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Q1. Why must new crop varieties give high yields under different conditions?
New crop varieties must give high yields under different conditions for acceptance by farmers. Farmers are more likely to adopt new varieties if they perform well consistently across various environmental conditions (different soils, climates, and rainfall patterns). High and stable yields ensure economic viability and food security.
Q2. How many stages are involved in farming practices?
There are three main stages involved in farming practices: (1) choice of seeds and sowing, (2) nurturing of crop plants (including irrigation, weeding, and fertilisation), and (3) protection of crops from pests, diseases, and weeds, followed by harvesting and storage. These stages cover the entire crop production cycle.
Q3. Integrated farming combines agriculture with which activities?
Integrated farming combines agriculture with livestock, poultry, fisheries, and bee-keeping. This approach maximizes resource utilization and provides multiple sources of income. For example, crop residues can be used as animal feed, and animal manure can be used as fertilizer, creating a sustainable farming system.
Q4. Food grain production increased how many times from 1952 to 2010?
Food grain production increased about four times from 1952 to 2010. This was achieved through the Green Revolution, which introduced high-yielding varieties, better irrigation, and increased use of fertilizers and pesticides. India transformed from being a food-deficient country to a food-surplus nation.
Q5. The main question raised in the text is about increasing yields of what?
The main question raised in the text is about increasing yields of crops and livestock. This includes improving the productivity of both plant-based agriculture (cereals, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits) and animal husbandry (milk, meat, eggs) to meet the growing demands of India’s population.
Q6. Kharif crops are grown during which months?
Kharif crops are grown during the rainy season, from June to October. These crops are sown at the onset of the monsoon and harvested at the end of the monsoon season. Examples of kharif crops include paddy (rice), maize, soybean, groundnut, and cotton.
Q7. Which of the following is an oil seed?
Soybean is an oil seed. Oil seeds are crops grown primarily for their oil content. Other examples include groundnut, mustard, sunflower, and sesame. Soybean is also a rich source of protein and is used in various food products. Pea is a pulse, while rice and wheat are cereals.
Q8. Which of the following is a rabi crop?
Wheat is a rabi crop. Rabi crops are grown during the winter season, from November to April. They are sown after the monsoon and harvested in spring. Other examples of rabi crops include gram (chickpea), mustard, peas, and barley. Soybean, maize, and cotton are kharif crops.
Q9. Most of India’s population depends on which sector for livelihood?
Most of India’s population (about 60-70%) depends on agriculture for their livelihood. Agriculture is the primary source of income for a large portion of the rural population. It includes crop cultivation, animal husbandry, fishing, and forestry. This sector plays a crucial role in India’s economy.
Q10. Pulses are rich in which nutrient?
Pulses are rich in proteins. They are an excellent source of plant-based protein and are an important part of the Indian diet, especially for vegetarians. Examples include gram (chana), arhar (pigeon pea), moong (green gram), and urad (black gram). Pulses also provide dietary fibre and minerals.
Q11. The white revolution is associated with increased availability of what?
The white revolution is associated with increased availability of milk. It was led by Dr. Verghese Kurien and resulted in India becoming the largest milk producer in the world. The revolution was based on the cooperative model (Amul) and involved improved dairy practices, animal breeding, and better veterinary care.
Q12. Interspecific hybridisation occurs between which organisms?
Interspecific hybridisation occurs between different species of the same genus. For example, crossing two different species of wheat or rice. This is done to combine desirable traits like disease resistance, high yield, or better quality from different species into a single variety.
Q13. Crop variety improvement mainly depends on what?
Crop variety improvement mainly depends on finding high-yielding varieties. Scientists search for or develop varieties that produce more grains, are resistant to diseases, respond well to fertilizers, and adapt to different environmental conditions. This is the foundation of crop improvement programs.
Q14. Which revolution increased food-grain production?
The Green Revolution increased food-grain production. It involved the introduction of high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice, better irrigation facilities, and increased use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. This revolution transformed India from a food-deficient country to a self-sufficient one in food production.
Q15. Rabi crops are grown during which season?
Rabi crops are grown during the winter season, from November to April. They are sown in autumn and harvested in spring. These crops require cooler temperatures and are less dependent on monsoon rainfall. Examples include wheat, gram, mustard, and peas.
Q16. What is the first stage of farming?
The first stage of farming is the choice of seeds. Farmers select the best quality seeds that are suitable for their soil and climate conditions. Good quality seeds ensure better germination, higher yields, and resistance to pests and diseases. This is a crucial decision that determines the success of the entire crop.
Q17. Vegetables and fruits mainly provide which nutrients?
