SST 10

193
CHAPTER 10
FOREST AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES

All living beings share this planet with millions of other living beings, starting from the micro-
organism to blue whale. There are different kinds of animals, plants and other living as well as non-
living things. So, our entire habitat has immense biodiversity. We humans along with all other living
organisms form a complex web of ecological system in which we are only a part and very much
dependent on this system of our own existence. There is a multiple network of interdependence. i.e.,
all the organisms depend upon each other for their survival. For example, the plants, animals and
micro-organisms recreate the quality of the air we breathe, the water we drink and the soil that is used
to produce food. Forests also play very vital role in this whole ecological system.
Biodiversity is the sum total of all the varieties of species of plants, animals and micro-organisms
living on the earth. It also includes the habitat in which they live. Some scientists estimate that more
than 10 million species live on our earth and some believe that this number can be more than 100
million.
All the organisms depend
upon each other. In the
SUN figure it is shown that deer
is dependent on grass for
its survival whereas lion is
dependent on deer or other
animals for survival.
DEER LION
GRASS
Flora and Fauna in India : India is one of the world’s richest countries in terms of biological diversity.
It has nearly 8 per cent of the total number of species in the world (estimated to be 1.6 million). This
is possibly twice or thrice the number yet to be discovered.
This diverse flora and fauna is very vital for our survival. The diverse flora and fauna are so integrated
in our daily life that we take them for granted.
Due to destruction of forests for industrial, agricultural and urban development our natural flora
and fauna is under threat. At least 10 per cent of India’s recorded wild flora and 20 per cent of its
mammals are on the threatened list. Many of these would now be categorised as ‘critical’, that is they
are on the verge of extinction like the Cheetah, Pink - Headed Duck, Mountain Quail, Forest Spotted
Owlet and plants like Madhuca insignis (a wild variety of Mahua) and Hubbardia heptaneuron, (a
species of grass), etc. There are many species which have already been lost. Today, we only talk
of the larger and more visible animals and plants that have become extinct but what about the tiny
plants and insects.
194 FOREST AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES
The list of threatened, endangered and extinct animals and birds is on the increase throughout
the world. In India, 79 species of mammals, 44 of birds, 15 of reptiles and 3 of amphibians are
threatened. Nearly 1,500 plant species are considered endangered. Flowering plants and vertebrate
animals have recently become extinct at a rate estimated to be 50 to 100 times the average expected
natural rate.
Based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) different
plants and animals have been categorised as :
(i) Normal species : These are the species whose population levels are considered to be normal for
their survival, such as cattle, sal, pine, rodents, etc. are examples of normal species.
(ii) Endangered species : The species which are in danger of extinction. The survival of such species
is difficult if the negative factors that have led to a decline in their population continue to operate.
Black buck, crocodile, Indian wild ass, Indian rhino, lion tailed macaque, etc. are examples of
endangered species.
(iii) Vulnerable species : These are the species whose population has declined to levels from where it
is likely to move into the endangered category in the near future if the negative factors continue
to operate such species. Blue sheep, Asiatic elephant, Gangetic dolphin, etc. are examples of
vulnerable species.
Black Buck Indian Rhino
Crocodile Asiatic Lion

Endangered species of India
Flora : Plants of a particular region or period are referred to as flora.

Fauna : Species of animals are known as fauna.
Normal species : The species whose population levels are considered to be normal for their survival,
such as cattle, sal, pine, rodents, etc.
Endangered species : The species which are in danger of extinction.
(iv) Rare species : Species with small population may move into the endangered or vulnerable category
if the negative factors affecting them continue to operate. The Himalayan brown bear, wild Asiatic
buffalo, Desert fox and hornbill, etc. are examples of rare species.
FOREST AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES 195
(v) Endemic species : The species which are only found in some particular region usually isolated
by natural or geographical barriers. The examples of such species are the Andaman teal, Nicobar
pigeon, Andaman wild pig, etc.
Nicobar pigeon is a endemic species
(vi) Extinct species : These are species which are not found after searches of known or likely areas where
they may occur. These species may be extinct from a local area, region, country, continent or the
whole earth. The examples of such species are the Asiatic cheetah, pink head duck, etc.
Depletion of Flora and Fauna - Main factors :
1. Over-utilisation of forests : In the earlier days man’s needs were limited. He was dependent on
forests only for few things although lot of things can be obtained from forests. Forests are being used
to fulfil man’s needs directly and indirectly. We are obtaining wood, barks, leaves, rubber, medicine,
dyes, food, fuel, fodder, etc. from forests.
2. Colonial period : The greatest damage
inflicted on Indian forests was during the
colonial period due to the expansion of Rare species : Species with small population
the railways, agriculture, commercial and may move into the endangered or vulnerable
scientific forestry and mining activities. category if the negative factors affecting them
3. A g r i c u l t u r a l e x p a n s i o n : E v e n a f t e r continue to operate.
independence, agricultural expansion
Vulnerable species : These are some species
continues to be one of the major causes of
whose population have declined to levels from
depletion. Between 1951 and 1980, according
to the Forest Survey of India, over 26,200 where it is likely to move into the endangered
sq. km. of forest areas were converted into category in the near future if the negative factors
agricultural lands all over India. Substantial continue to operate.
parts of the tribal belts, especially in the north-
eastern and central India, have been deforested or degraded by shifting cultivation (jhum), a type of
‘slash and burn’ agricultural.
Do You Know ?
Scientific Forestry : In scientific forestry, natural forests which have lots of different types of trees are
cut down. In their place, one type of trees are planted in straight rows. Forest officials survey the forests,
estimate the area under different types of trees, and make working plans for forests management. They
plan how much of the plantation area to cut every year. The area cut is then replanted so that, it is
ready to be cut again in some years.
4. Multipurpose river projects : Multipurpose river projects have also contributed significantly to the
loss of forests. Since, 1951, over 5,000 square kilometres of forest were cleared for river valley
projects and is still continuing with projects like the Narmada Sagar Project in Madhya Pradesh,
which would inundate 40,000 hectares of forest.
5. Mining : Mining is another important factor behind deforestation. Mining operation needs big
machines, labour, roads, railways, etc. All these lead to deforestation. The Buxar Tiger Reserve in
West Bengal is seriously threatened due to mining operations. The mining operations has caused
severe ecological damage to the Reserve and region around. The mining activities has blocked the
migration route of several species, including the great Indian elephants, thus, disturbing their natural
habitat.
6. Grazing and fuel wood collection : Over-grazing of land also leads to soil erosion. In many parts of
India, hill sides have become barren because of over grazing by animals. According to some forests
and environmentalists deforestation has also been caused by wood collection.
Factors responsible for decline in India’s biodiversity :
We discussed earlier that India’s biodiversity is under threat. We have already discussed the above
factors but there are some other factors which are responsible for declining biodiversity in India :
Is only the over population or over populated countries responsible for environmental degradation ?
Earlier it was assumed that it is the over population which is responsible for environmental degradation
but recent studies show that it is the developed countries which are responsible for environmental
degradation. An average American consumes more than 40 times resources than an average Somalian.
Similarly, the richest 5% of the Indian society probably causes more ecological damage. All this is
because of consumption of resources. Rich countries or rich class consumes more resources than the
poor one.
The destruction of forests and its impact on
cultural diversity :
The loss of forests and wildlife is not just a
biological issue but it is also correlated with Forest : Extensive area covered with trees.
cultural diversity. There are many forest dependent Biodiversity is the sum total of all the varieties of
communities, which directly depend on various species of plants, animals and micro-organisms
component of the forest and wildlife for food, living on the earth.
drink, medicines, etc. Many of tribal communities
like Muria Gonds, Dhurwas, Bhatras, etc. have lost
their habitat because of destruction of forests.
Forest Fire DDT/Pesticides Industrial Pollution
Deforestation Hunting Construction
Even among the poor, women are affected more than men. In many societies, women bear the major
responsibility of collection of fuel, fodder, water and other basic needs. As these resources are depleted,
the drudgery of women increases. Most of the time they have to walk for more than 10 km to collect
the basic necessities. This causes serious health problems for women and negligence of home and
children because of the increased hours of work, which often has serious social implications.
· Deforestation is also responsible for poverty. It is considered direct outcome of environmental
destruction. Most of poor people or tribal people depend on forests for their basic needs. Now if
the forests are destroyed these poor people will be deprived off the basic necessities.
· Deforestation also leads to drought because forests help in rainfall.
· Deforestation can also induce floods because vegetation has the ability to check the speed of water.
· Both floods and drought are considered major factors responsible for poverty.
Conservation of forests and wildlife in India
Conservation measures include all the steps taken by the government to save our biodiversity. But why
do we need to conserve our forests and wildlife ?
Conservation :
· Preserve the ecological diversity.
· Preserve the genetic diversity.
· Preserve our life support system i.e., water, air and soil.
Steps taken by the Government :
1. National parks, biosphere and wildlife sanctuaries : To protect the biodiversity Indian government
has established 100 national parks, 515 wildlife sanctuaries and 17 biosphere reserves.
2. The India Wildlife Protection Act : In the
1960s and 1970s, conservationists demanded
a national wildlife protection programme.
The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was
Wildlife Sanctuary : A reserved area for
implemented in 1972, with various provisions
preserving natural beauty. e.g., wildlife.
for protecting habitats. An all India list of
protected species was also published. The
thrust of the programme was towards protecting the remaining population of certain endangered
species by banning hunting, giving legal protection to their habitats and restricting trade in wildlife.
3. Projects for protecting specific animals : The central government has also announced several
projects for protecting specific animals which were gravely threatened, including the tiger, the
one-horned rhinoceros, the Kashmir stag or hangul, the three types of crocodiles - the freshwater
crocodile, the saltwater crocodile and the Gharial, the Asiatic lion and others. Most recently, the
Indian elephant, black buck (chinkara), the great Indian bustard (godawan) and the snow leopard,
etc. have been given full or partial legal protection against hunting and trade throughout India.
Project Tiger
Project Tiger was launched in 1973 with a mandate to conserve tigers in a
holistic manner. Initially, the project was launched in nine tiger reserves,
covering an area of 16,339 sq. km which has now increased to 42 tiger
reserves, encompassing 37,761 sq. km of tiger habitat distributed in 17 states.
Four new tiger reserves which were added recently :
(i) Pakui-Bameri (Arunachal/Assam) ;
(ii) Bori-Satpura (Madhya Pradesh) ;
(iii) Bhadra (Karnataka) ;

