NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science Geography Chapter 4: Agriculture

In this chapter, students are introduced to agriculture, a primary activity, the different types of farming, major crops, and cash crops. The chapter concludes by discussing the developments observed in agriculture in India and the United States of America. Students are advised to understand the chapter well, for it will again be taught in greater depths in higher classes. Make a note of the following points to gain a proper understanding of the chapter:

• Agriculture is a primary activity for human civilisation. It includes growing crops, fruits, vegetables. An extended form of agriculture involves rearing livestock as well.
• Depending upon the geographical conditions, the demand for produce, labour, and technology level, farming can be classified into two main types, i.e., subsistence farming and commercial farming.
• Organic Farming is a type of farming that doesn't use any synthetic material. In this type of agriculture, organic manure and natural pesticides are used instead of chemicals. No genetic modification on the seeds is done to increase the yield of the crop.
• Plantations are a mode of commercial farming. In this, a single crop is cultivated, and prominent choices include tea, coffee, sugarcane, cashew, rubber, banana, or cotton.
• Major food crops are wheat, rice, maise, and millets. Jute and cotton are fibre crops. Important beverage crops are tea and coffee.