Selina Concise Solutions for ICSE Class 6 Geography Chapter 6 Major Crops

POINTS TO REMEMBER

1. Crops can be divided into two broad categories - food crops (grains that are consumed as food) and cash crops (crops that are sold in the market for cash, such as cotton).
2. Rice is the staple food for the majority of the people. It requires plenty of water.
3. China is the world’s largest rice-producing country, followed by India.
4. Wheat is a crop that grows well in temperature regions.
5. Sugar cane is grown in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world.
6. India is the second-largest producer of sugar cane after brazil.
7. China, India and Pakistan are important cotton-growing countries in the world.
8. Jute is known as the ‘golden fibre’.
9. India is the largest jute-producing country in the world and West Bengal is the biggest jute-producing state in India.
10. The Green Revolution refers to the spectacular increase in the yield of food grains in India in the 1960s.

IMPORTANT TERMS

1. Bagasse: The fibrous matter that remains after sugar cane stalks have been crushed to extract their juice.
2. Ethanol: A volatile, flammable, colourless liquid.
3. Green Revolution: The spectacular increase in the production of food grains in the 1960s in India.
4. HYV seeds: High yielding variety of seeds introduced during the Green Revolution to increase crop production.
5. Kharif crops: Crops that grow through the summer season in India.
6. Molasses: A thick, black, sweet sticky liquid produced when sugar is refined.
7. Rabi crops: Crops that grow through the winter season in India.
8. Zaid crops: Crops that grow from March to June.

THINK AND ANSWER

Question : Is global warming likely to change agricultural patterns all over the world ?
Answer:
Global warming modifies the rainfall pattern, amplifies coastal erosion, lengthens the growing season in some regions, melts ice-caps and glaciers and alters the range of some infectious diseases.
Warmer temperature extends the growing season. The plants need more water to keep growing throughout the season or they will dry out. The milder winters will fail to kill dormant insects, increasing the risk of large damaging infestation.
Changes in weather make it hard for farmers to know when to plant their seeds effectively. Extreme heat can kill delicate crops and reduce the total food available for everyone.
Teacher's Tip: Think of global warming as a 'broken thermometer' for the Earth that confuses the plants.
Exam Tip: Mention specific impacts like rainfall patterns and pests to show you understand the full scope of climate change.

VALUES AND LIFE SKILL

Question : The green Revolution led to a spectacular increase in crop production in India. Yet, poor fanners could not really benefit from this because they could not afford the new and expensive varieties of seeds. What, in your opinion, could the government have done to improve the condition of poor farmers?
Answer:
1. Govt, should give best prices for their production.
2. Govt, should provide subsidised Machinery, HYV seeds Pesticides etc.
3. Govt, should pay off the borrowings/bank loans made by the poor farmer.
Giving poor farmers financial support helps them compete with larger, wealthier farms. It ensures that everyone has a chance to succeed when new agricultural technology is introduced.
Teacher's Tip: Think of government support as a 'helping hand' for the smallest farms in the country.
Exam Tip: Number your points clearly to make the answer easy for the examiner to read and grade.

EXERCISES

A. Fill in the blanks
1. There are three main crop growing seasons in India - Kharifrabi and zaid.
2. Cash crops are grown for cash or for commercial purposes.
3. Bagasse is the crushed sugar cane fibre that is used for the manufacture of paper and fibre boards.
4. Use of new variety of seeds led to a spectacular increase in crop production in India in the 1960s.
5. The green revolution led to farmers taking loans and incurring large debts.

B. Match the columns
A
1. cereals
2. zaid crops
3. oilseeds
4. cotton
5. India
B
(i) are cash crops.
(ii) is the oldest fibre known to mankind.
(iii) is the largest producer of jute in the world.
(iv) are food crops.
(v) are grown between March and June
Answer:
1. cereals - (iv) are food crops.
2. zaid crops - (v) are grown between March and June.
3. oilseeds - (i) are cash crops.
4. cotton - (ii) is the oldest fibre known to mankind.
5. India - (iii) is the largest producer of jute in the world.
Matching these terms helps us understand how different plants are used by people for either eating or making products. It also highlights India's leading role in the production of natural fibers like jute.
Teacher's Tip: Remember "Z"aid crops grow in the "Z"enith of summer (March to June).
Exam Tip: Draw straight lines or rewrite the pairs clearly to ensure your matching logic is visible.