(iv) Pench (Maharashtra).
Under the Project Elephant, which was launched in February 1992, States having free-ranging
population of wild elephants are being given financial as well as technical and scientific assistance to
ensure long term survival of identified viable population of elephants in their natural habitats. Fourteen
Elephant Reserves have been set up during the year.
4. Forest Policy : India is one of the few countries which has a Forest Policy since 1894. It was revised
in 1952 and again in 1988. The main plank of the forest policy is protection, conservation and
development of forests. Its main objectives are :
(i) Maintenance of environmental stability through preservation and restoration of ecological
balance.
(ii) Conservation of natural heritage.
(iii) Check on soil erosion and denudation in catchment area of rivers, lakes and reservoirs.
(iv) Substantial increase in forest tree cover through massive afforestation and social forestry
programmes.
5. Focus on biodiversity : The conservation projects which have been launched by the government
focuses on biodiversity rather than on a few of its components. In the new projects, even insects,
butterflies, moths, plants are being added to the list of protected species.
Types and distribution of Forest :
For the purpose of administration, forests are classified into three types, namely :
(1) Reserved forests
(2) Protected forests
(3) Unclassed forests

SACRED GROVES - A WEALTH OF DIVERS AND RARE SPECIES
Sacred Groves (the forests of God and Goddesses) are the forests fragments of varying
sizes,which are communally protected, and which usually have a significant religious
connotation for the protecting community. Hunting and logging are usually strictly
prohibited within these patches. The Mundas and the Santhal of Chhota Nagpur region
worship mahua (Bassia latifolia) and kadamba (Anthocaphalus cadamba) trees, and the
tribals of Odisha and Bihar worship the tamarind (Tamarindus indica) and mango (Mangifera
indica) trees during weddings. Indian society comprises several cultures, each with its own
set of traditional methods of conserving nature and its creations. Sacred qualities are often
ascribed to springs, mountain peaks, plants and animals which are closely protected. You
will find troops of macaques and langurs around many temples. They are fed daily and
treated as a part of temple devotees. In and around Bishnoi villages in Rajasthan, herds of
blackbuck, (chinkara), nilgai and peacocks can be seen as an integral part of the community
and nobody harms them.
Reserved Forests Protected Forests Unclassed Forests

They are permanently earmarked They are protected from any They consist of inaccessible
either for production or other forest further depletion. forests or wastelands.
produce.
More than 50% of the total forest Almost 1/3rd of the total forest These consist of only 16% of
land has been delcared as reserved area is protected forest. the total forest areas.
forests.
T h e y a r e c o n t r o l l e d b y t h e They are controlled by the T h e y a r e o w n e d b y
government. government. government and private
individuals.
The forests of Jammu and Kashmir, The forests of Bihar, Haryana,
Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, The forests of north-eastern
Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal Odisha and Rajasthan fall states and parts of Gujarat fall
and Maharashtra fall in this under this category. M.P has under this category.
category. the largest area under these
forests.
COMMUNITY AND CONSERVATION:

A major shift has been observed in the recent years towards a more decentralized and people obtained
forestry. Responding to the scarcities the Indian villagers have now started organizing themselves to
reverse degradation and restore productivity.
The destruction of natural forests for timber, cropland, fuelwood, pasture, urbanization, etc. have
shown a severe impact on many poor rural families who depend on forest resources for fuel, fodder,
food, medicine, housing, etc. The decreasing forest cover has led to soil erosion, sedimentation of
rivers and increased flooding. Now it is being recognised that local communities must be involved to
establish sustainable forest management systems.
· In Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, villagers have fought against mining by citing the Wildlife
Protection Act. In many areas, villagers themselves are protecting habitats and explicitly rejecting,
government involvement.
· The inhabitants of five villages in the Alwar district of Rajasthan have declared 1,200 hectares
of forest as the ‘Bhairodev Dakav Sonchuri’. The community has declared their own set of rules
and regulations which do not allow hunting and are protecting the wildlife against any outside
encroachments.
· Many states have launched Joint Forest Management programme to involve local communities in the
management and restoration of degraded forests. Odisha was the first state to launch this programme.
Under JFM local people living on the periphery of the forests form organization known as Vana
Samrakshma Samithi (VSS), in order to protect forests. The local people join the state forestry
department in a combined effort so that their degraded forests are rejuvenated. “The Forestry
Department is made responsible to organise and provide the technical and administrative support
to the Vana Samrakshma Samithi (VSS)”. The major purpose of the VSS is to protect the forest from
encroachment, grazing, theft and fire and also to improve the forest in accordance with an approved
joint forest management plan.
ASSIGNMENT
Q.1. Which one of the following is an endangered species of Manipur?

Options:
(a) Blue Sheep (b) Asiatic Buffalo
(c) Sangai (brow anter deer) (d) Cattle
Q.2. What does the species which are no longer found on the earth called?

Options:
(a) Normal Species (b) Vulnerable Species
(c) Rare Species (d) Extinct Species
Q.3. Which chemical compound is extracted from Himalayan Yew to treat the cancer patient?

Options:
(a) Quinine (b) Taxol
(c) Cyanide (d) None of the above
Q.4. In which year, the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented?

Options:
(a) 1976 (b) 1972
(c) 1978 (d) 1974
Q.5. Define Flora and Fauna ?
Q.6. Define Vanishing Forest?
Q.7. What are Vulnerable species?
Q.8. What are Extinct species?
Q.9. What do you mean by colonial forest policies?
Q.10. What is Habitat Destruction?
Q.11. What is Joint Forest Management?
Q.12. What is Project Tiger?
Q.13. Describe Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972?
Q.14. What is the Himalayan yew?
Q.15. What was the Chipko movement?
OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS (Self-Practice)

A. Multiple Choice Questions:
1. The species which are in danger of extinction ..................................
(a) Normal species (b) Endangered species
(c) Rare species (d) Endemic species
2. These are species which are only found in some particular areas usually isolated by natural or
geographical barriers:
(a) Endemic species (b) Extinct species
(c) Rare species (d) Vulnerable species
3. Asiatic Cheetah is a
(a) Extinct species (b) Normal species
(c) Endemic species (d) Rare species
4. Project Tiger was launched in ...................................

(a) 1973 (b) 1974
(c) 1975 (d) 1976
5. They are permanently earmarked either for production or other forest produce
(a) Reserved forests (b) Protected forests
(c) Unclassed forests (d) Open forests
6. ............................... has the largest area under permanent forest
(a) Punjab (b) Haryana
(c) Uttar Pradesh (d) Madhya Pradesh
7. All North-eastern states and parts of Gujarat have a very high percentage of their forests as
......................
(a) Unclassed forests (b) Reserved forests
(c) Protected forests (d) Open forests
8. Which of these statements is not a valid reason for the depletion of flora and fauna ?
(a) Agricultural expansion (b) Large scale developmental projects.
(c) Grazing and fuel wood collection (d) Rapid industrialisation and urbanisation.
9. Which of the following conservation strategies do not directly involve community participation ?
(a) Joint Forest Management (b) Beej Bachao Andolen
(c) Chipko Movement (d) Demarcation of Wildlife sanctuaries
10. India is one of the few countries which has a Forest Policy since ...............................
(a) 1894 (b) 1895
(c) 1984 (d) 1985
B. Assertion and Reason Based Questions:
For question numbers 11 and 12 two statements are given- one labelled Assertion (A) and the other
labelled Reason (R). Select the correct answer to these questions from the codes (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) as
given below
(i) Both A and R are true and R is correct explanation of the assertion.
(ii) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
(iii) A is true but R is false.
(iv) A is false but R is true.
1. Assertion : Forests play a key role in the ecological system.
Reason : These are the primary producers.
(i)
(ii) (iii) (iv)
2. Assertion : Reserved Forests are permanently earmarked either for production of other forest
produce.
Reason : More than 50% of the total forest land has been declared as reserved forests.
(i)
(ii) (iii) (iv)
203
CHAPTER 11
SECTORS OF THE INDIAN ECONOMY
SECTORS ACCORDING TO ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

Utilisation of natural resources depends upon man's occupation, civilisation and his standard of living.
Human occupation is a good index to understand the interaction between man and his environment. Man
adopts different occupations to fulfil his needs. These occupations are divided into following three sectors:
NOTE
Grouping the economic activities according to a criterion are known as sectors.
(i) Primary Activity: Primary activity includes those occupations which are closely related to man's
natural environment. Gathering, hunting, fishing, lumbering, animal rearing, farming and mining
are important examples of primary activity. All these are known as Primary activities because these
forms the base for all other activities. Let us understand the concept with the help of an example–
Animal rearing or dairy is a primary activity. In this activity farmers are dependent on the biological
process of the animals and the availability of fodder, etc. The product, milk, is also a natural product.
(ii) Secondary Activity : The activities which produce finished goods by using the products of primary
activities as raw materials are included in secondary activity. Manufacturing of cloth from cotton,
sugar from sugarcane and steel from iron-ore are important examples of secondary activity.
Since this sector gradually became associated with the different kinds of industries so it is also called
as industrial sector.
Primary Activity: Primary activity includes those occupations which are closely related to man's natural
environment. Gathering, hunting, fishing, lumbering, animal rearing, farming and mining are some of
the important examples of primary activity.
Animal rearing Agriculture Lumbering

204 SECTORS OF THE INDIAN ECONOMY
In the above figure it is clear that cotton is a natural product. In the factory natural product is converted into more usable form
with the help of machines. The final product is cloth.
All these are secondary activities because final product is to be produced not by nature but has to
be made and therefore some process of manufacturing is essential.
Let us take example of cloth. Though the primary product i.e. cotton is produced by nature but it
cannot be used directly by us. So to convert it into usable form some process of manufacturing is
essential. This can be done in a factory or at home with simple tools.
(iii) Tertiary Activity: Tertiary activity consists of all service occupations. Transport, communication,
trade, health, education and administration are important examples of tertiary activity.
These tertiary activities help in the development of the primary and secondary sectors. These
activities, by themselves, do not produce a good or a product but they are an aid or a support for
the production process. So these are also known as support services.
The above-mentioned three activities of man are inter-related and complementary to one another.
Developed stage of agriculture increases the purchasing power of the farmers and promotes
secondary and tertiary activities. Chemical fertilisers are produced in the secondary sector but are
consumed in the primary sector. Trade and transport establish a link between the producer and the
consumer.
In the above figure final product is being produced in the factory. The product has no value until it reaches the consumer. Product is
transported to the market through trucks or other means of transportation. Producer gets the orders through communication. He can use
the service of bank for borrowing money.
Secondary Activity: The occupations which produce finished goods by using the products of primary
activities as raw materials are included in secondary activity. Manufacturing of cloth from cotton, sugar
from sugarcane and steel from iron ore are important examples of secondary activity.
Tertiary Activity: Tertiary activity consists of all service occupations. Transport, communication, trade,
health, education and administration are important examples of tertiary activity.
SECTORS OF THE INDIAN ECONOMY 205
INTERDEPENDENCY OF VARIOUS SECTORS :

