Chapter 3: Land Resources and Agriculture
Geography - India People and Economy • Class 12
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Chapter Analysis
Intermediate22 pages • EnglishQuick Summary
The chapter 'Land Resources and Agriculture' discusses the various categories of land use in India, including forests, barren and wastelands, and cultivable lands. It highlights the changes in land use over decades, driven by economic, demographic, and technological factors. The chapter delves into the issues of land degradation and the impact of agricultural practices, emphasizing the need for sustainable land management practices to enhance productivity and ensure food security for the growing population.
Key Topics
- •Land use and categories
- •Land degradation and management
- •Green Revolution
- •Agricultural policy and reforms
- •Water management
- •Climate change impact on agriculture
- •Technological advancements in agriculture
- •Organic and sustainable farming practices
Learning Objectives
- ✓Understand the classification and distribution of land use in India.
- ✓Identify the factors contributing to land degradation.
- ✓Analyze the effects of the Green Revolution in India.
- ✓Evaluate the challenges in current agricultural practices.
- ✓Propose solutions for sustainable land and water management.
- ✓Assess the impact of government policies on agriculture.
Questions in Chapter
Choose the right answers of the following from the given options.
Page 39
Differentiate between barren and wasteland and culturable wasteland.
Page 40
How would you distinguish between net sown area and gross cropped area?
Page 40
Why is the strategy of increasing cropping intensity important in a country like India?
Page 40
How do you measure total cultivable land?
Page 40
What is the difference between dryland and wetland farming?
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What are the different types of environmental problems of land resources in India?
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What are the important strategies for agricultural development followed in the post-independence period in India?
Page 40
Additional Practice Questions
Explain the significance of the Green Revolution in India's agricultural development.
mediumAnswer: The Green Revolution introduced high-yielding varieties of seeds and modern agricultural techniques, leading to increased production of staple crops like wheat and rice. This significantly improved food security in India and reduced dependency on imports.
Discuss the impact of economic liberalization on Indian agriculture.
mediumAnswer: Economic liberalization in the 1990s opened up the agricultural sector to market forces, improving efficiency and productivity. It also encouraged diversification and technological advancement in agriculture.
What are the major challenges faced by Indian agriculture in terms of land use?
hardAnswer: Challenges include land degradation, fragmentation of land holdings, insufficient irrigation, and pressure from non-agricultural land use due to urbanization and industrialization.
Suggest measures to improve water management in Indian agriculture.
mediumAnswer: Measures include promoting micro-irrigation systems like drip and sprinkler irrigation, rainwater harvesting, and investing in water storage infrastructure to ensure sustainable water use.
Analyze the effects of climate change on agricultural productivity in India.
hardAnswer: Climate change has led to unpredictable weather patterns, impacting crop yields. Increased temperatures and erratic rainfall have heightened the risk of droughts and floods, affecting the agricultural output.
What role does technology play in modernizing Indian agriculture?
mediumAnswer: Technology aids in precision farming, supply chain management, crop monitoring through satellite imagery, and the use of information technology for market access, thus enhancing productivity and efficiency.
Explain how organic farming can contribute to sustainable agriculture in India.
easyAnswer: Organic farming reduces dependency on chemical inputs, enhances soil fertility, promotes biodiversity, and ensures healthier produce, contributing to long-term sustainability.
Describe the types of cropping patterns prevalent in India and their regional variations.
mediumAnswer: Cropping patterns in India include monocropping, mixed cropping, and rotational cropping, varying by region based on climate and soil conditions. For example, rice-wheat systems in Punjab and Haryana, and rice-pulses in Southern states.
Evaluate the impact of government policies on the equitable distribution of land in India.
hardAnswer: Government policies like land reforms aimed to redistribute land to reduce inequality. However, challenges remain in implementation due to political resistance and administrative inefficiencies, affecting equitable access to land resources.
How does underemployment in agriculture influence rural poverty in India?
mediumAnswer: Underemployment in agriculture leads to lower income levels for rural families, limiting economic growth and perpetuating poverty. Seasonal employment gaps also contribute to instability and financial insecurity for rural populations.