Land Resources and Agriculture (Geography Class 12th CBSE)

Important Question based on PYQs

Question 1.

Mention any five major characteristics of agriculture in India.

Five major characteristics of agriculture in India -

1. Diverse range of crops due to its varied agro-climatic zones, such as rice, wheat, pulses, sugarcane, and oilseeds.

2. Predominance of Subsistence Farming - where farmers primarily grow crops for personal consumption rather than for sale in the market.

3. Dependence on Monsoons: A large percentage of the country's arable land relies on rainfall for irrigation.

4. Land Fragmentation: The average landholding size in India is relatively small, leading to land fragmentation.

5. Role of Livestock - Cattle are used for plowing fields, and dairy farming is an essential component, providing livelihoods for many rural households.

Question 2.

Describe Rainfed or Barani farming.

Rainfed farming is classified on the basis of adequacy of soil moisture during cropping season into following two categories:

1. Dry farming

1. Largely confined to the region, it received less than 75 cm of rainfall.

2. These region grows hard and drought resistant crop - ragi, bajara, moong, gram and guar.

2. Wetland farming 

1. Crop required excess of soil moisture grown under wetland farming.

2. Water intensive crop such as - rice, jute and sugarcane.

Question 3.

How cropping intensity is measured in India?

Cropping intensity is the proportion of gross cropped area and net sown area.

Cropping Intensity (%) = Gross cropped area/ Net cropped area × 100

Question 4.

Explain the production and distribution of cotton in India?

Production and distribution of cotton in India - 

1. India ranks second after China in Cotton producing states in India.

2. It cultivated in above 5% part of the total cropped area.

3. There are four types of cotton are cultivated in India -

1. Superior long Staple - Gujarat Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka

2. Long Staple - Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh 

3. Superior medium Staple - Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, UP, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu 

4. Medium Staple - Gujarat and Rajasthan 

4. Cotton is the primary raw material in cotton textile industries.

Question 5.

Describe the favorable geographical condition for cultivation of cotton.

Necessary geographical conditions for cultivation of cotton are -

1. Cotton is a tropical crop grown in kharif season in semi arid areas of the country.

2. Bright sunlight and temperature between 29°C to 30°C required for cultivation of cotton.

3. Annual rainfall between 50 to 75 cm is suitable for cotton cultivation.

4. Black lava soil and Alluvial soil are better suitable for cotton cultivation.

5. It is a labor intensive crop, requiring cheap labor especially for women.

Question 6.

Describe the favorable geographic conditions for the cultivation of tea.

Necessary geographical conditions for cultivation of tea are -

1. Tea is an evergreen bushy plant that needs a hot and humid climate to grow.

2. Tea is a tropical crop that grows in temperature from 20°C to 30°C.

3. It grows only on hilly slopes to protect them from frost, mist and stagnant water.

4. Increased amount of rainfall between 150 cm to 200 cm is required for the cultivation.

5. It is largely produced in mountain slopes with soil containing - potash, iron and humus.

6. India is the second largest tea producing country in the world after China. 

Question 7.

Describe the geographical condition favorable for jute cultivation.

Necessary geographical conditions for cultivation of jute are -

1. Jute is a tropical plant that needs a hot and humid climate.

2. Temperature varying from 25°C to 35°C is required for jute plantation.

3. 200 cm of constant rainfall is required.

4. Fertile alluvial soil is best suitable for jute cultivation.

Question 8.

Describe the geographical condition favorable for sugarcane cultivation.

Necessary geographical conditions for cultivation of sugarcane are -

1. Sugarcane is a crop of sub humid and humid climates.

2. Temperature between 22°C to 27°C required for better result.

3. Cold and frost is harmful for this crop.

4. Continuous and light rainfall between 150 cm to 200 cm is required.

5. Fertile alluvial and black lava soil is best suitable for sugarcane cultivation.

6. Abundant cheap labor is required for sowing, weeding and hoeing, cutting and shelling etc.

Question 9. 

Explain the production and cultivation of wheat in India.

Production and cultivation of wheat in India- 

1. India ranks second after China in wheat producing nations in the world.

2. Cultivation of wheat is done during winter, i.e. rabi season.

3. Cultivation of wheat is primarily done in area having better irrigation facilities.

4. UP, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar are major six wheat producing states in India (91%).

Question 10. 

Describe the production and distribution of paddy (rice) in India.

Production and distribution of rice in India -

1. Rice contributes 39.6% in total food production in India.

2. India ranks second in rice production in the world after China.

3. Rice is primarily produced in humid and tropical humid regions.

4. Cultivation of Rice is done in the Kharif season. 

5. At present, a high yielding variety of rice is primarily cultivated in India.

Question 11.

Describe the geographical condition favorable for rice cultivation.

Necessary geographical conditions for cultivation of Rice -

1. Rice is primarily produced in humid and tropical humid regions.

2. Monsoon rainfall (125 cm) is essential for cultivation of Rice.

3. Rice cannot be cultivated in the region with temperature less than 20°C.

4. Rich alluvial soil with abundance in clay and alluvial is excellent for rice cultivation.

5. Well leveled fields are required for the stagnation of rain water.

Question 12.

What do you understand about 

1. Barren and wasteland

2. Culturable wasteland

3. Current fallow land 

4. Net sown area 

1. Barrain hilly terrain, desert land, ravines etc which normally cannot be brought under cultivation with available technology is known as Barren and wasteland.

2. Any land which is left fallow (uncultivated) for more than 5 years is called a culturable wasteland. 

3. Land which is left without cultivation for one or less than one agricultural year is known as current fallow land.

4. The physical extent of land in which crops are sown and harvested is known as net sown area.

Question 13.

What is meant by the green revolution? Explain two major achievements of the green revolution in context of various crops.

The Green Revolution refers to the introduction of high-yielding crop varieties, modern farming techniques, and increased use of fertilizers and pesticides to boost food production.

Achievements of green revolution -

1. Significant growth is recorded in per hectare production of wheat and rice in the country.

2. India holds first position in the production of pulses, tea, jute and milk.

3. Second position in production of rice, wheat, groundnut, sugarcane and vegetables.

Question 14.

Explain any five problems of irrigation in India.

Problems of irrigation in India are -

1. 2/3rd of total cultivated area directly depends on the monsoon.

2. Per hectare output of most agricultural crops is much lower than developed nations.

3. Due to lack of capital, marginal and small farmers remain incapable of making required investment in agriculture.

4. Small farm size and fragmentation of land holdings. 60% of land ownership of Indian farmers is less than 1 hectare.

5. Massive underemployment is found in agriculture sector in India.

Question 15.

Describe the factors influencing agricultural development.

Factor influencing agricultural development -

1. Temperature: Optimal temperature supports crop growth and influences plant metabolism.

2. Rainfall: Adequate water supply is crucial for crops, affecting yields and overall agricultural productivity.

3. Soil: Soil composition impacts nutrient availability, water retention, and crop suitability.

4. Population: Population size influences demand for agricultural products, affecting production and market dynamics.

5. Government Policies: Regulations, subsidies, and support programs impact farming practices, technology adoption, and market stability.