question_answer 11)

Answer the following questions in about 120 words. (i) Suggest the initiative taken by the government to ensure the increase in agricultural production. (ii) Describe the impact of globalization on Indian agriculture. (iii) Describe the geographical conditions required for the growth of rice.  

Answer:

(i) Government has made concerted efforts to ensure the increase in agricultural production since 1951. These include   (a) Abolition of zamindari system.   (b) Announcement of minimum support price every year to prevent any exploitation of farmers.   (c) Consolidation of small landholdings into a large one where mechanisation is possible.   (d) Ceiling on landholdings where maximum limit towards ownership was fixed by the government.   (e) Introduction of insurance to provide security against failure of crops.   (f) Opening up of rural banks and co-operative societies to provide credit to the farmers at a low interest.   (g) Introduction of high yielding varieties, use of machines, fertilizers etc.   (h) Special weather bulletins and agricultural programmes for farmers were introduced through mass media.   (ii) In the nineteenth century, Indian spices were exported to different countries of the world. Even today these are being exported in larger quantities.  Farmers have been exposed to new challenges after 1990. Agricultural products are not able to compete with the developed countries because of the highly subsidized agriculture in these countries.                              Indian farmers should diversify their cropping pattern from cereals to high-value crops. To make agriculture successful, the condition of small and marginal farmers. Genetic engineering and organic farming should be employed to increase without degrading the land. India's diverse climate can be harnessed to grow a wide range of high value crops.   (iii) Geographical conditions required for the growth of rice are   (a) Temperature It is a Kharif crop which requires high temperature and high humidity. The mean monthly temperature of about 25°C with minor variation during the sowing, growing and harvesting season is suitable for the growth of the plant.   (b) Rainfall Rice needs abundant rainfall, i.e., more than 100 cm. It can grow in areas with less rainfall but with assured irrigation. Rice is grown in Punjab and Haryana with the help of irrigation.   (c) Soil Rice can grow in a variety of soils including silts, loams and gravels, but it is grown best in alluvial soil with a sub-soil of impervious clay.