Class 9 Geography Chapter 7 – Agriculture Complete Solutions | Assam Board (ASSEB) | Latest Syllabus | English Medium
Class 9 Geography Chapter 7 – Agriculture Complete Solutions (Assam Board – ASSEB – English Medium)
This chapter delves into the world of agriculture, exploring it as a primary economic activity. It covers different types of farming systems, major crops grown globally and in India, and the factors influencing agricultural practices. The provided solutions will help students understand the significance of agriculture for human sustenance and economic development.
✅ What you will learn:
- The concept of agriculture and the farm system
- Types of farming: Subsistence and Commercial farming
- Major crops (food crops, fibre crops, beverage crops)
- Factors influencing agriculture like climate and soil
- Agricultural development and its impact
🎯 Why choose Ospin Academy?
- Complete and easy-to-understand solutions for the latest Assam Board (ASSEB) syllabus
- Content is explained in simple English for better student comprehension
- Exam-focused questions and answers to boost your preparation
- High-quality study material aligned with the Class 9 Geography curriculum
- A reliable digital learning platform for academic success
Class 9 Geography Elective English Medium | Latest Syllabus Chapter-wise Solutions PDF
Limited Time Offer!
(For Class 9 Geography Elective, English Medium)
Prepare thoroughly for Class 9 Geography Elective with this chapter-wise solutions PDF.
Includes complete, clear, and exam-focused textual solutions as per the latest syllabus.
Ideal for self-study, homework help, and last-minute revision.
Chapter-7
Agriculture
1. What is meant by agriculture? Mention briefly the factors influencing agriculture.
Answer: The production of food items by way of cultivation of land is known as agriculture. In other words, all the activities that man performs on land — such as farming, horticulture, pisciculture, dairy farming, and animal rearing — are called agriculture.
Factors influencing agriculture:
(a) Natural factors:
(i) Soil: The type of soil determines the kind of crops grown. For example, alluvial soil is ideal for rice cultivation, while black soil of the Deccan is best suited for cotton.
(ii) Climate: Elements like temperature, rainfall, and humidity directly affect plant growth. Some crops need high temperature and rainfall, while others thrive in moderate conditions.
(iii) Relief: Altitude, slope, and aspect of the land influence agricultural practices and the types of crops grown.
(b) Socio-economic factors:
(i) Land tenure: Ownership of land affects cultivation. Owners tend to improve their land, while tenants or zamindars often neglect it.
(ii) Size of farmholdings: Small holdings limit mechanisation and scientific cultivation.
(iii) Labour: Educated and skilled labourers adopt modern techniques, whereas illiterate labourers depend on primitive methods.
(iv) Capital: Availability of capital distinguishes commercial agriculture from subsistence farming.
(v) Marketing and transport: A good market and efficient transport system encourage higher production and cultivation of specific demand-based crops.
2. Explain why agricultural practice is not similar everywhere in the world.
Answer: Agricultural practices differ from place to place due to the following reasons:
(i) Natural or physical factors such as landform, slope, climate, and water availability vary across regions.
(ii) Socio-economic factors such as education of farmers, land tenure, farm size, capital availability, and technology also differ.
3. Classify agriculture and give the basis of your classification.
Answer: Agriculture can be classified as follows:
(a) On the basis of permanence:
(i) Permanent agriculture: Practised by settled farmers for both personal use and commercial sale. It involves crop rotation, livestock farming, mechanisation, and intensive methods.
(ii) Shifting agriculture: Practised by burning forests and cultivating for a few years before moving to another area. Common among hill tribes of North-East India.
(b) On the basis of farm size:
(i) Extensive (large-scale) agriculture: Involves cultivation of a single crop over large areas using machinery and less labour.
(ii) Intensive (small-scale) agriculture: Practised on small plots with high labour, capital, and inputs to maximise yield.
(c) On the basis of economic purpose:
(i) Commercial agriculture: Produce grown mainly for sale, e.g. tea, coffee, rubber, cotton.
(ii) Subsistence agriculture: Produce grown mainly for household consumption.
(d) On the basis of land and climate:
(i) Dry farming: Practised in areas with low rainfall and no irrigation.
(ii) Wet farming: Practised in regions with abundant rainfall. Main crops include rice, jute, and banana.
(e) Special types of agriculture:
(i) Plantation agriculture: Large-scale, mechanised farming of single crops like tea, coffee, or rubber.
(ii) Collective agriculture: Community-owned and managed farming, introduced in the former Soviet Union.
(iii) Horticulture: Cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
(iv) Market gardening: Growing perishable items for nearby urban markets.
(v) Mixed farming: Combining crop cultivation with animal rearing or poultry.
(vi) Truck farming: Growing perishable crops for export or transport to distant markets.
4. What is permanent agriculture? Discuss briefly its characteristics.
Answer: Permanent agriculture is practised by people who settle permanently in one place and cultivate crops for both personal and commercial use.
Characteristics:
(i) Carried out throughout the year.
(ii) Uses ploughs, tractors, irrigation, and fertilisers.
(iii) Most common form of agriculture worldwide.
(iv) Produces relatively high yield.
