Class 8 Geography Chapter 3 Agriculture Important Questions and Answers

 

 

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Geography Chapter 3 Agriculture

 

Agriculture – Given in this post is NCERT Solutions Class 8 Geography Chapter 3 Agriculture Important Question Answers. The important questions we have compiled will help the students to brush up on their knowledge about the subject. Students can practice Class 8 Geography Chapter3 important questions to understand the subject better and improve their performance in the exam. The NCERT Solutions Class 8 Social Science (Geography) provided here will also give students an idea about how to write the answers.

 

Source Based Questions 

 

Read the extract and answer the questions that follow-

 

A. Agriculture is a primary activity. It includes growing crops, fruits, vegetables, flowers and rearing of livestock. In the world, 50 per cent of persons are engaged in agricultural activity. Two-thirds of India’s population is still dependent on agriculture. Favorable topography of soil and climate are vital for agricultural activity. The land on which the crops are grown is known as arable land. In the map you can see that agricultural activity is concentrated in those regions of the world where suitable factors for the growing of crops exist.

 

1 What percentage of the world’s population is engaged in agriculture?

Ans. In the world, 50 per cent of persons are engaged in agricultural activity.

2 The land on which the crops are grown is known as _________. 

Ans. The land on which the crops are grown is known as arable land.

3 How much of India’s population is dependent on agriculture?

Ans. Two-thirds of India’s population is still dependent on agriculture.

4 Explain what are Primary Activities.

Ans. Primary activities include all those connected with extraction and production of natural resources. Agriculture, fishing and gathering are good examples. Secondary activities are concerned with the processing of these resources.

5 What do you mean by the term ‘agriculture’.

Ans. The science and art of cultivation on the soil, raising crops and rearing livestock is called agriculture. It is also called farming.

B. In commercial farming crops are grown and animals are reared for sale in the market. The area cultivated and the amount of capital used is large. Most of the work is done by machines. Commercial farming includes commercial grain farming, mixed farming and plantation agriculture. In commercial grain farming crops are grown for commercial purposes. Wheat and maize are common commercially grown grains. Major areas where commercial grain farming is practiced are temperate grasslands of North America, Europe and Asia. 

1 What is commercial farming?

Ans. In commercial farming crops are grown and animals are reared for sale in the market. The area cultivated and the amount of capital used is large.

2 Define mixed farming. 

Ans. In mixed farming the land is used for growing food and fodder crops and rearing livestock.It is practiced in Europe, eastern USA, Argentina, southeast Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. 

3 Name the different types of farming under commercial farming. 

Ans. Commercial farming includes commercial grain farming, mixed farming and plantation agriculture.

4 What is commercial grain farming?

Ans. In commercial grain farming crops are grown for commercial purposes. Wheat and maize are common commercially grown grains. Major areas where commercial grain farming is practiced are temperate grasslands of North America, Europe and Asia.

5 Why is most of the work in commercial farming done by machines?

Ans. In commercial farming crops are grown and animals are reared for sale in the market. The area cultivated and the amount of capital used is large thus, most of the work is done by machines.

 

C. Agricultural Development refers to efforts made to increase farm production in order to meet the growing demand of increasing population. This can be achieved in many ways such as increasing the cropped area, the number of crops grown, improving irrigation facilities, use of fertilizers and high yielding variety of seeds. Mechanization of agriculture is also another aspect of agricultural development. The ultimate aim of agricultural development is to increase food security.

1 Define Agricultural Development. 

Ans. Agricultural Development refers to efforts made to increase farm production in order to meet the growing demand of increasing population. 

2 How can agricultural development be achieved?

Ans. Agricultural Development can be achieved in many ways such as increasing the cropped area, the number of crops grown, improving irrigation facilities, use of fertilizers and high yielding variety of seeds

3 What is the ultimate aim of agricultural development?

Ans. The ultimate aim of agricultural development is to increase food security.

4 Developing countries with large populations usually practise___________.

Ans. Developing countries with large populations usually practice intensive agriculture.

5 Why do Developing countries with large populations usually practice intensive agriculture?

Ans. Developing countries with large populations usually practice intensive agriculture where crops are grown on small holdings mostly for subsistence. Larger holdings are more suitable for commercial agriculture as in the USA, Canada and Australia. 

