Class 12 : Grography (English) – Lesson 11.Land Resources and Agriculture
EXPLANATION & SUMMARY
🌏 Introduction
🔹 Land is a fundamental natural resource, providing the base for all human activities.
🔹 Agriculture is the primary occupation in India, employing a large share of the population and forming the backbone of the rural economy.
🔹 The pattern of land use and agricultural practices is shaped by physical, economic, social, and institutional factors.
💡 Concept: Land resource management and sustainable agriculture are essential for ensuring food security and environmental balance.
✏️ Note: Highlighted boxes, tables, and special notes in NCERT are not included here.
🌿 Land Use in India
🔹 India’s total geographical area is 3.28 million sq km.
🔹 Land use is classified under categories such as forests, net sown area, current fallow, barren land, and pastures.
🧭 Main Categories of Land Use:
1️⃣ Forest Area: Provides timber, fuelwood, and biodiversity.
2️⃣ Net Sown Area: Land cultivated regularly every year.
3️⃣ Current Fallow: Land left uncultivated temporarily for fertility recovery.
4️⃣ Other Fallow: Left uncultivated for more than one year.
5️⃣ Barren and Unculturable Land: Not suitable for cultivation.
6️⃣ Permanent Pastures: Used for grazing livestock.
💡 Concept: Balanced land use is necessary to meet competing demands for agriculture, industry, housing, and ecology.
🧠 Land Degradation
🔸 Meaning: Decline in land productivity due to human and natural causes.
🔸 Causes:
➤ Overgrazing
➤ Deforestation
➤ Excessive irrigation
➤ Industrial and mining activities
➤ Soil erosion and salinization
🔹 Consequences: Reduced fertility, food insecurity, ecological imbalance.
✔️ Solution: Afforestation, contour ploughing, regulated grazing, and organic farming.
🌾 Agriculture in India
🔹 Agriculture contributes significantly to India’s GDP and employment.
🔹 India has a variety of climatic zones, supporting diverse cropping patterns.
✨ Types of Agriculture:
1️⃣ Subsistence Farming: For family consumption; small holdings; low mechanization.
2️⃣ Commercial Farming: Produces cash crops for markets; high use of machinery and inputs.
3️⃣ Plantation Farming: Single crop cultivation over large areas (e.g., tea, coffee, rubber).
4️⃣ Mixed Farming: Combination of crop and livestock farming.
📈 Cropping Seasons in India
🌿 Kharif: Sown in monsoon (June–July), harvested in autumn (Sept–Oct).
➤ Examples: Rice, Maize, Cotton.
🌾 Rabi: Sown in winter (Oct–Dec), harvested in spring (March–April).
➤ Examples: Wheat, Barley, Mustard.
🌱 Zaid: Short summer season crops (March–June).
➤ Examples: Watermelon, Cucumber.
🧭 Agricultural Development and Planning
🔹 Post-independence policies focused on increasing productivity.
🔹 Green Revolution: Introduced high-yield varieties, irrigation, fertilizers, mechanization.
🔹 White Revolution: Boosted milk production.
🔹 Blue Revolution: Improved fisheries.
🔹 Evergreen Revolution: Aims for sustainable agriculture with minimal environmental harm.
💡 Concept: Technological and institutional reforms are essential for agricultural modernization.
⚡ Problems of Indian Agriculture
🔸 Fragmented land holdings
🔸 Dependence on monsoon
🔸 Low productivity
🔸 Soil erosion and depletion
🔸 Inadequate infrastructure
✔️ Remedial Measures:
➤ Land consolidation
➤ Irrigation expansion
➤ Soil conservation
➤ Crop diversification
➤ Use of organic manures
🌎 Sustainable Agriculture
🔹 Focuses on eco-friendly methods ensuring productivity and resource conservation.
🔹 Methods include:
➤ Crop rotation
➤ Integrated pest management
➤ Organic farming
➤ Precision agriculture
💡 Concept: Sustainable farming maintains ecological balance and supports future generations.
🧭 Land Reforms in India
✳️ Objectives: Equity in land ownership, improved productivity, reduced poverty.
