CBSE Class 12 Geography NCERT Solutions: Land Resources and Agriculture (Chapter 5)
This chapter delves into the critical aspects of Land Resources and Agriculture in India, providing detailed NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Geography students. It covers the classification of land use, the challenges of land degradation, and the various types of farming practiced across the country. The solutions explain concepts like net sown area, gross cropped area, cropping intensity, dryland farming, and wetland farming. It also addresses environmental issues related to land resources, such as soil erosion and water-logging, and outlines strategies for agricultural development. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the complexities of land utilization and agricultural practices in India, aiding in their exam preparation and understanding of the subject.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | Geography |
| Session | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Type | NCERT Solutions |
| Chapter | Chapter 5 |
Chapter summary
This chapter focuses on Land Resources and Agriculture in India, offering NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Geography. It details land-use categories, explains the difference between net sown and gross cropped areas, and discusses the importance of cropping intensity. The solutions also differentiate between dryland and wetland farming and explore environmental problems like soil erosion and water-logging. Strategies for agricultural development post-independence are also highlighted, providing a comprehensive overview for students.
Learning outcomes
- Understand different land-use categories in India.
- Differentiate between net sown area and gross cropped area.
- Explain the concept and importance of cropping intensity.
- Distinguish between dryland and wetland farming practices.
- Identify and explain environmental problems associated with land resources.
- Recognize strategies for agricultural development in India.
Topics covered
Paper topics
- Land Use Categories
- Barren and Wasteland
- Culturable Wasteland
- Net Sown Area
- Gross Cropped Area
- Cropping Intensity
- Dryland Farming
- Wetland Farming
- Soil Erosion
- Water-logging
- Salinisation
- Agricultural Development Strategies
Important topics
- Land Use Classification
- Net Sown vs. Gross Cropped Area
- Dryland vs. Wetland Farming
- Environmental Problems of Land Resources
- Cropping Intensity
PDF preview
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Questions and Solutions
Question 1
(i) Which one of the following is NOT a land-use category?
(a) Fallow Land
(b) Marginal Land
(c) Net Area Sown
(d) Culturable Wasteland
(ii) What one of the following is the main reason due to which share of forest has shown an increase in the last forty years?
(a) Extensive and efficient efforts of afforestation
(b) Increase in community forest land
(c) Increase in notified area allocated for forest growth
(d) Better peoples' participation in managing forest area
(iii) Which one of the following is the main form of degradation in irrigated areas?
(a) Gully erosion
(b) Wind erosion
(c) Salinisation of soils
(d) Siltation of land
(iv) Which one of the following crops is not cultivated under dryland farming?
(a) Ragi
(b) Jowar
(c) Groundnut
(d) Sugarcane
(v) In which of the following group of countries of the world, HYVs of wheat and rice were developed?
(a) Japan and Australia
(b) U.S.A. and Japan
(c) Mexico and Philippines
(d) Mexico and Singapore
(i) The correct option is (b) Marginal Land. Marginal land refers to land with low productivity due to poor soil or steep slopes, and is not a standard land-use category like fallow land, net sown area, or culturable wasteland.
(ii) The correct option is (c) Increase in notified area allocated for forest growth. The increase in forest cover is largely attributed to the expansion of officially designated and notified areas allocated for forest conservation and growth.
(iii) The correct option is (c) Salinisation of soils. Over-irrigation and poor drainage in irrigated areas can lead to the accumulation of salts in the soil, a process known as salinisation, which degrades soil quality.
(iv) The correct option is (d) Sugarcane. Sugarcane is a water-intensive crop that requires significant irrigation and is generally not cultivated under dryland farming, which relies solely on natural rainfall.
(v) The correct option is (c) Mexico and Philippines. The Green Revolution's High-Yielding Varieties (HYVs) for wheat and rice were significantly developed through research centers in Mexico (for wheat) and the Philippines (for rice).
Question 2
(i) Differentiate between barren and wasteland and culturable wasteland.
(ii) How would you distinguish between net sown area and gross cropped area?
(iii) Why is the strategy of increasing cropping intensity important in a country like India?
(iv) How do you measure total cultivable land?
(v) What is the difference between dryland and wetland farming?