 

D. Nomadic herding is practiced in the semi-arid and arid regions of Sahara, Central Asia and some parts of India, like Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir. In this type of farming, herdsmen move from place to place with their animals for fodder and water, along defined routes. This type of movement arises in response to climatic constraints and terrain

1 Define Nomadic Herding.

Ans.In this type of farming, herdsmen move from place to place with their animals for fodder and water, along defined routes.

2 Why is nomadic herding practiced?

Ans. As a response to climatic constraints and terrain.

3 Name the animals typically reared in nomadic farming.

Ans. Sheep, camel, yak and goats are most commonly reared.

4 What regions is nomadic farming practiced in?

Ans. Nomadic herding is practiced in the semi-arid and arid regions of Sahara, Central Asia and some parts of India, like Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir

5 What do the animals reared provide to the herders?

Ans. Sheep, camel, yak and goats are most commonly reared. They provide milk, meat, wool, hides and other products to the herders and their families.

 

E. Shifting cultivation is practiced in the thickly forested areas of Amazon basin, tropical Africa, parts of southeast Asia and Northeast India. These are the areas of heavy rainfall and quick regeneration of vegetation. A plot of land is cleared by felling the trees and burning them. The ashes are then mixed with the soil and crops like maize, yam, potatoes and cassava are grown. After the soil loses its fertility, the land is abandoned and the cultivator moves to a new plot. Shifting cultivation is also known as ‘slash and burn’ agriculture.

1 What is shifting cultivation?    

Ans. A plot of land is cleared by felling the trees and burning them. The ashes are then mixed with the soil and crops like maize, yam, potatoes and cassava are grown.

2 What areas is the shifting culture observed in?

Ans. Shifting cultivation is practiced in the thickly forested areas of Amazon basin, tropical Africa, parts of southeast Asia and Northeast India.

3 Explain in brief the whole process of shifting culture.

Ans. A plot of land is cleared by felling the trees and burning them. The ashes are then mixed with the soil and crops like maize, yam, potatoes and cassava are grown. After the soil loses its fertility, the land is abandoned and the cultivator moves to a new plot.

4 Shifting culture is primarily practiced in areas of ____________ and ____________.

Ans. Shifting culture is primarily practiced in areas of heavy rainfall and quick regeneration of vegetation. 

5 Shifting cultures is also known as ___________.

Ans. Shifting cultivation is also known as ‘slash and burn’ agriculture.

 

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) (1 Mark)

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) are a type of objective assessment in which a person is asked to choose one or more correct answers from a list of available options. An MCQ presents a question along with several possible answers.

Q1 Jhumming is practiced in ____ India.

A) North – East
B) South
C) West
D) South- west
Ans. A) North – East

Q2.Following animal is a part of the nomadic herd

A) camel
B) ox
C) cats
D) rabbits
Ans. A) camel

Q3 Which of the following physical inputs is required in agriculture?

A) labor
B) slope
C) rainfall
D) Sunlight
Ans. A) labor

Q4 One of the inputs required in farming is

A) slope
B) crops
C) Human Resource
D) Machinery
Ans. D) Machinery

Q5 Cultivation of grapes is defined as

A) Horticulture
B) Viticulture
C) Sericulture
D) Agriculture
Ans. B) Viticulture

Q6 An example of tertiary activity is

A) Advertising
B) Hunting
C) Agriculture
D) fishing
Ans. A) Advertising

Q7 Fishing is an example of

A) Primary activity
B) Secondary activity
C) Tertiary activity
D) Agriculture activity
Ans. A) Primary activity

Q8 The word ‘agriculture’ has been derived from Latin word

A) ageri
B) ager
C) agri
D) agar
Ans. B) ager

Q9 Growing flowers are identified under

A) Horticulture
B) Pisciculture
C) Sericulture
D) Viticulture
Ans. A) Horticulture

Q10 Seeds are one of _____ of agriculture.

A) process
B) output
C) input
D) labor
Ans. C) input

Q11 Shifting Cultivation is known as ____ in Malaysia.