C. Answer the following questions in brief

Question 1: What are kharif crops ? Give one example.
Answer:
The crops which are grown in july and harvested in November are called Kharif crops, eg. rice, maize, etc.
These crops are timed with the arrival of monsoon rains to ensure they get enough water for growth. Common examples include crops that love the summer heat and high moisture levels.
Teacher's Tip: Remember "Kharif" starts with "K," and these crops are sown when the Summer monsoon begins.
Exam Tip: Always mention the specific sowing and harvesting months to get full marks for this definition.

Question 2: Which are the major rice-producing regions in India ?
Answer:
The major rice - producing regions in India are states of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana.
These regions have the right combination of fertile soil and water supply needed for paddy fields. While some use natural rainfall, others like Punjab rely on advanced irrigation systems.
Teacher's Tip: Think of the coastal states and the river plains to remember where rice grows best.
Exam Tip: Listing at least four states correctly will usually satisfy a "brief" answer requirement.

Question 3: What are cash crops ? Give two examples.
Answer:
The crops mainly grown for making profit are called cash crops, eg. sugarcane, oil seeds, etc.
Unlike food crops which are meant for eating at home, these are produced for industrial use or international trade. Farmers grow them specifically to earn money for their household expenses and investments.
Teacher's Tip: "Cash crops" are grown to put "Cash" in the farmer's pocket!
Exam Tip: Provide two distinct examples like cotton and jute to demonstrate a broad understanding.

Question 4: What climatic conditions are suitable for the cultivation of cotton ?
Answer:
Cotton requires a long frost-free period of 6-8 months in a year. It requires plenty of sunshine and dry weather during harvest.
Frost is very dangerous for cotton plants because it can destroy the delicate bolls before they open. The bright sunshine helps the cotton fibers stay white and high-quality for the textile industry.
Teacher's Tip: Remember that cotton needs a "warm bath" of sun and absolutely no ice.
Exam Tip: Use the phrase "frost-free period" as it is a key technical term in geography exams.

Question 5: What are the climatic conditions required for growing tea?
Answer:
Tea-Tea is a perennial plant that grows well in both tropical and subtropical regions. It requires a moderately hot and humid climate. Temperatures between $13^{\circ}C$ and $32^{\circ}C$ are ideal for growing tea. Tea requires frequent and well-distributed rain of 200 cm or more throughout the year.
Tea bushes thrive on hill slopes where the water does not stand still, as their roots cannot tolerate waterlogging. The constant humidity helps the young leaves grow tender and flavorful.
Teacher's Tip: Think of tea as a plant that loves "warm rain and steep hills."
Exam Tip: Don't forget to mention that the rain must be "well-distributed" throughout the year.

Question 6: Name the major coffee producing regions of India.
Answer:
Karnataka is the leading coffee producing state followed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Other states where some coffee is grown are Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and the north-eastern states.
Most of India's coffee is grown in the southern highlands where the elevation and shade are perfect for the plants. The Nilgiri hills are particularly famous for their high-quality coffee plantations.
Teacher's Tip: Remember the "K" states: Karnataka and Kerala are the kings of coffee.
Exam Tip: Always list Karnataka first as it produces the majority of India's coffee.

Question 7: What are high yielding varieties of seeds ?
Answer:
The new dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties of seeds, especially of wheat which has lead to Green Revolution are called high yielding varieties of seeds.
These seeds were scientifically designed to produce much more grain per plant than traditional seeds. Because the plants are shorter, they don't fall over easily under the weight of the heavy grain.
Teacher's Tip: Think of HYV seeds as "Super Seeds" that grow more food on less land.
Exam Tip: Mention that they are "dwarf" or "semi-dwarf" to show you know their physical characteristics.