Economic activities, though, are grouped into three different categories,
but all these sectors or activities are highly interdependent.
As it is clear from the given flow chart all the sectors are interdependent:
(i) Primary sector provide food and other raw material to secondary
sector and in return secondary sector provide various inputs like
machines, equipments etc. to the primary sector.
(ii) Primary sector provides food to the tertiary sector and in return
tertiary sector provides basic services like transportation, banking
etc.
COMPARING THE THREE SECTORS:
The various production activities in all the three sectors produce a very large number of goods and services.
To find out the performance of each sector we will have to add up the goods and services produced by the
sector. But while adding the goods and services we have to keep in mind that only the value of final goods
to be included not that of intermediate goods.
1. Intermediate Goods: Intermediate goods are those producer goods which are used by the producers
in the process of production as raw material or are purchased for resale. For example, to produce a
sofa–set the carpenter uses wood, foam, cloth, springs, etc. All these goods are called intermediate
goods. In other words, intermediate goods are those goods which are sold by one firm to another
either for resale or for further processing. For example, paper sold by a paper mill to a publisher is
an intermediate good. The publisher will use the paper for the production of books. Likewise, cloth
sold by a textile mill to the tailors is an intermediate good. The tailor will use the cloth for making
shirts for the consumers. In short, intermediate goods are those goods which are within the boundary
line of production. The value of these goods is not included in the national income of a country.
Their value is reflected in the value of final goods.
2. Final Goods: Final goods are those goods which are used either for final consumption or for capital
formation. These are not resold. In short, final goods have crossed the boundary line of production
and are ready for use by the final users. Cloth, air conditioners and refrigerators are examples of final
goods.
Final goods Intermediate goods
(i) The goods which are used either for final (i) The goods which are used up in producing
consumption or for capital formation. the final goods and services.
(ii) The value of final goods is included in the (ii) The value of intermediate goods is not
national income. included in the national income.
(iii) Example, television, bread or bakery (iii) Example, flour, cotton, etc.
products, etc.
Intermediate goods: These are those goods which are sold by one firm to another either for resale or for
further processing.
Final goods: Final goods are those goods which have crossed the boundary line of production and are
ready for use by the final users. Cloth, coolers and refrigerators are examples of final goods.
As already discussed while estimating performance of a sector only the value of final goods and
services is to be used. This is to avoid double counting. ‘‘The counting of the value of a product
more than once is called double counting.’’ This leads to overestimation of the value of goods and
services produced. Let us understand the concept with an example–
A farmer produces one ton of wheat and sells it for ` 100 to a flour mill. As far as farmer
is concerned, the sale of wheat is a final sale for him. But purchase of wheat by the flour
mill is an intermediate good. He converts wheat into flour and sells it to a baker for
` 150. The flour mill treats the flour as a final product but for baker it is an intermediate good. The
baker sells the bread to the shopkeeper for ` 200 and the shopkeeper sells to the consumer for ` 250.
Value of output = Farmer (` 100) + Flour mill (` 150) + Baker (` 200) + Shopkeeper (` 250) =
` 700
So while calculating national income only the value of final output i.e. ` 250 should be included
not ` 700.
Now after understanding the concept of intermediate and final goods let us come to Gross Domestic
Product.
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP):
‘‘Gross Domestic Product is the market value of the final goods and services produced within the domestic
territory of a country during one year.’’ There are both resident as well as non-resident producers within
the domestic territory of a country. In India, for example, there are many international banks as well as
multinational companies. Gross Domestic Product includes the market value of the final goods and services
produced by all such producers.
In India, the mammoth task of measuring GDP is undertaken by a Central Government ministry. This
ministry, with the help of various government departments of all the Indian states and union territories,
collects information relating to total volume of goods and services and their prices and then estimates the
GDP.
GROWTH OF VARIOUS SECTORS IN THE WORLD
Generally, it has been noted from the histories of many developed countries that at the initial stage of
development though there were some other activities like transportation, administration, army, etc. but
most of the people were employed in the primary sector.
Over a long time (more than hundred years) and especially because new methods of manufacturing were
introduced, factories came up and started expanding. Those people who were earlier working in primary
sector started shifting to secondary sector. Secondary sector gradually became the most important in total
production and employment. Hence, over a period of time, a shift has taken place. This means that the
importance of the sectors has also changed.
In the last few decades there has been a further shift from secondary to tertiary sector in developed countries.
The service sector has become the most important in terms of total production. Most of the working people
are employed in the service sector. This is the general pattern observed in developed countries.
What is the total production and employment in the three sectors in India? Over the years have there been
changes similar to the pattern observed for the developed countries? We shall see in the next section.
Sources: Economic Survey 2018-19
PRIMARY, SECONDARY AND TERTIARY SECTORS IN INDIA
After studying the concept of GDP or the Gross Domestic Product, let us see how much each sector
contributes to the Indian economy.
The given graph shows the production of goods and services in the three sectors for two years i.e. 1973-74
and 2013-14. You can see how the total production has grown over forty years.
LET'S WORK THESE OUT
Answer the following questions by looking at the graph:
1. Which was the largest producing sector in 1973-74?
2. Which was the largest producing sector in 2013-14?
3. Can you say which sector has grown the most over the last thirty years?
4. What was the GDP of India in 2013-14?
GDP by Primary, Secondary and Tertiary sectors.

RISING IMPORTANCE OF THE TERTIARY SECTOR IN PRODUCTION:

Over the forty years between 1973-74 and 2013-14, while production in all the three sectors has increased,
it has increased the most in the tertiary sector. As a result, in the year 2013-14, the tertiary sector has
emerged as the largest producing sector in India replacing the primary sector.
Factors responsible for the growth of tertiary sector:
1. Basic services: In any country several services such as hospitals, educational institutions, post and
telegraph services, police stations, courts, village, administrative offices, municipal corporations,
defence, transport, banks, insurance companies, etc. are required. These can be considered as basic
services. In a developing country the government has to take responsibility for the provision of these
services.
As more and more people are being employed to provide basic services to the people the share of
tertiary sector in GDP is increasing.
2. Development of means of transport and communication: The development of agriculture and
industry leads to the development of services such as transport, communication, trade, etc. All these
are under tertiary sector.
3. More income more services: The per capita income in our country is rising. As income level rises
people demand more services like tourism, shopping centres, schools, professional training centres,
banks, etc.
4. New services: With modernisation and globalisation some new services based on information and
communication technology have become important and essential. The production of these services
have been rising rapidly.
Finally, you must remember that not all of the service sector is growing equally well. Service sector in India
employs many different kinds of people. At one end there are a limited number of services that employ
highly skilled and educated workers. At the other end, there are a very large number of workers engaged in
services such as small shopkeepers, repair persons, transport persons, etc.; these people barely manage to
earn a living and yet they perform these services because no alternative opportunities of work are available
to them. Hence only a part of this sector is growing its importance. You shall read more about this in the
next section.
Where are most of the people employed?
The given graph shows the share of the three sectors in GDP. Now you can directly
see the changing importance of the sectors over thirty years.
· As per given graph share of primary sector in GDP has drastically fallen from 40% to approx. 15%.
· Contribution of a secondary sector has also increased from 10% to around about 20%.
A remarkable fact about India is that while there has been a change in the share of the three sectors in GDP,
a similar shift has not taken place in employment. The given graph shows the share of employment in the
three sectors in 1973-74 and 2013-14. The primary sector continues to be the largest employer even in the
year 2013-14.
The primary sector employs more than 40% of the population even after more than 60 years of independence.
There are many factors responsible for this such as:
· The secondary and tertiary sectors have failed to create enough jobs.
· Even though industrial output or the production of goods went up drastically during the period,
employment in the industry failed to match up. The same applies to tertiary sector as well.
· As a result, around half of the workers in the country are still working in the primary sector, mainly in
agriculture, producing only a 15% of the GDP. In contrast to this, the secondary and tertiary sectors
produce three-fourth of the produce whereas they employ less than half the people. This means that
workers in agriculture are producing less than their ability or we can say there are more people in
agriculture than required. So, even if you move a few people out, production will not be affected.
In other words, workers in agricultural sector are underemployed or disguised unemployed.
DISGUISED UNEMPLOYMENT
Indian-economy is not facing problem of open unemployment only but also the disguised unemployment.
Under open unemployment people wish to work at the prevailing wages but don’t find a useful work
whereas disguised unemployment is a situation under which people seem to be Indian-economy is
not facing problem of open unemployment only but also the disguised unemployment. Under open
unemployment people wish to work at the prevailing wages but don’t find a useful work whereas disguised
unemployment is a situation under which people seem to be working but they are not fully employed or we
can say it is situation where more workers are engaged than required. For example, if for the cultivation of
one hectare land, 10 workers are required but instead of 10 workers, 15 workers are working. In this case,
5 workers are disguised unemployed. In such cases even if the surplus workers are removed, production
does not suffer.
COMPARATIVE STUDY
Primary Sector Secondary Sector Tertiary Sector
1. It includes the occupations 1. It includes occupations 1. It includes occupations which
which are closely related to which produce finished provide services.
man's environment. goods.
2. It employs more than 60% 2. It converts primary goods 2. It contributes maximum to India’s
of the population. into finished goods. GDP.
3. It provides food and other 3. It provides tools and other 3. I t p r o v i d e s b a n k s , r o a d s ,
basic requirements to all the inputs to primary and tertiary communication and transportation
workers. sectors. to primary and secondary sector.
This under-employment can also happen in other sectors. There are thousands of casual workers in the
service sector in urban areas who search for daily employment. They are employed as painters, plumbers,
repair persons and others doing odd jobs. Many of them don’t find work everyday. Similarly, we see other
people of the service sector on the street pushing a cart or selling something where they may spend the
whole day but earn very little. They are doing this work because they do not have better opportunities.
Unemployment or underemployment not only leads to wastage of manpower resource but also creates
feeling of hopelessness and despair among the youth. People who are an asset for the economy turn into
a liability. People do not have enough money to support their family. Inability of educated people who are
willing to work to find gainful employment implies a great social waste. Unemployment tends to increase
economic overload. The dependence of the unemployed on the working population increases. The quality
of life of an individual as well as of society is adversely affected. When a family has to live on a bare
subsistence level there is a general decline in its health status and rising withdrawal from the school system.
HOW TO CREATE MORE EMPLOYMENT?
From the above discussion, we can see that there continues to be considerable underemployment in
agriculture. Now let us see how can we increase employment opportunities in rural areas.
1. Diversification of agriculture: More than 60% of our workers are employed in agriculture. But our
farmers are producing only limited crops. There is need to diversify agriculture. Farmers should be
encouraged to adopt pisciculture, horticulture, animal rearing, etc. along with cultivation of crops.
2. Cheap credit: Most of the farmers depend on informal sources of credit i.e. money lenders, relatives,
traders, etc. who charge a very high rate of interest. Government should encourage the commercial
banks to provide loans to the farmers at cheaper rates.
3. Provision of basic facilities: Our rural areas lack basic facilities like roads, transportation, banking,
warehouses, markets, etc. The government should invest some money in these sectors so that Indian
villages can be linked to other markets. This activity can provide productive employment not to just
farmers but also other such as those in services like transport or trade.
4. Promotion of local industries and other activities: Another way to tackle this problem is to identify,
promote and locate industries especially the cottage and small scale industries in semi-rural areas
where a large number of people may be employed. Setting up a dal, flour or rice mills to procure
and process these and sell in the cities. Opening a cold storage can give an opportunity to farmers to
store their products like potatoes and onions and sell them when the price is good. In villages near
forest areas, honey collection centres can be started where farmers can come and sell wild honey.
It is also possible to set up industries that process vegetables and agricultural produce like potato,
sweet potato, rice, wheat, tomato, fruits, which can be sold in outside markets. This will provide
employment in industries located in semi-rural areas and not necessarily in large urban centres.
5. Improvement in education and health facilities: Most of the Indian villages lack education and
health facilities. A study conducted by the Planning Commission estimates that nearly 20 lakh jobs
can be created in the education sector alone. Similarly, if we are to improve the health situation,
we need many more doctors, nurses, health workers, etc. to work in rural areas. These are some
ways by which jobs would be created and we would also be able to address the important aspects
of development.
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme(MNREGA): The scheme was launched
in 2006. Main features of the scheme are:
· The scheme was launched under Right to Work.
· The scheme targets Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and poor women
who suffer from poverty. The scheme has provided a big boost to women
empowerment.
· To provide livelihood to the people below the poverty line, guarantees 100
days of wage employment in a year to every rural household in the country.
· Under the scheme, the gram panchayat after proper verification will register
households and issue job cards to registered households. The job card is the
legal document that entitles a person to ask for work under the Act and to get work within 15 days
of the demand for work, failing which unemployment allowance would be payable.
DIVISION OF SECTOR AS ORGANISED AND UNORGANISED
I. Organised Sector: Organised sector covers those enterprises or places of work where the terms
of employment are regular and therefore people have assured work. They are registered by the
government and have to follow its rules and regulations which are given in various laws such as the
Factories Act, Minimum Wages Act, Payment of Gratuity Act, Shops and Establishments Act, etc. It
is called organised because it has some formal processes and procedures. Some of these people may
not be employed by anyone but may work on their own but they too have to register themselves
with the government and follow the rules and regulations.
Advantages of organised sector for the workers:
1. Workers in the organised sector enjoy security of employment.
2. They work only for a fixed number of hours. If they work more, they have to be paid overtime by
the employer.
3. They also get several other benefits from the employers like paid leave, payment during holidays,
provident fund, gratuity, etc.
4. They also get medical benefits and, under the laws, the factory manager has to ensure facilities like
drinking water and a safe working environment.
5. The workers working in organised sector also get pension after retirement.
II. Unorganised Sector: Unorganised sector is a sector which is not registered by the government. The
unorganised sector is characterised by small and scattered units which are largely outside the control
of the government. There are rules and regulations but these are not followed.
Disadvantages of unorganised sectors:
1. Workers working in unorganised sector get less wages.
2. There is no provision for overtime, paid leave, holidays, leave due to sickness, etc.
3. Employment is subject to high degree of insecurity. People can be asked to leave without any reason.
Organised sector Unorganised sector
(i) The sector is registered by the government. (i) The sector is not registered by the government.
(ii) The terms of employ-ment are regular. (ii) The terms of employment are not regular.
(iii) The sector is governed by various laws (iii) The sector is not governed by any act.
such as the Factories Act, Minimum (iv) This sector includes a large number of people
Wages Act, etc. who are employed on their own doing small
(iv) This sector includes banks, hospitals, jobs, etc.
schools, etc.
Vulnerable people who need protection:
In the rural areas, the unorganised sector comprises mainly of workers in small-scale industry, casual
workers in construction, trade and transport, etc., and those who work as street vendors, head load workers,
garment makers, rag pickers, etc.
We also find that majority of workers from scheduled castes, tribes and backward communities find
themselves in the unorganised sector. Besides getting the irregular and low paid work, these workers also
face social discrimination. Protection and support to the unorganised sector workers is thus necessary for
economic development of the country.
HOW TO PROTECT WORKERS IN THE UNOR-GANISED SECTOR?