A) Kharif
B) Jhumming
C) Ludang
D) Rabi
Ans. C) Ludang

Q12 Roca is an agricultural practices followed in

A) Brazil
B) Indonesia
C) China
D) Malaysia
Ans. A) Brazil

Q13 Nomadic Herding is practiced in which of the following states

A) Rajasthan
B) Tamil Nadu
C) Kerala
D) Telangana
Ans. A) Rajasthan

Q14 If someone starts rearing silkworms, this practise is called

A) Horticulture
B) Viticulture
C) Agriculture
D) Sericulture
Ans. D) Sericulture

Q15 In the USA, _____ is grown excessively.

A) Millet
B) Wheat
C) Rice
D) Maize
Ans. B) Wheat

Q16 In India, wheat is grown during ____ season.

A) Spring
B) Autumn
C) Winter
D) Summer
Ans. C) Winter

Q17 Extraction and production of natural resources is identified under _______ activity.

A) Primary
B) Secondary
C) Tertiary
D) Non-renewable
Ans. A) Primary

Q18 Agriculture is most favorable in _____ regions

A) Plain
B) desert
C) mountain
D) rocky
Ans. A) Plain

 

Q19 _____ is one of the important inputs of farming.

A) Fertilizers
B) crops
C) plain region
D) fruits
Ans. A) Fertilizers

Q20 The art and science of soil cultivation to rear crops is called _____

A) agriculture
B) Viticulture
C) Sericulture
D) Horticulture
Ans. A) agriculture

Q21 Shifting Cultivation is primarily practiced in the regions where ________ takes place.

A) tsunami
B) heavy rainfall
C) dry weather
D) cutting of trees
Ans. B) heavy rainfall

Q22  In the Sahara desert, _____ takes place.

A) shifting cultivation
B) nomadic herding
C) heavy rains
D) horticulture
Ans. B) nomadic herding

Q23 ______ is one of the crops grown under commercial farming.

A) potato
B) onion
C) Wheat
D) Tomato
Ans. C) Wheat

Q24 Mixed farming is practiced in _______.

A) New Zealand
B) Zambia
C) Egypt
D) Belarus
Ans. A) New Zealand

Q25 ______ is a plantation grown in tropical regions of the world.

A) Rubber
B) Silk
C) Millet
D) Jute
Ans. A) Rubber

Very Short Answer Questions (1 Mark)

Q1. What is meant by arable land?

Ans. Geographically, arable land is an agricultural term, meaning land that can be used for growing crops.

Q2. Where is mixed farming practiced?

Ans. Mixed farming is practiced in Europe, eastern USA, Argentina, Southeast Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Q3. What are tertiary activities?

Ans. Tertiary activities are those which provide support to primary and secondary activities.

Q4. What is the basic function of the three basic types of economic activities?

Ans. The three types of economic activities are involved in the transformation from a plant to a finished product.

Q5. What is the basic function of the three basic types of economic activities?

Ans. The three types of economic activities are involved in the transformation from a plant to a finished product.

Q6. Where is nomadic herding practiced?

Ans. Nomadic herding is practiced in semi- arid and arid regions of Sahara, Central Asia and some parts of India.

Q7. What is the main feature of plantation agriculture?

Answer. In plantation agriculture only a single crop is grown over a large area.

Q8. Why is mixed farming called so?

Ans. In mixed farming, the land is used for growing crops as well as rearing livestock.

Q9. Which two countries lead in the production of jute?

Ans. India and Bangladesh are the leading producers of jute.

Q10. What weather conditions are required in the growing and harvesting seasons of wheat?

Ans. In the growing season wheat requires moderate temperature and rainfall and in the harvesting season it needs bright sunshine.

Short Answer Questions (3 Marks)

Q1. What are the activities under the secondary sector?

Ans. Secondary activities include all activities related to the production of goods from natural resources. Steel manufacturing, bread baking, and fabric weaving are examples of activity in this industry.

Q2. How was the word ‘agriculture’ coined?

Ans. Agriculture is an English translation of the Latin term ‘agricultura’. ‘Ager’ means field, and ‘cultura’ denotes cultivation; ‘agricultura’ literally means “soil tillage.”

