AGRICULTURE CLASS 10 (NCERT) NOTES

 AGRICULTURE CLASS 10 (NCERT) NOTES

India - agriculturally dependent / important country. 

Two-thirds of its population - agricultural activities. 

Agriculture - primary activity, 

Produces:

• Food grains - Consumption 
• Raw material - Industries
• For Export -  tea, coffee, spices, etc. 

TYPES OF FARMING

Traditional Roots:

Age-old economic activity.

Depending upon: 

• Physical environment, 
• technological know-how and 
• socio-cultural practices.

2. Diverse Farming

• Ranges from subsistence to commercial.

3.Present Farming Systems

• Diverse methods across India.

Primitive Subsistence Farming

1. Traditional Farming

• Practiced in limited areas.
• Uses primitive tools (hoe, dao, etc.).
• Relies on family or community labor.

2. Characteristic

Depends on: 

• monsoon, 
• natural fertility of the soil and 
• Environmental conditions 

Slash and Burn: technique

• Farmers clear small land patches.
• Cereals and food crops for sustenance.
• Soil fertility declines over time.
• Farmers shift to new patches of land.
• Allows Nature to replenish soil fertility.

Problems:

• Minimal use of fertilizers or modern inputs.
• Low land productivity.

Known by different regional names in India.

• Jhumming - north-eastern states like Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland; 
• Pamlou in Manipur, 
• Dipa in Bastar district of Chhattishgarh, and in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Outside India:

Jhumming: ‘Milpa’ in Mexico and Central America,

‘Conuco’ in Venzuela, 

‘Roca’ in Brazil, 

‘Masole’ in Central Africa, 

‘Ladang’ in Indonesia, 

‘Ray’ in Vietnam.

Primitive form of cultivation in India:

‘Bewar’ or ‘Dahiya’ - Madhya Pradesh, 

‘Podu’ or ‘Penda’ - Andhra Pradesh,

‘Pama Dabi’ or ‘Koman’ or Bringa’ - Odisha, 

‘Kumari’ - Western Ghats, 

‘Valre’ or ‘Waltre’ - South-eastern Rajasthan, 

‘Khil’ - Himalayan belt, 

‘Kuruwa’ - Jharkhand, and 

‘Jhumming’ - the North-eastern region.

Intensive Subsistence Farming

1. High Population Pressure

• In densely populated areas.
• Labor-intensive farming.

2. Modern Techniques

• High dose of biochemical inputs and irrigation.
• Aims for higher production.

3. Land Division Challenge (‘right of inheritance’)

• Land division among successive generations. 
• Small land holdings (uneconomical)
• but farmers maximize output.

4. Pressure on Land

• No alternative livelihood.
• Enormous pressure on limited land.

Commercial Farming

1. Modern Inputs:

• doses of modern inputs used.
• HYV seeds, chemical fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides (higher productivity)

2. Regional Variation

• varies from region to region.
• Ex:
• Rice - commercial crop in - Haryana and Punjab
• Subsistence - Odisha

Plantation Agriculture (Type of Commercial Farming)

1. Single Crop Focus

• Large-scale cultivation of a single crop.
• Interface of agriculture and industry.

2. Capital Intensive

• Required large amount of land
• Capital-intensive inputs used - Tractors, Thrashers etc
• Migrant labor employed (imp)

3. Key Crops

• Tea, coffee, rubber, sugarcane, banana, etc.
• Tea in Assam and North Bengal 
• Coffee in Karnataka.

4. Market-Oriented

• All Production for the market (respective industries)
• Transport and communication network vital for plantation development.
• Processing and markets vital for plantation development.

CROPPING PATTERN

Diverse Agricultural Practices in India

1. Physical Diversity

• India's physical diversity influences farming.
• Different regions, different practices.

2. Crop Variety

• Various crops are grown, including food, fiber, vegetables, fruits, and spices.

3. Three Cropping Seasons

• India has three cropping seasons: 
• rabi, 
• kharif, and 
• zaid.

RABI:

1. Winter Sowing

- Sown from October to December.

- Harvested from April to June.

2. Key Rabi Crops

• wheat, barley, peas, gram, and mustard.

3. Key Regions

Northern and north-western states: 

• Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh are vital for wheat and rabi crop production.

4. Western Cyclones 

• Winter precipitation from western temperate cyclones benefits these crops.

5. Green Revolution

• Green revolution success in Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Rajasthan contributed to rabi crop growth.

