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NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Geography Chapter 4

By rohit.pandey1

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Updated on 16 Sep 2025, 14:34 IST

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Geography Chapter 3 Agriculture help students clearly understand the basic principles of farming, cropping patterns, and types of agriculture included in the CBSE syllabus. With these Class 8 Agriculture question answers, learners can strengthen their concepts on subsistence farming, commercial farming, rabi, kharif, and zaid crops, as well as modern agricultural practices.

These CBSE Class 8 Geography Agriculture solutions are designed to provide step-by-step explanations for textbook questions, extra questions, MCQs and map work. Students preparing for exams can also use the Agriculture Class 8 NCERT Solutions PDF download for quick revision. Start practising now with detailed Class 8 Social Science Geography Chapter 3/4 Agriculture solutions and improve your understanding of this important chapter.

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NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Geography Chapter 4 Agriculture – Questions and Answers

Q1. What is Agriculture?

Agriculture is the practice of cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising animals to meet human needs for food, fibre, and raw materials. It is considered a primary activity because it makes direct use of natural resources like land, water, and climate. In Class 8 Geography, agriculture includes activities such as growing cereals (rice, wheat, maize), cash crops (cotton, sugarcane, jute), fruits, vegetables, and also animal rearing like dairy farming and poultry. Agriculture is the backbone of countries like India, where a large portion of the population depends on it for livelihood.

Q2. Name the Factors Influencing Agriculture.

Agriculture depends on both natural and human-made factors.

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Natural Factors:

  • Climate: Temperature, rainfall, and sunshine decide which crop can grow in a region. For example, rice needs high rainfall and warm temperatures, while wheat grows in cooler climates with moderate rainfall.
  • Soil: Different soils suit different crops. Black soil is good for cotton, while alluvial soil is ideal for wheat and rice.
  • Topography: Flat plains are more suitable for farming compared to steep mountains.

Human Factors:

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  • Irrigation: Access to canals, wells, or tube wells can improve crop yield.
  • Technology: Use of tractors, harvesters, HYV seeds, and fertilizers boosts production.
  • Capital and Labour: Farming requires money to buy seeds, fertilizers, and hire labour.
  • Government Policies: Subsidies, crop insurance, and support prices also affect farming.

Together, these factors decide the type and quantity of crops grown in a region.

Q3. What is Shifting Cultivation? What are its Disadvantages?

Shifting cultivation is a traditional method of farming mainly practiced in tropical regions. In this system, farmers clear a patch of land by cutting down and burning trees. Crops are grown on this land for 2–3 years, and when the soil fertility reduces, the farmers shift to a new area. This practice is also called “slash and burn agriculture.”

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Disadvantages of Shifting Cultivation:

  1. Causes large-scale deforestation.
  2. Leads to soil erosion and loss of fertility.
  3. The yield is very low, so it cannot support a large population.
  4. Burning releases smoke and pollutes the environment.
  5. It is not sustainable for modern agricultural needs.

Because of these drawbacks, many governments discourage shifting cultivation and promote settled farming.

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Q4. What is Plantation Agriculture?

Plantation agriculture is a type of commercial farming where a single crop is grown on a large estate using modern inputs, labour, and capital. The produce is often processed on the farm or in nearby factories before being sold. Examples of plantation crops are tea in Assam and Darjeeling, coffee in Karnataka, rubber in Kerala, and sugarcane in Uttar Pradesh.

Key features of plantation farming:

  • Crops are grown mainly for sale in markets, not just for local use.
  • Requires huge investment of money and labour.
  • Needs modern techniques like irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides.
  • Usually found in tropical and subtropical regions with warm and humid climate.

Plantation agriculture plays an important role in the economy as it earns foreign exchange through exports.

Q5. Name the Fibre Crops and the Climatic Conditions Required for Their Growth.

The two main fibre crops grown in India are cotton and jute.