Q3. Write a note on Agriculture and its importance.

Ans. Agriculture is a vital industry. Crops, fruits, vegetables, flowers, and livestock are all part of the process. Agriculture employs half of the world’s population. Agriculture continues to employ two-thirds of the Indian population.

Q4. How many types of farming are there?

Ans. Farming is done in a number of methods all around the world. Farming is classified into two types based on geography, produce demand, labor, and technical level. Subsistence farming and commercial farming are the two types of farming.

Q5. What is organic farming?

Ans. In organic farming, organic manure and natural pesticides are used instead of chemicals. There is no genetic modification of the crop to increase output.

Q6. What is mixed farming?

Ans.. In mixed farming the land is used for growing food and fodder crops as well as animal rearing

Q7. Where is mixed farming practiced?

Ans. It is practiced in Europe, the eastern United States, Argentina, southeast Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Q8. Explain wheat as a major food crop.

Ans. During the growing season, wheat requires moderate temperatures and moisture, as well as bright sunlight during harvest. It thrives in well-drained loamy soil. Wheat cultivation is widespread in the United States, Canada, Argentina, Russia, Ukraine, Australia, and India. During the winter, it is grown in India.

Q9. What are millets and why is it considered as one of the major food crops?

Ans. Millets, often known as coarse grains, can be grown on less fertile and sandy soils. It is a hardy crop that requires little rain, high to moderate temperatures, and plenty of rain. Jowar, bajra, and ragi are all grown in India. Other countries include Nigeria, China, and Niger.

Q10. Write a short note on “Maize” which is among one of the major food crops.

Ans. Maize requires a temperate temperature, plenty of moisture, and direct sunlight. It demands fertile, well-drained soil. Maize is grown in the following countries: the United States, Brazil, China, Russia, Canada, India, and Mexico.

Long Answer Questions (5 marks)

Q1. Write a short note on the types of economic activities. Give examples.

Ans. Primary, secondary, and tertiary economic activity are the three variants. 

Primary Functions- Primary activities are those that involve the direct exploitation and production of natural resources. Agriculture, fishing, and mining are among examples. 

Secondary Purposes- Secondary activities are those that are concerned with the processing of natural resources. Manufacturing of finished goods is an example. 

Extracurricular Activities- Tertiary activities are those that do not fall into either the primary or secondary categories. They provide assistance to basic and secondary activities. Selling goods, advertising, and banking are some examples.

 

Q2.Describe subsistence farming and its types in detail.

Ans.  Subsistence farming and commercial farming are the two main types of farming.

Subsistence farming is done primarily to provide for the necessities of the farmer’s family. As a result, the practices involved are typically archaic. The use of modern technology is minimal, and the majority of work is done by domestic labor.

A farmer cultivates a small area of land using minimal tools and a lot of labor in intensive, subsistence agriculture. In favorable conditions, more than one crop is grown each year. Rice is the most important crop. This type of agriculture is common in the densely populated monsoon regions of south, south-east, and east Asia. Shifting cultivation is a basic subsistence agriculture practice. 

A piece of land is cleared in this method by felling and burning trees. The ashes are then mixed with soil and used to cultivate vegetables. After some time, the land is abandoned, and the farmers relocate. This form of farming is prevalent in the Amazon basin, tropical Africa, sections of Southeast Asia, and north-east India. It is also referred to as “slash and burn” agriculture.

Nomadic herding is the practice of herdsmen moving from place to place with their livestock in search of feed and water. Yaks, sheep, camels, and goats are common livestock.

Q3.Describe commercial farming and its types in detail.

Ans. Commercial farming is the practise of growing crops solely for commercial purposes, i.e. for market sale. In contrast to subsistence farming, a big area is cultivated and a large amount of capital is invested. Machines are employed extensively.

A type of commercial farming is commercial grain farming. Commercial crops such as wheat and maize are grown. It is commonly found in temperate grasslands of North America, Europe, and Asia.

