Social Science : Term 3 Unit 2 : Agriculture
UNIT 2
Agriculture
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
* describe the features of agriculture.
* list and explain differnt types of farming and irrigation.
* name the various crops grown in Tamil Nadu.
Introduction
Agriculture is the art and science of preparing the soil for cultivation, growing crops andraising livestock. It has become a necessity for the humans. Agriculture led to the development of human civilisation.
India is an agricultural country. One-third of our nation‛s income comes from agriculture. Agricultural development contributes to the economy of our country.
Farmers in India
A farmer is a person who cultivates crops and rears animals (poultry and other livestock). India is a land of farmers. It is called so because majority of Indians are directly or indirectly involved in agricultural activities. Agriculture is the backbone of our economy.
Farmers who cultivate in an area less than 1 hectare are called micro farmers.
Types of Farming
There are several types of farming.
* Subsistence farming
* Commercial farming
* Plantation farming
* Mixed farming
Subsistence Farming
In subsistence farming, crops are cultivated and used only for own family consumption. Such type of farming is adopted by small and marginal farmers on fragmented land holdings. The cultivated crops are usually food crops. The method of this farming is generally archaic.
Commercial farming
Unlike subsistence farming, here the crops are cultivated for commercial use and is sold in markets. This method of farming is done by using modern tools and techniques
Plantation Farming
Plantation Farming is done in an estate where a single cash crop is cultivated on a large scale. Examples: Tea, Coffee and Rubber.
Mixed Farming
Mixed farming refers to the rearing of animals along with the cultivation. This type of farming is economical.
LET US KNOW
The Government has set up agencies like the Food Corporation of India to purchase the farm products directly from the farmers at reasonable rates.
ACTIVITY
Let us do
Help the farmer to reach his filed.
In order to eliminate the middlemen between farmers and consumers, the Government of Tamil Nadu introduced the new concept, namely UZHAVAR SANTHAI
Water Resource for Agriculture
There are no perennial rivers in Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu depends on Northeast and Southwest monsoon. Hence, agriculture in Tamil Nadu is dependent on ground water.
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) monitors the level and nature of ground water.
Irrigation
Irrigation is the supply of water to land or crops for the purpose of agricultural production.
Types of Irrigation
* Well Irrigation
* Canal Irrigation
* Sprinkler Irrigation
* Drip Irrigation
Well Irrigation
Well irrigation has been practised in Tamil Nadu for many generations. It is a less expensive type of irrigation.
Canal Irrigation
Canal irrigation is the most important form of irrigation in India. Most of the North Indian canals are perennial. The main canal irrigated areas are in the northern plains of India such as Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Bihar.
Canal Irrigation
Green revolution is a process which brought an increase in crop production by using new varieties of seeds, pesticides and new agricultural techniques.
Dr.M.S. Swaminathan of Tamil Nadu is known as Father of Green Revolution in India.
Sprinkler Irrigation
Sprinkler irrigation is similar to natural rainfall. Water is sprayed through pipes in the air through sprinklers.
Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation is a type of micro-irrigation system that saves water and soil nutrients. In this system water drips slowly into the roots of plants through pipes. Pipes can be either above the soil surface or buried below the surface. The water directly reaches the roots and minimises evaporation.
ACTIVITY
Let us write
(Tractor, Winnower, Farmer)
Find out the following.
1. One who produces food for us. Farmer
2. It is used for ploughing. Tractor
3. It is used for separating grain from hay. Winnower
LET US KNOW
Animal husbandry is the branch of agriculture. It is to raise animals for meat, fur, milk, eggs and other products.
Horticulture is the science or art of cultivating fruits, vegetables, flowers or ornamental plants.
Important crops in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu has different types of soil, rainfall and weather across its districts. It is suitable for the production of fruits, vegetables, spices, plantation crops, flowers, medicinal and aromatic plants. Horticulture is the fastest growing sector within agriculture in Tamil Nadu.
Paddy is grown in large areas because rice is the main staple food of the state.
The principal food crops are rice, maize, jowar (cholam), bajra (Kambu), ragi, and pulses (bengalgram, redgram, greengram blackgram and horsegram).
The cash crops include cotton, sugarcane, oilseeds, coffee, tea, rubber, coconut, gingelly and chillies.
Mango and Banana are the leading fruit crops of Tamil Nadu.
The main flowers grown in Tamil Nadu are Jasmine, Chrysanthemum, Marigold and Rose.
Thanjavur is an important agricultural centre located in the Cauvery Delta. It is known as the Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu.
Think
Which State is known as the Rice bowl of India?
Answer: Andhra Pradesh is known as the Rice bowl of India.
LET US KNOW
Cropping seasons in Tamil Nadu
* Navarai
* Sornavari
* Kar
* Kuruvai
* Samba
* Thaladi
Coimbatore is the largest cotton producingdistrict in Tamil Nadu. It is known as the Manchester of South India.
