Explain shifting cultivation.
Shifting cultivation is a class of primitive subsistence agriculture. In this, a plot of land is cleared by the farmer. This is done by felling the trees and burning them. The ashes are then mixed with soil and crops are grown. After some time, the land is abandoned and the farmer moves to a different place. This type of farming is common in the thickly forested areas of the Amazon basin, tropical Africa, parts of south-east Asia and north-east India. It is also called "slash and burn"agriculture, because of the process of felling and burning the trees is involved.
Answer the following questions.
(i) What is agriculture?
(ii) Name the factors influencing agriculture.
(iii) What is shifting cultivation? What are its disadvantages?
(iv) What is plantation agriculture?
(v) Name the fibre crops and name the climatic conditions required for their growth.
Give reasons.
(i) In India agriculture is a primary activity.
(ii) Different crops are grown in different regions.
Name the inputs and outputs of agriculture in general. Also mention the various operations involved.
Enlist the climate conditions required for the proper cultivation of rice. Mention the main regions of its production.
Tick the correct answer.
(i) Horticulture means
(a) growing of fruits and vegetables (b) primitive farming (c) growing of wheat
(ii) Golden fibre refers to
(a) tea (b) cotton
(c) jute
(iii) Leading producers of coffee
(a) Brazil (b) India (c) Russiac
Fill in the blank spaces given to complete each sentence.
(i) In the world, ………. per cent of the population is engaged in agriculture.
(ii) …………. is the commercial rearing of silkworms.
(iii) ………. and …………… are two fundamental types of farming.
(iv) In the thickly populated areas of monsoon regions of Asia, the major class of farming done is ……………..
(v)………….,…………..,………….. and …………. are animals usually reared by nomadic herders.
(vi) In ………. ,land is used for growing food and fodder crops and rearing livestock.
(vii) ………….. and ……….. are fibre crops.
(viii) Tea is a major…………… crop in India.
(ix) Wheat thrives best in ……………. soil.
(x) The three major millets in India are ………….. and ………..
State whether each of the following statements is true (T) or false (F).
(i) Favourable topography of soil and climate are vital for agriculture.
(ii) Household labour is involved in subsistence farming.
(iii) A transport network is significant for plantation agriculture.
(iv) Major plantations are found in tundra regions.
(v) In the USA, the farmer usually resides in the farm.
Distinguish between the followings.
(i) Primary activities and secondary activities.
(ii) Subsistence farming and intensive farming.
Find out the difference between the lifestyle of farmers in the USA and India on the basis of pictures collected from magazines, books, newspapers and the internet.