Kharif Crops in India

1. Monsoon Sowing

• Planted with the arrival of monsoon.
• Harvested in September-October.

2. Key Kharif Crops

• Paddy, maize, jowar, bajra, tur, moong, urad, cotton, jute, groundnut, and soyabean.

3. Rice-Growing Regions

Major rice-growing regions: 

• Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra (Konkan coast), Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.

Paddy cultivation is also increasing in Punjab and Haryana.

4. Multiple Paddy Crops:

• Some states like Assam, West Bengal, and Odisha grow three paddy crops in a year: Aus, Aman, and Boro.

Zaid Season in India

1. Summer Farming

• Between rabi and kharif seasons.

2. Zaid Crops

• Crops like watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber, vegetables, and fodder are grown during this short season.

3. Sugarcane Growth

Sugarcane, on the other hand, takes nearly a year to mature.

Major Crops

Crop Diversity in India

1. Varied Crops

- Diverse crops grown based on soil, climate, and practices.

2. Major Crops

- Rice, wheat, millets, pulses, tea, coffee, sugarcane, oilseeds, cotton, and jute.

1. Staple Food

- Staple food for many in India.

- Second-largest rice producer globally, after China.

2. Kharif Crop

- Grown in the kharif season.

- Requires: 

• high temperature (above 25°C), 
• high humidity, and 
• annual rainfall above 100 cm.

- In areas with less rainfall, irrigation is used for cultivation.

3. Geographic Regions

- Grown in northern and northeastern plains, coastal areas, and deltas.

4. Irrigation Advancements

- Canal networks and tubewells enable rice cultivation in regions with lower rainfall.

- Examples: Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Rajasthan.

Wheat Cultivation in India

1. Second Most Important Cereal

- Wheat is the second most crucial cereal crop in India.

2. Mainly in North

- Main food crop in the northern and northwestern regions.

3. Rabi Crop

- Grown in the rabi season, needing a cool growing period and ample sunshine during ripening.

4. Rainfall Requirement

- Requires 50 to 75 cm of evenly-distributed annual rainfall.

5. Key Growing Zones

- Two major wheat-growing zones: 

• Ganga-Satluj plains in the northwest and 
• the Deccan black soil region.

6. Major Wheat States

• Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan.

Millets in India

1. Important Millets

- Jowar, bajra, and ragi are significant millets in India.

2. Nutritional Value

- Despite being coarse grains, millets are highly nutritious.

- Ex: ragi is rich in iron, calcium, micro nutrients, and roughage.

3. Jowar's Significance

- Jowar is the third most important food crop in terms of area and production.

4. Rain-fed Crop

- Primarily a rain-fed crop, requiring little irrigation.

5. Major Jowar Producers

• Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.

Bajra Cultivation

1. Bajra Suitability

- on sandy and shallow black soils.

2. Major Bajra Producers

- Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Haryana .

Ragi Cultivation:

1. Ragi Preference

- Ragi prefers dry regions and various soil types: red, black, sandy, loamy, and shallow black soils.

2. Major Ragi Producers

- Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Jharkhand, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Maize Cultivation in India

1. Dual Purpose Crop

- Maize serves as both food and fodder.

2. Kharif Crop

- Grown in the kharif season.

- Requires 21°C to 27°C temperature.

- Thrives in old alluvial soil.

3. Rabi Season in Bihar

- In some places like Bihar, maize is also grown in the rabi season.

4. Modern Inputs Boost

• Use of HYV seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation boosts maize production.

5. Major Maize States

• Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.

Pulse Crops in India

1. Largest Producer and Consumer

- India leads in pulse production and consumption globally.

- Key protein source for vegetarians.

2. Major Pulses

• tur (arhar), urad, moong, masur, peas, and gram.

3. Kharif and Rabi Seasons

- Pulses grown in both kharif and rabi seasons.

- Some pulses thrive in rainy kharif, while others prefer cooler rabi conditions.

• Pulses need less moisture and 
• survive even in dry conditions

4. Soil Fertility (leguminous crops)

- Pulses, except arhar, help restore soil fertility by fixing nitrogen from the air.

- Often grown in rotation with other crops.

5. Leading Pulse States

- Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka.

Sugarcane in India

1. Climate and Rainfall

• tropical as well as a subtropical crop

- Thrives in hot, humid conditions (21°C to 27°C).