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Cotton:

  • Climate: Requires high temperature (above 25°C), light to moderate rainfall, and 210 frost-free days.
  • Soil: Black soil or regur soil is best suited.
  • Regions: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and parts of Andhra Pradesh.

Jute (also called Golden Fibre):

  • Climate: Needs hot and humid climate with high rainfall (more than 150 cm).
  • Soil: Alluvial soil in river deltas.
  • Regions: West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, and Odisha.

These crops are important for industries as cotton is used in the textile industry, while jute is used to make ropes, bags, and mats.

NCERT Class 8 Geography Agriculture – Tick the Correct Answer

Q1. Horticulture means
a) growing of fruits and vegetables ✔
b) primitive farming
c) growing of wheat

Q2. Golden fibre refers to
a) tea
b) cotton
c) jute ✔

Q3. Leading producer of coffee
a) Brazil ✔
b) India
c) Russia

Class 8 Agriculture Question Answers – Give Reasons

Q1. In India agriculture is a primary activity.
Answer: Because a large part of the Indian population depends directly on farming for livelihood, and it uses natural resources like soil, climate, and water.

Q2. Different crops are grown in different regions.
Answer: Because climatic conditions, soil type, and availability of water vary from region to region. For example, rice grows in areas with high rainfall, while wheat grows in areas with moderate rainfall and cool climate.

Distinguish Between – CBSE Class 8 Agriculture

Q1. Primary Activities and Tertiary Activities

Primary ActivitiesTertiary Activities
Direct use of natural resources (farming, fishing, mining).Provide services (transport, banking, education).
Example: Agriculture, forestry.Example: Teaching, trade.

Q2. Subsistence Farming and Intensive Farming

Subsistence FarmingIntensive Farming
Farmers grow food mainly for family needs.Farmers use more inputs to get higher yield from small land.
Traditional tools, low production.Use of HYV seeds, fertilizers, irrigation.

Activities – Class 8 Geography Agriculture

Activity 1: Collect seeds of wheat, rice, jowar, bajra, ragi, maize, oilseeds, and pulses. Identify the type of soil they grow in:

  • Wheat → Alluvial soil
  • Rice → Clayey soil, alluvial soil
  • Jowar, Bajra, Ragi → Black soil, red soil
  • Maize → Alluvial soil
  • Oilseeds → Black soil
  • Pulses → Alluvial soil

Activity 2: Find out the difference between the lifestyle of farmers in the USA and India.

  • Indian farmers: Small land holdings, depend on monsoon, traditional methods, low mechanization.
  • USA farmers: Large land holdings, use modern machines (tractors, harvesters), advanced irrigation and scientific farming, commercial in nature.

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science Geography Chapter 4 Agriculture

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science Geography Chapter 4 Agriculture provide detailed answers to all textbook questions prescribed in the CBSE curriculum. This chapter explains important concepts such as types of farming (subsistence, commercial, intensive, shifting), cropping patterns (rabi, kharif, and zaid), major food crops, fibre crops, and technological inputs in agriculture.

By practising these Class 8 Geography Agriculture question answers, students will:

  • Understand the difference between traditional farming and modern farming methods.
  • Revise important definitions and short notes that often appear in exams.
  • Prepare for MCQs, map work, and extra questions related to agriculture.
  • Strengthen their grasp on topics like plantation crops, mixed farming, and agricultural development across countries.

These CBSE Class 8 Agriculture NCERT Solutions also include diagrams, maps, and extra practice questions for better clarity. Students can use them for class assignments, exam preparation, and quick revisions. For ease of access, a free PDF of Class 8 Geography Agriculture solutions is also available for download.

Practising with these solutions ensures that students not only cover the NCERT Class 8 Geography Chapter 4 Agriculture solutions thoroughly but also gain confidence to answer higher-order thinking questions in the exam.

