Agriculture — Class 10 Social Science NCERT Solutions (Free)
Free step-by-step NCERT solutions for Class 10 Social Science chapter "Agriculture" — 6 important questions with detailed answers for CBSE board exam preparation.
TL;DR: Free step-by-step NCERT solutions for Class 10 Social Science chapter "Agriculture" — 6 important questions with detailed answers for CBSE board exam…
Written & reviewed by the Syllab.in Academic Team (CBSE/NCERT subject experts) · Updated
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science — Agriculture. Step-by-step answers to all 6 textbook questions from this chapter, written for CBSE board preparation and free to use.
Agriculture — All 6 Questions Solved
Q1. What is agriculture and why is it important to the Indian economy?
Agriculture is the cultivation of crops and raising of livestock for food and other products. In India, agriculture is the backbone of the economy, employing over 50% of the workforce and contributing significantly to GDP. It provides food security, raw materials for industries, and livelihoods for rural populations. Agriculture remains central to India's development despite industrialization.
Q2. What are the main types of cropping patterns in India?
India's cropping patterns include: (1) Food grains like wheat and rice in northern plains, (2) Cash crops like cotton, sugarcane, and tobacco, (3) Spices and plantation crops like tea, coffee, and coconut in southern regions, (4) Horticulture including fruits and vegetables. These patterns vary based on climate, soil, water availability, and market demand.
Q3. What is the Green Revolution and what were its impacts on Indian agriculture?
The Green Revolution (1960s onwards) introduced high-yielding variety seeds, chemical fertilizers, and modern farming techniques. It significantly increased agricultural productivity and made India self-sufficient in food grains. However, it also led to environmental issues like soil depletion, water pollution, and reduced biodiversity. The Green Revolution transformed India from a food-deficit to a food-surplus nation.
Q4. What are the major challenges facing Indian agriculture today?
Challenges include: (1) Soil degradation from overuse and chemical application, (2) Water scarcity and uneven distribution, (3) Climate change causing unpredictable weather, (4) Low profitability forcing farmers into debt, (5) Inadequate infrastructure and market access, (6) Pressure to preserve agricultural land amid urbanization.
Q5. What is organic farming and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
Organic farming avoids synthetic chemicals, relying on natural fertilizers and pest control. Advantages include improved soil health, better food quality, and environmental sustainability. Disadvantages include lower immediate yields, higher labor costs, and longer transition periods. Organic farming is increasingly promoted for long-term sustainability despite lower short-term productivity.
Q6. How can Indian agriculture become more sustainable and productive?
Solutions include: (1) Promoting precision agriculture using technology, (2) Diversifying crops and promoting organic farming, (3) Improving water management and conservation, (4) Providing better market access and fair prices to farmers, (5) Investing in agricultural research and extension services, (6) Implementing soil conservation measures, (7) Supporting farmer cooperatives and value addition.
Agriculture — Practice MCQs with Answers
Attempt these 20 multiple-choice questions after working through the solutions above. Each carries the correct option and the reasoning behind it, so a wrong answer tells you which idea to revisit.
MCQ 1. What is primitive subsistence farming also known as in some parts of India?
- A. Commercial farming
- B. Plantation farming
- C. Shifting cultivation
- D. Intensive farming
Answer: C. Shifting cultivation — Primitive subsistence farming often involves 'slash and burn' agriculture, which is another name for shifting cultivation in various regions.
MCQ 2. Which of the following crops is primarily a Kharif crop?
- A. Wheat
- B. Mustard
- C. Rice
- D. Barley
Answer: C. Rice — Kharif crops are sown with the onset of monsoon (June-July) and harvested in September-October, with rice being the most prominent example.
MCQ 3. The 'Bhoodan-Gramdan' movement, a significant land reform initiative, was initiated by which leader?
- A. Mahatma Gandhi
- B. Jawaharlal Nehru
- C. Vinoba Bhave
- D. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Answer: C. Vinoba Bhave — Vinoba Bhave, a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi, initiated the Bhoodan-Gramdan movement to encourage voluntary land redistribution among the landless.
MCQ 4. What is the ideal temperature range required for the growth of wheat?
- A. 0-10°C
- B. 10-15°C
- C. 15-20°C
- D. 25-30°C
Answer: C. 15-20°C — Wheat requires a cool growing season with an ideal temperature range of 15-20°C and bright sunshine at the time of ripening.
MCQ 5. Which program was launched by the Indian government to provide insurance coverage to farmers against crop failure?
- A. Kisan Credit Card (KCC)
- B. Minimum Support Price (MSP)
- C. Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (PAIS)
- D. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
Answer: D. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) — Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is a government-sponsored crop insurance scheme that protects farmers against losses due to natural calamities.
MCQ 6. Which of the following is an important beverage crop introduced by the British in India?
- A. Sugarcane
- B. Cotton
- C. Tea
- D. Jute
Answer: C. Tea — Tea is a significant beverage crop, and its large-scale cultivation in India was extensively developed by the British as a plantation industry.
