Our Agriculture: Farming, Crops and Food Security: 17 MCQs with answers

B · Mining

Agriculture includes crop production, animal husbandry, fisheries, and horticulture. Mining is an extractive industry, not an agricultural activity.

B · Field preparation → sowing → irrigation → harvest

The crop cycle begins with field preparation, then sowing, followed by irrigation, weeding, fertiliser, pest control, and finally harvest and storage.

D · Rhizobium

Legumes form a symbiotic relationship with *Rhizobium* bacteria, which convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, enriching the soil.

A · Drip irrigation

Drip irrigation saves water by delivering it directly to the plant roots, minimizing evaporation and runoff, making it suitable for dry areas.

C · Separating grain from chaff using wind

Winnowing uses wind to blow away lighter chaff, leaving the heavier grain behind. Threshing, in contrast, separates grain from stalks by beating.

A · True

Around half of India's population depends on agriculture for livelihood.

D · Add organic manure

Manure adds humus, which improves soil structure and water-holding capacity. Chemical fertilisers alone can degrade soil structure over time.

D · Waterlogging and root rot

Over-irrigation leads to waterlogging, which can cause root rot and increase soil salinity, harming crop growth.

C · It maintains soil fertility and reduces pests

Crop rotation, especially including legumes, helps maintain soil fertility and breaks pest and disease cycles.

C · Manure improves soil structure; fertiliser is nutrient-concentrated

Manure is organic and improves soil structure and water-holding capacity, while fertiliser is inorganic and supplies concentrated nutrients quickly.

C · Combining methods to reduce chemical dependence

IPM combines mechanical, chemical, and biological control methods to manage pests while minimizing reliance on chemicals.

C · Dry grains properly and store in airtight containers

Proper drying and airtight storage protect grains from moisture, insects, and fungi, reducing post-harvest losses.

B · It supplies raw materials to industries and influences food prices

Agriculture supplies raw materials like cotton and sugarcane to industries and drives rural demand; good harvests can lower food prices, while crop failures contribute to inflation.

D · Both A and R are true, and R explains A.

Legumes are included in crop rotation precisely because they fix nitrogen, improving soil fertility for subsequent crops.

A · Drip irrigation

Drip irrigation delivers water directly to roots, minimizing evaporation and runoff, making it ideal for water-scarce regions.

A · Soil degradation and groundwater depletion

Modern farming can raise yields but often leads to soil degradation, groundwater depletion, and chemical pollution if not managed sustainably.

B · Implement crop rotation including legumes to fix atmospheric nitrogen.

Implementing crop rotation with legumes is the correct choice because legumes can fix atmospheric nitrogen through *Rhizobium* bacteria, enriching soil fertility. This practice addresses the issue of nutrient depletion caused by excessive chemical fertilizer use and helps improve long-term soil health and crop yield.