✳️ Major Reforms:
➤ Abolition of intermediaries (zamindars)
➤ Tenancy reforms
➤ Ceiling on land holdings
➤ Consolidation of land
✔️ Impact: Mixed results; increased ownership among farmers but unequal distribution still persists.
🏞️ Role of Technology in Agriculture
🔹 Mechanization, improved irrigation, fertilizers, and biotechnology have transformed farming.
🔹 Remote sensing and GIS help monitor crop health and land use patterns.
📊 Regional Variation in Agricultural Development
🔹 High productivity regions: Punjab, Haryana, Western U.P.
🔹 Low productivity regions: Eastern India, dry plateau areas.
🔹 Variations arise due to infrastructure, technology, and socio-economic factors.
🌿 Government Initiatives
✳️ Five-Year Plans: Focused on self-sufficiency in food.
✳️ Schemes:
➤ PM-KISAN (income support)
➤ PMFBY (crop insurance)
➤ Soil Health Card Scheme
➤ Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana
✔️ These measures aim to increase income and ensure food security.
📘 Summary
🌾 Key Points:
🔹 Land is a vital natural resource; its use must be balanced and sustainable.
🔹 Agriculture is the backbone of India’s economy, influenced by physical and human factors.
🔹 Major types of farming: subsistence, commercial, plantation, mixed.
🔹 Cropping seasons: Kharif, Rabi, Zaid.
🔹 Green Revolution improved productivity but caused regional imbalances.
🔹 Land reforms aimed at equity and productivity.
🔹 Sustainable agriculture is crucial for ecological balance.
📝 Quick Recap:
✔️ Land use includes forests, sown area, fallows, pastures, wasteland.
✔️ Agricultural types: subsistence, commercial, plantation, mixed.
✔️ Key seasons: Kharif, Rabi, Zaid.
✔️ Reforms: Abolition of intermediaries, tenancy reforms.
✔️ Sustainable farming = future-ready farming 🌱
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QUESTIONS FROM TEXTBOOK
🔵 Question 1 (i): Which one of the following is NOT a land-use category?
1️⃣ Fallow land
2️⃣ Marginal land
3️⃣ Net Area Sown
4️⃣ Culturable Wasteland
🟢 Answer: Marginal land ✔️
🔵 Question 1 (ii): What one of the following is the main reason due to which share of forest has shown an increase in the last forty years?
1️⃣ Extensive and efficient efforts of afforestation
2️⃣ Increase in community forest land
3️⃣ Increase in notified area allocated for forest growth
4️⃣ Better peoples’ participation in managing forest area
🟢 Answer: Increase in notified area allocated for forest growth ✔️
🔵 Question 1 (iii): Which one of the following is the main form of degradation in irrigated areas?
1️⃣ Gully erosion
2️⃣ Wind erosion
3️⃣ Salinisation of soils
4️⃣ Siltation of land
🟢 Answer: Salinisation of soils ✔️
🔵 Question 1 (iv): Which one of the following crops is not cultivated under dryland farming?
1️⃣ Ragi
2️⃣ Jowar
3️⃣ Groundnut
4️⃣ Sugarcane
🟢 Answer: Sugarcane ✔️
🔵 Question 1 (v): In which of the following group of countries of the world, HYVs of wheat and rice were developed?
1️⃣ Japan and Australia
2️⃣ U.S.A. and Japan
3️⃣ Mexico and Philippines
4️⃣ Mexico and Singapore
🟢 Answer: Mexico and Philippines ✔️
🔵 Question 2 (i): Differentiate between barren and wasteland and culturable wasteland.
🟢 Answer:
🌿 Barren and Wasteland:
Land not suitable for cultivation due to rocky, stony, or desert conditions.
Cannot be used for agricultural or forestry purposes.
🌱 Culturable Wasteland:
Land left uncultivated for more than 5 years but suitable for cultivation.
Can be reclaimed through soil improvement and irrigation.
🔵 Question 2 (ii): How would you distinguish between net sown area and gross cropped area?
🟢 Answer:
🌿 Net Sown Area:
Actual land area sown with crops in a year.
Land counted only once.