MCQ 7. Which state is the leading producer of Jowar (Sorghum) in India?
- A. Rajasthan
- B. Karnataka
- C. Maharashtra
- D. Uttar Pradesh
Answer: C. Maharashtra — Maharashtra is the largest producer of Jowar (Sorghum), a major millet, and is a staple food in semi-arid areas of the state.
MCQ 8. What is the term for the type of farming where a single crop is grown on a large area?
- A. Mixed farming
- B. Intensive farming
- C. Plantation farming
- D. Subsistence farming
Answer: C. Plantation farming — Plantation farming is a type of commercial farming where a single cash crop is grown on a large estate, often with heavy capital investment and migrant labor.
MCQ 9. India is considered the largest producer as well as the largest consumer of which food item globally?
- A. Rice
- B. Wheat
- C. Pulses
- D. Sugarcane
Answer: C. Pulses — India's large vegetarian population relies heavily on pulses for protein, making it both the largest producer and consumer of pulses worldwide.
MCQ 10. When was the Comprehensive Land Development Programme launched in India, primarily for institutional and technical reforms in agriculture?
- A. 1960s
- B. 1970s
- C. 1980s
- D. 1990s
Answer: C. 1980s — The Comprehensive Land Development Programme, which included provisions for crop insurance and credit facilities, was launched in the 1980s to further agricultural reforms.
MCQ 11. Which of the following is a Rabi oilseed crop?
- A. Groundnut
- B. Soyabean
- C. Mustard
- D. Sunflower
Answer: C. Mustard — Mustard is a prominent Rabi crop, sown in the winter season and harvested in spring, primarily cultivated for its oil.
MCQ 12. What percentage of India's population is dependent on agriculture for livelihood?
- A. 25%
- B. 40%
- C. 58%
- D. 70%
Answer: C. 58% — Despite its declining share in GDP, agriculture continues to be the primary source of livelihood for a significant portion, roughly 58%, of India's population.
MCQ 13. Which type of soil is most suitable for growing cotton?
- A. Alluvial soil
- B. Red soil
- C. Black soil
- D. Laterite soil
Answer: C. Black soil — Black soil, also known as Regur soil, is ideal for cotton cultivation due to its clayey texture, moisture-retentive capacity, and richness in soil nutrients.
MCQ 14. Which of the following is the staple food crop of the majority of people in India?
- A. Wheat
- B. Maize
- C. Rice
- D. Barley
Answer: C. Rice — Rice is the staple food crop for a majority of the Indian population, especially in the eastern and southern parts of the country, due to its widespread cultivation and consumption.
MCQ 15. What was the main aim of the 'Green Revolution' in India?
- A. To increase milk production
- B. To promote organic farming
- C. To increase food grain production
- D. To introduce new cash crops
Answer: C. To increase food grain production — The Green Revolution primarily aimed at substantially increasing food grain production, especially wheat and rice, using High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation.
MCQ 16. Which international organisation advocates for reducing subsidies to agriculture in developed countries and removing trade barriers for developing countries?
- A. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
- B. World Trade Organization (WTO)
- C. International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- D. World Bank
Answer: B. World Trade Organization (WTO) — The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the global body that deals with rules of trade between nations, often negotiating for the reduction of agricultural subsidies and tariffs to ensure fair global trade.
MCQ 17. Which of the following is typically a Zaid crop?
- A. Wheat
- B. Sugarcane
- C. Watermelon
- D. Rice
Answer: C. Watermelon — Zaid crops are grown in the short summer season between the Rabi and Kharif crops, and include fruits like watermelon and muskmelon, and various vegetables.
MCQ 18. In the North-Eastern states like Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland, primitive subsistence farming is known as:
- A. Bewar
- B. Pamlou
- C. Jhumming
- D. Dipa
Answer: C. Jhumming — 'Jhumming' is the local name for shifting cultivation or 'slash and burn' agriculture widely practiced in the North-Eastern states of India.
MCQ 19. The decline in the share of agriculture in India's GDP is a matter of serious concern because:
- A. It indicates a shift towards industrialization
- B. It provides raw materials to industries
- C. It leads to unemployment in urban areas
- D. A large percentage of the population depends on agriculture
Answer: D. A large percentage of the population depends on agriculture — While a declining share in GDP can signify economic development, it becomes a concern in India because a disproportionately large portion of the population still relies on agriculture for their livelihood, leading to rural distress if the sector shrinks.
MCQ 20. Which of the following is known as the 'Golden Fibre'?
- A. Cotton
- B. Silk
- C. Jute
- D. Hemp
Answer: C. Jute — Jute is popularly known as the 'Golden Fibre' due to its shiny golden-brown color and its historical economic importance as a cash crop.
How to Use These Solutions
Attempt each question yourself first and only then compare with the worked answer. Marks in the CBSE board exam are awarded for the METHOD as much as the final result, so reproduce the steps rather than memorising the last line. Where a solution states a law, a formula or a definition, learn that wording — examiners look for it.
Related practice for this chapter: chapter MCQs, previous-year questions, revision notes and sample papers.