D. Answer the following questions in one or two paragraphs

Question 1: What are the crop-growing seasons in India ? List the different types of crops that grow in each season.
Answer:
There are mainly three crop-growing seasons in India.
Kharif season - From July to November - eg. Rice, sugarcane, maize.
Rabi season - From October to February - eg. Wheat, barley, mustard.
Zaid season - From March to June - eg. Musk melon, sweet potatoes, watermelon, etc.
India's diverse climate allows farmers to keep the land productive throughout the entire year. By rotating crops between these seasons, the soil remains balanced and the country maintains a steady food supply.
Teacher's Tip: Use the sequence: Kharif (Summer), Rabi (Winter), Zaid (Summer gap).
Exam Tip: Use a clear layout or bullet points to separate the three seasons and their examples clearly.

Question 2: Write a brief note on the cultivation of wheat in India.
Answer:
Wheat is mainly grown in winter months as it requires a temperature between $10^{\circ}C$ and $15^{\circ}C$ during growing season and $20^{\circ}C$ to $25^{\circ}C$ to ripen.
Uttar Pradesh is the leading wheat producing state in India.
Wheat is a Rabi crop that needs cool weather to grow but bright, warm sunshine when it is time for harvest. It is the second most important food crop in India after rice and provides the main diet for people in the North.
Teacher's Tip: Think of wheat as a "cool-weather grain" that likes a warm finish.
Exam Tip: Include the specific temperature ranges for both the growing and ripening stages.

Question 3: What is sugarcane ? What are the different products that are made from sugar cane ?
Answer:
Sugarcane is a hardy crop that is cultivated in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. It belongs to the grass family. It grows as large jointed stalks measuring 2 to 6 m in height. Products: It is from these stalks that raw sugarcane juice is obtained for making sugar. The juice is further processed to make products like molasses, jaggery (gur), ethanol, industrial alcohol, etc. The crushed fibre, known as bagarse, is used for the manufacture of paper and fibre boards.
Sugarcane is extremely versatile because almost every part of the plant is used for something valuable. While the juice gives us sweetness, the leftover stalk provides energy and materials for industry.
Teacher's Tip: Remember that sugarcane is essentially a "Giant Sweet Grass."
Exam Tip: List both the food products (sugar, jaggery) and industrial products (ethanol, paper) for a complete answer.

Question 4: What are the main areas of tea production in India and in the world ?
Answer:
In India the main tea-producing regions are Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Other tea growing regions of India are Sikkim, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, and the Kangra Hills in northern India. The finest quality tea is grown on the hill slopes of Darjiling in West Bengal. China and Sri Lanka produce the best quality tea. India is the second largest tea producer in the world after China.
Tea production requires a lot of manual labor for plucking the delicate "two leaves and a bud." This is why tea estates are usually located in areas with a large available workforce and perfect hilly climates.
Teacher's Tip: Associate "Assam" and "Darjeeling" immediately with tea production in India.
Exam Tip: Mention India's world ranking (second) to provide a global context to your answer.

Question 5: Describe the climatic conditions required for growing coffee.
Answer:
Coffee is a tropical and a sub-tropical plant that grows well on hill slopes. Tropical coffee grows best between 1,200 m and 2,000 m. Sub-tropical coffee grows best at altitudes between 600 m and 1,200 m. It is sensitive to frost and direct heat and therefore grows well in the shade of evergreen trees. Coffee requires rainfall between 160 cm and 200 cm annually. Humidify ranging between 70 and 80 per cent is ideal for the growth of coffee. Coffee plantations must avoid strong sunshine and heavy monsoon rains for better growth. Soil should be rich and fertile and well-drained. Labour for plucking, sowing, weeding, pruning, packaging and handling of coffee should be well-trained, skilled and cheap.
The use of "shade trees" is a unique feature of coffee farming that protects the berries from getting sunburned. Skilled labor is essential because each coffee cherry must be picked at exactly the right moment of ripeness.
Teacher's Tip: Coffee is like a "mountain climber" that prefers to stay under an umbrella.
Exam Tip: Don't forget to mention the altitude and the need for well-drained soil.

Question 6: Give any three climatic conditions most suitable for growing rubber.
Answer:
Rubber is a tropical tree that requires a hot and humid climate. It requires rainfall between 200 cm and 300 cm annually and plenty of sunshine. The ideal temperature should range between $20^{\circ}C$ and $34^{\circ}C$. Rubber requires high humidity above 80 per cent. Rubber trees are planted on slopes to avoid water stagnation.
Rubber trees produce a milky sap called latex which is collected through a process called "tapping." This tree needs constant warmth and rain, which is why it is found in equatorial regions.
Teacher's Tip: Think of the Amazon rainforest style of weather - hot, wet, and sticky.
Exam Tip: Mention the specific humidity level ($>80\%$) to show your technical knowledge.