🌱 Gross Cropped Area:
Total area sown, including multiple cropping on the same land.
Land counted more than once if used for multiple crops.
🔵 Question 2 (iii): Why is the strategy of increasing cropping intensity important in a country like India?
🟢 Answer:
Land availability per person is limited.
Increasing cropping intensity allows more output from the same land.
Enhances food security and income.
Promotes optimal use of resources.
🔵 Question 2 (iv): How do you measure total cultivable land?
🟢 Answer:
Total cultivable land = Net sown area + Current fallow + Other fallow + Culturable wasteland
✔️ It represents land capable of being used for agriculture with proper inputs.
🔵 Question 2 (v): What is the difference between dryland and wetland farming?
🟢 Answer:
🌾 Dryland Farming:
Dependent on rainfall.
Crops: Millets, pulses.
Regions: Arid and semi-arid areas.
💧 Wetland Farming:
Relies on assured irrigation and heavy rainfall.
Crops: Rice, sugarcane.
Regions: Deltaic and coastal plains.
🔵 Question 3 (i): What are the different types of environmental problems of land resources in India?
🟢 Answer:
Soil Erosion: Caused by wind, water, and deforestation.
Salinisation and Waterlogging: From improper irrigation.
Desertification: Expansion of deserts due to overuse.
Deforestation: Reduces soil fertility and biodiversity.
Overgrazing: Leads to land degradation.
✔️ These problems reduce productivity and harm sustainability.
🔵 Question 3 (ii): What are the important strategies for agricultural development followed in the post-independence period in India?
🟢 Answer:
1️⃣ Land Reforms: Abolition of intermediaries, tenancy reforms, ceiling on land holdings.
2️⃣ Green Revolution: Introduction of HYV seeds, fertilizers, irrigation, mechanization.
3️⃣ Diversification: Promotion of horticulture, fisheries, animal husbandry.
4️⃣ Rural Infrastructure: Irrigation, roads, storage, marketing.
5️⃣ Government Schemes: Minimum Support Price (MSP), PM-KISAN, Soil Health Cards.
✔️ Aim: Self-sufficiency in food and improved rural livelihoods.
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OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR EXAMS
🔷 Section A – MCQs (1 Mark Each)
🔵 Question 1: Which one of the following is NOT a land-use category?
🔴 1️⃣ Fallow land
🟢 2️⃣ Marginal land
🟡 3️⃣ Net Area Sown
🔵 4️⃣ Culturable Wasteland
🟢 Answer: 2️⃣ Marginal land
🔵 Question 2: What is the main reason for increase in forest share in the last forty years?
🔴 1️⃣ Extensive afforestation efforts
🟢 2️⃣ Increase in notified forest area
🟡 3️⃣ Increase in community forest land
🔵 4️⃣ People’s participation
🟢 Answer: 2️⃣ Increase in notified forest area
🔵 Question 3: What is the main form of degradation in irrigated areas?
🔴 1️⃣ Gully erosion
🟢 2️⃣ Salinisation of soils
🟡 3️⃣ Wind erosion
🔵 4️⃣ Siltation of land
🟢 Answer: 2️⃣ Salinisation of soils
🔵 Question 4: Which one of the following crops is NOT cultivated under dryland farming?
🔴 1️⃣ Ragi
🟢 2️⃣ Jowar
🟡 3️⃣ Groundnut
🔵 4️⃣ Sugarcane
🟢 Answer: 4️⃣ Sugarcane
🔵 Question 5: HYVs of wheat and rice were developed in which group of countries?
🔴 1️⃣ Japan and Australia
🟢 2️⃣ U.S.A. and Japan
🟡 3️⃣ Mexico and Philippines
🔵 4️⃣ Mexico and Singapore
🟢 Answer: 3️⃣ Mexico and Philippines
🔵 Question 6: Which type of farming is dependent on irrigation and rainfall?
🔴 1️⃣ Wetland farming
🟢 2️⃣ Dryland farming
🟡 3️⃣ Subsistence farming
🔵 4️⃣ Shifting cultivation
🟢 Answer: 2️⃣ Dryland farming
🔵 Question 7: Which category includes land left uncultivated for more than five years?