1. Alternative Sources of Employment: This is perhaps the best policy, on long-term basis, to create
ample opportunities of employment, in the areas other than agriculture. This is very essential because
with the increasing population, it is becoming more and more difficult to absorb additional workers
in farm activities. Therefore, the development and growth of other sectors of economy is very
essential to create additional employment opportunities in other sectors like electric power, finance
and the training of rural workers.
2. Public Works Programmes: The main problem of the agricultural workers is that majority of them
get employment during sowing and harvesting periods, i.e., for very short period during the year.
For the remaining part of the year, they usually remain unemployed. During this period of economic
inactiveness, it is necessary to organize the public works programmes like construction of roads,
school buildings, digging of irrigation canals, etc. with a view to providing employment to the
rural workers throughout the year. However, these public works programmes are only short-term
measures.
3. Social Security: The workers of unorganised sector have no social security of job. There is no
provision of sick leave, earned leave, pension or gratuity, etc. Sincere efforts are needed, because
agricultural labour is not permanently attached to any particular employer for want of which the
social security becomes a complex problem.
Therefore, in such cases, the State must shoulder the responsibility of providing compulsory
insurance either on marginal contribution or on average contribution.
SECTOR IN TERMS OF OWNERSHIP

On the basis of ownership of resources economic activities can be classified as:
1. Public Sector: It is the sector which is controlled, managed and owned by the government.
2. Private Sector: Private sector is owned, controlled and managed by individual or by a group of
individuals.
Activities: Both the sectors are involved in major activities of the economy and there are no
watertight compartments (sections) as to what should be the sphere of which sector. But still the
difference exists.
The public sector units usually predominate in certain specific sectors, e.g., mining, power
generation, transport, health, education, etc. These sectors belong to core industries and infrastruture
activities. On the other hand, the private sector predominates in agricultural and allied manufacturing
industries, construction, trade and hotels, etc. Moreover, in a mixed economy like India, both sectors
are seen simultaneously in the same sphere of economic activity; even though the extent of mixing
may vary from activity to activity.
Prime Motive: The private sector activities are centred around profit motives, and the concept of
service is of secondary consideration. On the contrary, the public sector activities are determined
by social welfare considerations with the motive of providing basic needs of people of the country
and the profit motives are secondary considerations.
Examples:
· Hindustan Lever, Tata Iron and Steel Co., Bajaj Autos are some of the examples of private sector.
· Indian Railways, Sindhri Fertilizer Ltd., Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd., are some of the examples of
public sector units (PSUs).
ROLE OF GOVERNMENT OR PUBLIC SECTOR
1. Development of infrastructure: Develo-pment of infrastructure comprising transport, power,
communication, basic industries, etc. is a precondition of growth. Expenditure on the development
of infrastructure is known as Social Overhead Costs. Pace of industrial development cannot be
accelerated without their establishment. Their development requires huge capital investment, which
cannot be mobilised by the private sector. Moreover, these projects do not promise high profits. The
private entrepreneurs would therefore be reluctant to undertake them.
2. Development of backward areas: The goal of achieving a reduction in economic inequality between
regions becomes easy to reach, if industries are setup in the backward areas. But the profit seeking
private industrialists often are not enthusiastic enough to set up industry in the backward regions.
The government, therefore, finds it necessary to start industrial production in these areas on its own.
3. Basic facilities: There are a large number of activities which are the primary responsibilities of the
government. The government must spend on these. Providing health and education facilities for all
is one example. Running proper schools and providing quality education, particularly elementary
education, is the duty of the government. India’s size of illiterate population is one of the largest in
the world.
4. Other problems: There are many other problems like malnourishment, high infant mortality rate,
unsafe drinking water, lack of housing facilities, etc. which need special attention. These problems
can be solved only with the help of government.
ASSIGNMENT
Q.1. Which is not a characteristic of an unorganised sector?

Options:
(a) Small and scattered units which are largely outside the control of the government
(b) Rules and regulations are not followed
(c) Jobs here are high-paid and often regular
(d) No provision for overtime, paid leave, holidays, medical leaves
Q.2. MGNREGA 2005 implements the ...................... in about 625 districts of India.

Options:
(a) Right to Property (b) Right to Education
(c) Right to Work (d) Right to life
Q.3. Which among the following most appropriately describes underemployment?

Options:
(a) Workers are not paid as per their work
(b) Workers are working less than what they are capable of doing
(c) Workers are not skilled
(d) Workers are not willing to work
Q.4. In which sector, do workers enjoy job security?

Options:
(a) Agriculture sector (b) Private-sector
(c) Organised sector (d) Unorganised sector
Q.5. How is GDP calculated?

Options:
(a) Could not solve (b) Solved
Q.6. How is the public sector different from the private sector?

Options:
(a) Could not solve (b) Solve
Q.7. Suggest any two ways to generate employment in urban areas.

Options:
Q.8. Which category of economic sector does the activity of changing natural products into other forms
come under?

Options:
Q.9. Suggest any one way to increase the income of the marginalised groups in India.

Options:
Q.10. Give one example each of primary and tertiary economic sectors.

Options:
Q.11. Suggest any three ways to save workers of the unorganised sector from exploitation.

Options:
Q.12. Mention some of the Acts that Companies in the Organised sector have to follow.

Options:
Q.13. Describe the importance of the Primary sector in the Indian economy.

Options:
Q.14. With the example of sugarcane, explain the interdependence of all the three sectors of the economy.

Options:
(a) Could not solve (c) Solved
Q.15. Explain the importance of the service sector.

Options:
NOTES

1. Production of a commodity, mostly through the natural process, is an activity in ..................... sector.
(a) Primary (b) Secondary
(c) Tertiary (d) Information technology
2. GDP is the total value of ..................... produced during a particular year.
(a) all goods and services (b) all final goods and services
(c) all intermediate goods and services (d) all intermediate and final goods and services.
3. In terms of GDP the share of tertiary sector in 2010-11 is ...............................
(a) between 20 per cent to 30 per cent (b) between 30 per cent to 40 per cent
(c) between 50 per cent to 60 per cent (d) Above 70
4. Manufacturing of cloth come under
(a) Primary (b) Secondary
(c) Tertiary (d) Information Technology
5. ..................... is the final good
(a) Wheat (b) Pen
(c) Iron ore (d) Flour
6. Multiple Matching:
A B C
1. Agriculture (a) Secondary activity (i) 100 days wage employment
2. Teaching (b) NREGA (ii) Managed and owned by the
government
3. Manufacturing of car (iii) The sector has failed to absorb

(c) Public Sector the excess workers

(iv) Highest share in GDP
4. Right to work (d) Primary activity (v) Largest employment
5. Indian Railway (e) Tertiary activity
A B C
(i) 1–D, (v) (i) 1–E, (v) (i) 1–E, (iii)
(ii) 2–E, (iv) (ii) 2–D, (iv) (ii) 2–A, (i)
(iii) 3–A, (iii) (iii) 3–A, (i) (iii) 3–D, (iv)
(iv) 4–B, (i) (iv) 4–B, (ii) (iv) 4–B, (iii)
(v) 5–C, (ii) (v) 5–C, (iii) (v) 5–C, (ii)