(v) Includes livestock rearing, pisciculture, and horticulture.
5. Give a brief outline of shifting cultivation. Explain how this type of agriculture degrades the environment.
Answer: Shifting cultivation (or Jhuming) involves clearing and burning forest areas for cultivation for a few years, then moving to a new site. Trees and bushes are burned to clear land, and crops are grown using simple hand tools. After 3–4 years, the soil loses fertility, and farmers shift to new plots. It is common in North-East India.
Characteristics:
(i) Land cleared by burning.
(ii) Dependence on human labour; no use of animals or machinery.
(iii) No private ownership — land belongs to the community.
(iv) Low yield and no surplus production.
(v) Practised in sparsely populated regions.
Environmental impacts:
(i) Causes deforestation and habitat loss.
(ii) Fire destroys flora and fauna.
(iii) Disturbs ecological balance and soil fertility.
(iv) Smoke from burning vegetation pollutes the air and contributes to climate change.
6. Present a comparative picture of large-scale and small-scale agriculture.
Answer: A comparative picture of large-scale and small-scale agriculture are:
Sl. No. | Basis of difference | Large-scale agriculture | Small-scale agriculture |
|---|---|---|---|
(i) | Meaning | Agriculture which is marked by the use of machinery as well as single crop cultivation on a large area with few men. | Practiced on a limited area so as to maximise the production within the shortest time possible. |
(ii) | Nature | These are machinery extensive. | These are labour intensive. |
(iii) | Place of practice | Practiced in countries where population density is low, e.g. Canada, USA, etc. | Practiced in countries where population is high, e.g. UK, India, etc. |
(iv) | Cultivation | Involves cultivation of single crop. | Involves cultivation of many crops. |
(v) | Other name | Extensive agriculture. | Intensive agriculture. |
7. What do you mean by plantation farming? Discuss its characteristics.
Answer: Plantation farming refers to a type of agriculture where a single crop is cultivated over a large area using modern machinery, advanced scientific techniques, and a large labour force. This system of farming is mostly practised in tropical and sub-tropical regions where favourable climatic conditions and cheap labour support the cultivation of crops like tea, coffee, rubber, and coconut.
Main characteristics of plantation farming:
(i) Crops are cultivated mainly for commercial purposes.
(ii) It is carried out on a large scale.
(iii) Most agricultural operations are done manually, except in developed countries.
(iv) It is both labour-intensive and capital-intensive in nature.
(v) The final products are processed in factories.
(vi) It has a close link with plantation-based industries.
(vii) Market demand plays a crucial role in determining the type and scale of cultivation.
8. Describe briefly the relationship between urbanisation and market gardening.
Answer: The process of urbanisation has had a strong influence on the pattern of food and vegetable production. In modern times, market demand largely determines the nature and type of agricultural production. People in urban areas have higher purchasing power, and therefore, agricultural activities are organised mainly to meet their needs.
As towns and cities require a regular supply of vegetables, fruits, and food grains, farms tend to develop around urban centres to supply these perishable goods quickly. These farms, known as market gardens, are located near cities to ensure the produce remains fresh and reaches consumers rapidly, supported by good transport and communication facilities.
This system of farming is known as market gardening, and it has expanded rapidly in India with increasing urbanisation and improved connectivity between villages and towns under the impact of globalisation.
9. What kind of environment is required for rice cultivation? Write briefly about the geographical distribution of rice.
Answer: Rice is the most important staple food for nearly half of the world’s population and is mainly grown in the monsoon regions. It is cultivated widely in floodplains, coastal areas, and deltaic regions, though it is also grown in certain hilly terrains where suitable conditions exist.
Geographical conditions required for rice cultivation:
(i) Rice requires a hot and humid climate.
(ii) The temperature should range between 25°C and 35°C throughout the growing season.
(iii) The annual rainfall should be between 100 cm and 200 cm, preferably well distributed during the growing period.
Geographical distribution:
Rice is primarily cultivated in South, Southeast, and East Asia, particularly in countries like India, China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Vietnam. In India, it is grown mainly in the Indo-Gangetic plains, coastal regions, and the deltaic areas of major rivers such as the Ganga, Brahmaputra, Godavari, Krishna, and Mahanadi. It is also cultivated in hilly areas such as Assam, Meghalaya, and parts of southern India where terraced farming is practised.
10. Give an account of wheat cultivation.
Answer: Wheat is one of the most important food crops in the world and serves as the staple diet for a large section of the global population. In India too, it holds a significant place next to rice in terms of both area and production.
Geographical conditions required for its cultivation:
(i) Wheat grows best in clayey or sandy loam soils found in the plains.
(ii) It needs a cool and moist climate during the growing period and a warm, dry climate at the time of ripening.
(iii) The annual rainfall required ranges between 50 cm and 100 cm.
(iv) A temperate climate with a frost-free period of about three months is most suitable.
(v) Adequate irrigation facilities are essential, and in areas with low rainfall, irrigation has made wheat cultivation possible.