- Requires 75cm to 100cm annual rainfall.

- Irrigation used in low rainfall areas.

2. Versatile Soil

- Can grow in various soil types.

3. Labor-Intensive

- Requires manual labor from planting to harvest.

4. India's Rank

- India is the world's second-largest sugarcane producer, after Brazil.

5. Sugar and More

- Main source of sugar, gur (jaggery), khandsari, and molasses.

6. Leading States

- Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Punjab, and Haryana.

Oil Seeds in India

1. Global Production

• Second-largest groundnut producer (2018) after China,
• third-largest in rapeseed in 2018 (after Canada and China)

2. Significant Cropped Area

- Oilseeds cover around 12% of India's total cropped area.

3. Key Oil Seeds

- Groundnut, mustard, coconut, sesamum (til), soybean, castor seeds, cotton seeds, linseed, and sunflower.

4. Versatile Use

- Many are edible and used for cooking.

- Some serve as raw materials in soap, cosmetics, and ointments production.

Oil Seeds by Seasons

1. Groundnut (Kharif)

- constitute half of major oilseed production.

- Leading producers in 2019–20: Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu.

2. Linseed and Mustard (Rabi)

- Linseed and mustard are rabi oilseed crops.

3. Sesamum (Sesame)

- Kharif in the north, 

- rabi in the south.

4. Castor Seed

- Grown as both rabi and kharif crop.

Tea Cultivation in India

Plantation Agriculture: Tea cultivation is an example of plantation agriculture.

Introduction by the British: Initially introduced in India by the British, tea has become a vital beverage crop.

Indian Ownership: Most tea plantations in India are now owned by Indians.

Ideal Growth Conditions:

Climate: Tea thrives in tropical and sub-tropical climates with a warm, moist, frost-free year-round climate.

Soil: Deep and fertile, well-drained soil rich in humus and organic matter is ideal for tea growth.

Rainfall: Frequent + throughout the year 

Labor-Intensive Industry

Skilled Labor: The tea industry relies on abundant, cheap, and skilled labor for cultivation and processing.

Major Tea-Producing States in India

Assam: Known for its robust tea.

Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri (West Bengal): Famous for high-quality Darjeeling tea.

Tamil Nadu: Nilgiri tea region.

Kerala: Known for its unique flavors.

Other States: Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh, and Tripura also contribute to tea production.

Global Ranking in 2018: India was the second-largest tea producer in the world, following China.

Coffee

High-Quality Reputation: Indian coffee is renowned globally for its excellent quality.

Arabica Variety: Initially introduced from Yemen, great demand in world market.

In India: Coffee cultivation began on the Baba Budan Hills and remains concentrated in the Nilgiri regions of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu today.

Horticulture in India

Global Ranking: In 2018, India became the world's second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables, trailing only China.

Variety of Fruits: India produces both tropical and temperate fruits, including:

 

Tropical Fruits:

Mangoes: Grown in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

  

Oranges: From Nagpur and Cherrapunjee (Meghalaya).

Bananas: Cultivated in Kerala, Mizoram, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.

 

Lichi and Guava: Thrive in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Pineapples: Grown in Meghalaya.

Grapes: Produced in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra.

 

Temperate Fruits: Apples, pears, apricots, and walnuts come from Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, enjoying global demand.

Vegetable Production: India is a significant producer of various vegetables, 

• Including peas, cauliflower, onions, cabbage, tomatoes, brinjals (eggplants), and potatoes.

Non-Food Crops

Rubber Cultivation:

Climatic Requirements: Rubber is primarily an: 

equatorial crop, 

tropical and 

sub-tropical regions with specific conditions.

  - Requires a moist and humid climate.

  - Rainfall exceeding 200 cm.

  - Temperature above 25°C.

Key Cultivation Regions: 

Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Garo Hills of Meghalaya.

Rubber Products:

  - Tires for vehicles

  - Footwear (shoes, boots, etc.)

Fibre Crops in India:

• Four major fibre crops cultivated in India.
• Cotton, jute, hemp, and natural silk.

Cotton, Jute, and Hemp:

• Derived from crops grown in the soil.
• Cotton is a key source of cotton fibre.
• Jute provides jute fibre.
• Hemp contributes to hemp fibre production.

Natural Silk:

• Obtained from silkworm cocoons.
• Silkworms are fed on mulberry leaves.
• The process is known as sericulture.

