The chapter "Land Resources and Agriculture - India People and Economy" focuses on the utilization, distribution, and management of land resources in India. It highlights the importance of agriculture in the Indian economy and discusses various strategies and challenges in agricultural development.
Introduction to CBSE Class 12 Geography Chapter "Land Resources and Agriculture - India People and Economy"
Land Use Categories:
- Forest: Includes all lands classified as forests under any legal enactment dealing with forests or administered as forests.
- Land under Non-Agricultural Uses: Includes lands used for purposes other than agriculture, such as buildings, pathways, and other infrastructures.
- Barren and Wasteland: Includes lands that cannot be cultivated, such as barren hills, rocky areas, deserts, and ravines.
- Permanent Pastures and Other Grazing Lands: Includes all grazing lands whether they are permanent pastures or meadows.
- Land under Miscellaneous Tree Crops and Groves: Includes all lands under cashew, coconut, and other groves, which are not included under net area sown.
- Culturable Waste Land: Land that can be used for agriculture but is currently not cultivated for more than five years.
- Fallow Land: Land left fallow for a period to restore its fertility. It is divided into current fallow and fallow other than current fallow.
- Net Sown Area: Land on which crops are sown and harvested.
Agricultural Land Use:
- Net Sown Area: The physical extent of land on which crops are sown and harvested.
- Gross Cropped Area: The total area sown once or more than once in a particular year.
- Cropping Intensity: The ratio of gross cropped area to net sown area.
Agricultural Development Strategies:
- Green Revolution: Introduction of high-yielding varieties (HYVs) of seeds, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and advanced irrigation techniques to increase agricultural productivity.
- Intensive Agricultural District Programme (IADP) and Intensive Agricultural Area Programme (IAAP): Aimed at intensifying agricultural activities in selected districts and areas.
- Agro-Climatic Planning: Focused on regionally balanced agricultural development by considering the agro-climatic conditions of different regions.
Major Crops:
- Food Crops: Includes cereals (rice, wheat, millets, maize), pulses (gram, tur), and other food crops.
- Commercial Crops: Includes sugarcane, cotton, jute, tea, and coffee.
- Oil Seeds: Includes groundnut, mustard, soyabean, and sunflower.
- Horticultural Crops: Includes fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
Challenges in Indian Agriculture:
- Dependence on Monsoon: Agriculture in India is heavily dependent on monsoon rains, leading to fluctuations in crop production.
- Low Productivity: Indian agriculture suffers from low productivity due to factors like fragmented landholdings, poor quality of seeds, inadequate irrigation, and lack of modern techniques.
- Land Degradation: Soil erosion, salinization, waterlogging, and excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides contribute to land degradation.
- Financial Constraints: Small and marginal farmers face financial challenges, leading to low investment in modern agricultural practices.
Importance of Land Resources:
- Economic Value: Land is a critical resource for agriculture, which is a significant contributor to India’s GDP and employment.
- Social Value: Land ownership provides social status and security, especially in rural areas.
- Environmental Value: Sustainable land management is essential for maintaining soil fertility and ecological balance.
Assignments for CBSE Class 12 Geography Chapter “Land Resources and Agriculture – India People and Economy”
- Case Study Analysis: Analyze the impact of the Green Revolution on agricultural productivity in a specific region of India.
- Research Project: Investigate the role of agro-climatic planning in enhancing agricultural development in different regions of India.
- Debate Preparation: Prepare for a debate on the benefits and drawbacks of intensive agricultural practices.
- Chart Creation: Create a flowchart illustrating the different land-use categories and their significance.
- Role Play: Conduct a mock meeting where students represent various stakeholders discussing strategies for sustainable land and agricultural development.
Conclusion
The chapter “Land Resources and Agriculture – India People and Economy” provides a comprehensive understanding of the utilization, management, and challenges of land resources in India. It highlights the importance of agriculture in the Indian economy and discusses various strategies to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability.
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Questions and Answers for CBSE Class 12 Geography Chapter "Land Resources and Agriculture - India People and Economy"
Q1: What are the main land-use categories in India?
ANS: The main land-use categories in India are forests, land under non-agricultural uses, barren and wasteland, permanent pastures and other grazing lands, land under miscellaneous tree crops and groves, culturable wasteland, fallow land, and net sown area.
Q2: What is the difference between net sown area and gross cropped area?
ANS: Net sown area is the physical extent of land on which crops are sown and harvested, while gross cropped area is the total area sown once or more than once in a particular year.
Q3: Explain the significance of the Green Revolution in Indian agriculture.
ANS: The Green Revolution introduced high-yielding varieties (HYVs) of seeds, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and advanced irrigation techniques, significantly increasing agricultural productivity and making India self-reliant in food grain production.
Q4: What are the major challenges faced by Indian agriculture?
ANS: Major challenges include dependence on monsoon, low productivity, land degradation, and financial constraints faced by small and marginal farmers.
Q5: How is cropping intensity calculated?
ANS: Cropping intensity is calculated as the ratio of gross cropped area to net sown area, indicating the number of times a crop is planted per year in a given agricultural area.
Q6: What is the importance of oil seeds in Indian agriculture?
ANS: Oil seeds like groundnut, mustard, soyabean, and sunflower are essential for extracting edible oils, contributing to the agricultural economy, and providing raw materials for various industries.
Q7: Describe the land-use pattern in India.
ANS: The land-use pattern in India includes forests, land under non-agricultural uses, barren and wasteland, permanent pastures and other grazing lands, land under miscellaneous tree crops and groves, culturable wasteland, fallow land, and net sown area, each serving different purposes and contributing to the economy.
Q8: What is culturable wasteland?
ANS: Culturable wasteland is land that can be used for agriculture but is currently not cultivated for more than five years and can be brought under cultivation after reclamation.
Q9: Why is sustainable land management important?
ANS: Sustainable land management is crucial for maintaining soil fertility, preventing land degradation, ensuring long-term agricultural productivity, and preserving ecological balance.
Q10: What are the benefits of agro-climatic planning?
ANS: Agro-climatic planning helps in regionally balanced agricultural development, optimal utilization of resources, diversification of agriculture, and addressing the specific needs of different agro-climatic zones for enhanced productivity and sustainability.