Glossary
1. Archaic: Ancient
2. Minimize: Reduce
3. Perennial : Everlast
Recap
* India is an agricultural country.
* Indian farmers are the backbone of the Indian economy.
* There are several methods of farming systems in India.
* There are four basic types of irrigation.
* The principal food crops are rice, maize, jowar, bajra, ragi and pulses.
EVALUATION
I. Choose the correct answer.
1. __________ is the cultivation of crops.
a) Irrigation
b) Agriculture
c) Excavation
Answer: b) Agriculture
2. A __________ is a person who is engaged in agriculture.
a) doctor
b) teacher
c) farmer
Answer: c) farmer
3. __________ farming refers to the raising of animals along with the crops.
a) Commercial
b) Mixed
c) Extensive
d) Subsistence
Answer: b) Mixed
4. __________ monitors the level and nature of ground water.
a) Central Ground Water Board
b) Metro Water Board
c) Sewage Water Board
Answer: a) Central Ground Water Board
5. __________ is the largest cotton producing district in Tamil Nadu.
a) Coimbatore
b) Chennai
c) Cuddalore
Answer: a) Coimbatore
II. Match the following.
1. Plantation farming -rearing of animals
2. Mixed farming -oldest method
3. Commercial farming -single cash crop
4. Well irrigation -for family consumption
5. Subsistence farming -for trade
Answer:
1. Plantation farming – single cash crop
2. Mixed farming – rearing of animals
3. Commercial farming – for trade
4. Well irrigation – oldest method
5. Subsistence farming – for family consumption
III. True or False.
1. Rice is the leading food crop in Tamil Nadu. (True )
2. Tamil Nadu has two soil types. (False )
3. Drip irrigation is a type of micro-irrigation system. (True )
4. Jackfruit is an example of plantation crop. (True )
5. Mango is the leading fruit crop of Tamil Nadu. (True )
IV. Answer the following.
1. What is agriculture?
Agriculture is the art and science of preparing the soil for cultivation, growing crops and raising livestock.
2. Write about farmers.
A farmer is a person who cultivates crops and rears animals (poultry and other livestock). India is land of farmers. It is called so because majority of Indians are directly or indirectly involved in agriculture activities. Agriculture is the backbone of our Economy.
3. Name the different types of farming.
There are several types of farming
(i) Subsistence farming
(ii) Commercial farming
(iii) Plantation farming
(iv) Mixed farming
4. What is well irrigation?
Drawing water directly from the well and supplying it to the crops is called well inigation. Motor pumpsets are used for this purpose. Well irrigation has been practised in Tamil Nadu for many generations. It is a less expensive type of irrigation.
5. Give a short note on the Central Ground Water Board.
Ground Water Board (CGWB) monitors the level and nature of ground water.
V. Answer in detail.
1. Write about mixed and plantation farming.
Plantation Farming is done in an estate where a single cash crop is cultivated on a large scale. Examples : Tea, Coffee and Rubber.
Mixed Farming : Mixed Farming refers to the rearing of animals along with the cultivation. This type of farming is economical.
2. Explain any two types of irrigation.
1. Drip Irrigation is a type of micro-irrigation system that saves water and soil nutrients. In this system water drips slowly into the roots of plants through pipes. Pipes can be either above the soil surface or buried below the surface. The water directly reaches the roots and minimises evaporation.
2. Sprinkler Irrigation: Sprinkler irrigation is similar to natural rainfall. In this system water is sprayed through pipes in the air through sprinklers.
3. Write about the important crops of Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu has different types of soil, rainfall and weather across its districts. It is suitable for the production of fruits, vegetables, spices, plantation crops, flowers, medicinal and aromatic plants. Horticulture is the fastest growing sector within agriculture in Tamil Nadu.
Paddy is grown in large areas because rice is the main staple food of the state.
The principal food crops are rice, maize. Jowar (cholam), bajra (kambu), ragi and pulses (bengalgram, redgram, greengram blackgram and horsegram).
The cash crops include cotton, sugarcane, oilseeds, coffee, tea, rubber, coconut, gingelly and chillies.
Mango and Banana are the leading fruit crops of Tamil Nadu.
The main flowers grown in Tamil Nadu are Jasmine, Chrysanthemum, Marigold and Rose.
FUN WITH
ACTIVITY
PROJECT
* Collect some varieties of grains like rice, maize, jowar, bajra, ragi and pulses.
* Put them in separate packets.
* Staple / Stick all the packets on a chart and name them.
ACTIVITY
Let us do
Help the farmer to reach his filed.
ACTIVITY
Let us write
Find out the following.
(Tractor, Winnower, Farmer)
1. One who produces food for us. Farmer
2. It is used for ploughing. Tractor
3. It is used for separating grain from hay. Winnower
Think
Which State is known as the Rice bowl of India?
Answer: Andhra Pradesh is known as the Rice bowl of India.