Geographical distribution:
The major wheat-producing countries of the world are China, the USA, India, Russia, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, and Pakistan. China ranks first, followed by the USA and India. In India, the Ganga Valley is the principal wheat-producing region, along with parts of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
11. Discuss the importance and geographical distribution of cotton farming.
Answer: Cotton is one of India’s most valuable cash crops and has been cultivated here since ancient times. It plays a vital role in providing employment to a large number of people and forms the backbone of India’s textile industry, which is one of the major agro-based industries. The export of cotton and cotton-based products also earns substantial foreign exchange for the country.
Geographical conditions required for its cultivation:
(i) Cotton requires well-drained highlands with sandy or black soil.
(ii) The annual rainfall should range between 65 cm and 115 cm.
(iii) A frost-free period of about 190 to 210 days is ideal.
(iv) High temperature throughout the growing season is necessary for proper development.
Geographical distribution:
The leading cotton-producing countries are the USA, China, India, Pakistan, Egypt, Russia, and Brazil. The Mississippi and Tennessee valleys in the USA, the Nile valley in Egypt, and the Hwang Ho and Yangtse valleys in northern China are the main cotton-producing regions. In India, cotton is mainly cultivated in the Deccan Plateau, especially in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and parts of the Meghalaya Plateau. The USA, China, and India are the largest producers of cotton in the world.
12. What kind of environment is required for growing tea?
Answer: Tea is one of India’s most important beverage crops and holds immense economic significance. It provides employment to thousands of workers and serves as a major source of foreign income for the country.
Geographical conditions required for its cultivation:
(i) Tea thrives best in fertile, well-drained red or lateritic soils.
(ii) It requires a warm and humid climate with consistent rainfall and moisture throughout the year.
(iii) Tea cultivation is a capital- and labour-intensive form of plantation farming that depends on advanced technology and skilled labour.
Geographical distribution:
Tea is a major plantation crop of the monsoon regions of Asia, particularly in China, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Japan. It is also cultivated in parts of Africa, such as Kenya, Uganda, and Mozambique.
India ranks first in the world in tea production, followed by China. The main tea-producing regions of India are:
(i) The Brahmaputra and Barak Valleys of Assam.
(ii) The Darjeeling Hills and surrounding areas of West Bengal.
(iii) The hilly regions of Kerala and Tamil Nadu in South India.
13. Link the following correctly:
A | B |
|---|---|
Tea | extensive farming is practised |
In the less populous countries | is a plantation crop |
In the densely populated countries | is a commercial crop |
Shifting cultivation | is highly productive |
Sugarcane | is a major crop of the monsoon region. |
Cotton farming | is a fiber crop. |
Cotton | intensive farming is practised |
Commercial farming | has low productivity |
Answer:
A | B |
|---|---|
Tea | is a plantation crop |
In the less populous countries | extensive farming is practised |
In the densely populated countries | intensive farming is practised |
Shifting cultivation | has low productivity |
Sugarcane | is a commercial crop |
Cotton farming | is a major crop of the monsoon region. |
Cotton | is a fiber crop. |
Commercial farming | is highly productive |
14. Name the major crops cultivated in different types of agriculture such as permanent agriculture, plantation farming, horticulture and market gardening. In which of the seasons are these crops raised? What kind of geographical conditions are required for such types of cultivation? Attempt a comparative discussion.
Answer: The major crops cultivated under different types of agriculture are as follows:
(i) Permanent agriculture:
Crops such as rice, wheat, maize, potatoes, sugarcane, oilseeds, vegetables, and fruits are grown under permanent agriculture.
(ii) Plantation agriculture:
This type of agriculture includes crops like sugarcane, cotton, jute, tea, coffee, and cocoa.
(iii) Horticulture:
Horticulture involves the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and flowers, including potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, beetroot, beans, cucumbers, pumpkins, carrots, apples, oranges, grapes, watermelons, and pears.
(iv) Market gardening:
This involves the cultivation of vegetables, fruits, and flowers mainly to meet the daily requirements of nearby urban markets.
Seasons of cultivation:
India experiences two major agricultural seasons — Kharif and Rabi.
Kharif crops: Crops such as rice, millets, maize, groundnut, jute, cotton, pulses, and various vegetables are sown in June–July with the onset of the monsoon and harvested around September–October.
Rabi crops: Crops such as wheat, gram, and oilseeds are sown in October–November and harvested in April–May.
Vegetables and fruits are cultivated during both seasons depending on climatic conditions.
Comparative discussion:
Permanent agriculture depends on fertile soils, moderate rainfall, and suitable temperature throughout the year.
Plantation farming requires large estates, a humid tropical or subtropical climate, and ample rainfall along with cheap labour and good transport facilities.
Horticulture thrives in well-drained soils, moderate temperatures, and a good water supply.
Market gardening develops mainly around urban centres with access to transport and markets to ensure quick distribution of perishable goods.
So, while each type of agriculture varies in its scale, purpose, and climatic requirements, all contribute significantly to fulfilling the food, commercial, and economic needs of a region.
Class 9 Geography Chapter 7 – Frequently Asked Questions
Get Free NCERT PDFs
If you want to download free PDFs of any chapter, click the link below and join our WhatsApp group:
