Chapter 31. FOOD PRODUCTION AND ANIMAL-HUSBANDRY
INTEXT QUESTIONS 31.1
1. Which council has been set up in India for Agricultural Research and Development?
Answer: The council set up in India for agricultural research and development is the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
2. Mention any three advantages of crop rotation.
(i) ___________ (ii) ___________ (iii) ___________
Answer: (i) Better harvest (higher crop yield) (ii) Reduces soil erosion (iii) Controls weeds, pests and diseases
3. In the table given below fill in the blanks and example has already been done for you.
|
Name |
Method |
|
1. Farming of ‘Moong’ after Potatoes |
(A) ………………………………… |
|
2. Growing four crops in the same field. |
(B) ………………………………… |
|
3. ………………………………… |
(C) Organic farming |
|
4. ‘Barseem’ barley, sun-flower |
(D) …………………………………. |
Answer:
|
Name |
Method |
|
1. Farming of 'Moong' after potatoes |
(A) Crop rotation |
|
2. Growing four crops in the same field |
(B) Mixed cropping |
|
3. Obtaining harvest without damaging the environment |
(C) Organic farming |
|
4. 'Berseem', barley, sunflower |
(D) Crop rotation |
INTEXT QUESTION 31.2
1. Some statements are given below. Arrange them in the proper sequence so that the chain given below gets completed.
1. Use of grass cutting implement
2. Transplantation of new plants
3. Preparing the vermicompost
4. Treating the seeds by immersing these in ceresin or agrosin.
5. Use of mix cropping
6. Making topsoil fertile
7. Preparation of the field for sowing
Photo
Answer: (A) 1 (B) 4 (C) 7 (D) 2 (E) 3
2. Mention a chemical and an organic method for protecting growing crops against attack by weeds.
Answer: Chemical method: Spraying weed-killers such as 2,4-D, NCAA, or Simazine to destroy weeds.
Organic method: Manual weeding or mulching to prevent weed growth.
3. What can be done for removing plant destroying insects etc. what harm can be caused by chemical insecticides?
Answer: Plant-destroying insects can be removed by spraying insecticides. To reduce the use of chemicals, disease-resistant crop varieties and biological control methods (using natural enemies of pests) can also be used.
Harm caused by chemical insecticides:
(i) They can be poisonous to plants, animals, and humans.
(ii) They pollute the environment by contaminating soil, water, and air.
4. Mention any two better ways of storing grains.
(i) __________________________ (ii) ___________________________
Answer: (i) Pusa Bin (ii) Pusa Cubicle
INTEXT QUESTIONS 31.3
1. Today, most schools of marine fish can be detected by the use of new technology, called—————————.
Answer: Through satellite and echo (echo-sounding) techniques.
2. —————— are cultured to get pearl.
Answer: Oysters .
3. Mention the names of any two fish of economic importance.
Answer: Any two fish of economic importance are mullet and pearl spot .
4. By increasing the lactation period of milch animals —————production can be simultaneously increased.
Answer: Milk production .
INTEXT QUESTIONS 31.4
1. At any given time the capacity of the availability, easy accessibility and expenditure on food of all the people in any region/country is called——— ———————.
Answer: Food security .
2. The grain stocks procured by the govt. through the medium of FCI is called— ——————.
Answer: Buffer stocks .
3. The ratined material, from the state controlled ration shops is distributed through the ——————— system.
Answer: Public distribution .
4. Mention any two programmes that were initiated with the purposed to eridation of poverty and achieving food security.
Answer: Any two programmes are mid-Day Meal Scheme and annapoorna Scheme
5. The mixture of separated cells/tissues from plants and nutritive fluids in a funnel/beaker is called————.
Answer: Tissue/ cellular preservation .
TERMINAL EXERCISES
Multiple Choice Questions.
1. The name of the governmental campaign that is encouraging horticulture is:
a. National Green Mission
b. National Gardening Mission
c. National Food Mission
d. National Harvest Mission
Answer: (b) National Gardening Mission.
[ It is a government programme that promotes horticulture by encouraging the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and spices.]
2. The credit for the green revolution in the country goes to :
a. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
b. Dr V Kurian
c. Dr M.S. Swaminathan
d. Dr. MGK Menon
Answer: c. Dr M.S. Swaminathan
[ He is known as the father of the Green Revolution in India for introducing high-yielding wheat and rice varieties, boosting food production.]
3. The following are involved in the creation of biofertilzers:
(a) Grass, dry leaves and urine/excrete of animals
(b) Chemical products
(c) Radio-active substances
(d) Nitrogen fertilizers
Answer: (a) Grass, dry leaves and urine/excrete of animals
[ Biofertilizers are made from organic matter like farm waste, animal dung, and plant residues, which naturally enrich soil fertility without harmful chemicals.]
4. Auxin or gibberelin chemicals is associated with this category
a. Weed killer
b. Fertilizer
c. Plant Growth Regulator
d. Fungicides
Answer: c. Plant Growth Regulator
[ Auxins and gibberellins are plant hormones that regulate growth, such as stem elongation, rooting, and fruit development. They are not weed killers, fertilizers, or fungicides.]
5. For crops productions and management of farms which principles should the farmer be informed of?
Answer: The farmer should be informed of the following principles for crop production and farm management:
(i) Maintenance of fertility and productivity of soil needs arrangement for prevention of diseases, and removal of used pests and weeds.
(ii) Sowing healthy seeds in the field at the right time, at the right distance and upto the correct depth.
(iii) Proper arrangements for availability of water and fertilizers.
(iv) Selection of right crop types in accordance with variation in type of soil and climate.
(v) Crop harvesting at a suitable time.
(vi) Scientific storage of harvest.
(vii) Use of multiple cropping and mixed farming.
(viii) Crop rotation
(ix) Soil improvement and management.
6. What do you mean by crop rotation? Classified the advantages of crop rotation?
Answer: Crop rotation is the practice of growing different crops one after another on the same field in a fixed sequence.
Advantages of crop rotation:
(i) Maintains fertility of fields and affords soil nutrition due to abundance of nitrogen .
(ii) Increases crop production
(iii) Prevents soil erosion
(iv) Control of insects and disease affecting crops
(v) Regular income throughout the year .
7. From the prespective of food security, why is mixed cropping and multiple cropping considered better? Explain
Answer: Mixed cropping and multiple cropping are considered better for food security because they increase total food production from the same land. If one crop fails due to pests, diseases, or unfavourable weather, the other crops can still provide a harvest. These methods also reduce the risk of complete crop failure, make better use of land and resources, and ensure a more regular supply of food throughout the year.
8. Comment on the following
i. Formation of topsoil
ii. Treatment of seeds
iii. Preparation of field for sowingseeds aand looking after new-born plants
iv. Preservation of cells/tissues
Answer: (i) Formation of topsoil : Topsoil is the upper 5-10 inch layer of soil, rich in minerals and organic matter (humus) that supports plant growth. It forms over hundreds of years through weathering of rocks and decomposition of plant/animal remains.
(ii) Treatment of seeds: Seeds are treated before sowing to enhance germination and protect from pests/diseases. Methods include soaking (priming), hardening to withstand drought, and coating with biofertilizers like Azospirillum or fungicides.
(iii) Preparation of field for sowing seeds and looking after new-born plants : Field preparation involves ploughing to loosen soil, leveling for uniform water distribution, and adding manure/fertilizers. After sowing, new plants need regular watering (irrigation), weeding to remove competition, and protection from pests.
(iv) Preservation of cells/tissues: Cell/tissue preservation involves maintaining living cells outside the organism. Stem cell technology preserves undifferentiated cells that can divide and specialize into different cell types to replace damaged tissues.
9. just imaging that you have been invited to a village chaupal for giving a lecture on ‘Arrangment for Protecting Harvest’. What will you tell the villagers and farmers on this topic.
Answer: Dear farmers, protecting the harvested crop is as important as growing it. After harvesting, grains should be properly dried before storage to prevent moisture and fungal growth. Store them in clean, dry, and airtight containers such as Pusa bins or Pusa cubicles. Keep the storage area free from insects, rats, and birds. Use suitable fumigants or insecticides when required to control storage pests. Regularly inspect stored grains for signs of damage. Proper storage reduces losses, maintains grain quality, and ensures food is available throughout the year, which also strengthens food security.
10. During the storage of grains in granaries, tell about any two possibilities, by which, how can reach the door of the stored grains.