🔴 1️⃣ Barren land
🟢 2️⃣ Current fallow
🟡 3️⃣ Other fallow
🔵 4️⃣ Culturable wasteland
🟢 Answer: 4️⃣ Culturable wasteland
🔵 Question 8: Which factor determines cropping intensity?
🔴 1️⃣ Climate
🟢 2️⃣ Irrigation
🟡 3️⃣ Soil fertility
🔵 4️⃣ All of these
🟢 Answer: 4️⃣ All of these
🔵 Question 9: Which of the following is not part of cultivable land?
🔴 1️⃣ Net sown area
🟢 2️⃣ Fallow land
🟡 3️⃣ Forest area
🔵 4️⃣ Culturable wasteland
🟢 Answer: 3️⃣ Forest area
🔵 Question 10: What is the main goal of land-use planning?
🔴 1️⃣ Increase fallow
🟢 2️⃣ Maximize productivity
🟡 3️⃣ Reduce irrigation
🔵 4️⃣ Encourage wasteland
🟢 Answer: 2️⃣ Maximize productivity
🔶 Section B – Source/Short Answer (3 Marks Each)
🔵 Question 11: Differentiate between barren land and culturable wasteland.
🟢 Answer:
✳️ Barren land: Land unfit for cultivation (e.g., rocky, desert).
✳️ Culturable wasteland: Land that can be cultivated after reclamation.
✳️ Key difference: Productivity potential exists in culturable wasteland, absent in barren land.
🔵 Question 12: Distinguish between net sown area and gross cropped area.
🟢 Answer:
➤ Net Sown Area: Area sown once in a year.
➤ Gross Cropped Area: Total area sown (including multiple cropping).
✔️ Relation: Gross area ≥ Net area
🔵 Question 13: Explain why increasing cropping intensity is important in India.
🟢 Answer:
🌿 High population → high food demand
⚡ Limited land → need for multiple cropping
✔️ Improves productivity, ensures food security, and enhances income
🔵 Question 14: How do you measure total cultivable land?
🟢 Answer:
➤ Formula:
Total cultivable land = Net sown area + Current fallow + Other fallow + Culturable wasteland
📘 This helps in agricultural planning and utilization.
🔵 Question 15: State two differences between dryland and wetland farming.
🟢 Answer:
💧 Dryland: Rainfed, less rainfall (<75 cm), crops—millets, pulses 🌊 Wetland: Irrigated, heavy rainfall (>100 cm), crops—rice, jute
🔵 Question 16: Mention two environmental problems of land resources.
🟢 Answer:
Soil erosion and degradation
Salinisation and waterlogging due to over-irrigation
🔵 Question 17: List any three strategies for agricultural development after independence.
🟢 Answer:
1️⃣ Green Revolution (HYV seeds, irrigation)
2️⃣ Land reforms
3️⃣ Agricultural planning and technology adoption
🔵 Question 18: What are the objectives of land reforms?
🟢 Answer:
Redistribution of land
Elimination of intermediaries
Security to tenants
Increased productivity
🔵 Question 19: Explain the concept of fallow land.
🟢 Answer:
✳️ Land left uncultivated temporarily for soil fertility recovery.
✔️ Types:
Current fallow: <1 year
Other fallow: 1–5 years
🔵 Question 20: Why is soil conservation necessary?
🟢 Answer:
🌿 Maintains fertility
🧠 Prevents erosion
⚡ Ensures sustainable agriculture
🔵 Question 21: Mention three major cropping seasons of India.
🟢 Answer:
1️⃣ Kharif – June to October (rice, maize)
2️⃣ Rabi – October to March (wheat, barley)
3️⃣ Zaid – March to June (melon, cucumber)
🔵 Question 22: State two advantages of multiple cropping.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Better land use
✔️ Increased production
✔️ Risk diversification
🔵 Question 23: Write two measures to prevent land degradation.
🟢 Answer:
🌿 Afforestation
💧 Proper irrigation management
⚙️ Contour ploughing and crop rotation
🔷 Section D – Long Answer Questions (5 Marks Each)
🔵 Question 24: What are the different types of environmental problems of land resources in India?
