Agriculture and Crop Production

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Questions and Answers

What is the science that deals with growing crops and rearing animals for human use?

Crop Production

Animal Husbandry

Agriculture (correct)

Food Gathering

What percentage of the world's workforce is employed in agriculture?

60%

40% (correct)

80%

20%

When did humans begin to plant seeds and grow plants for food?

10,000 years ago

12,000 years ago (correct)

15,000 years ago

20,000 years ago

What is the term used to describe the tremendous advances in agriculture in the last hundred years?

Agricultural Revolution Signup and view all the answers

What has been the result of the agricultural revolution in India?

Increase in food grain production Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of India's workforce is employed in agriculture?

60% Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between horticulture and agriculture?

Horticulture is carried out on a smaller scale than agriculture Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of soil in crop production?

To anchor the roots of plants and provide nutrients and water Signup and view all the answers

What is a crop?

A large number of plants grown at the same place for food Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of loose soil in crop production?

It allows the roots to grow deeper Signup and view all the answers

What are cereals?

Tall grasses cultivated for their nutritious seeds Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main seasons for cultivating crops in India?

Kharif and rabi Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of breaking and turning over the soil called?

Tilling or ploughing Signup and view all the answers

What type of crops are paddy and maize?

Kharif crops Signup and view all the answers

Why is levelling important in crop production?

It prevents erosion or waterlogging Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of microbes in the soil?

They help in keeping the soil fertile Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of growing cash crops?

For sale in distant markets Signup and view all the answers

What is the classification of crops based on the purpose for which they are grown?

Food crops, plantation crops, and cash crops Signup and view all the answers

What is the sequence of steps in crop production?

Preparation of soil → Seed selection and sowing → Manuring → Irrigation Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of manuring in crop production?

To provide nutrients to the soil Signup and view all the answers

What is the harvest season for kharif crops?

September to October Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of using a plough in crop production?

It helps in turning and loosening the soil Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Agriculture

Agriculture is the science of growing crops and rearing animals for human use, which began about 12,000 years ago.
Today, nearly 40% of the world's workforce is employed in agriculture, with a higher percentage in India (around 60%).
Agriculture has undergone tremendous advances, including the development of new varieties of plants and animals, use of fertilizers, pesticides, and labour-saving machines.

Crop Production

Crop production deals with the production of vegetables, fruits, and flowers.
A large number of plants grown at the same place for food is called a crop.
Cereals, such as wheat and rice, are the most important crops in the world and provide staple food for people.

Types of Crops

Crops can be classified according to their purpose, including:
- Food crops (grown for human and animal consumption)
- Plantation crops (grown in large estates, often for sale in distant markets)
- Cash crops (grown mainly for profit)
Examples of crops grown in India include cereals, pulses, oil seeds, root crops, tuber crops, sugar crops, plantation crops, and fibre crops.

Seasonal Crops

In India, there are two main seasons for cultivating crops: kharif and rabi.
Kharif crops, such as paddy, require a lot of water and are sown at the beginning of the south-west monsoon.
Rabi crops, such as wheat, are sown at the beginning of the winter season and harvested by March/April.

Methods of Crop Production

Modern agriculture is carried out in a scientific and systematic way, recognizing that crops require oxygen, sunlight, water, nutrients, and protection from weeds and pests.
The step-by-step methods of agriculture include:
- Preparation of soil
- Seed selection and sowing
- Manuring
- Irrigation
- Weeding
- Protection from pests and diseases
- Harvesting, threshing, and winnowing
- Storage
Preparation of soil involves tilling or ploughing, which helps to loosen the soil, allowing roots to grow deeper and absorb nutrients.

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Description

Learn about the origins and basics of agriculture, including the history of growing crops and rearing animals for human use. Discover how humans transitioned from food-gathering to farming.