Vegetables and fruits mainly provide vitamins and minerals. They are essential for maintaining good health, boosting immunity, and preventing diseases. They also provide dietary fibre and antioxidants. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is recommended for a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
Q18. Intergeneric hybridisation occurs between what?
Intergeneric hybridisation occurs between different genera (different genera of plants or animals). This is a more distant cross than interspecific hybridisation. It is done to transfer desirable traits from one genus to another, but it is often more difficult and may result in infertile offspring.
Q19. What are the major sources of food for humans?
The major sources of food for humans are both plants and animals. Plants provide cereals, pulses, vegetables, fruits, oils, and spices. Animals provide milk, meat, eggs, and fish. A balanced diet requires a combination of both plant-based and animal-based foods.
Q20. The third stage of farming involves protection from what?
The third stage of farming involves protection from loss. This includes protecting crops from pests, diseases, weeds, and adverse weather conditions. Loss can occur during growth, harvesting, storage, and transportation. Farmers use various methods like pesticides, proper storage, and timely harvesting to minimize losses.
Q21. Oil seeds mainly provide which nutrient?
Oil seeds mainly provide fats (lipids). They are a rich source of vegetable oils, which are essential for cooking and as a source of energy. Examples of oil seeds include groundnut, mustard, soybean, sunflower, and sesame. These seeds are processed to extract oil for consumption and industrial uses.
Q22. Which of the following is a pulse?
Gram (chana) is a pulse. Pulses are edible seeds of leguminous plants and are rich in proteins. Other examples of pulses include arhar (pigeon pea), moong (green gram), urad (black gram), and masoor (red lentil). Maize and rice are cereals, and sunflower is an oil seed.
Q23. Which of the following is a cereal crop?
Wheat is a cereal crop. Cereals are grasses cultivated for their edible grains and are the primary source of carbohydrates in the human diet. Examples of cereals include wheat, rice, maize, barley, and sorghum. Lentil and gram are pulses, and mustard is an oil seed.
Q24. Which of the following is NOT a group of activities for improving crop yields?
Crop export management is NOT a group of activities for improving crop yields. The three main groups of activities for improving crop yields are crop variety improvement (developing better varieties), crop production improvement (better farming practices), and crop protection management (protecting crops from pests and diseases). Export management is related to marketing and trade, not yield improvement.
Q25. Why do all living organisms need food?
All living organisms need food for body development, growth, and health. Food provides the essential nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals) that are required for energy, building body tissues, repairing cells, and maintaining overall health. Without food, organisms cannot survive.
Q26. Cultivable land increased by what percentage during this period?
Cultivable land increased by about 25% during this period. This increase was due to bringing more land under cultivation through land reclamation, irrigation, and clearing of forests. However, since cultivable land cannot be increased indefinitely, the focus must be on increasing productivity per unit of land.
Q27. What is the population of India mentioned as in the text?
The population of India mentioned in the text is more than one billion. India is one of the most populous countries in the world, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion. This large population creates immense pressure on food production and resources, making agricultural improvement essential.
Q28. How much grain will India soon need every year?
India will soon need more than a quarter of a billion tonnes (over 250 million tonnes) of grain every year. This is due to the growing population and increasing food demand. Meeting this requirement will require significant improvements in agricultural productivity and efficiency.
Q29. Why cannot increased grain production alone solve malnutrition?
Increased grain production alone cannot solve malnutrition because people need money to purchase food. Even if food is available, many people cannot afford to buy it due to poverty and lack of income. Malnutrition is not just about food availability—it is also about food affordability and accessibility.
Q30. Intervarietal hybridisation occurs between what?
Intervarietal hybridisation occurs between different varieties of the same species. For example, crossing two different varieties of wheat or rice. This is the most common type of hybridisation used in crop improvement to combine desirable traits like high yield, disease resistance, and better quality.
Q31. Most of our food is obtained from which two practices?
Most of our food is obtained from agriculture (crop cultivation) and animal husbandry (rearing of animals). Agriculture provides cereals, pulses, vegetables, fruits, and oilseeds. Animal husbandry provides milk, meat, eggs, and fish. Together, these two practices form the backbone of our food supply.
Q32. Which of the following nutrients are supplied by food?
Food supplies proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. These are the essential nutrients required by the body for growth, energy, repair, and overall health. A balanced diet must contain all these nutrients in the right proportions to maintain good health.
Q33. What must farmers be provided with for new varieties?
Farmers must be provided with quality seeds for new varieties. Good quality seeds ensure better germination, higher yields, and resistance to pests and diseases. The success of new crop varieties depends on the availability of high-quality seeds to farmers. Quality seeds are the foundation of crop improvement.
Q34. From cereals, pulses, fruits and vegetables we get what overall benefit?