For question numbers 7 and 8 two statements are given- one labelled Assertion (A) and the other labelled
Reason (R). Select the correct answer to these questions from the codes (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) as given below:
7. Assertion: The share of agriculture in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is declining in India.
Reason: Agriculture sector is facing problems of unirrigated land, increasing debts, seasonal employ-
ment etc.
(i) (ii)
(iii) (iv)
8. Assertion: Agriculture is an activity of the organised sector in India.
Reason: Most of the workers working on agriculture are employed only during harvesting and sowing
season.
(i) (ii)
(iii) (iv)
9. Identify the sector that provides services like education, sanitation system, water etc.
C. Correct the following Statements and Rewrite:

10. (a) The sum total of all the goods and services produced in all sectors provides GDP.
(b) Under employment is a situation where the worker is working, but if he is removed, the production
does not fall.
H. Extract Based Questions:

Take, for instance, a farmer who sells wheat to a flour mill for ` 8 per kg. The mill grinds the wheat and
sells the flour to a biscuit company for ` 10 per kg. The biscuit company uses the flour and things such
as sugar and oil to make four packets of biscuits. It sells biscuits in the market to the consumers for ` 60
(` 15 per packet)
Read the extract and answer the following questions:
(i) Which is the final goods?
(ii) Which is the intermediate good?
QUESTIONS BASED ON SKILL (Self-Practice)
1. Study the given bar graph carefully and answer the following questions:
(i) What was the share of the primary sector in employment in the year 1972-73?
(ii) What was the share of primary sector in employment in the year 2011-12?
(iii) Which sector has the lowest share in the employment in 2011-12?
2. Classify the following list of occupations under the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors:
o Tailor o Workers in a match factory o Basket weaver
o Moneylender o Flower cultivator o Gardener
o Milk vendor o Potter o Fishermen
o Bee-keeper o Priest o Astronaut
o Courier delivering person o Call centre employee
BOARD QUESTIONS
1. Why is it necessary to give protection and support to unorganised sector workers? Explain.
[CBSE 2008 (All India)]
2. Why are most of the people in India employed in the Primary Sector? Explain any four reasons.
[CBSE 2008 (All India]
3. What is the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)? Which agency fulfils the task of measuring GDP in India?
Explain how it measures GDP. [CBSE 2008 (All India) (Com.), 2016]
4. Study the given diagram (Fig A.) and answer the questions that follow:
(i) Which was the largest producing sector in 1970-71? Give one reason.
(ii) Which was the largest producing sector in 2010-11? What was its contribution to total G.D.P.?
(iii) What was the main reason for the highest increase in G.D.P. in this sector in comparison to other
sectors? [CBSE 2008 (D) (Com.)]
5. Describe any four points of importance of primary sector in the Indian economy.
[CBSE 2008 (D) (Com.)]
6. Explain any four points of importance of secondary sector in the Indian economy.
[CBSE 2008 (D) (Com.)]
7. Study the data given in the table and answer the questions that follow:
Workers in different sectors (in millions)
Sector Organised Unorganised Total
Primary 2 242
Secondary 9 54 63
Tertiary 17 76 63
Total 28
(i) Which is the most important sector that provides most jobs to the people?
(ii) What is the number of persons engaged in the unorganised sector?
(iii) Why is this unorganised sector more important? Give one reason.
(iv) Which is the most important organised sector? Give one reason. [CBSE 2008 (Foreign)]
8. Explain the objective of implementing the NREGA 2005. [CBSE 2011]
9. Explain how a shift has taken between sectors in developed countries. [CBSE 2011]
10. How can workers in the unorganised sector be protected? Explain. [CBSE 2011]
11. How to create more employment in rural areas? Explain with examples. [CBSE 2011, 2012]
12. What is a “natural product”? Explain its importance in an industrial sector with suitable examples.
[CBSE 2012]
13. How are the three sectors of economy interdependent? Explain with five suitable examples.
[CBSE 2012]
Or
Economic activities, though grouped into three different categories, are highly interdependent.’
Discuss. [CBSE 2010]
14. How do we count various goods and services? What precautions should be taken while counting goods
and services? [CBSE 2013]
15. Distinguish between the final goods and intermediate goods. How do they help in calculating GDP?
[CBSE 2016, 2012]
16. What is GDP? Assess the contribution of Secondary and Tertiary Sector to the GDP of India.
[CBSE 2012]
17. Describe the historical changes that have taken place in the sectors of the economy in the developed
countries. [CBSE 2012]
18. How far is it correct to say that in recent past, India has experienced some significant changes in the
contribution to GDP by the service sector? Explain. [CBSE 2013]
19. What is meant by disguised unemployment? Explain with an example each from urban and rural
areas. [CBSE 2012]
20. A study in Maharashtra found that out of 20,00,000 workers in the city 15,00,000 workers are in the
unorganised sector. The total income generated was ` 80,000 million, out of this ` 30,000 million was in
the unorganised sector.
(a) Present this data in a tabular form.
(b) Suggest the ways of generating employment in the city?
(c) What measures should be taken to protect the workers of unorganised sector from exploitation?
[CBSE 2013]
21. Identify any five activities where the government must spend for the welfare of the people and why?
[CBSE 2012]
22. Name three sectors of Indian economy giving one feature of each. [CBSE 2015]
23. Compare the service conditions of organised sector with unorganised sector. [CBSE 2015]
24. When we change natural products into other forms, which category of economic sector such activity
comes? [CBSE 2018 Compt.]
25. When we produce goods by exploiting natural resources, in which category of economic sector such
activities come? [CBSE 2018]
26. How does public sector contribute to the economic development of the nation? Explain.
[CBSE 2018 Compt.]
27. Distinguish the service conditions of Organised sector with that of Unorganised sector. [CBSE 2018]
28. "The declining share of agriculture in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a matter of serious con-
cern in India." Support the statement. [CBSE 2018 Compt.]
29. State any two examples of the basic services provided by the tertiary sector. [CBSE 2019]
30. Why is tertiary sector growing so rapidly in India? Explain it with four reasons.
[CBSE Sept. 2011,14, 2019 (D)]
NOTES
221
CHAPTER 12
AGRICULTURE
The term agriculture is derived from two Latin words, ‘ager’ meaning land and ‘cultur’ meaning
cultivation. Agriculture thus, means land cultivation. However, in modern days agriculture also includes
animal husbandry, forestry and pisiculture.
IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE
India is primarily an agricultural country. Even after more than 60 years of independence, 46.9% of the
total work force is still engaged in this activity. Agriculture contributes 26% of the net national product.
Agriculture is responsible for feeding our more than 1210.2 million population and provides fodder
to over 13 crore animals. Many industries draw their raw materials from agricultural produce and are
known as agro-based industries.
India is a unique country from agricultural point of view. Its vast area, fertile soils, high percentage of
cultivable land, wide climatic range and long growing seasons provide a solid base to agriculture. Due
to all these favourable conditions India is the world’s largest producer of tea, sugarcane, coarse grains
and some oil-seeds. It is the world’s second largest producer of rice, jute, jowar and bajra, third largest
producer of tobacco. It is also the fourth largest producer of wheat, cotton and silk.
TYPES OF AGRICULTURE IN INDIA

1. Shifting/slash and burn Agriculture: In this agricultural system a patch of land is cleared, crops
are grown and the patch is then deserted until the soil regains its fertility. This is the oldest type of
agriculture. This is also known as the ‘slash and burn’ method. In India it is known as jhumming.
Shifting agriculture is practised in some hilly regions of north-east India where there is plenty
of rainfall and the hills are covered with thick forests. These areas include hill slopes in Assam,
Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, some districts of Chhattisgarh and Nagaland.
Agriculture: The art and science of cultivating soil, raising crops and rearing livestock including fishing
and forests.
CHARACTERISTICS OF SHIFTING AGRICULTURE

· Patch of land is cleared by cutting and burning the trees.
· Farming depends upon monsoons, natural fertility of the soil and suitability of the other
environmental conditions.
· Per hectare productivity is very low as farmers do not use manure, fertiliser or other modern inputs.
· After two or three years, the clearing is abandoned as the yield decreases owing to weeds, soil
erosion and loss of soil fertility.
222 AGRICULTURE
· Then a fresh clearing is made and the community migrates to that area.
· This is a wasteful method of cultivation because it is responsible for deforestation and environmental
degradation.
2. Primitive Subsistence Agriculture: Primitive subsistence agriculture is carried out in many parts of
India. Primitive subsistence agriculture is that type of agriculture in which crops grown are consumed
by the farmer and his family. Primitive subsistence agriculture is practised on small patches of land
with the help of primitive tools like hoe, dao and digging sticks, and family/cummunity labour. The
crop specialisation is not possible because farmer grows varied crops to fulfil the needs of the family.
Farmers intensively cultivate the land to produce a variety of crops from a small piece of land.
Animals play a major role in the subsistence agriculture. They are also used for transportation. Animal
manure is used to fertilise the fields.
3. Intensive Subsistence Agriculture: This type of agriculture is practised in those areas or regions or
countries where the cultivable land is limited and density of population is very high. Though the
‘right of inheritance’ leading to the division of land among successive generations has rendered
MAJOR FEATURES OF INTENSIVE SUBSISTENCE AGRICULTURE

· Fields are very small.
· There is an intensive use of land due to a high pressure of population on the agricultural land.
· Cropping pattern is dominated by food crops.
· Farming is so intensive that two, three and even four crops are harvested in a year.
· There is a large scale use of human labour due to high density of population and lack of
machines.
· Traditional methods of farming are followed.
land-holding size uneconomical, the farmers continue to take maximum output from the limited
land in the absence of alternative source of livelihood. Thus, there is enormous pressure on
agricultural land. Major features of intensive agriculture are:
(i) Per hectare yield is high.
(ii) Farmers apply modern inputs like fertilisers, pesticides, High Yielding Varieties of seeds, etc.
to obtain high yield.
(iii) Farmers have small land holdings.
(iv) More than one crop is grown in the same field which puts enormous pressure on land.
AGRICULTURE 223
(v) It is a labour intensive farming.

