“Short Notes Agriculture Class 10” is specifically designed for quick revision and last-minute prep! We have broken down complex topics into simple, scannable points.
This short notes are strictly based on NCERT Class 10 Geography, Chapter 4.
We have written just exactly what you need to score higher in your exams.
Types Of Farming
- Primitive Subsistence Farming
- Intensive Subsistence Farming
- Commercial Farming
Primitive Subsistence Farming
What is Primitive Subsistence Farming?
An age-old, subsistence farming practice, typically practiced on small patches of land.
Key Tools Used?
Primitive tools: hoe, dao, digging sticks. family/community labour.
How does it work? (Process)
‘Slash and Burn’ agriculture.
1. Clear a patch of land.
2. Grow cereals/food for family.
3. When soil fertility decreases, shift to a new patch.
4. Nature replenishes the old land.
Other Names of ‘Slash and Burn’
agriculture. (Global)
Ray – Vietnam
Milpa – Mexico & Central America
Conuco – Venezuela
Roca – Brazil
Ladang – Indonesia
Other Names of ‘Slash and Burn’
agriculture. (India)
• Jhumming – NE States (Assam, Meghalaya, etc.)
• Bewar/Dahiya – Madhya Pradesh
• Podu/Penda – Andhra Pradesh
• Kumari – Western Ghats
• Valre/Waltre – SE Rajasthan
• Kuruwa – Jharkhand
Main Features ?
• Low productivity
• Depends on monsoon
• Depends on natural soil fertility
• No fertilizers or modern inputs used.
Also Read | Explanation – Resources and Development
Intensive Subsistence Farming
Where is it practiced?
In areas with high population pressure on land
Main Objective?
To obtain maximum output from a limited piece of land.
Main Features ?
• Labour-intensive farming
• Uses high doses of biochemical inputs (fertilizers, pesticides)
• Heavily dependent on irrigation
• Land-holding size is small and uneconomical
Why do farmers use this method?
Due to a lack of alternative livelihoods, farmers must squeeze as much production as possible from their small land plots to survive.
What is the main problem?
Enormous pressure on agricultural land caused by:
1. High population density
2. Division of land due to the ‘right of inheritance’ over generations, making plots smaller and smaller.
Commercial Farming
What is the main goal?
To sell the produce in the market (for profit), not for personal consumption.
Features?
Use of high doses of modern inputs:
– HYV (High Yielding Variety) seeds
– Chemical fertilizers
– Insecticides and pesticides
• High productivity is the main aim
Is it the same everywhere?
No.
Example: Rice is a commercial crop in Haryana & Punjab but a subsistence crop in Odisha.
What is Plantation?
A type of commercial farming where a single crop is grown on a large area.
Key Features of Plantation?
- Interface of agriculture and industry (output is ra material for industries).
- Capital-intensive (requires large investment).
- Uses migrant labourers.
- Requires a well-developed transport network to connect farms, industries, and markets.
Examples of Plantation Crops?
Tea (Assam, North Bengal), Coffee (Karnataka), Rubber, Sugarcane, Banana.
Quic Revision Table
| Feature | Primitive Subsistence | Intensive Subsistence | Commercial/Plantation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goal | Survival (for family) | Max output from small land | Profit (for market) |
| Inputs | Primitive tools, rain | Labour, fertilizers, irrigation | HYV seeds, chemicals, capital |
| Land | Shifting, small patches | Small, fragmented plots | Large area (especially plantation) |
| Example | Jhumming (NE India) | Rice in Odisha | Tea in Assam, Rice in Punjab |
CROPPING PATTERN
What are India’s three cropping seasons?
1. Rabi
2. Kharif
3. Zaid
Rabi Season (Winter)
- Sowing: October-December
- Harvesting: April-June
- Key Crops: Wheat, barley, peas, gram, mustard.
- Key Regions: Punjab, Haryana, HP, JK, Uttarakhand, UP.
