third of the cropped area falls under irrigated area, making water conservation essential.

7 Distinguish between the following

1. Rabi and Kharif crop seasons.

Answer: Kharif Season is from June to September and major crops cultivated are rice, cotton, bajra, maize, jowar, and tur in northern states. Rabi Season is from October to March and major crops are wheat, gram, rapeseed, mustard, and barley in northern states.

2. Inundational canal and perennial canal.

Answer: Inundation Canals take water directly from rivers without making any barrage or dam and remain operational during rainy season. Perennial Canals are developed from perennial rivers by constructing barrage to regulate water flow and operate throughout the year.

3. Marine fishing and Inland fishing.

Answer: Marine or Sea Fisheries includes coastal, off-shore and deep-sea fisheries mainly on the continental shelves with Kerala leading in production. Inland or Fresh Water Fisheries uses rivers, lakes, canals, reservoirs, ponds, tanks with Andhra Pradesh being the leading producer.

4. Alluvial soils and Black soils.

Answer: Alluvial soils are formed by sediments deposited by streams and rivers, are rich in potash and phosphoric acid, found in Ganga-Brahmaputra valleys. Black soils are derived from basalts of Deccan trap, sticky when wet with high moisture retention, found in Maharashtra and Malwa plateaus.

8 Answer in a paragraph

1. State any five types of soil in India and explain the characteristics and distribution of soil.

Answer: Alluvial soil is formed by river sediments, rich in potash and phosphoric acid, found in Ganga-Brahmaputra valleys suitable for rice and wheat. Black soils derived from Deccan basalts are sticky when wet, found in Maharashtra and suitable for cotton. Red soils formed from crystalline rocks are rich in iron, found in eastern Deccan plateau. Laterite soils formed by leaching process are acidic, found in Assam hills and suitable for coffee. Desert soils are dry with high salt content, found in Rajasthan and suitable for millets with irrigation.

2. What is Multipurpose projects and write about any two Multipurpose projects of India.

Answer: Multipurpose river valley projects involve scientific management of water resources through dam construction serving multiple purposes like irrigation, hydropower generation, water supply, flood control, and fisheries development. Bhakra-Nangal Project on river Sutlej is the highest gravity dam benefiting Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. Hirakud Project on river Mahanadi is the longest dam in the world benefiting Orissa state for irrigation and power generation.

3. Bring out the characteristics of Intensive and Plantation farming.

Answer: Intensive farming is an agricultural intensification and mechanization system that aims to maximize yields from available land through heavy use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Plantation crops like tea, coffee, rubber and spices are cultivated in large estates on hilly slopes for export purposes. These require specific climatic conditions and are labor intensive, with tea growing in tropical and subtropical climates and coffee growing effectively at altitudes between 1,000 and 1,500 meters.

4. Examine the geographical conditions favourable for the cultivation of rice and wheat.

Answer: Rice is mainly a tropical crop requiring mean temperatures of 24°C and annual rainfall of 150 cm, with deep fertile clayey or loamy soils and abundant cheap labor. It is grown in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab. Wheat requires 10-15°C at sowing and 20-25°C at ripening, with over 85% production from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The black soil tract of Deccan covering Maharashtra and Gujarat also contributes to wheat production.

9 Hot questions

1. Can you imagine a world without agriculture?

Answer: Refer to the chapter text for this answer.

2. Can you give solutions for the prevailing water disputes in South India?

Answer: Refer to the chapter text for this answer.

10 Map exercise

1. Demarcate the major tracts of alluvial soils.

Answer: Alluvial soils are distributed in Ganga and Brahmaputra River valleys, Plains of Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Punjab, Haryana, West Bengal and Bihar and river mouth of east coast.

2. Delineate the main regions of black soil.

Answer: Black soils are distributed in Maharashtra and Malwa plateaus, Kathiawar peninsula, Telangana and Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh and northern part of Karnataka.

3. Locate the Hirakud dam, Mettur dam and Damodar dam.

Answer: Hirakud dam is on river Mahanadi in Orissa, Mettur Dam is on river Cauvery in Tamil Nadu, and Damodar Valley project is on river Damodar in Jharkhand and West Bengal.

4. Shade the regions of jute cultivation.

Answer: West Bengal is the leading state in jute cultivation and production. Other cultivators of jute are Bihar, Assam and Meghalaya.

5. Mark any three tea and coffee growing areas.

Answer: Tea growing areas: Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal. Coffee growing areas: Karnataka (leading producer with 71% of India's production), followed by other southern states.

6. Demarcate the regions of desert soil.

Answer: Arid and desert soils are distributed in Rajasthan, Northern Gujarat and southern Punjab.

7. Locate the fishing hubs: Tuticorin, Chennai, Cochin, Mumbai, Machilipatnam

Answer: Refer to the chapter text for this answer.

8. Demarcate: Cauveri delta, Godavari delta

Answer: Refer to the chapter text for this answer.

📝 Summary

1. India has eight major soil types as classified by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) established in 1953: Alluvial, Black, Red, Laterite, Forest and mountain, Arid and desert, Saline and alkaline, and Peaty and marshy soils.
2. Alluvial soils are found in Ganga and Brahmaputra River valleys and plains of Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Punjab, Haryana, West Bengal and Bihar, supporting crops like rice, wheat, sugarcane and oilseeds.
3. Black soils are derived from basalts of Deccan trap and are distributed across Maharashtra and Malwa plateaus, Kathiawar peninsula, Telangana and Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh and northern Karnataka, ideal for cotton, millets, tobacco and sugarcane.
4. Red soils form from decomposition of ancient crystalline rocks like granites and gneisses, found in eastern parts of Deccan plateau, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Chota Nagpur plateau, supporting wheat, rice, cotton, sugarcane and pulses.
5. Laterite soils are formed through leaching process in regions with alternate wet and hot dry conditions, found in Assam hills, hill summits of Kerala and Karnataka and eastern Ghats, suitable for coffee, rubber, cashewnut and tapioca cultivation.