This type of agriculture is practised in Punjab, Haryana, West Bengal, etc.
This type of agriculture is not environmental friendly as over use of fertilisers, pesticides degrade
the soil.
4. Extensive agriculture: This type of agriculture is generally practised in those regions where land is
abundant and population is sparse. Farmers produce basically to sell in the market that is why it is
also a commercial type of agriculture. Major features of extensive agriculture are:
(i) Large land holdings.
(ii) It is done on large scale and most of the farm activities are carried out with the help of modern
machinery.
(iii) Per hectare production may be less but total production is very high.
(iv) This type of agriculture is practised in Russia, USA, Canada, Argentina, etc.
This is also practised in the Himalayan and in some northern states like sugar belts of Uttar Pradesh.
5. Plantation agriculture: It is an agricultural system under which a single crop is grown on large scale
like tea, coffee, rubber, etc. It is also a commercial type of agriculture. Plantation agriculture is
practised in some parts of India like the hills of South India and North-east India where tea, coffee
and rubber are cultivated.
AGRICULTURAL SEASONS
1. Rabi Crops: The crops which are sown in winter from October to December and harvested in
summer from April to May. Some of the important Rabi crops are wheat, barley, peas, gram and
mustard. Though these crops are grown in most parts of India, states from the north and north-
western parts such as Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and
Uttar Pradesh are important for the production of wheat and other rabi crops.
There are many factors which are responsible for the growth of rabi crops in these states:
(i) Availability of precipitation due to western disturbances.
(ii) Fertile alluvial traits deposited by rivers from the north.
However, the success of green revolution in Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh and parts of
Rajasthan has also been an important factor in the growth of the above-mentioned rabi crops.
Kharif Season: It is an agricultural cropping season from early June to October. Rice, millets,
maize, jute are some of the crops of the season.
Plantation Agriculture: A large scale farming of one crop resembling factory production based on
capital investment and application of modern science and technology in cultivating, processing and
marketing the final products.
Rabi Season: It is an agricultural cropping season from November to May. Wheat, gram, oilseeds are
some of the crops of the season.
2. Kharif Crops: The crops which are sown with the onset of monsoon and harvested in September-
October are known as kharif crops. Rice, maize, jowar, bajra, moong, cotton, jute, groundnut are
some of the important kharif crops.
224 AGRICULTURE
Different varieties of paddy are grown in India. In states like Assam, West Bengal and Odisha, three
crops of paddy are grown in a year i.e., Aus, Aman and Boro.
3. Zaid Crops: The crops which are grown in between rabi and the kharif crops are known as zaid crops.
Watermelon, cucumber, vegetables and fodder crops are most important examples of zaid crops.
CROPS OF INDIA
With varied types of relief, soils, climate and long growing season Indian farmers grow almost each and
every crop.
Food Crops: Rice, wheat, maize, millets and
pulses are the main food crops of India. Rice and
wheat are staple food of India. Pulses are rich in
proteins so they form a very important part of
the Indian diet. The success of green revolution
has resulted in tremendous increase in the
production of rice and wheat.
NOTE
1. In areas of less rainfall, particularly in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh rice is grown with the
help of assured means of irrigation.
2. Use of manures and fertilisers, pesticides, high yielding varieties of seeds, irrigation facilities have boosted rice
cultivation in the country. known as sectors.
Food Crops of India
Women workers transplanting rice Rice crop is ready to be harvested
Food crops cover about three-fourth of the total cropped area in the country. Rice, wheat, maize, millets
and pulses are important food crops of India.
1. Rice
India is the second largest producer of rice in the world after China. This is the staple food of the people
living in the eastern and southern parts of India.
Rice is the most important crop of India and is widely cultivated throughout India. In the north it is a
kharif crop and in the south it can be cultivated throughout the year if irrigation is available.
AGRICULTURE 225
Geographical Requirements:
(i) T e m p e r a t u r e : T h e m e a n m o n t h l y
temperature of about 24°C with minor
variation during the sowing, growing and
harvesting season is suitable for the growth
of plant. Bright sunshine and water is
essential during the ripening stage.
(ii) Rainfall: Rice needs abundant rainfall
ranging between 150 cm to 300 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.
The fields must be flooded with water at the
Harvesting of wheat with the help of a combine
226 AGRICULTURE
time of transplantation and during early stage of growth. Frequent showers before ripening ensure
larger grain size.
(iii) Soil: Rice can grow in a variety of soils including silts, loams and gravels but it grows best in alluvial
soil with a sub-soil of impervious clay. The impervious sub-soil layer prevents water from draining
away and allows the water to stagnate in the fields.
Rice is also cultivated on hill-slopes that are terraced.
Areas of Production: Rice
is cultivated in almost
all the states of India but
most of its cultivation is
concentrated in the river
valleys, delta of rivers and
the coastal plains.
The main rice producing
states are Bengal, Andhra
Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh,
Bihar, Punjab, Odisha,
Karnataka, Assam and
Maharashtra.
Rice is also cultivated in
Haryana, Madhya Pradesh,
Kerala and Gujarat. Some
rice is also grown in the
Kashmir valley.
Bengal is the largest rice
producing state in India.
2. Wheat
Wheat is the second most
important food crop of
India. It is the staple food of
the people of the north and
north-western part of the
country.
India is the fourth largest
producer of wheat in the
world after Russia, U.S.A.
and China.
Wheat is a temperate crop so it is cultivated in winter (rabi crop) in India. It is grown in the northern
parts of India and in areas where the temperature does not rise beyond 10°C to 15°C in winter. Wheat,
cannot be cultivated in the eastern and southern parts of India because the mean monthly temperature is
high.
AGRICULTURE 227
Geographical requirements: Wheat grows well in a cool and moist climate, fertile soil with moderate
rainfall.
(i) Temperature: Wheat is a crop of the temperate region and grows well in cool climate. It grows
well in areas having mean monthly temperature of 24°C. The ideal temperature is 10°C to 15°C
during the growing season and about 25°C to 28°C at the time of ripening.
In India it is grown in winter. It is sown in October-November and harvested in March-April.
(ii) Rainfall: Wheat requires rainfall ranging between 50 cm to 75 cm during the growing season.
With irrigation wheat can be cultivated in areas with less than 40 cm of rainfall. The ‘Western
Disturbances’ originating from Mediterranean Sea cause light rainfall in the north-western parts of
the country. Although the amount is meagre, it is highly beneficial to the wheat crop.
(iii) Soil: Wheat grows best on well-drained fertile soil, heavy textured soil with some amount of lime.
It grows well in the clayey, loamy soil of the Ganga Plain and the black soil of the Deccan Plateau.
The use of fertilisers, rich in nitrogenous compounds benefits the yield of the crop.
Areas of Production
There are two important wheat growing zones in India i.e. the Ganga-Sutlej plains in the north-west and
the black soil region of the Deccan.
Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana are the three major producers of wheat. Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh,
Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh are the other wheat producing states.
Uttar Pradesh has the largest area under wheat cultivation whereas per hectare yield is highest in
Punjab.
3. Millets
Jowar, ragi and bajra are some of the important millets grown in India. Millet is the common name for
several species of the grass family. Millets are very important due to their nutritional value. The grain is
used as food by human-beings, while the leaves and stalk are used as fodder for livestock. Area under
millets has decreased due to preference of high value crops.
(i) Jowar: It is third most important food crop of India with respect to area and production. It is a
rainfed crop which can be grown in the arid areas which hardly need irrigation. Maharashtra,
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are the leading producers of jowar. Maharashtra
is the largest producer of jowar in India.
(ii) Bajra: Bajra is a dry crop which grows well
on sandy and shallow black soil. Rajasthan
is the largest producer of bajra. Uttar
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Haryana
are other leading producers of bajra.
(iii) Ragi: Ragi is a crop of dry regions and
grows well on red, black, sandy, loamy
and shallow black soils. Karnataka is the
largest producer of ragi followed by Tamil
Nadu. Apart from these states, Himachal
Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Jharkhand
and Arunachal Pradesh are also important
for the production of ragi. Bajra
228 AGRICULTURE
(iv) Maize: It is also a coarse grain used both

as food and fodder crop. It is a kharif crop
which requires temperature between 21°C
to 27°C and grows well in old alluvial soil.
Use of modern inputs such as HYV seeds,
fertilisers and irrigation have contributed to
the increasing production of maize. Major
maize-producing states are Karnataka,
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and
Madhya Pradesh.
Maize
4. Pulses
1. Pulses help in restoring the soil fertility because there are certain bacteria in the roots of
pulses (leguminous plants) which have the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen to form nitrogen
compounds.
2. Tur, urad and moong are grown as kharif crops.
3. Masur, peas and gram are grown as rabi crops.
Geographical Requirements
Pulses can be grown in all types of soil but dry soil is most suitable in the areas of low to moderate
rainfall (50 cm to 25 cm). Too much rainfall after sowing and during flowering is damaging. It needs
temperature between 20°C to 30°C.
Harvesting: The crop matures in 4 to 5 months. The plants are pulled out when the leaves become dry
and begin to shed. They are dried for about a week and then threshed by trampling under the feet of
bullocks or beating with a stick.
Areas of Production
Pulses are cultivated all over India. The important states are Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar. The production of pulses is lagging behind the
demand. The gap between demand and supply is being bridged by importing pulses.
FOOD CROPS OTHER THAN GRAINS

1. Sugarcane
Surgarcane is a tropical crop and is indigenous to
India.
(i) The sugarcane plant belongs to the grass
family.
(ii) India has the largest area under sugarcane but
due to low per hectare productivity, it is the
second largest producer after Brazil.
Most sugarcane is cut and gathered by hand, but some
is harvested by machines.
AGRICULTURE 229
It grows well on fertile soil with high temperatures
and heavy rainfall. It depletes the soil and a
regular supply of manure is essential.
1. Temperature: Sugarcane needs hot and
humid climate with temperature ranging
between 21°C to 27°C. Very high
temperature is harmful for its growth while
low temperature slows its growth. It cannot
withstand frost. Cool temperatures are
needed at the time of ripening.
2. Rainfall: It grows best in areas receiving 75 More than half of the sugarcane is used to produce Gur and
cm to 150 cm of rainfall. Too heavy rainfall Khandsari. Farmers use traditional methods to process
results in low sugar content. sugarcane.
230 AGRICULTURE
3. Soil: Sugarcane grows on well-drained fertile soil. It can grow on a variety of soils including black,
alluvial, loamy and reddish loam.
But the best soil is alluvial soil of the Ganga Plain and the black soil of southern India. Sugarcane
exhausts the fertility of the soil. Hence, the use of manure is essential to ensure high yields.
Areas of Production
Uttar Pradesh is the largest producer of sugarcane. The other states in the Ganga Plain are Bihar, Punjab
and Haryana.
The important sugarcane producing states in Peninsular India are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
and Andhra Pradesh.
2. Oil Seeds
India is the largest producer of oilseeds in the world. Different oil seeds are grown covering
approximately 12 per cent of the total cropped area of the country. Main oil-seeds produced in India
are groundnut, mustard, coconut, sesamum (til), soyabean, castor seeds, cotton seeds, linseed and
sunflower.
Groundnut is a kharif crop and accounts for about half of the major oilseeds produced in the country.
Groundnut needs 22ºC – 28ºC temperature, red, sandy or black soil. The crop grows best in areas
receiving 50-75 cm of rainfall. Gujarat with share of 32% is the largest producer of groundnut followed
by Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra — linseed and mustard are rabi crops.
Sesamum is a kharif crop in north and rabi crop in south India. Castor seed is grown both as rabi and
kharif crop.
Economic importance of oil seeds
(i) Most of these are edible and used as cooking medium.
(ii) Extracted oil is also used as a raw material for manufacturing large number of items like paints,
varnishes, hydrogenated oil, soaps, perfumes, lubricants, etc.
(iii) Oil cake which is the by-product, obtained after the extraction of oil from oil seeds is an excellent
cattle feed.
(iv) Oil cake is also used as fertiliser.
BEVERAGES
Tea and coffee are the most important beverage
crops of India.
Tea
Tea is an important beverage crop of India.
India is the largest producer of tea in the world.
China and Sri Lanka are other important producers.
Tea cultivation is classic example of plantation
agriculture in India.
Tea plucking is a skilful job, requiring patience and judgement. It