Depends on:
Western temperate cyclones (for winter rain) and irrigation from the
Green Revolution.
Kharif Season (Monsoon)
- Sowing: Onset of monsoon
- Harvesting: September-October
- Key Crops: Paddy (rice), maize, jowar, bajra, pulses (tur, moong, urad), cotton, jute, groundnut, soyabean.
- Key Regions: Assam, WB, coastal Odisha, AP, Kerala, TN, Maharashtra (Konkan), UP, Bihar. Punjab & Haryana now also major rice producers.
- Special Note: In Assam, WB, Odisha, three paddy crops are grown: Aus, Aman, Boro.
Zaid Season (Short Summer)
- Season: Short summer season between Rabi & Kharif harvests.
- Key Crops: Watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber, vegetables, fodder crops.
Special Case: Sugarcane
Duration: Takes almost a year to grow, so it spans two seasons.
Quick Revision Table
| Season | Sowing Time | Harvesting Time | Key Crops | Key Trigger |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kharif | Monsoon Start | Sep-Oct | Rice, Cotton, Maize | Southwest Monsoons |
| Rabi | Winter (Oct-Dec) | Apr-Jun | Wheat, Gram, Mustard | Winter Rains (Cyclones) |
| Zaid | Summer | Summer | Melons, Cucumber | Short gap between seasons |
Major Crops
- Rice
- Wheat
- Milletes
- Pulses
Rice
Type of Crop?
Primarily a Kharif crop.
What is its importance?
- The staple food crop for the majority of Indians.
- India is the second largest producer in the world after China.
Ideal Growing Conditions?
- High temperature (above 25°C)
- High humidity
- High rainfall above 100 cm
How is it grown in low-rainfall areas?
With the help of irrigation (canals, tubewells).
Traditional Growing Regions?
Plains of north & north-eastern India, coastal areas, and deltaic regions.
Newer Growing Regions?
- Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan
- due to the development of:
- Canal irrigation
- Tubewells
Wheat
Type of Crop?
Rabi crop.
What is its importance?
- The second most important cereal crop in India.
- The main food crop in the north and north-western parts of the country.
Ideal Growing Conditions?
- Cool growing season.
- Bright sunshine at the time of ripening.
- Moderate rainfall (50 to 75 cm), evenly distributed.
Major Growing Zones?
- The Ganga-Satluj plains in the north-west.
- The black soil region of the Deccan.
- Major Producing States? Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan.
Millets (Coarse Grains)
What are Millets?
Jowar, bajra, and ragi.
coarse grains high nutritional value.
General Importance?
- Nutritional Powerhouses: Rich in iron, calcium, micronutrients, and roughage.
- Drought-resistant: Generally require less water than rice or wheat.
Jowar (Sorghm)
- Third most important food crop by area and production.
- Rain-fed crop, grown in moist areas, needs little irrigation.
- Major Producing States: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh.
Bajra
(Pearl Millet)
- Grows well on: Sandy soils and shallow black soil.
- Major Producing States: Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana.
Ragi (Finger Millet)
- Grows in: Dry regions.
- Grows well on: Red, black, sandy, loamy, and shallow black soils.
- Major Producing States: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Jharkhand And Arunachal Pradesh.
| Millet | Key Feature | Top Producing States (Pick 2 to remember) |
|---|---|---|
| Jowar | Rain-fed, #3 crop | Maharashtra, Karnataka |
| Bajra | Sandy soils | Rajasthan, Gujarat |
| Ragi | Rich in Iron & Calcium | Karnataka, Tamil Nadu |
Maize (Corn)
What is it used for?
Used as both a food and fodder (animal feed) crop.
Type of Crop?
Primarily a Kharif crop. (Grown in Bihar as a Rabi crop as well).
Ideal Growing Conditions?
- Temperature: 21°C to 27°C
- Soil: Grows well in old alluvial soil.