Answer: During the storage of grains in granaries, stored grains can be damaged in the following two ways:
(i) Attack by insects and rodents such as rats and weevils, which eat and spoil the grains.
(ii) Moisture and fungal growth, which cause grains to rot and reduce their quality.
11. What advantage assures to the farmer through animal husbandary. Many animal rights activists protests against animal husbandary. Write a note of one or two pages on this topic.
Answer: Advantages of Animal Husbandry to Farmers:
Animal husbandry is the scientific management, breeding, feeding, and care of domestic animals such as cows, buffaloes, goats, sheep, pigs, poultry, and fish. It is an important part of agriculture and contributes significantly to the country's economy and food security.
Animal husbandry provides many advantages to farmers:
(i) It provides milk, meat, eggs, wool, and honey, which are nutritious foods and valuable sources of income.
(ii) It offers regular employment and an additional source of income, especially for small and marginal farmers.
(iii) Animals provide dung, which is used as organic manure and for producing biogas.
(iv) Bullocks and other draught animals help in ploughing fields, transporting goods, and other farm operations.
(v) It helps in the proper utilisation of crop residues and agricultural waste as animal feed.
(vi) It improves the economic condition of rural families and supports food security.
Animal Rights and Animal Husbandry:
Many animal rights activists protest against certain animal husbandry practices because they believe that animals are sometimes treated cruelly. They object to overcrowding, poor housing, lack of proper food and water, unnecessary use of hormones, painful handling, and unhealthy living conditions. They believe that animals should be treated with kindness and protected from unnecessary suffering.
However, animal husbandry itself is not harmful if it is practised scientifically and ethically. Farmers should ensure that animals receive balanced food, clean drinking water, proper shelter, regular vaccination, veterinary care, and humane treatment. Animals should not be subjected to cruelty, neglect, or unnecessary pain.
Conclusion: Animal husbandry is essential for increasing agricultural production, improving farmers' income, generating employment, and ensuring food security. At the same time, the welfare of animals must be given equal importance. Scientific and humane animal husbandry benefits both farmers and animals and contributes to sustainable agricultural development.
12. How can the produce of hen rearing and fisheries’activities be increased?
Answer: The production of hen rearing (poultry) and fisheries can be increased by:
(i) Using improved, high-yielding breeds.
(ii) Providing balanced and nutritious feed.
(iii) Maintaining clean and hygienic conditions.
(iv) Protecting birds and fish from diseases through proper vaccination and treatment.
(v) Adopting scientific breeding and modern management practices.
(vi) In fisheries, using quality fish seed and proper pond management also helps increase production.
13. By explaining being made at the national level in relation to the country’ food security, kindly explain as to why food security is in the country’s interest today.
Answer: Food security is in the country's interest because it ensures that all people have enough safe and nutritious food at all times. It helps prevent hunger, malnutrition, and starvation, especially during droughts, floods, or other emergencies. To achieve food security, the government has increased food production, created buffer stocks, strengthened the Public Distribution System (PDS), and introduced schemes like the Mid-Day Meal Scheme and Annapoorna Scheme. These efforts help reduce poverty and improve the health and well-being of the people.
14. Comment on the following:
i. Food security for the increasing population
ii. Buffer stocks
iii. Public distribution system
iv. Green revolution
Answer: (i) Food security for the increasing population: Food security means availability, accessibility, and affordability of food for all people at all times. With a growing population, it is essential to increase food production through modern farming techniques, reduce wastage, and ensure proper distribution so that every citizen gets adequate nutrition.
(ii) Buffer stocks: Buffer stocks are surplus stocks of food grains (like wheat and rice) maintained by the government. They are created by purchasing crops from farmers at Minimum Support Price (MSP). These stocks help during food shortages, natural calamities, and are used to stabilize market prices and supply through the Public Distribution System.
(iii) Public distribution system (PDS): PDS is a government-run program that distributes essential food items (like wheat, rice, sugar, and kerosene) at subsidized rates to poor and vulnerable sections of society through fair-price shops. It ensures food availability to the economically weaker sections and helps in achieving food security.
(iv) Green Revolution: The Green Revolution was a major agricultural movement in India during the 1960s–70s, led by Dr. M.S. Swaminathan. It introduced High-Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and improved irrigation techniques. It dramatically increased food grain production (especially wheat and rice), making India self-sufficient and reducing dependence on food imports
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