Chapter 4 - Agriculture
Two-thirds of India's population is engaged in agriculture. Agriculture is a major activity that produces most of the food ingredients for various industries. In Vidyakul CBSE Notes Class 10 Geography Chapter 4 – Agriculture you will learn about different types of agriculture, cultivation patterns, and major crops grown in India. Ultimately, we see how much agriculture contributes to the national economy, employment, and production. You can also download these notes as PDFs for offline reading.
Types of Agriculture
Cultivation methods depend on the characteristics of the physical environment, technical know-how, and sociocultural practices. Agriculture varies from subsistence farming to commercial farming and the following farming systems are practiced in different parts of India.
Primitive subsistence farming
Slash-and-burn farming. Farmers clear land to produce grains and other food crops. As the soil becomes less fertile, farmers move and clear new land for cultivation. Known by different names in different parts of the country. In the northeastern states, it is known as jamming.
- This type of farming makes the land less productive.
- This type of agriculture is monsoon dependent.
- This agriculture is practiced in parts of India.
Intensive Subsistence Agriculture
This type of agriculture is practiced in areas of high rural population pressure. This is labor-intensive agriculture, using large amounts of biochemical inputs and irrigation to increase productivity.
Commercial Agriculture
This type of agriculture makes extensive use of modern inputs such as high-yielding seeds (HYV), chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and pesticides to increase productivity.
A plantation is a form of commercial agriculture in which a single crop is grown over a large area. Plantations cover vast tracts of land with capital-intensive inputs and the help of migrant workers. All products are used as raw materials in the industry.
Examples: tea, coffee, gum, sugar cane, and bananas.
Cropping Pattern
India has three cropping seasons:
- Rabi
- Kharif
- Zaid
Rabi | Kharif | Zaid | |
Sowing Season | Winter from October to December | Beginning of the rainy season between April and May | In between the Rabi and the Kharif seasons, there is a short season during the summer months known as the Zaid season (in the months of March to July) |
Harvesting Season | Summer from April to June | September-October | |
Important Crops | Wheat, Barley, Peas, Gram and Mustard. | Paddy, Maize, Jowar, Bajra, Tur (Arhar), Moong, Urad, Cotton, Jute, Groundnut, and Soyabean. | Watermelon, Muskmelon, Cucumber, Vegetables, and Fodder crops |
Major Crops of India
Various edible and non-food crops are grown in different regions of India depending on soil, climate, and farming methods. The main crops grown in India are-
Rice
Requires hot and humid conditions with annual rainfall exceeding 100 cm. India is the second largest rice producer in the world after China. It is grown in the plains, coastal, and delta regions of northern and northeastern India.
Wheat
This is the rabbi's harvest. Requires a cool growing season and bright sunshine to ripen. Requires annual rainfall of 50-75 cm evenly distributed over the vegetation period. The Ganga Sutruji Plain in the northwest and the black soil region of the Deccan are his two major wheat-producing areas in India. It is the second most important cereal crop and a major food crop in northern and northwestern India.
Millet
Jowar, Bajra, and Ragi are the main varieties of millet grown in India. These are known as coarse grains and are very nutritious.
Jowar | Bajra | Ragi |
3rd the most important food crop with respect to area and production. | Grows well on sandy soils and shallow black soil. | It is a crop of dry regions. |
It is a rain-fed crop mostly grown in moist areas. | Grows well on red, black, sandy, loamy, and shallow black soils. | |
Mainly produced in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. | Major producing states are Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Haryana. | Major producing states are Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Jharkhand, and Arunachal Pradesh. |
Corn
Requires temperatures of 21°C to 27°C and grows well in old alluvial soils. Used both as food and fodder. The major maize-producing states are Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
Pulses
India is the world's largest producer and consumer of pulses. Legumes are the most important protein source for vegetarians. The main legumes grown in India are Tul (Arhal), Urad, Mung, Masur, Peas, and Grams. Legumes are usually grown alternately with other crops to re-fertilize the soil.
Important states producing legumes are Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka.
Sugarcane
{Tropical and subtropical plants}
- It thrives in hot and humid climates with temperatures between 21°C and 27°C and annual rainfall between 75cm and 100cm.
- Can be grown in a variety of soils.