From cereals, pulses, fruits, and vegetables, we get balanced nutrients for health. Cereals provide carbohydrates, pulses provide proteins, and fruits and vegetables provide vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Together, they form a balanced diet that supports growth, energy, and overall well-being.
Q35. What type of practices are needed to protect the environment?
Sustainable practices are needed to protect the environment. These practices ensure that agricultural activities do not harm the environment and can be continued indefinitely. Sustainable practices include crop rotation, organic farming, integrated pest management, and conservation of water and soil.
Q36. What is necessary since cultivable land cannot be increased?
Since cultivable land cannot be increased, it is necessary to increase production efficiency. This means producing more food from the same amount of land through better farming practices, improved varieties, better irrigation, and efficient use of fertilizers and pesticides. This is the key to meeting future food demands.
Q37. What is a major concern of intensive use of natural resources?
A major concern of intensive use of natural resources is environmental damage. Excessive use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and water can lead to soil degradation, water pollution, loss of biodiversity, and other environmental problems. Sustainable agriculture practices are needed to minimize these impacts.
Q38. Why cannot India increase food production by farming on more land?
India cannot increase food production significantly by farming on more land because India is already intensively cultivated. Almost all available cultivable land is already being used. The only way to increase food production is by increasing productivity per unit of land (yield improvement).
Q39. Fodder crops are grown mainly for what purpose?
Fodder crops are grown mainly for livestock feed. These crops are used to feed cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and other animals. Examples of fodder crops include berseem, lucerne, and maize (grown for silage). Fodder crops are essential for maintaining healthy and productive livestock.
Q40. The second stage of farming is related to what?
The second stage of farming is related to the nurturing of crop plants. This includes activities like irrigation, weeding, fertilisation, and protection from pests and diseases. Proper nurturing ensures healthy growth and higher yields. This stage is crucial for the success of the crop.
Q41. Why is it necessary to improve production from agriculture and animal husbandry?
It is necessary to improve production from agriculture and animal husbandry to meet the needs of a growing population. India’s population is increasing rapidly, and more food is required to feed everyone. Improving production ensures food security and reduces the risk of hunger and malnutrition.
Q42. What does hybridisation mean?
Hybridisation means crossing genetically dissimilar plants (or animals). This is done to combine desirable traits from different parents into a single offspring. Hybridisation can occur between different varieties (intervarietal), different species (interspecific), or different genera (intergeneric).
Q43. Introducing a gene for a desired character results in what?
Introducing a gene for a desired character results in genetically modified crops (GM crops). This is done through genetic engineering, where a specific gene is transferred from one organism to another to introduce a desired trait like pest resistance, herbicide tolerance, or improved nutritional content. Bt cotton is a common example of a GM crop.
Q44. Increasing incomes of agricultural workers helps to combat what problem?
Increasing incomes of agricultural workers helps to combat hunger. When farmers and agricultural workers earn more, they can afford to buy food, improving their nutritional status and overall well-being. Higher incomes also enable them to invest in better farming practices, leading to increased productivity and food security.
Q45. Which of the following is a kharif crop?
Paddy (rice) is a kharif crop. Kharif crops are grown during the rainy season (June to October). Other examples of kharif crops include maize, soybean, groundnut, and cotton. Mustard, wheat, and linseed are rabi crops grown during the winter season.
Q46. Food security depends on which two factors?
Food security depends on two main factors: availability and access. Availability means that enough food is produced or imported. Access means that people have the economic means to obtain food (purchasing power). Even if food is available, people can suffer from hunger if they cannot afford to buy it.
Q47. Crop varieties are selected for which characteristic?
Crop varieties are selected for high yield, disease resistance, and response to fertilizers. These are the key traits that determine the success of a crop variety. Varieties that combine all these characteristics are considered ideal for improving agricultural productivity and ensuring food security.
Q48. Which practices help in sustained livelihood?
Mixed farming and intercropping help in sustained livelihood. Mixed farming combines crop cultivation with animal husbandry, providing multiple sources of income. Intercropping involves growing different crops on the same land, which reduces risk and improves soil health. These practices are sustainable and help farmers maintain their livelihoods.
Q49. Which of the following is a fodder crop?
Berseem is a fodder crop. It is grown as a green fodder for livestock, especially cattle and buffalo. Berseem is rich in protein and is highly palatable to animals. Gram is a pulse, and rice and wheat are cereals. Fodder crops are essential for livestock nutrition.
Q50. Cereals mainly provide which nutrient?
Cereals mainly provide carbohydrates. They are the primary source of energy in the human diet. Examples of cereals include wheat, rice, maize, barley, and sorghum. While cereals also contain some proteins, vitamins, and minerals, their main nutritional contribution is carbohydrates (starch).