NCERT Solutions
Class 8 Social Science
Agriculture

Q.1
Answer the following questions.
(i) What is agriculture?
(ii) Name the factors influencing agriculture?
(iii) What is shifting cultivation? What are its disadvantages?
(iv) What is plantation agriculture?
(v) Name the fibre crops and name the climatic conditions required for their growth.
(i) Agriculture refers to the science and art of cultivation on the soil, raising crops and rearing livestock. It is also called farming.
(ii) Favourable topography of soil and climate are vital for agricultural activity.
(iii)
In the Amazon basin, tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, and Northeast India, shifting cultivation is used. Heavy rainfall and rapid vegetation renewal can be found in these locations. The trees are cut down and burned to make room for new plantings. Crops including maize, yam, potatoes, and cassava are cultivated once the ashes are mingled with the soil. Cultivation is abandoned when the soil loses its ability to support crops. 'Slash and burn' agriculture is another name for shifting cultivation.
Soil erosion, deforestation are some the major disadvantages of this type of cultivation.
(iv) Plantations are a type of commercial farming where single crop of tea, coffee, sugarcane, cashew, rubber, banana or cotton are grown. Large amount of labour and capital are required. The produce may be processed on the farm itself or in nearby factories.
(v) Jute and cotton are the fiber crops. Cotton requires high temperature, light rainfall, two hundred and ten frost-free days and bright sunshine for its growth. It grows best on black and alluvial soils. Jute grows well on alluvial soil and requires high temperature, heavy rainfall and humid climate.