(i) Barren and wasteland refers to land that is infertile and generally cannot be brought under cultivation. Culturable wasteland is land left uncultivated for more than five years, which can be improved and brought under cultivation.
(ii) Net sown area is the physical extent of land where crops are sown and harvested, counted once. Gross cropped area is the total area sown once or more than once in a particular year.
(iii) Increasing cropping intensity is vital in India due to its large and growing population, necessitating higher food production from available land, and to support agro-based industries.
(iv) Total cultivable land is measured by adding the net sown area, all fallow lands, and the culturable wasteland.
(v) Dryland farming is practiced without irrigation, relying solely on natural rainfall, typically in areas with low and erratic rainfall. Wetland farming is done in areas with abundant water or near water bodies, supporting water-intensive crops.
Question 3
(i) What are the different types of environmental problems of land resources in India?
(ii) What are the important strategies for agricultural development followed in the post-independence period in India?
(i) Environmental problems of land resources in India include soil erosion, which removes fertile topsoil and reduces yields; water-logging, where soil pores fill with water, hindering root respiration; and salinisation, where poor irrigation and chemical fertilizers lead to soil alkalinity and degradation.
(ii) Important strategies for agricultural development in post-independence India have focused on increasing food production to meet the needs of a growing population and supporting agro-based industries. This includes adopting methods to increase cropping intensity, improving irrigation facilities, promoting the use of High-Yielding Varieties (HYVs), and implementing land reforms. Efforts have also been made to address land degradation and promote sustainable farming practices.
Common mistakes
- Confusing barren land with culturable wasteland.
- Not understanding the difference between net sown area and gross cropped area.
- Underestimating the impact of soil erosion and water-logging.
- Failing to differentiate between dryland and wetland farming conditions.
Revision tips
- Focus on understanding the definitions and differences between various land-use terms.
- Pay close attention to the environmental problems and their causes/effects.
- Memorize the key characteristics of dryland and wetland farming.
- Review the strategies for agricultural development to understand policy implications.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Which of the following is NOT considered a land-use category?
Explanation: Marginal land refers to land with low productivity, often due to poor soil quality or steep slopes, and is not a standard land-use category like fallow land, net sown area, or culturable wasteland.
Q2. What is the primary reason for the increase in the share of forest area in the last forty years?
Explanation: The increase in forest cover is largely attributed to the expansion of officially designated and notified areas allocated for forest conservation and growth.
Q3. Which environmental problem is most common in irrigated agricultural areas?
Explanation: Over-irrigation and poor drainage in irrigated areas can lead to the accumulation of salts in the soil, a process known as salinisation, which degrades soil quality.
Q4. Which of these crops is typically NOT cultivated under dryland farming conditions?
Explanation: Sugarcane is a water-intensive crop that requires significant irrigation and is generally not cultivated under dryland farming, which relies solely on natural rainfall.
Q5. High-Yielding Varieties (HYVs) of wheat and rice were initially developed in which countries?
Explanation: The Green Revolution's HYVs for wheat and rice were significantly developed through research centers in Mexico (for wheat) and the Philippines (for rice).
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between barren land and culturable wasteland?
Barren land is infertile and generally cannot be cultivated, often found in extreme climates. Culturable wasteland is land left uncultivated for over five years but can be improved for cultivation.
Why is increasing cropping intensity important for India?
It's crucial due to India's large and growing population, requiring methods to increase food production from limited land, and to meet the demands of agro-based industries.
What are the main environmental issues related to land resources in India?
Key issues include soil erosion, water-logging (lack of air for plant roots), and salinisation (soil becoming alkaline due to poor irrigation and fertilizers).
How is total cultivable land calculated?
Total cultivable land is measured by summing the net sown area, all fallow lands, and the culturable wasteland.
What is the core difference between dryland and wetland farming?
Dryland farming relies solely on natural rainfall without irrigation, suitable for low and erratic rainfall areas. Wetland farming is done in the presence of water bodies or waterlogged conditions, supporting water-intensive crops.
What does 'Net Sown Area' mean in agriculture?
Net Sown Area refers to the actual physical area of land on which crops are sown and harvested, counted only once in a year.
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