UNIT-3
Chapter-4 Primary Activities
EXERCISES
1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.
(i) Which one of the following is not a plantation crop?
(a) Coffee (c) Wheat
(b) Sugarcane (d) Rubber
Answer: (c) Wheat
(ii) In which one of the following countries co-operative farming was the most successful experiment?
(a) Russia (c) India
(b) Denmark (d) The Netherlands
Answer: (b) Denmark
(iii) Growing of flowers is called:
(a) Truck farming (c) Mixed farming
(b) Factory farming (d) Floriculture
Answer: (d) Floriculture
(iv) Which one of the following types of cultivation was developed by European
colonists?
(a) Kolkoz (c) Mixed farming
(b) Viticulture (d) Plantation
Answer: (d) Plantation
(v) In which one of the following regions is extensive commercial grain cultivation
not practised?
(a) American Canadian prairies (c) Pampas of Argentina
(b) European Steppes (d) Amazon Basin
Answer: (d) Amazon Basin
(vi) In which of the following types of agriculture is the farming of citrus fruit very
important?
(a) Market gardening (c) Mediterranean agriculture
(b) Plantation agriculture (d) Co-operative farming
Answer: (c) Mediterranean agriculture
(vii) Which one type of agriculture amongst the following is also called ‘slash and
burn agriculture’?
(a) Extensive subsistence agriculture
(b) Primitive subsistence agriculture
(c) Extensive commercial grain cultivation
(d) Mixed farming
Answer: (b) Primitive subsistence agriculture
(viii) Which one of the following does not follow monoculture?
(a) Dairy farming (c) Plantation agriculture
(b) Mixed farming (d) Commercial grain farming.
Answer: (b) Mixed farming
2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.
(i) Future of shifting cultivation is bleak. Discuss.
Answer: The statement that the future of shifting cultivation is bleak has validity due to several challenges:
Environmental Concerns:
*Deforestation: The cyclical clearing of land for cultivation leads to deforestation, contributing to biodiversity loss, soil erosion, and climate change.
*Soil Degradation: Frequent burning and land abandonment deplete soil nutrients, reducing its fertility and long-term productivity.
*Unsustainable Practices: Population growth and increased demand for land can lead to shortening fallow periods, further straining the ecological balance.
Social and Economic Challenges:
*Livelihood Vulnerability: Dependence on limited land and unpredictable yields can make communities vulnerable to food insecurity and poverty.
*Limited Development Opportunities: The mobile nature of shifting cultivation can hinder access to infrastructure, education, and healthcare in rural areas.
*Policy and Market Integration: Integration into market economies can disadvantage shifting cultivators due to lack of land ownership rights and market knowledge.
However, there are also reasons for optimism:
*Indigenous Knowledge: Shifting cultivation incorporates valuable traditional knowledge about local ecology and sustainable land management practices.
*Adaptation and Innovation: Local communities are already adapting and innovating their practices to improve sustainability and productivity.
*Policy Shifts: Increased awareness of environmental issues and cultural values is leading to policy changes that support sustainable livelihoods in shifting cultivation zones.
Therefore, the future of shifting cultivation is not predetermined. Collaboration between local communities, researchers, policymakers, and development agencies is crucial to promote sustainable practices that preserve ecological balance and ensure the well-being of shifting cultivators. This could involve:
Promoting agroforestry and other land-use systems that maintain forest cover and soil fertility.
Supporting alternative income sources and market access for communities.
Developing policies that recognize land rights and support sustainable management practices.
Investing in research and knowledge sharing to adapt and improve existing practices.
By addressing the challenges and leveraging the opportunities, shifting cultivation can evolve into a more sustainable and equitable system for future generations.
(ii) Market gardening is practised near urban areas. Why?
Answer: Market gardening thrives near urban areas for several key reasons:
1. Market proximity:
Reduced transportation costs and time: Urban populations provide a readily available market for fresh produce, minimizing the need for long-distance transportation and associated costs. This ensures faster delivery to consumers, maintaining product quality and freshness.