is usually done by women who are better pickers.
AGRICULTURE 231
Tea is tropical and a sub-
tropical shrub and thrives well
in hot and humid climate.
Tea bushes require warm and
moist climate all throughout
the year.
1. Temperature: Tea plant
can grow in temperature
ranging between 20°C
and 35°C but 25°C is
the ideal temperature.
Frost damages the plant.
2. Rainfall: Tea plant
needs heavy rainfall
ranging between 150
cm to 250 cm. The
rainfall should be well
distributed throughout
the year.
3. Soil: The plant requires
a light loamy soil.
The soil should be
rich in humus and
iron content. Tea is a
soil exhausting crop
so frequent use of
chemical fertilizers and
manure is essential.
1. Tea is grown on hill slopes because stagnant water is injurious to the roots of the plant and on
the hill slopes water drains away easily and water logging does not take place.
2. Prolonged dry spell is harmful for the tea, high humidity, heavy dew favour the rapid growth of
young leaves.
3. It is a labour intensive industry which requires cheap and skilled workers.
Producers:
Major tea-producing states are Assam, West Bengal, (Hills of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri Districts), Tamil Nadu
and Kerala. Apart from these, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh and Tripura are
also tea-producing states in the country.
232 AGRICULTURE
Coffee
Coffee is an important beverage crop of the world. Coffee is one of the oldest plantation crops of India.
It was the Britishers who introduced the systematic cultivation of coffee in plantations in 1830. The first
plantation was set up in Karnataka.
There are three varieties of coffee grown in India. The Arabica variety is the most important which was
brought from Yemen.
Coffee is a typical highland crop of the tropics. It grows best at altitudes ranging from 1100 m to 2400 m.
1. Temperature: Coffee is usually grown in highland conditions where the mean monthly temperature
ranges from 14ºC to 26ºC. Bright sunlight and warm weather are necesary for harvesting and
preparation of the berries. The plant cannot tolerate frost, snowfall, high temperature above 30°C
and strong sunshine and is generally grown under shady trees.
2. Rainfall: It needs rainfall ranging between 125 cm to 250 cm. Rainfall should be well distributed
throughout the year. As stagnant water is harmful, the crop is grown on hill slopes.
3. Soil: Coffee plant grows well in deep, porous soils with high humus content. The soil must be
properly manured to retain and replenish fertility. In India coffee is grown on red and laterite soil.
Producers:
India produces about 4% of the world’s coffee. Karnataka (Nilgiri Hills) is the largest producer producing
more than 70% of the total production. Tamil Nadu and Kerala are other two producers.
Horticulture Crops
India is the largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world. Indian mangoes and bananas are in
great demand outside the country. India is a producer of tropical as well as temperate fruits. Mangoes
of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bengal, oranges of Nagpur and Cherrapunjee
(Meghalaya), banana of Kerala, Mizoram, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, litchi and guava of Uttar
Pradesh and Bihar, pineapple of Meghalaya, grapes of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, apples, pears,
apricots and walnuts of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh are in great demand.
India produced about 13 per cent of the world’s vegetables. It stands first in the production of pears and
cauliflower, second in onion, cabbage, tomato, brinjal and fourth in potato.
NOTE
1. The growing of vegetables, flowers and fruits is known as horticulture.
Horticulture: Intensive cultivation of vegetables, fruits and flowers.
Rubber
Natural rubber is an equatorial crop native of the Amazon equatorial forest but it can be grown in
tropical and sub-tropical areas. It is a kind of natural plastic with many invaluable qualities such as
elasticity, resistance to water and non-conduction of electricity. Rubber tree grows well in regions
AGRICULTURE 233
having hot and humid climate. In India rubber tree

grows in a narrow belt of approximately 400 km
extending from Kanyakumari in the south to the
windward side of the Western Ghats. Kerala is the
largest producer and contributes 90% of the total
rubber production of the country.
1. Temperature: It is a tree of the tropical
forests and requires a constant high
temperature above 25°. Thus the tree cannot
be grown at high altitudes.
2. Rainfall: It needs heavy and well distributed
rainfall throughout the year. This plant needs
rainfall ranging between 200 cm to 400 cm.
3. Soil: The plant requires alluvial or laterite
soil.
Areas of Production
India ranks fifth among the world’s natural rubber
producers. Kerala is the largest producer of rubber.
Kerala accounts for about 91% of the total area
under rubber plantation. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka
and Andaman and Nicobar islands and Garo Hills
of Himalayas are the other producers.
FIBRE CROPS
Cotton, jute, hemp and natural silk are the four major fibre crops grown in India. The first three are
derived from the crops grown in the soil, the latter is obtained from cocoons of the silkworms fed on
green leaves specially mulberry. Rearing of silk worms for the production of silk fibre is known as
sericulture.
Cotton
Cotton is the most important fibre crop of India.
It is one of the basic raw materials for the cotton
textile industry.
India is the second largest producer of cotton
in the world after China. U.S.A. and Russia are
other two important producers.
Cotton is the crop of tropical and sub-tropical
areas. But it can be cultivated in higher latitudes
provided there is no frost. It is cultivated as a
kharif crop and requires 6 to 8 months to mature. Cotton
234 AGRICULTURE
1. Temperature: Cotton
needs a warm climate.
Summer temperatures
of 21°C to 27°C and
abundant sunshine is
necessary during the
growth of the plant. A
long growing-period
of atleast 200 frost-free
days is also necessary
for the plant to mature.
2. Rainfall: Moderate to
light rainfall is adequate
for cotton cultivation.
Rainfall ranging
between 50 cm to 80
cm is adequate. The
crop can be successfully
grown in areas of low
rainfall with the help of
irrigation.
3. Soil: Cotton can be
grown on a variety
of soils but the black
cotton soil of the
Deccan Plateau which
has the ability to
retain moisture is most
suitable. It also grows
well in alluvial soils of
the Sutlej-Ganga Plain.
Areas of Production
The leading cotton producing states are Gujarat,
Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana,
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh.
Punjab and Haryana grow the long staple variety.
Jute
Jute is a tropical fibre plant and grows well in the
delta region of the Ganga-Brahmaputra valley.
India is the second largest producer after Bangladesh.
Jute is the golden fibre of India because India earns
valuable foreign exchange by exporting jute. Jute is Long stems of jute are harvested and bundled together.
used in making gunny bags, nets, ropes, yarn, carpet Then the bundles are immersed in soft water. This
and other ornamental artefacts. Due to high cost its process is known as retting.
AGRICULTURE 235
market is threatened by the development of plastics and synthetic fibres. Many commodities are now
packed in polythene bags rather than sacks.
1. Temperature: Jute is the crop of hot and humid climate so it needs high temperature varying from
24ºC to 35ºC. It also requires high relative humidity.
2. Rainfall: The jute plant needs heavy rainfall of about 170 cm to 200 cm evenly distributed during
the growing period. Continuous drought is damaging to the crop.
3. Soil: Jute rapidly exhausts the fertility of the soil so it is necessary that soil is replenished annually
by the silt-laden flood water of the rivers. Jute can be grown in sandy and clay loams but deltaic
soil is considered best because deltaic soil is renewed every year. Ganga, Brahmaputra region is
the leading producer of Jute due to fertile alluvial soil which is renewed every year.
FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR LOW PRODUCTIVITY IN INDIA
The per hectare yield of India is very low. There has been some improvement in recent years,
particularly during the plan period. But condition in agriculture has not changed much and much
remains to be done to achieve the desired results.
Table 4.1 India: Growth Rate of GDP and Major Sectors (in%)
Sector 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16
Agriculture 4.2 0.2 1.1
Industry 5.0 5.9 7.3
Services 7.8 10.3 9.2
GDP 6.6 7.2 7.6
Source: Economic Survey 2015-16
From the above table, it is clear that though the GDP rate is increasing but share of agriculture has
remained the same. The stagnant growth rate in agriculture is an alarming situation.
1. Over crowding in agriculture: The real problem of Indian agriculture is that there are too many
people who depend on agriculture. Since, 1901 the proportion of people dependent on agriculture
has almost remained constant i.e., 70%.
2. Problem of inputs: Indian agriculture has suffered because of inadequacy of finance, seeds,
fertilizers, marketing, transportation, etc.
3. Size of Land Holdings: The average size of holding in India is very low, less than two hectares or
five acres. Not only agricultural holdings are small but they are also fragmented. In certain parts of
the country plots of land have become so small that it is impossible to use modern machinery. Since
the average agricultural holdings are too small, no scientific, cultivation with improved implements,
seeds, etc. is possible. Small sized holdings lead to great waste of time, labour and cattle power.
4. Poor techniques of production: The Indian farmers have been using old and inefficient methods
and techniques of production. Only in recent years and that too to a limited extent, the farmers have
started adopting modern machines like tractors, threshers, combines, etc. There is also shortage of
various kinds of inputs like HYV (High Yielding Varieties) seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, etc.
236 AGRICULTURE
TECHNICAL AND INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS

1. Comprehensive land Development programme: In the 1980’s and 1990’s a comprehensive land
development programme was initiated, which included both institutional and technical reforms.
Provision for crop insurance against drought, flood, cyclone, fire and disease, establishment of Grameen
banks, cooperative societies and banks for providing loan facilities to the farmers at lower rates of
interest were some important steps in this direction.
2. Launching of irrigation schemes: Many multipurpose projects have been constructed to provide
power and irrigation facilities to the farmers.
3. HYV seeds and Agriculture Universities: In order to enhance production government is providing
HYV seeds to the farmers. Special seminars are also being held. Many new agriculture universities
have been established.
4. Public Procurement Systems and Agriculture Price Commission: Agriculture Price Commission has
been set up which declares the prices of agricultural products in advance so that, the farmers may
know what they are going to get for their produce. Government agencies like FCI (Food Corporation
of India) purchase a variety of agricultural products from the farmers.
5. Crops Insurances and Agriculture Finance: As, we are aware of the fact that Indian agriculture
is mainly dependent on nature, crops are also being insured due to high risk. Government has
established special banks like the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
to provide agricultural loans to farmers.
NOTES
AGRICULTURE 237
ASSIGNMENT
Q.1. The ‘slash and burn’ agriculture is known as ‘Milpa’ in which country?

Options:
(a) Indonesia (b) Vietnam
(c) Brazil (d) Mexico
Q.2. Which of the following is a rabi crop?

Options:
(a) Rice (b) Gram
( ) Millets (d) Cotton
Q.3. Which of the following is a leguminous crop?

Options:
(a) Pulses (b) Jowar
(c) Millets (d) Sesamum
Q.4. India is the .................... producer of sugarcane in the world.

Options:
(a) Second Largest (b) Third Largest
(c) Fourth Largest (d) Fifth Largest
Q.5. Name the important plantation crops grown in India.

Options:
Q.6. Write the temperature requirement of the maize crop.