Increased production – using modern inputs:
- HYV seeds
- Fertilizers
- Irrigation
Major Producing States?
Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana.
Pulses
What is India’s global status?
- Largest producer of pulses in the world.
- Largest consumer of pulses in the world.
Why are they important?
The major source of protein in a vegetarian diet.
Major Types?
Tur (arhar), urad, moong, masur, peas, and gram.
Kharif or Rabi?
- Kharif Pulses: Tur (arhar), Urad, Moong
- Rabi Pulses: Masur, Peas, Gram
Features :
- Need less moisture and can survive in dry conditions.
- Leguminous crops (except arhar) that restore soil fertility by fixing nitrogen from the air.
- Therefore, grown in rotation with other crops.
Major Producing States?
Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka.
Food Crops other than Grains
- Sugarcane
- Oilseeds
- Tea
- Coffee
Sugarcane
Type of Crop?
Tropical and subtropical crop.
Ideal Conditions?
- Temperature: 21°C to 27°C
- Rainfall: 75-100 cm
- Soil: Variety of soils
Labour:
Highly labour-intensive
India’s Status?
Second largest producer in the world after Brazil.
Products?
Main source of sugar, gur (jaggery), khandsari, molasses.
Major States?
UP, Maharashtra, Karnataka, TN, AP, Telangana, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana.
Oil Seeds
India is 2nd largest producer (after China).
Importance – Cover ~12% of India’s total cropped area.
Used for cooking and as an industrial raw material.
Major Types?
Groundnut, mustard, coconut, sesamum (til), soyabean, castor seeds, cotton seeds, linseed, sunflower.
Top States:
- Gujarat, Rajasthan, TN.
- Accounts for ~half of oilseed production.
Other Key Facts
- Rabi Crops: Linseed, Mustard
- Groundnut (Kharif)
- Sesamum: Kharif in North, Rabi in South.
- Castor: Grown as both Rabi & Kharif.
Tea (Plantation)
Type of Farming?
Plantation Agriculture.
India’s Status?
Second largest producer after China.
Ideal Conditions?
- Climate: Tropical/Sub-tropical; warm, moist, frost-free.
- Rainfall: Frequent, even showers year-round.
- Soil: Deep, fertile, well-drained, rich in humus.
Major States?
- Assam, WB (Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri), TN, Kerala.
- Also HP, UK, Meghalaya, AP, Tripura.
Coffee (Plantation)
Known globally for good quality.
Main Variety?
- Arabica (in high global demand)
- brought from Yemen
Origin & Areas?
- First introduced in Baba Budan Hills.
- Confined to South India: Karnataka, Kerala, TN (Nilgiri Hills).
Horticulture Crops: Fruits & Vegetables
India’s Global Status?
Second largest producer of fruits & vegetables in the world (after China).
Produces both tropical and temperate fruits.
Important Fruits & Their States
- Mangoes: Maharashtra, AP, Telangana, UP, WB
- Oranges: Nagpur (MH), Cherrapunjee (Meghalaya)
- Bananas: Kerala, Mizoram, Maharashtra, TN
- Lichi & Guava: UP, Bihar
- Pineapples: Meghalaya
- Grapes: AP, Telangana, Maharashtra
- Temperate Fruits (Apples, Pears, etc.): J&K, Himachal Pradesh
Important Vegetables – Name any vegetable you know!😊
Non-Food Crops
Rubber
Type of Crop?
- An equatorial crop,
- also grown in tropical and subtropical areas under special conditions.
Ideal Conditions?
- Climate: Moist and humid
- Rainfall: More than 200 cm (high)
- Temperature: Above 25°C
Use – An important industrial raw material.
Major Producing States?
- Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Garo hills of Meghalaya.
Fibre Crops
4 major fibre crops
- Cotton
- jute
- hemp
- natural silk.
How are they obtained?
- Cotton, jute, hemp: Derived from plants grown in the soil.
