1. Tick (✔) the correct option.
a. A Malaysian farmer cultivates rubber on his farm by following a farming method, clues given below and identify the type of farming he is practising.
- A huge capital investment.
- A single crop is cultivated.
- Efficient and scientific methods are used to grow crops.
Answer:
iv. Plantation farming
Efficient and scientific methods are used to grow crops.
I, Dairy farming ii. Intensive subsistence farming iii. Shifting Cultivation iv. Plantation Farming
b. Match the following:
| Column A | Column B |
| I. Apiculture | C. the care and management of honey bees for the production of honey and wax. |
| II. Viticulture | A. the process of cultivating grapes for commercial purposes. |
| III. Sericulture | D. the process of producing raw silk by raising silkworms. |
| IV. Pisciculture | B. the process of breeding and rearing fish for consumption and trade. |
Answer:
iii. I—C, II—A, III—D, IV—B ✔
c. Which of the following is an example of a secondary activity?
Answer:
i. Manufacturing of goods ✔
d. Choose the incorrect pair.
Answer:
iii. Milpa—Canada ✔ (Milpa is practised in Mexico and Central America, not Canada)
2. Answer the following questions in 10 to 20 words.
a. What are primary activities? Give an example.
Answer:
Primary activities involve directly extracting natural resources. Example: Farming, fishing, or mining.
b. Agriculture is considered as a system. List the inputs required for the production of a crop.
Answer:
Inputs include seeds, fertilizers, water, labour, machinery, and capital for farming operations.
c. What is subsistence farming?
Answer:
Subsistence farming is growing food primarily to feed the farmer’s family, with little surplus for sale.
d. List the countries where mixed farming is practised.
Answer:
Mixed farming is common in the USA, Canada, Australia, and parts of Europe like Germany and France.
3. Answer the following questions in 50 to 70 words.
a. Explain the factors that influence agricultural practices.
Answer:
Agricultural practices are shaped by physical and human factors. Physical factors include climate, soil type, and topography, which determine what crops can grow. Human factors involve available technology, capital, market demand, and government policies. For example, rice requires warm, wet climates, while modern technology enables farming in less ideal conditions.
b. Write a brief account on extensive grain farming.
Answer:
Extensive grain farming involves large-scale cultivation of grains like wheat or corn on vast farms. It relies heavily on machinery rather than manual labor and is common in temperate grasslands like the Prairies of North America. This capital-intensive practice focuses on high productivity for commercial sale in domestic and international markets.
c. Mention any three features of shifting cultivation.
Answer:
Shifting cultivation involves clearing forest patches by burning, growing crops for a few years until soil fertility drops, and then moving to a new area. It relies on family labor, uses simple tools, and grows multiple crops like maize and cassava. This practice is common in tropical regions of the Amazon Basin and parts of Africa and Southeast Asia.
d. How is mixed farming different from dairy farming?
Answer:
Mixed farming combines crop cultivation with livestock rearing on the same farm to diversify income and utilize resources efficiently. In contrast, dairy farming specializes solely in milk production through cattle breeding. While mixed farming balances crops and animals, dairy farming focuses entirely on dairy products, requiring specific breeds and equipment.
4. Think Ahead [HOTS]
Shifting cultivation has many disadvantages, such as deforestation and leaching of soil, why is this type of farming still practised in many parts of the world?
Answer:
Shifting cultivation persists due to deep-rooted cultural traditions, lack of affordable alternatives, and limited access to modern farming knowledge. In remote, hilly, or forested areas, it is often the only viable method for tribal communities to sustain themselves, as it requires minimal capital and technology to produce food quickly.