Question 7: What was the Green Revolution ? List its main features.
Answer:
Green Revolution is the increase in the production of food grains in 1960’s in India. Its main features are :
1. Traditional agricultural practices gave way to modem and scientific methods of cultivation.
2. There was marked decrease in shifting agriculture in many parts of India.
3. In India, farmers had the opportunity for multiple cropping, thereby increasing their income considerably.
4. The genetically improved high yielding varieties of seeds of wheat, rice and maize were the most important component of the Green Revolution.
This movement transformed India from a country that lacked food into a country that could export grains to others. It introduced the use of tractors, chemical fertilizers, and modern irrigation systems to the countryside.
Teacher's Tip: Think of the Green Revolution as a "Scientific Upgrade" for India's farms.
Exam Tip: Use the term "multiple cropping" to explain how farmers started growing more than one crop a year.

Question 8: Why was the Green Revolution not beneficial for poor farmers ?
Answer:
Green Revolution was not beneficial for poor farmers as they couldn’t afford to buy expensive seeds, fertilizers, machinery, etc. It lead to unemployment as new machinery replaced manual labour. It encouraged farmers to take loans but ended up with large debts on the farmers.
While the revolution produced more food, it also created a wider gap between rich and poor landholders. Many small farmers lost their livelihoods because they couldn't keep up with the high costs of modern technology.
Teacher's Tip: Remember that technology is only helpful if you have the money to buy it.
Exam Tip: Highlight the social issue of "unemployment" caused by machines replacing human workers.

E. On an outline map of Asia mark the following
1. Rice growing regions in green
2. Wheat growing regions in pink
3. Sugar cane growing regions in red
4. Cotton growing regions in purple
5. Jute growing regions in brown
6. Tea growing regions in yellow
7. Coffee growing regions in orange
8. Rubber growing regions in blue

Answer:
(Students should refer to the provided Asia map to color the regions as instructed).
Mapping these regions helps you visualize how climate and geography determine what crops are grown in different parts of Asia. It shows how South and Southeast Asia are the agricultural heart of the continent.
Teacher's Tip: Use light shades of color so you can still read the names of the countries underneath.
Exam Tip: Always include a "Key" or "Legend" on your map so the teacher knows what each color represents.

F. Picture Study
The photograph here shows an important feature of an agricultural movement.

Question 1: Identify the agricultural movement.
Answer:
This picture shows the Green Revolution which came to India in 1960‘s under the supervision of Dr. Norman Borlaug.
This movement brought the first heavy machinery, like the tractor shown in the picture, to Indian fields. It was a time of massive change in how people farmed in rural India.
Teacher's Tip: Associate the sight of a tractor in a textbook with the "Green Revolution" era.
Exam Tip: Mention Dr. Norman Borlaug's name as he is known as the "Father of the Green Revolution."

Question 2: Who supervised this movement in India?
Answer:
The Indian government encouraged fanners to grow new dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties of seed particularly of wheat in the plains of Punjab and Haryana.
The government provided the funding and the scientific research needed to make these new seeds work. They also built canals and provided electricity to help farmers irrigate their new crops.
Teacher's Tip: Remember that the government acted as the "coach" for this agricultural team.
Exam Tip: Name "Punjab and Haryana" specifically as they were the first states to succeed with this movement.

Question 3: List any four demerits of this movement.
Answer:
The main demerits of this revolution were.
1. It leads to over dependence on fertilizers and pesticides.
2. Unemployment, as new machinery replaced manual labour.
3. It was confined to rich farmers as the cost of fertilizers, hybrid seeds, pesticides was high.
4. The farm water polluted with fertilizers and pesticides is affecting human health.
While the movement solved the hunger problem, it introduced new environmental challenges like soil damage. It also made life very difficult for farm workers who were no longer needed because of tractors.
Teacher's Tip: Think of the demerits as the "hidden costs" of modern farming.
Exam Tip: Focus on the social impact (unemployment) and environmental impact (pollution) to get a balanced mark.