- Natural silk: Obtained from cocoons of silkworms fed on mulberry leaves.
What is sericulture?
The rearing of silkworms for the production of silk fibre.
Cotton
A Kharif crop.
Growth Period – Requires 6 to 8 months to mature.
Ideal Growing Conditions?
- Soil: Drier parts of black cotton soil (Deccan plateau).
- Climate: High temperature, light rainfall or irrigation.
- Requires: 210 frost-free days and bright sunshine.
What is its significance?
- India is believed to be the original home of the cotton plant.
- It is a main raw material for the cotton textile industry
- India is the second largest producer in the world after China.
Major Producing States?
- Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh,
- Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu,
- Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh.
Jute
Ideal Growing Conditions?
- Soil: Well-drained fertile soils in flood plains (renewed yearly).
- Climate: Requires high temperature during growth.
Major Producing States?
- West Bengal, Bihar
- Assam, Odisha, Meghalaya.
Common Uses? – Used in making gunny bags, mats, ropes, yarn, carpets, and other artefacts.
Technological and Institutional Reforms
What was the main challenge?
- Sustained use of land without techno-institutional changes hindered development.
- Majority of farmers still depended on monsoon and natural fertility despite irrigation developments.
- Growing population posed a serious challenge to this system.
What were the early Institutional Reforms?
Post-independence, priority was given to:
- Collectivisation
- Consolidation of land holdings (to counter fragmentation from inheritance)
- Cooperation
- Abolition of Zamindari
- ‘Land reform’ was the focus of the First Five Year Plan.
Issue with these reforms? – Laws were enacted but implementation was lacking or lukewarm.
What were the key strategies in the 1960s/70s?
- Green Revolution: Use of package technology (HYV seeds, fertilizers, irrigation).
- White Revolution (Operation Flood): Related to dairy development.
Problem: Led to concentration of development in a few selected areas.
What comprehensive program was initiated later?
In the 1980s and 1990s, a comprehensive land development program was launched, including both institutional and technical reforms.
What were the important steps?
- Crop Insurance against drought, flood, cyclone, fire, disease.
- Establishment of Grameen banks, cooperative societies, and banks for providing low-interest loans.
- Kisan Credit Card (KCC)
- Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (PAIS)
- Special weather bulletins and agricultural programs on radio/TV.
- Minimum Support Price (MSP), remunerative, and procurement prices announced to protect farmers from speculators and middlemen.
Bhoodan – Gramdan
Started by- Vinoba Bhave (Mahatma Gandhi’s spiritual heir).
What is Bhoodan?
The donation of land by a landowner. It began when Shri Ram Chandra Reddy donated 80 acres for 80 landless villagers.
What is Gramdan?
The donation of entire villages by zamindars to be distributed among the landless.
What was the context?
A padyatra (foot march) by Vinoba Bhave to spread Gandhi’s message of gram swarajya (village self-rule).
What triggered it?
At Pochampalli, Andhra Pradesh, landless villagers demanded land for economic well-being.
What was a key motivation for some donors?
Fear of the land ceiling act (which limited how much land one could own).
Bhoodan – Gramdan = The Blood-less Revolution.
FAQs : Short Notes Agriculture Class 10
1. Are these notes enough for scoring well in Class 10 Geography Chapter–4?
Yes! These notes cover all key concepts—types of farming, major crops, cropping seasons, and reforms—as per the latest NCERT syllabus. They are concise, exam-focused, and ideal for quick revision.
2. Is “Bhoodan-Gramdan” asked in exams?
Yes! It’s a common 2-mark question:
3. Why is India the 2nd largest producer of fruits/vegetables?
Favorable climate + diverse soils → grows both tropical (mango, banana) and temperate fruits (apples, walnuts).
4. Where can I find a quick summary of all cropping patterns?
Check the comparison table in the notes for a side-by-side view of Rabi, Kharif, and Zaid seasons.
