Exercises – Chapter 12: Improvement in Food Resources
Questions with Answers
Question 1
Explain any one method of crop production which ensures high yield.
Answer:
One method of crop production that ensures high yield is crop variety improvement.
In this method, improved crop varieties are developed through selection, hybridisation or genetic manipulation. These varieties are high-yielding, disease-resistant and adaptable to different environmental conditions, which helps in increasing crop production.
Question 2
Why are manure and fertilizers used in fields?
Answer:
Manure and fertilizers are used in fields to replenish essential nutrients in the soil.
They improve soil fertility and provide nutrients required for healthy growth, development and higher yield of crops.
Question 3
What are the advantages of inter-cropping and crop rotation?
Answer:
Advantages of inter-cropping:
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Ensures better utilisation of nutrients
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Reduces the spread of pests and diseases
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Gives higher overall yield
Advantages of crop rotation:
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Maintains soil fertility
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Prevents nutrient depletion
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Reduces pest and weed growth
Question 4
What is genetic manipulation? How is it useful in agricultural practices?
Answer:
Genetic manipulation is the introduction of desirable genes into crop plants to obtain improved characteristics.
Usefulness:
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Produces high-yielding varieties
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Provides resistance to diseases and pests
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Improves quality of crops
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Helps crops tolerate abiotic stresses like drought and salinity
Question 5
How do storage grain losses occur?
Answer:
Storage grain losses occur due to:
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Biotic factors: insects, rodents, fungi, mites and bacteria
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Abiotic factors: improper moisture and unsuitable temperature
These factors cause loss in weight, quality, germination and market value of grains.
Question 6
How do good animal husbandry practices benefit farmers?
Answer:
Good animal husbandry practices:
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Improve health and productivity of animals
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Increase production of milk, eggs and meat
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Reduce disease-related losses
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Increase income and livelihood security of farmers
Question 7
What are the benefits of cattle farming?
Answer:
The benefits of cattle farming are:
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Provides milk, an important food source
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Supplies draught power for agricultural work
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Produces dung, used as manure and fuel
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Generates additional income for farmers
Question 8
For increasing production, what is common in poultry, fisheries and bee-keeping?
Answer:
In poultry, fisheries and bee-keeping, improved management practices are common, such as:
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Selection of improved breeds
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Proper feeding and nutrition
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Disease control and hygiene
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Scientific management techniques
These practices help in increasing production.
Question 9
How do you differentiate between capture fishing, mariculture and aquaculture?
Answer:
| Capture fishing | Mariculture | Aquaculture |
|---|---|---|
| Fish are obtained from natural water bodies |
Farming of marine organisms in seawater |
Rearing of aquatic organisms in controlled water bodies |
| No breeding is involved |
Marine fish are cultured |
Includes freshwater and marine organisms |
| Yield depends on natural availability |
Higher yield than capture fishing |
High and controlled yield |