Geography

Q.11.Why is subsistence agriculture practiced in certain parts of the country? Give four reasons.

Ans.

i). Small holdings: Land holdings in India are of very small size. Due to the increasing population the per, hectare availability of land is very low. The landholding is also scattered.
ii). Shortage of inputs: Commercial and extensive agriculture needs lots of inputs, but there is a shortage of inputs like irrigation, seeds, fertilizers and machinery.
iii). Poor farmers: Most of the Indian farmers are very poor. They do not have enough money to purchase various kinds of inputs.
iv). Large families: Most of the farmers have large families, so only a small quantity of output is left to sell in the market.

Q.12.Mention any four steps which have been taken by the Indian government to modernize the Indian agriculture.

Ans.

i). The government has established the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), agricultural universities, animal breeding centres to carry research and development activities in agriculture
ii). The government is also investing in rural infrastructure to link the rural market with the international market.
iii). Kissan Credit Card, Personal and Crop Insurance schemes, etc, have been launched.
iv). A comprehensive land development programme has been launched.

Q.13.Explain any four factors which have hindered the pace of agricultural development in India.

Ans.

i). Overcrowding in agriculture:- The real problem of Indian agriculture is that there are too many people who depend on agriculture. Since 1901, the proportion of people dependent on agriculture has almost remained constant i.e., 70%.
ii). Problem of inputs:- Indian agriculture suffered because of the inadequate of finance, seeds, fertilizers, marketing, transportation, etc.
iii). Size of landholding:- The average size of holding in India is very low, less than 2 hectares. Not only agricultural holding are small, but they are also fragmented. In certain parts of the country, plots of land have become so small that it is impossible to use modern machinery.
iv) . Overdependence on nature:- In spite of the development of sources of irrigation, most of the farmers in large parts of the country still depend upon monsoon and natural fertility in oder to carry on their agriculture.

Q.14.Distinguish between commercial agriculture and subsistence agriculture.

Ans.Commercial agriculture

1. Commercial agriculture is that practice of farming in which crops are grown for trade.
2. This is practiced on small farms.
3. This is capital intensive.
4. Modern technology and implements are used. For example: production of sugarcane in Uttar Pradesh

Subsistence agriculture
1. Subsistence agriculture is the practice of farming in which the farmer and his family raise crop for home consumption.
2. This is practiced on large farms.
3. This is labour intensive.
4. Old technology and old implements are used. For example: the production of wheat in some parts of India.

Q.15.How did the partition of country in 1947 affect the jute industry?

Ans.Partition of the country in 1947 affected the jute industry as the jute growing areas were in East Pakistan (now in Bangladesh) and jute mills were in India. India has to import raw jute from Bangladesh to run the jute mills. There has been gradual decline in the jute industry due to the following reason:

i). Decline in demand for jute products.
ii). Old and outdated machinery.
iii). High cost of production and stiff international competition from Bangladesh and Brazil.
iv). Emergence of synthetic substitutes.
v) .Non-availability of labour.

Q.16.Why was Bhoodan-Gramdan movement called as ‘Bloodless Revolution’?

Ans. As it is non-violent movement.

Q.17.The growth rate in Agriculture is decelerating which is an alarming situation.

Or

What factors are responsible for increasing number of suicides among the Indian farmers?

Ans.

i). Today, Indian farmers are facing a challenge from international competition.
ii). Reduction in public investment in agricultural sector especially irrigation power, rural roads, market, etc.
iii). Subsidy on fertilizers is reduced loading to increase in cost of production.
iv). Reduction in import duties on agricultural products.
v). Withdrawal of farmers in their investments from agriculture resulting in reducing employment in agriculture.
vi). Lack of alternative employment opportunities.
vii). Vagaries of monsoon rainfall change affected the crop productivity.