Options:
Q.7. Write the amount of annual rainfall required for the cultivation of wheat.

Options:
Q.8. Why are pulses grown in rotation with other crops?

Options:
Q.9. What are the main characteristics of commercial farming?

Options:
Q.10. Name the major maize producing states of India.

Options:
Q.11. Which two revolutions revolutionized Indian agriculture?

Options:
238 AGRICULTURE
Q.12. What climatic conditions are required for growing cotton?

Options:
Q.13. Why do we need to have technical and institutional reforms in India?

Options:
Q.14. State any three characteristics of commercial farming in India.

Options:
Q.15. Describe any five features of primitive subsistence farming.

Options:
NOTES
AGRICULTURE 239

1. Which one of the following describes a system of agriculture where a single crop is grown on a large
area?
(a) Shifting Agriculture (b) Plantation Agriculture
(c) Horticulture (d) Intensive Agriculture
2. Which one of the following is a rabi crop?
(a) Rice (b) Gram
(c) Millets (d) Cotton
3. Which one of the following is a leguminous crop?
(a) Pulses (b) Jawar
(c) Millets (d) Sesamum
4. Which one of the following is announced by the government in support of a crop?
(a) Maximum support price (b) Minimum support price
(c) Moderate support price (d) Influential support price
5. India is the second largest producer of .............. after ........... .
(a) Wheat, China (b) Rice, China
(c) Maize, Russia (d) Cotton, U.S.A
6. .............. is the important food crop of the people of the north and the north-western part of the
country.
(a) Rice (b) Cotton
(c) Wheat (d) Maize
7. ......... is an important beverage crop of India.
(a) Tea (b) Jute
(c) Rice (d) Sugarcane
8. .............. needs a long growing period of atleast 200 frost free days.
(a) Cotton (b) Jute
(c) Sugarcane (d) Rice
9. Match the columns and choose the correct option.
Column A Column B
(i) Primitive tools (a) Plantation
(ii) Single crop on large area (b) Commercial farming
(iii) Produce for market (c) Primitive subsistence farming
Options.
A. (i) – a (ii) – b (iii) – c
B. (i) – b (ii) – c (iii) – a
C. (i) – c (ii) – b (iii) – a
D. (i) – a (ii) – c (iii) – b
240 AGRICULTURE
10. Match the columns and choose the correct option.

Column A Column B
(i) Golden fibre (a) Rubber
(ii) Equatorial crop (b) Rice
(iii) Staple crop (c) Jute
Options.
A. (i) – a (ii) – b (iii) – c
B. (i) – b (ii) – c (iii) – a
C. (i) – a (ii) – b (iii) – c
D. (i) – c (ii) – a (iii) – b
For question numbers 11 and 12 two statements are given- one labelled Assertion (A) and the other
labelled Reason (R). Select the correct answer to these questions from the codes (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)
as given below
11. Assertion: Cotton cannot be grown in Assam.
Reason: The crop needs bright sunshine and 210 frost free days.
(i) (ii)
(iii) (iv)
12. Assertion: Rice is grown in plains of north.
Reason: Due to high rainfall i.e. more than 100cm.
(i) (ii)
(iii) (iv)
C. Fill in the Blanks:
13. Jowar, bajra and .............. are the important millets grown in India.
14. .................. is a kharif crop and accounts for about half of the major oil seeds produced in the country.
15. Rearing of silkworms for the production of silk is known as ................
D. Identify the Cropping Season:
Crops are sown in winter from October to December and harvested in summer from April to June.
E. Identify the Term:
It is the short cropping season between Rabi and Kharif.
F. Correct the Following Statement and Rewrite:
Wheat is used both as a food and fodder.
J. Extract Based Questions:
Agriculture has been practised in India for thousands of years. Sustained uses of land without
compatible techno-institutional changes have hindered the pace of agricultural development. Inspite of
development of sources of irrigation most of the farmers in large parts of the country still depend upon
AGRICULTURE 241
monsoon and natural fertility in order to carry on their agriculture. For a growing population, this poses
a serious challenge. Agriculture which provides livelihood for more than 60 per cent of its population,
needs some serious technical and institutional reforms.
Read the extract and answer the following questions:
(i) Give two reasons for the underdevelopment of agriculture in India.
(ii) Suggest any three technical and institutional reforms to uplift agriculture growth.
BOARD QUESTIONS
1. Name any four cereal crops of India. [CBSE 2005 (O)]
2. Name the two states leading in the production of coffee in India. [CBSE 1994, 1999]
3. Name two agricultural seasons of India. Name one major cereal crop of each season. [CBSE 2016]
4. What is subsistence farming? Write any four features of subsistence farming. [CBSE 2004 (O)]
5. What is intensive farming? Write some features of intensive farming. [CBSE 2005 (O)]
6. Why is subsistence agriculture still practised in certain parts of the country? Give four reasons.
[CBSE 2006(D)]
7. Name one crop each of Rabi and Kharif seasons. [CBSE 2008 (All India)]
8. Name the leading coffee producing state of India. [CBSE 2008 (All India)]
9. What is primitive subsistence farming? [CBSE 2008 (All India) (Com.)]
10. Write four characteristics of Rabi cropping season. [CBSE 2008 (All India) (Com.)]
11. Name the two main fibre crops in India. [CBSE 2008 (D)]
12. Name the two main beverage crops of India. [CBSE 2008 (D)]
13. Mention the leading States of india in the production each of Jowar and Bajara. [CBSE 2008 (D)]
14. Describe any four characterisitics of plantation agriculture. [CBSE 2008 (D) (Com.)]
15. Write any four characteristics of commerical agriculture. [CBSE 2008 (D) (Com.)]
16. Explain climatic conditions required for sugarcane and rubber cultivation. Also write two leading
producing states of each crop. [CBSE 2008 (D) (Com.), 2013]
17. Describe any three geographical conditions required for tea cultivation. Name any two tea
producing states. [CBSE 2012]
18. Describe various technological and institutional reforms which led to the Green and White
Revolution in India. [CBSE 2012]
19. Describe any five types of farming practised in India. [CBSE 2013]
20. Why is subsistence agriculture still practised in certain parts of the country? Give four reasons
[CBSE 2010]
21. Give any three features of zaid season. [CBSE 2017]
22. Which crop is known as the “golden fiber”? Explain two geographical conditions essential for the
cultivation of this crop. Mention any four uses. [CBSE 2012]
23. “Agriculture had been the backbone of the Indian economy. But the declining share of agriculture in
the GDP now is a matter of serious concern.” Explain the meaning of this statement. [CBSE 2010]
242 AGRICULTURE
24. Why has Indian agriculture started a declining trend in food production? Explain any four reasons.
[CBSE 2011]
25. Describe any three institutional reform programmes introduced by the government in the interest of
farmers. [CBSE 2015]
26. In which beverage crop production India is the leading producer as well as exporter in World?
Describe the geographical requirement for its development? [CBSE 2015]
27. “The Government of India has introduced various institutional and technological reforms to improve
agriculture in the 1980s and 1990s.” Support this statement with examples. [CBSE 2018]
28. Compare ‘intensive subsistence farming’ with that of ‘commercial farming’ practiced in India.
[CBSE 2018]
29. Describe any five features of commercial farming. [CBSE 2019 (O)]
30. Describe any three main features of kharif crop grown. [CBSE 2019 (D)]
QUESTIONS BASED ON SKILL (Self-Practice)

1. Carefully study the given pictures and answer the following questions:
(A) (B)
(C) (D)
(i) Identify the crops shown in the given pictures.
(ii) Name cereal crops out of the given crops.
(iii) Name the plantation and fibre crop out of the given crops.
(iv) What type of climatic conditions are required for the cultivation of crop (B)?
AGRICULTURE 243
MAP SKILLS
1. On an outline political map of India, mark the regions/states producing:

(a) Wheat (b) Rice (c) Tea (d) Coffee
(e) Rubber (f) Cotton (g) Jute
THINK AND ANSWER
(i) It is the staple food crop and requires high temperature, rainfall and humidity.
Ans. ...........................................................................................................................................................
(ii) It is known as golden fibre.
Ans. ...........................................................................................................................................................
(iii) It is an equatorial crop and needs humid climate and high rainfall.
Ans. ...........................................................................................................................................................
(iv) It is a plantation crop and an important beverage crop.
Ans. ...........................................................................................................................................................
(v) It is a tropical as well as subtropical crop and India is the second largest producer of the crop after
Brazil.
Ans. ...........................................................................................................................................................
(vi) The crop is used as food and fodder.
Ans. ...........................................................................................................................................................
(vii) It is the main food crop in the north and north-western part of the country.
Ans. ...........................................................................................................................................................
(viii) The crop needs 210 frost free days and bright sunshine for its growth.
Ans. ...........................................................................................................................................................
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193

FOREST AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES

Black Buck Indian Rhino

Crocodile Asiatic Lion

Flora : Plants of a particular region or period are referred to as flora.

Nicobar pigeon is a endemic species

Forest Fire DDT/Pesticides Industrial Pollution

Deforestation Hunting Construction

(iii) Bhadra (Karnataka) ;

Reserved Forests Protected Forests Unclassed Forests

COMMUNITY AND CONSERVATION:

OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS (Self-Practice)

4. Project Tiger was launched in ...................................

SECTORS OF THE INDIAN ECONOMY

SECTORS ACCORDING TO ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

Animal rearing Agriculture Lumbering

INTERDEPENDENCY OF VARIOUS SECTORS :

Sources: Economic Survey 2018-19

PRIMARY, SECONDARY AND TERTIARY SECTORS IN INDIA

GDP by Primary, Secondary and Tertiary sectors.

RISING IMPORTANCE OF THE TERTIARY SECTOR IN PRODUCTION:

HOW TO PROTECT WORKERS IN THE UNOR-GANISED SECTOR?

SECTOR IN TERMS OF OWNERSHIP

OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS (Self-Practice)

A. Multiple Choice Questions:

3. Manufacturing of car (iii) The sector has failed to absorb

B. Assertion and Reason Based Questions:

C. Correct the following Statements and Rewrite:

H. Extract Based Questions:

TYPES OF AGRICULTURE IN INDIA

CHARACTERISTICS OF SHIFTING AGRICULTURE

MAJOR FEATURES OF INTENSIVE SUBSISTENCE AGRICULTURE

(v) It is a labour intensive farming.

Women workers transplanting rice Rice crop is ready to be harvested

(iv) Maize: It is also a coarse grain used both

FOOD CROPS OTHER THAN GRAINS

Tea plucking is a skilful job, requiring patience and judgement. It

Horticulture: Intensive cultivation of vegetables, fruits and flowers.

having hot and humid climate. In India rubber tree

TECHNICAL AND INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS

Q.12. What climatic conditions are required for growing cotton?

OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS (Self-Practice)

A. Multiple Choice Questions:

10. Match the columns and choose the correct option.

QUESTIONS BASED ON SKILL (Self-Practice)

1. On an outline political map of India, mark the regions/states producing:

THINK AND ANSWER

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