🟢 Answer:
🌿 1️⃣ Soil Erosion: Removal of topsoil by water and wind, reducing fertility.
⚡ 2️⃣ Waterlogging: Over-irrigation leads to stagnant water and reduced productivity.
💧 3️⃣ Salinisation: Excess salts due to faulty irrigation, making soil unfit for crops.
🔥 4️⃣ Desertification: Overgrazing, deforestation, and unsustainable farming in arid zones.
🏭 5️⃣ Pollution: Industrial waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides degrade soil quality.
✔️ Final Point: Sustainable land use, soil conservation, and afforestation are vital for restoring land health.
🔵 Question 25: What are the important strategies for agricultural development followed in the post-independence period in India?
🟢 Answer:
📘 After independence, India adopted multiple strategies to ensure food security and rural development:
1️⃣ Land Reforms: Redistribution of land, abolition of zamindari, and tenancy reforms.
2️⃣ Green Revolution: Use of HYV seeds, fertilizers, irrigation, and mechanization.
3️⃣ Integrated Rural Development: Linking agriculture with rural economy through employment and credit.
4️⃣ Irrigation Development: Major and minor irrigation projects to enhance water supply.
5️⃣ Modernization: Use of science, technology, and research for better productivity.
✔️ Final Point: These strategies transformed India from a food-deficit to a self-sufficient nation.
🔵 Question 26: How is cropping intensity calculated? Why is it important in India?
🟢 Answer:
📏 Formula:
Cropping Intensity = (Gross Cropped Area / Net Sown Area) × 100
💡 Importance:
Ensures maximum use of land
Increases total production
Helps in food security
Utilizes irrigation and technology effectively
✔️ Final Point: India’s high population and limited land make high cropping intensity essential.
🔵 Question 27: Describe the classification of land according to land use in India.
🟢 Answer:
🌍 According to the Ministry of Agriculture, land is classified into:
1️⃣ Forest Area – Land under forest cover.
2️⃣ Net Sown Area – Land cultivated at least once in a year.
3️⃣ Fallow Land – Temporarily uncultivated land.
4️⃣ Culturable Wasteland – Land capable of cultivation but not used.
5️⃣ Barren and Unculturable Land – Land unsuitable for cultivation.
6️⃣ Land under Non-Agricultural Uses – Settlements, roads, industries, etc.
✔️ Final Point: Classification helps in planning and improving land productivity.
🔵 Question 28: Explain the major differences between dryland and wetland farming.
🟢 Answer:
🔹 Basis 🌾 Dryland Farming 💧 Wetland Farming
🌦️ Rainfall Less than 75 cm More than 100 cm
💧 Irrigation Rainfed Irrigated
🌱 Crops Millets, Pulses Rice, Jute
⚙️ Techniques Drought-resistant seeds Flood-tolerant crops
🎯 Objective Food security High yield
✔️ Final Point: Both types are essential for diverse agro-climatic conditions in India.
🔷 Section E – Map-Based Question (5 Marks)
🔵 Question 29: On the outline map of India, locate and label the following:
🟢 (a) Major area of rice cultivation
🟢 (b) Wheat growing region
🟢 (c) Cotton producing area
🟢 (d) Tea plantation region
🟢 (e) Coffee growing region
🟢 Answer:
✳️ Rice – Eastern India (West Bengal, Odisha)
✳️ Wheat – Northern plains (Punjab, Haryana)
✳️ Cotton – Deccan Plateau (Maharashtra, Gujarat)
✳️ Tea – Assam, Darjeeling
✳️ Coffee – Karnataka, Kerala
✔️ Use neat labeling and proper symbols on the map.
🔵 Question 30: On the outline map of the world, identify and label any five major agricultural regions.
🟢 Answer:
1️⃣ North America – Prairies (Commercial grain farming)
2️⃣ South America – Pampas (Livestock ranching)
3️⃣ Europe – Mixed farming region
4️⃣ Asia – Rice cultivation region
5️⃣ Africa – Plantation region (Cocoa, Coffee)
✔️ Mark with appropriate legends and country names.
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