Class 8th Geography Chapter 3
๐พ CHAPTER NOTES: AGRICULTURE
๐น 1. Definition
Agriculture – The science and art of cultivation of soil, growing crops and rearing livestock. It is also called farming.
๐ Word Origin:
Agri = Soil (Latin word ager)
Culture = Cultivation
๐น 2. Important 1–2 Line Notes
Agriculture is a primary economic activity.
About 50% of the world population is engaged in agriculture.
In India, nearly two-thirds of the population depends on agriculture.
Land suitable for cultivation is called arable land.
Agriculture depends on soil, climate and topography.
Topography: the physical characteristics of an area of land, especially the position of its rivers, mountains, etc.
Farming can be divided into Subsistence and Commercial farming.
Subsistence Farming: Subsistence Farming is a type of farming in which crops are grown mainly for the farmer’s own consumption, not for selling in the market.
Commercial Farming: Commercial farming is a type of farming where crops are grown mainly for sale in the market to earn profit.
Rice is the staple food of tropical regions.
Jute is called the Golden Fibre.
Maize is also known as Corn.
The ultimate aim of agricultural development is Food Security.
๐น 3. Important Keywords
Primary Activity
Arable Land
Subsistence Farming
Intensive Farming
Primitive Farming
Shifting Cultivation
Nomadic Herding (people move with their animals from one place to another in search of fodder and water.) ๐ซ Camel ๐ Sheep ๐ Goat ๐ Horse ๐ Yak
Commercial Farming
Plantation Agriculture
HYV Seeds (High Yielding Variety)
Mechanisation
Food Security
๐น 4. Types of Economic Activities
| Type | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | Extraction of natural resources | Agriculture, Fishing |
| Secondary | Processing of raw materials | Manufacturing |
| Tertiary | Service sector | Transport, Banking |
๐น 5. Types of Farming
1️⃣ Subsistence Farming
Done to meet family needs
Small land holding
Low technology
(a) Intensive Subsistence Farming
Small plot
More labour
Multiple crops per year
Common in Monsoon Asia (India, China)
(b) Primitive Subsistence Farming
Includes:
✔ Shifting Cultivation
✔ Nomadic Herding
๐ณ Shifting Cultivation
Also called Slash and Burn Agriculture
Practised in:
Amazon Basin
Tropical Africa
Southeast Asia
North-East India
๐ Different Names:
Jhumming (North East India)
Milpa (Mexico)
Roca (Brazil)
Ladang (Malaysia)
❌ Disadvantages:
Deforestation
Soil fertility loss
Environmental damage
๐ซ Nomadic Herding
Practised in Sahara, Central Asia, Rajasthan, J&K
Animals: Sheep, Camel, Goat, Yak
2️⃣ Commercial Farming
Large land area
High capital investment
Use of machines
Types:
Commercial Grain Farming
Mixed Farming
Plantation Agriculture
๐ด Plantation Agriculture
Single crop grown
Large labour requirement
Examples:
Rubber – Malaysia
Coffee – Brazil
Tea – India(Assam) & Sri Lanka
๐น 6. Major Crops (With Conditions)
๐พ Rice
High temperature
High humidity
Heavy rainfall
Alluvial clayey soil
Leading producer: China
๐พ Wheat
Moderate temperature
Bright sunshine at harvest
Well-drained loamy soil
Grown in USA, Canada, India
๐พ Millets (เคฌाเคเคฐा)
Low rainfall
Sandy soil
Jowar, Bajra, Ragi
๐ฝ Maize (เคฎเค्เคा)
Moderate temperature
Well-drained fertile soil
Grown in USA, Brazil, China, India
๐งต Cotton
High temperature
210 frost-free days (very warm days)
Black soil
Grown in China, India, USA
Jute
High temperature
Heavy rainfall
Alluvial soil
Leading producers: India(West Bengal) & Bangladesh
☕ Coffee
Warm and wet climate
Hill slopes
Leading producer: Brazil & Karnataka(India)
๐ Tea
Cool climate
High rainfall
Gentle slopes
Kenya, India, China produce best quality
๐น 7. Agricultural Development
Meaning: Efforts made to increase farm production.
Ways:
Increasing cropped area
HYV seeds
Irrigation
Fertilisers
Mechanisation
๐ Aim: Food Security
๐น 9. Important Personalities
Kaldi (AD 850) – Discovered coffee plant (Arab goat-herder story).
๐น 11. Important Definitions (Exam-Oriented)
✔ Arable Land – Land suitable for cultivation.
✔ Food Security – When all people have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food.
✔ Organic Farming – Farming using natural manure and no chemical fertilisers.
✔ Horticulture – Growing fruits and vegetables commercially.
✔ Sericulture – Rearing of silkworms.
✔ Pisciculture – Fish farming.
✔ Viticulture – Growing grapes.
๐น 12. Important Rules
✔ Rice → High rainfall
✔ Wheat → Moderate rainfall + Bright sunshine
✔ Cotton → 210 frost-free days
✔ Tea → Cool climate + Slopes
๐น 13. Maps & Locations (Very Important for Exams)
๐ Intensive Subsistence Farming – South, Southeast & East Asia
๐ Commercial Grain Farming –
North America
Europe
Asia temperate grasslands
๐ Plantation Regions –
Malaysia (Rubber)
Brazil (Coffee)
India, Sri Lanka & China (Tea)
๐ Nomadic Herding –
Sahara
Central Asia
Rajasthan
Jammu & Kashmir
๐ฅ Most Repeated Exam Questions (With Answers)
Q1. What is Agriculture?
Answer: Agriculture is the science and art of cultivation of soil, growing crops and rearing livestock.
Q2. What are the factors influencing agriculture?
Answer: Soil, climate, topography, rainfall and temperature.
Q3. What is shifting cultivation?
Answer: A type of primitive farming where land is cleared by cutting and burning trees and crops are grown for a short period before moving to another plot.
Q4. Why is Jute called Golden Fibre?
Answer: Because of its golden colour and high economic value.
Q5. Why are different crops grown in different regions?
Answer: Because crops require different climatic conditions, soil types and rainfall.
๐ง One-Line Facts for Quick Revision
Agriculture = Primary Activity
Rice = Staple food of Asia
Maize = Corn
Jute = Golden Fibre
Coffee discovered by Kaldi
USA farming = Mechanised
India farming = Labour intensive
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