2. High demand and diverse preferences:
Urban consumers often demand a variety of fresh, high-quality fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Market gardeners can cater to these diverse preferences by growing a wider range of crops compared to larger, commercial farms focused on specific commodities.
3. Higher value crops:
Urban consumers are often willing to pay premium prices for specialty crops, organic produce, or unique varieties. This allows market gardeners to focus on crops with higher market value, maximizing their profits despite potentially smaller landholdings.
4. Efficient distribution channels:
Urban areas offer established infrastructure like farmers' markets, grocery stores, and direct-to-consumer delivery systems, providing efficient channels for market gardeners to reach their customers directly.
5. Access to resources:
Urban areas offer easier access to essential resources like water, fertilizers, seeds, and labor compared to remote rural locations. This facilitates efficient operations and reduces logistical challenges.
6. Land availability:
While land near urban areas can be expensive, some options like rooftop gardens, vertical farming, or community-supported agriculture (CSA) models can provide access to land for market gardening within city limits.
In conclusion, the proximity to a large, diverse, and willing market, coupled with access to resources and efficient distribution channels, make urban areas ideal locations for market gardening. This enables them to thrive by providing fresh, high-quality produce to consumers while maximizing their economic returns.
It's important to note that market gardening practices can vary depending on the specific location, cultural context, and available resources. However, the core principles of proximity, market-driven production, and efficient resource management remain central to the success of this agricultural practice near urban areas.
(iii) Large scale dairy farming is the result of the development of transportation
and refrigeration.
Answer: The statement that large-scale dairy farming is solely the result of transportation and refrigeration development is partially true, but it requires some nuance and additional context:
While transportation and refrigeration have significantly contributed to the rise of large-scale dairy farming, they are not the only factors at play. Other important contributing factors include:
- Technological advancements: Development of milking machines, automated feeding systems, and improved breeding practices increased efficiency and productivity, supporting larger operations.
- Economic factors: Growing consumer demand for dairy products, coupled with rising land and labor costs, incentivized consolidation and economies of scale.
- Government policies: Subsidies, price controls, and marketing campaigns can influence the structure and growth of the dairy industry.
- Social and cultural shifts: Changes in consumer preferences towards convenience and standardized products contributed to the demand for larger, centralized production facilities.
Therefore, while transportation and refrigeration played a crucial role in enabling distribution and extending shelf life of dairy products, they were not the sole drivers of large-scale dairy farming. A complex interplay of factors contributed to the rise and evolution of this industry.
Here's how transportation and refrigeration specifically impacted large-scale dairy farming:
- Transportation: Improved transportation infrastructure like refrigerated trucks and specialized milk tankers allowed efficient and long-distance transport of fresh milk and dairy products from farms to distant markets.
- Refrigeration: Development of refrigeration technologies enabled longer storage times for milk and dairy products, reducing spoilage and loss, and making large-scale production and distribution more feasible.
In conclusion, while transportation and refrigeration were key enablers, large-scale dairy farming emerged from a confluence of technological, economic, social, and policy factors. Attributing its rise solely to these two elements presents an incomplete picture of the complex dynamics at play.
3. Answer the following questions in not more than 150 words.
Nomadic herding and commercial livestock rearing are two distinct systems for raising animals, with contrasting approaches to land use, animal management, and economic goals. Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
Here's a deeper dive into some key differences:
- Land Use: Nomadic herders rely on seasonal migration patterns to find fresh grazing and water for their animals. They don't own land permanently and move freely across vast territories. In contrast, commercial livestock rearing operates on fixed ranches or farms with established infrastructure like fences, barns, and irrigation systems.
- Herd Size and Composition: Nomadic herders typically maintain smaller, diverse herds with different age groups and animal species. This diversity ensures resilience and adaptability to changing environmental conditions. Commercial livestock rearing often focuses on larger, monoculture herds of specific breeds chosen for optimal production and market value.
