Agriculture | Long Answer type Questions | Class 10th

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1. Explain the importance of agriculture in the Indian economy.

Answer: Agriculture plays a vital role in the Indian economy in the following ways:

1. Source of livelihood: A large section of India’s population depends on agriculture for employment and income.
2. Contribution to national income: Agriculture contributes significantly to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by producing crops, livestock and allied products.
3. Food security: It provides food grains and other essential items needed to feed the growing population.
4. Raw material for industries: Many industries such as cotton textiles, sugar, jute and food processing depend on agricultural raw materials.
5. Support to trade: India exports agricultural products such as rice, tea, coffee, spices and cotton to other countries. When these goods are sold in international markets, India receives foreign currency. This foreign exchange is used to buy imports and helps in strengthening country's trade and economy.

Q.2 Explain any five factors that influence agriculture in India.

Answer: Agriculture in India is influenced by several physical and human factors:

1. Relief: Plains and gently sloping lands are suitable for farming, while mountainous regions limit cultivation.
2. Soil: Soil affects agriculture because crops need fertile soil to grow well. Fertile soils like alluvial and black soil contain nutrients and hold moisture, which support high crop yields.
3. Climate: Temperature, rainfall and length of the growing season affect crop growth. Different crops need different climatic conditions, so climate decides which crops can be grown in an area.
4. Irrigation facilities: Availability of water through canals, wells and tube wells increases agricultural production. It allows farmers to grow crops regularly, even in areas with low rainfall.
5. Technology and inputs: Use of modern machinery, fertilizers and improved seeds boosts productivity and helps farmers grow more crops in less time and with less labour.

Q.3 What are the Technological and Institutional reforms introduced in Indian agriculture ?

Answer: Technological and institutional reforms have improved Indian agriculture in many ways.

Technological reforms:

• Farmers started using HYV seeds and better quality seeds to increase crop production.
• Irrigation facilities expanded through canals, wells and tube wells, which ensured regular water supply.
• Farmers began using chemical fertilisers and pesticides to improve soil productivity and protect crops.
• Modern machines like tractors, harvesters and threshers were adopted to save time and reduce labour.

Institutional reforms:

• The government introduced land reforms, such as abolition of zamindari and consolidation of holdings, to make farming more fair.
• Farmers were provided institutional credit through banks and cooperatives to reduce dependence on moneylenders.
• The government announced Minimum Support Price (MSP) and procured crops to protect farmers from low market prices.
• Crop insurance and regulated markets were promoted to reduce risk and help farmers sell produce at better prices.

Note: Technological reforms means changes in methods and tools of farming and Institutional reforms means changes in policies and support systems.

Q.4 What is the importance of growing pulses in our country? why are they grown as a rotation crop ? Name two major states growing pulses in India.

Answer: Pulses are important because they are a cheap and rich source of protein, especially for people who eat less meat and eggs. They also improve food security and provide fodder and fuel in many rural areas.

Pulses are grown as rotation crops because they help maintain soil fertility. The roots of pulse plants have bacteria that fix nitrogen in the soil, which reduces the need for chemical fertilisers. Rotation with pulses also breaks pest and disease cycles and improves yield of the next crop.

Two major pulse-growing states in India are Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Q.5 Explain the challenges faced by farmers in India these days.

Answer: Farmers in India face many challenges today.

i) Dependence on Monsoon: Many farmers still depend on monsoon rains for irrigation. When rainfall is late, less, or uneven, crops do not get enough water, which can reduce yield or even destroy the crop. This makes farming uncertain and increases the risk of loss for farmers.

ii) Excessive use of chemical fertilisers: Many farmers shifted to chemical fertilisers over time, but excessive use is now reducing soil fertility. Although manure is encouraged, many farmers still depend mainly on chemicals. This lowers yield and forces farmers to spend more on inputs.

iii) High cost of inputs: The prices of seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, diesel and farm machinery have increased. This makes farming expensive and reduces farmers’ profit, especially when crop prices do not rise at the same rate.

iv) Marketing, storage and transport problems: Many farmers do not have proper storage facilities and good transport. So, they are forced to sell their crops quickly, often at low prices. Middlemen also take advantage, and farmers may not get a fair price for their produce.

v) Lack of proper credit: Many farmers do not get timely and affordable loans from banks. Although the Kisan Credit Card facility exists, not all farmers are able to access it or get its full benefits. As a result, some farmers borrow from moneylenders at high interest, which increases debt and reduces their income.