Long Answers

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Last edited 9 days ago by Learn LoopHQ.

Chapter: 06. Major Crops

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Differentiate between Kharif, Rabi, and Zaid crops, providing examples for each type grown in India.

In India, crops are classified by their growing season. Kharif crops are monsoon or summer crops, grown from July when the rains begin and harvested around November, with examples including rice, maize, and jute. Rabi crops are winter crops, sown in October and November and harvested in February and March, such as wheat, barley, and peas. Zaid crops are short-season crops grown in the period between the Kharif and Rabi seasons, specifically from March to June, and typically include vegetables like bitter gourd and fruits like watermelon.

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Describe the ideal conditions necessary for the growth of rice, including temperature, rainfall, and soil requirements.

Rice, a staple food for over half the world’s population, requires specific conditions to thrive. It grows best in areas where the temperature consistently remains between 20°C to 30°C. A good amount of rainfall, typically about 150-200 ~cm , is essential for its cultivation. For soil, deep fertile clayey and loamy soil that effectively holds water is preferred, with alluvial soil along river banks being particularly suitable.

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Explain why cotton cultivation is suited to India’s black soil, and list some of its important uses.

Cotton is highly suited for cultivation in India’s black soil due to its unique characteristics. This black soil, formed millions of years ago from volcanic ash, possesses a high clay content, which gives it an excellent capacity to retain water, crucial for cotton crops. Beyond its primary use in fine fabric, cotton seeds also have various applications. They are used as animal feed, processed to extract edible oil, and even find utility in pharmaceuticals.

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Discuss the significance of jute as a natural fibre and outline the conditions required for its growth.

Jute is highly significant as the most affordable natural fibre, renowned for its strength, lustre, and uniformity, making it widely demanded globally. It is also known as the ‘golden fibre’ due to its shiny golden color, and it is biodegradable and environmental-friendly, used in products like ropes, carpets, and sacks. As a kharif crop, jute requires a hot and humid climate with temperatures between 24°C to 35°C and high humidity around 80 to 90 percent. Heavy rainfall, exceeding 15 cm, is crucial both during its growing period and at the time of harvesting, and it grows best in alluvial soil found in flood plains and deltas.

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What are plantation crops? Describe the key conditions required for growing tea.

Plantation crops are a specific category of cash crops that are cultivated on a very large scale across extensive agricultural land areas known as plantations. Tea is a prime example of such a crop, requiring very precise environmental conditions for optimal growth. It thrives in a moderately hot and humid climate, with temperatures ideally ranging between 21°C and $31°C. Crucially, tea needs between 150-200 cm of rainfall, but the water must not stagnate, necessitating well-drained soil rich in humus and organic matter, often found on hill slopes. Additionally, ample shade provided by trees within the plantation is essential for the tea bushes.

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Explain the process of rubber production from the tree to its finished form, and state the conditions it needs to grow.

Rubber production begins with extracting latex, the sap of the rubber tree, which is collected in small cups attached to the tree through a process called tapping. A rubber tree typically starts producing sap after six years and can yield about 9 to 10 kilos annually. After collection, the latex is transported to factories where it is purified, dried, and then processed into rubber sheets. These sheets serve as the raw material for manufacturing a wide range of products, including tyres, tubes, and various industrial and household items. Rubber cultivation requires tropical conditions with average temperatures between 20°C and 35°C, heavy annual rainfall of 200-300 cm, and over 75 percent humidity, thriving best on well-drained loamy or laterite soil on hill slopes.

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Describe the origins and main features of the Green Revolution in India.

The Green Revolution in India refers to a spectacular increase in food grain production during the 1960s, driven by an urgent need to address acute food shortages and reduce reliance on imports. Its origins can be traced to new varieties of wheat, maize, and rice developed by scientists in Mexico and the Philippines in the 1940s. In India, Dr. Norman Borlaug introduced these High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds in 1967, particularly for wheat in Punjab and Haryana. Key features included a shift from traditional to modern farming methods, widespread adoption of HYV seeds, significant expansion of irrigation canals, and the growth of industries manufacturing fertilizers and pesticides. This also facilitated multiple cropping opportunities for farmers and improved rural infrastructure like electrification and transportation networks.

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Elaborate on the positive impacts of the Green Revolution on Indian agriculture and the economy.

The Green Revolution brought about a phenomenal increase in India’s food grain production, significantly improving self-sufficiency and reducing reliance on imports, and even creating surplus for export. This boost in agricultural output led to greater prosperity for farmers, especially those with larger landholdings who could invest in the new technologies. The increased production also resulted in a higher per capita availability of food grains despite rapid population growth. Furthermore, the demand for agricultural machinery and chemical inputs spurred industrial growth in related sectors, while the intensified farming practices created numerous new job opportunities, attracting farm workers to areas with better prospects.

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Discuss the major drawbacks or demerits of the Green Revolution.

Despite its successes, the Green Revolution had notable drawbacks. Its benefits were largely confined to wealthy farmers who could afford expensive HYV seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and machinery, exacerbating inequality. The crops demanded abundant water, making irrigation costly and pushing some farmers into debt, especially if crops failed. Mechanization led to increased unemployment for manual laborers and contributed to urban overcrowding as workers sought opportunities in cities. Environmentally, extreme reliance on artificial inputs caused soil depletion, water pollution harming biodiversity, and was linked to a rise in human health issues like cancer.

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Explain the role of M.S. Swaminathan in the Green Revolution and his continued vision.

M.S. Swaminathan, born in 1925, is widely recognized as the ‘Father of the Green Revolution’ in India for his pivotal role in transforming the nation’s agriculture. In the 1960s, during a time of imminent famine in India, he collaborated with Norman Borlaug and other scientists to devise high-yield wheat seeds. His efforts were instrumental in implementing these high-yielding varieties across Indian farms, dramatically increasing food production. Beyond this achievement, Swaminathan championed the concept of an ‘evergreen revolution,’ advocating for sustainable agricultural progress. His significant influence was acknowledged by Time magazine, which listed him among the 20th century’s most impactful Asians, and he received prestigious Indian awards like the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.

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How does the tea plantation industry contribute to gender equality in India, and what measures have been taken to support female workers?

The tea plantation industry significantly contributes to gender equality by employing over 50 percent female workers, who undertake physically demanding tasks such as tea-leaf plucking, thus maintaining high female workforce participation. However, these workers often face challenges like residing in areas prone to infections and waterborne diseases. To address this, the Assam government has implemented a minimum wage policy for tea plantation laborers, aiming to improve their economic well-being. Furthermore, there’s collaboration with multiple NGOs to offer crucial healthcare services and educational opportunities, while national initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan strive to provide essential housing and sanitation facilities for these workers.

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