- Animal Management: Nomadic herders rely on extensive management practices, utilizing natural selection and traditional herding techniques to guide and protect their animals. Commercial livestock rearing employs intensive management, including controlled breeding, artificial insemination, and routine veterinary care to maximize productivity and minimize losses.
- Production Goals: Nomadic herding is primarily subsistence-based, with animals providing food, clothing, and other necessities for the community. They may engage in limited trade or barter, but the primary focus is on self-sufficiency. Commercial livestock rearing is market-oriented, aiming to maximize production and profits through efficient animal management and integration into market chains.
- Technology and Infrastructure: Nomadic herders rely on low-tech tools and traditional knowledge passed down through generations. Commercial livestock rearing utilizes advanced technologies like milking machines, automated feeding systems, and genetic engineering to improve efficiency and production.
- Social and Economic Structure: Nomadic herding communities often have strong social ties and a deep connection to their land and animals. Their way of life has cultural and spiritual significance, and decision-making is often communal. Commercial livestock rearing is often individualized or corporate-owned, with a primary focus on profit and market integration.
It's important to remember that these are general trends and specific practices can vary depending on the region, culture, and individual circumstances. However, understanding these key differences can provide valuable insights into the distinct approaches and motivations behind nomadic herding and commercial livestock rearing.
1. Large-Scale Monoculture:
- Plantation agriculture involves cultivating large, single-crop farms (monoculture) on a vast scale. This focus on a single cash crop maximizes production but can have negative ecological consequences like soil depletion and biodiversity loss.
2. Capital-Intensive:
- Establishing and operating plantations requires significant capital investment in land, infrastructure, machinery, and labor. This can lead to land concentration and economic disparities in regions where plantations operate.
3. High Reliance on Labor:
- Plantation agriculture often relies heavily on manual labor, sometimes migrant or underpaid workers, to cultivate, harvest, and process crops. This raises concerns about fair labor practices and working conditions.
4. Processing and Export Focus:
- Plantation crops are typically processed and packaged on-site or in nearby facilities before being exported to international markets. This creates a strong link between plantations and global commodity chains.
5. Environmental Impact:
- Extensive land clearing, monoculture practices, and reliance on chemical inputs can have significant negative environmental impacts like deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution.
Important Plantation Crops and Countries:
1. Coffee:
- Brazil: Leading producer, accounting for nearly 40% of global coffee production.
- Colombia: Known for high-quality Arabica coffee.
- Ethiopia: Center of origin for coffee and home to unique varieties.
2. Sugarcane:
- India: Second-largest producer globally, with a strong focus on domestic consumption.
- Brazil: Major producer and exporter, with a significant impact on global sugar prices.
- Thailand: Key exporter of refined sugar and a major player in the international market.
3. Rubber:
- Thailand: World's largest producer, accounting for over 30% of global rubber output.
- Indonesia: Second-largest producer, with a rapidly growing rubber industry.
- Vietnam: Emerging producer with increasing market share in recent years.
4. Tea:
- India: Second-largest producer globally, with a strong domestic market for chai tea.
- China: Leading producer and exporter, known for green and black tea varieties.
- Kenya: Major producer of black tea, known for its distinctive flavor and aroma.
5. Bananas:
- India: Leading producer, with a strong domestic market for bananas and banana-based products.
- Ecuador: Major exporter, known for high-quality Cavendish bananas.
- Brazil: Significant producer and exporter, contributing to the global banana trade.
This is just a small selection, and many other crops are grown in plantation systems worldwide, including palm oil, cocoa, tobacco, and cotton. Each country and region has its own unique history and specificities related to plantation agriculture.
Remember that plantation agriculture is a complex system with both positive and negative aspects. Understanding its characteristic features and the diverse range of crops and countries involved can help us critically analyze its impact and work towards promoting sustainable practices in the future.