Cotton in India:

• India - original home - cotton plant.
• Vital raw material for the cotton textile industry.

Production Ranking:

• In 2017, India - world's second-largest cotton producer, following China.

Suitable Growing Conditions:

Groes in drier regions with black cotton soil (Deccan plateau).

• Requires high temperatures, 
• light rainfall or irrigation, 
• 210 frost-free days, and 
• bright sun-shine 

Growing Season:

• A kharif crop - maturation period of 6 to 8 months.

Key Producing States:

Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

Mnemonics: “MGM KAT Punjab HUT.”

Jute - The Golden Fibre:

Required: 

• well-drained fertile soils in flood plains.
• high temperatures 

Major Jute Producing States:

West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha, and Meghalaya 

Mnemonics: MBA-WO

Use:

In making gunny bags, mats, ropes, yarn, carpets, and various artefacts.

Market Challenges:

• Competition from synthetic fibres and packing materials, especially nylon, 
• due to higher production costs.

Technological and Institutional Reforms

Agricultural Development in India:

Long History of Agriculture:

• Spanning thousands of years.

Challenges in Agriculture:

• Traditional farming methods without modern changes have slowed agricultural progress.
• Reliance on Monsoon and natural soil fertility.
• Growing Population Challenge

Need for Reforms:

• Agriculture employs over 60% of the population, requiring technical and institutional reforms.

Post-Independence Efforts:

India prioritized reforms like: 

• collectivization, 
• land consolidation, 
• cooperation, and 
• abolishing zamindari (landlords).

Focus on Land Reforms:

The First Five Year Plan emphasized "land reform" to address issues like land fragmentation due to inheritance.

Problems:

Land reform laws were passed, 

• but their implementation was weak.

1960s and 1970s Government Initiatives:

• Green Revolution
• the White Revolution (Operation Flood) 

Problem:

• Regional Concentration
• benefit only a few specific areas.

1980s and 1990s Comprehensive Approach:

Addressing both: 

• Institutional and 
• Technical aspects of agriculture.
• Crop insurance against drought, flood, cyclone, fire and disease, 
• Establishment of Grameen banks, cooperative societies and banks - loan facilities - farmers at lower rates 
• Kissan Credit Card (KCC), 
• Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (PAIS) 
• Special weather bulletins and 
• Agricultural programmes -on the radio and television. 

To check the exploitation of farmers by speculators and middlemen.

• Minimum support price, 
• Remunerative and procurement prices 

Bhoodan – Gramdan

Spiritual Heir of Gandhi:

   - Mahatma Gandhi declared Vinoba Bhave his spiritual heir.

Role in Satyagraha:

Vinoba Bhave - participated in Satyagraha movements.

Advocate of Gram Swarajya:

He supported Gandhi's concept of Gram Swarajya (self-sustained villages).

Padyatra After Gandhi's Death

Undertook padyatra to spread Gandhi's message nationwide after Gandhiji's assassination.

The Bhoodan Initiative:

At Pochampalli, Andhra Pradesh, he promised land: 

• To landless villagers if they adopted cooperative farming. (talk to the Government of India)

Shri Ram Chandra Reddy donated 80 acres of land for 80 landless villagers, known as 'Bhoodan.'

Introduction of Gramdan:

Where - zamindars offered to donate entire villages to landless people.

Land Redistribution:

Many landowners, fearing land ceiling Acts, provided part of their land to poor farmers.

Blood-less Revolution:

• Due to its non-violent nature.

NCERT Exercise Answers:

1. Multiple choice questions.

(i) Which one of the following describes a system of agriculture where a single crop is grown on a large area?

(a) Shifting Agriculture 

(b) Plantation Agriculture

(c) Horticulture

(d) Intensive Agriculture

(ii) Which one of the following is a rabi crop? 

(a) Rice

(b) Gram 

(c) Millets 

(d) Cotton

(iii) Which one of the following is a leguminous crop? 

(a) Pulses

(b) Jawar

(c) Millets

(d) Sesamum

2. Answer the following questions in 30 words.

(i) Name one important beverage crop and specify the geographical conditions

required for its growth.

(ii) Name one staple crop of India and the regions where it is produced.

(iii) Enlist the various institutional reform programmes introduced by the government in the interest of farmers.

3. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.

(i) Suggest the initiative taken by the government to ensure the increase in

agricultural production.

(ii) Describe the geographical conditions required for the growth of rice.