Agriculture Class 8 Geography Chapter 3 Questions and Answers - FREE PDF Download
NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Geography Chapter 3 Agriculture explains fundamental principles crucial for understanding the subject's intricacies with Class 8 Geography NCERT Solutions. By accessing Agriculture Class 8 Questions and Answers, students gain comprehensive insights into the core concepts such as components of Agriculture, Natural Agriculture, ecosystem, and more outlined in the curriculum. Check out the revised Class 8 social science syllabus and start practising social science Class 8 Chapter 3 question answers. Download the FREE PDF of Class 8 Geography Chapter 3 Agriculture now.
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FAQs on NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science Geography Chapter 3 Agriculture
1. How do the NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science Chapter 3 define agriculture?
According to the NCERT Solutions, agriculture is defined as the science and art of soil cultivation to grow crops and rear livestock. It is classified as a primary activity because it involves the direct extraction and production of natural resources. This includes growing crops, fruits, vegetables, flowers, and raising animals.
2. What factors influencing agriculture are identified in the NCERT Solutions for Chapter 3?
The NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science highlight that agriculture is primarily influenced by two key factors:
- Favourable topography of soil: The physical features and quality of the soil determine which crops can be grown successfully.
- Climate: Temperature, rainfall, and sunshine are critical climatic conditions that directly impact agricultural practices and crop yields.
3. How do the NCERT Solutions explain shifting cultivation and its main disadvantages?
The solutions describe shifting cultivation, also known as 'slash-and-burn' agriculture, as a method where a plot of forest land is cleared and the vegetation is burned. The ash is mixed with the soil to grow crops. Once the soil loses its fertility, the farmer abandons the land and moves to a new plot. The main disadvantages explained are:
- Deforestation: It leads to the clearing of forests.
- Soil Erosion: The exposed soil is easily washed away by rain.
- Loss of Fertility: The soil quickly becomes infertile after a few seasons.
- Unsustainability: It cannot support a large population due to small plot sizes.
4. What is plantation agriculture as described in the Class 8 Social Science NCERT Solutions?
Plantation agriculture is presented as a type of commercial farming where a single crop is grown on a large scale for profit. Key features mentioned in the solutions include:
- Focus on single crops like tea, coffee, sugarcane, rubber, or bananas.
- Requires a large amount of capital and labour.
- The produce is often processed on the farm itself or in nearby factories.
- It is mainly practised in the world's tropical regions.
5. According to the NCERT solutions, what are the specific climatic conditions required for growing fibre crops like jute and cotton?
The NCERT Solutions for Chapter 3 outline the following distinct climatic needs:
- Jute: Requires high temperature (above 25°C), heavy rainfall, and a humid climate for its growth.
- Cotton: Needs high temperature (30-40°C), low rainfall, and crucially, over 210 frost-free days with bright sunshine.
6. Why do the NCERT Solutions state that agriculture is a primary activity in India?
The solutions explain that agriculture is a primary activity because it involves the direct use and extraction of natural resources to produce goods. In India, it is particularly significant because, as per the CBSE 2025-26 syllabus, about two-thirds of the population is dependent on agriculture for their livelihood, making it the foundation of the economy.
7. Why do different regions grow different crops? Is it only due to climate?
While climate is a major factor, the NCERT Solutions clarify that it's not the only reason. Different crops are grown in different regions due to a combination of factors, including:
- Geographical conditions: This includes soil type and topography (plains, mountains).
- Demand for produce: Farmers grow crops that are in high demand in the market.
- Level of technology: The availability of modern tools and techniques influences crop choice.
- Labour availability: Some crops are more labour-intensive than others.
8. How do the NCERT Solutions for Chapter 3 distinguish between primary and tertiary economic activities?
The solutions provide a clear distinction:
- Primary activities are those connected with the extraction and production of natural resources. A key example is farming or fishing.
- Tertiary activities provide support services to the primary and secondary sectors. Examples related to agriculture include transportation of crops, banking for farm loans, and trade of agricultural goods.
9. What is a common misconception about the difference between subsistence and commercial farming?
A common misconception is that commercial farming is always large-scale and high-tech, while subsistence farming is always small-scale with no market interaction. In reality, the primary difference is the motive. Commercial farming's main goal is profit from market sales, regardless of scale. Conversely, subsistence farming primarily aims to feed the farmer's family, though a small surplus might occasionally be sold.
10. If modern irrigation exists, why is rainfall still a major concern for Indian agriculture?
While technology like irrigation has improved agriculture, a large percentage of India's farmland is still rain-fed and dependent on the annual monsoons. Access to modern irrigation is not universal and can be expensive. Therefore, a poor monsoon season can lead to widespread crop failure, water scarcity, and significant economic impact, highlighting the continued importance of rainfall.
11. Why is jute referred to as the 'Golden Fibre' in the NCERT Class 8 solutions?
Jute is called the 'Golden Fibre' because of its shiny, golden-brown colour and its high economic value. As a cheap and versatile natural fibre, it plays a significant role in the economies of the regions where it is cultivated, making it as valuable as gold for the farmers and industries that depend on it.
12. How does the concept of a 'farm system' help in understanding agriculture better?
Understanding agriculture as a farm system helps us see it as a process with inputs, processes, and outputs. Inputs include physical resources like seeds, sunlight, and water, as well as human inputs like labour and machinery. Processes are the farming activities like ploughing, sowing, and harvesting. The outputs are the final products, such as crops or dairy. This system view helps analyse how to improve efficiency and productivity.