NCERT Solutions for Geography Chapters in Class 8 Agriculture Chapter 4

Agriculture is the emphasis of Chapter 4 of Class 8 Geography Resources and Development. With the help of information supplied and set down by topic experts, INFINITY LEARN has described this chapter. This chapter discusses agriculture in India and how it is practiced. Furthermore, the chapter examines the many types of agriculture and farming, as well as their benefits. These NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science are completely accurate, as well as simple to comprehend and remember. Important questions and answers are also included in the free PDF download.

Tables and graphs have also been used to convey various subjects in the most straightforward and straightforward manner possible. NCERT Solutions have unquestionably strengthened the subject's foundations for every student who uses them for study and review.

Benefits of NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science Geography Chapter 3 Agriculture

The NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Geography Chapter 3 Agriculture offered by Infinity Learn are designed by subject experts to make learning simple, clear, and effective. These solutions strictly follow the latest CBSE Class 8 Social Science syllabus, ensuring that students get accurate and exam-ready content.

Why Use Class 8 Agriculture NCERT Solutions?

  • Comprehensive Coverage: All important topics and sub-topics from the Agriculture chapter are explained in detail with answers to every NCERT textbook question.
  • Concept Clarity: Students build a strong understanding of agriculture as a primary activity and learn about the key steps involved in farming.
  • Types of Farming: Clear explanations of subsistence farming, commercial farming, shifting cultivation, plantation farming, and modern agricultural practices.
  • Crops and Regional Distribution: Insights into major food and fibre crops like rice, wheat, cotton, and jute, along with reasons why they are grown in specific regions.
  • Skill Development: Improves analytical skills, encourages critical thinking, and strengthens the foundation for higher classes.
  • Exam Support: Solutions are aligned with updated CBSE guidelines, helping students attempt questions confidently in exams.

Dive into our FREE PDF links offering chapter-wise NCERT solutions prepared by Infinity Learns Experts, to help you understand and master the social concepts.

S. NoNCERT Solutions SST Class 8 (Geography - Resource, and Development) Chapter-wise List
1Chapter 1 - Resources Solutions
2Chapter 2 - Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources Solutions
3Chapter 3 - Industries Solutions
4Chapter 5 - Human Resources Solutions
S. NoNCERT Class 8 Social Science Solutions Chapter-wise Book Links
1Class 8 Geography - Resources and Development
2Class 8 History - Our Past III
3Class 8 Civics - Social and Political Life III

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FAQs on Class 8 Geography Chapter 4 Agriculture

Why is agriculture considered India’s most important activity?

 Agriculture is India’s main activity because two-thirds of the population depends on it for their livelihood. India has fertile soil, a favourable climate, and a large rural population that practices farming. Agriculture not only provides food crops like rice and wheat but also raw materials like cotton, sugarcane, and jute for industries. That is why it remains the backbone of the Indian economy.

What is the difference between subsistence farming and intensive farming?

  • Subsistence farming: Farmers grow crops mainly for their own family’s needs. They use simple tools, traditional methods, and small plots of land. Example: growing rice or pulses to feed the household.
  • Intensive farming: Farmers use a small piece of land very efficiently by adding more labour, irrigation, and fertilizers to produce a high yield. Example: producing rice, wheat, and maize in large quantities for sale in markets.

What is the definition of agriculture in Class 8 Geography?

 In Class 8 Geography, agriculture is defined as the practice of growing crops, fruits, vegetables, and rearing animals to meet human needs. It is a primary activity because it uses natural resources like soil, water, and climate directly. Agriculture provides food, raw materials, and employment, making it essential for society.

How can you describe shifting cultivation in simple words?

 Shifting cultivation, also called “slash-and-burn farming,” is a method where farmers clear a patch of land, grow crops for a few years, and then move to a new area once the soil loses fertility. While the old land is left fallow, it regains fertility naturally. This type of farming is common in tropical forests but is not sustainable for large populations.

What is the difference between primary and secondary activities?

  • Primary activities: Activities that involve the use of natural resources directly, such as agriculture, fishing, forestry, and mining.
  • Secondary activities: Activities that involve processing raw materials into finished goods, such as manufacturing, baking, and textile production.