Another sort of commercial farming is mixed farming. The area is used to grow food and fodder crops, as well as to raise livestock. It is practiced in Europe, the eastern United States, Argentina, south-east Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, among other places. Plantations are a sort of commercial farming that grows only one crop (such as tea, coffee, sugarcane, cashew, rubber, banana, or cotton). A significant quantity of labor and capital are required. The produce is either processed on the farm or in adjacent industries.

Q4. Distinguish between subsistence farming and commercial farming.

Ans.

Q5. What do you understand by shifting cultivation?

Ans. The Amazon region, tropical Africa, parts of Southeast Asia, and Northeast India, all use shifting farming. These are the areas with heavy rainfall and quick vegetation regrowth. Trees are felled and burned to clean up a plot of land. The ashes are then mixed into the soil, where crops like maize, yam, potatoes, and cassava are grown. When the soil loses its fertility, the cultivator abandons the plot and moves on to another. Shifting farming is sometimes known as slash and burn agriculture.

Q6. Write a note on Nomadic herding.

Ans. Nomadic herding is used throughout the Sahara, Central Asia, and India, particularly Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir. In this farming system, herdsmen move from place to place with their animals for food and water following preset paths. Climate and topographic limits cause this type of movement. The most regularly farmed animals are sheep, camels, yaks, and goats. They provide milk, meat, wool, hides, and other items to the herders and their families.

Q7. Mixed farming and Plantation are two major types of commercial farming. Explain each.

Ans. Mixed farming entails growing food and fodder crops as well as raising animals on the land. Europe, the eastern United States, Argentina, southeast Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa are all fans.

Plantation – A type of commercial farming in which a single crop, such as tea, coffee, sugarcane, cashew, rubber, banana, or cotton, is grown. A substantial amount of labor and capital are required. The produce may be processed on the farm or in local companies. As a result, the development of a transportation network is important for such farming.

Major plantations can be found across the tropical regions of the world. Rubber in Malaysia, coffee in Brazil, and tea in India and Sri Lanka are a few examples.

Q8. Explain cotton and jute as two major fiber crops.

Ans.. Cotton thrives with warm temperatures, light rainfall, 210 frost-free days, and bright sunlight. It grows best in dark, alluvial soils. China, the United States, India, Pakistan, Brazil, and Egypt are the main cotton producers. It is an important raw ingredient used in the cotton textile industry.

Jute – The ‘Golden Fibre’ is another moniker for jute. It thrives on alluvial soil and requires hot weather, plenty of rain, and a humid atmosphere. Tropical regions are where this crop is cultivated. Jute is mostly manufactured in India and Bangladesh.

Q9. Write a note on agricultural development.

Ans. Agricultural development refers to efforts to expand farm production in order to meet the growing population’s demand. This can be accomplished through expanding cropped area, crop number, irrigation facilities, fertilizer use, and high yielding seed varieties, among other things. Another aspect of agricultural improvement is mechanization. The ultimate purpose of agricultural development is to increase food security.

Agriculture has evolved in numerous parts of the world. Crops are often grown on small plots in developing nations with large populations, mostly for subsistence.

Larger estates, such as those found in the United States, Canada, and Australia, lend themselves better to commercial agriculture.

Q10. Coffee and Tea are considered as two major beverage crops. Explain each.

Ans. Coffee requires a warm, moist climate as well as well-drained loamy soil to thrive. This crop prefers to be grown on steep slopes. Brazil produces the most, followed by Columbia and India.

Tea is a beverage crop grown on plantations. This requires a cool temperature and evenly distributed heavy rainfall throughout the year for the growth of its fragile leaves. It is necessary to have well-drained loamy soils with gentle slopes. Picking the leaves is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Kenya, India, China, and Sri Lanka produce the world’s finest tea.
 
Also See : 

• Class 8 Geography Chapter 1 Resources Important Questions and Answers
• Class 8 Geography Chapter 2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources Important Questions and Answers
• Class 8 Geography Chapter 3 Agriculture Important Questions and Answers
• Class 8 Geography Chapter 4 Industries Important Questions and Answers
• Class 8 Geography Chapter 5 Human Resources Important Questions and Answers

 

Also See: 

• Class 8 Social Science Lesson Explanation, Summary
• Class 8 MCQ Questions with Answers