Page 140 - SST Class 08

Agriculture 16
q Agriculture
q Agricultural development
Introduction
Agriculture, a primary activity is an age old
important economic activity of man. It serves as a
base for all human activities. More than half of the
world’s population is dependent on agriculture.
Today agriculture not only provides us with food but
also the raw materials for the manufacture of
products such as fibre (cotton/jute) for cloth, rubber
for tyre, and pulp for paper etc. At the beginning,
man started to grow crops and rear animals for
subsistence purpose but today agriculture has
assumed a diversified form with the introduction of
better farming techniques and know how.
AGRICULTURE
The word ‘agriculture’ is derived from two Latin
words ager or agri meaning soil and culture
meaning cultivation and tilling of soil . Agriculture
thus mainly refers to ‘the tilling of the soil and the
growing of crops, fruits, vegetables and flowers. It
also includes the rearing of livestock. Sometimes
forestry and fishing are also included in
agriculture.
Factors Affecting Agriculture
Agriculture is an area depending on several
physical and human factors. These factors also
determine the type and the technique of farming
used in an area.
Physical Factors
Relief : The type of landform determines whether
the area is suitable for agriculture or not. For
example, steep slopes are not favoured for
Contemporary Social Science-8
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q Major Crops
agricultural activities, because on steep slopes soil
erosion is a big problem. Heavy machines like
tractors and levellers cannot be used. Of course
using techniques, such as terracing could utilise
hilly slopes for cultivation of crops. Plains or
lowlands are considered best for the agricultural
activities. The deltas of rivers in lowlands, provide
fertile land for cultivation.
Soil : Soil also affects the agriculture as well.
Drained fertile soil is very good for the better
growth of crops. Soil with appropriate nutrients
and humus content is ideal for agriculture. For
example, alluvial soil of river valleys, black soil
etc. produce good crops.
Climate : Temperature and rainfall directly
influence the crop cultivation. A minimum
temperature of 6°C is require for growing corps.
The type of crop growth in an area varies
according to the temperature and amount of
rainfall requirements. For example, a crop like rice
requires high temperature and heavy rainfall while
wheat requires lower temperature and lesser
rainfall.
Human Factors
Labour : All types of farming require labour in the
form of humans or machines or both to do the
work. Some crops require more labour while
some less. For example, rice cultivation requires a
lot of workers while sheep rearing requires lesser
labour.
Capital : Capital is essential for purchasing of
machinery, seeds, irrigation facilities, fertilizers
and hiring of labour. Capital is made available by