- Manual work is required from sowing to harvesting.
- India is the second largest sugar cane producer after Brazil.
Sugar cane is the main source of sugar, Gur (jaggery), Khansari, and molasses. The major sugar cane-producing states are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Punjab, and Haryana.
Oilseeds
About 12% of India's total planted area is planted with various oilseeds. The main oilseeds produced in India are
Peanuts: Halif crop, half of the major oilseeds produced in India. Gujarat is the largest producer of peanuts.
Mustard: Rabbi's crop.
Sesame (till): Caliphate crop of northern India and rabbinic crop of southern India.
Castor Seed: Cultivated as both a rabbi and halif crop.
Flaxseed: Rabbi's crop.
Tea
It is also an important drinking plant introduced to India by the British. Tea plants grow well in tropical and subtropical climates with fertile, well-drained soils rich in humus and organic matter. Tea bushes require a warm, moist, frost-free climate year-round. Tea is a labor-intensive industry. The main tea-producing states are Assam, Darjeeling Hills, Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Coffee
Yemen Coffee is produced in India and this type of coffee is in great demand all over the world. Its cultivation was introduced in the Baba Budan Hills and is restricted to Nilgiri in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Horticultural Crops
India is a producer of tropical and temperate fruits. The main crops grown are peas, cauliflower, onions, cabbage, tomatoes, eggplants, and potatoes. Famous horticultural crops grown in India include
Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Nagpur and Cherrapunji (Meghalaya) West Bengal mangoes, Kerala, Mizoram, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu bananas.
- Lychees and Guavas from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
- Pineapples from Meghalaya
- Grapes from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra
- Apples, pears, apricots, and walnuts from Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh
Non-Food Crops
Rubber | Fibre | Cotton | Jute |
It is an equatorial crop. | Cotton, Jute, Hemp, and Natural Silk are the four major fiber crops. | It is a Kharif crop. | It is known as the golden fiber. |
It requires a moist and humid climate with rainfall of more than 200cm and temperature above 25°C. | Cotton, Jute, and Hemp are grown in the soil. | It requires high temperature, light rainfall, 210 frost-free days, and bright sunshine for its growth. | It grows well on well-drained fertile soils in the flood plains. A high temperature is required for its growth. |
It is an important industrial raw material | Natural Silk is obtained from cocoons of silkworms fed on green leaves | Cotton grows well in the black cotton soil of the Deccan plateau. | It is used in making gunny bags, mats, ropes, yarn, carpets, and other artifacts. |
Mainly grown in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andaman and Nicobar islands, and the Garo hills of Meghalaya. | The rearing of silkworms for the production of silk fiber is known as Sericulture. | Major cotton-producing states are Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. | Major jute producing states are West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha, and Meghalaya. |
Technological and Institutional Reforms
Agriculture provides a livelihood for more than 60% of its population, so this sector needs some serious technical and institutional reforms. The Green Revolution and the White Revolution were some of the reforms initiated by people to improve agriculture.
Some Initiatives taken by the Government are
- Schemes introduced by the Government such as Kissan Credit Card (KCC), and Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (PAIS).
- Special weather bulletins and agricultural programs for farmers on the radio and television were introduced.
- The government also announces minimum support prices, and remunerative and procurement prices for important crops to check the exploitation of farmers by speculators and middlemen.
Agriculture's Contribution to the National Economy, Employment, and Output
In 2010-2011, about 52% of all workers were employed in the agricultural sector.
Agriculture's share of GDP is declining
The Indian Agricultural Research Council (ICAR), Agricultural Colleges, Veterinary Services and Animal Husbandry Centre, Horticultural Development, and Research, and Development in the Fields of Meteorology and Weather Forecasting are some of the initiatives introduced by the Government to improve agriculture in India. Part. .
Frequently asked Questions on CBSE Class 10
Why is Agriculture an important occupation?
Cultivation of crops and breeding of livestock is included in the agriculture occupation. Famers play a crucial role in the development and progress of our country.
Which are the best/most suitable seasons for Agriculture in India?
Each state depends on its own monsoon seasons. Monsoon rains are the important for growth and cultivation of crops.
Which are the major crops grown in India?
Rice, wheat, millet, pulses, tea, and coffee are some of the main crops in India.
