9th NCERT solutions for the Chapter 12

Crop Production Exercises Answers

1. Explain any one method of crop production which ensures high yield.

Using high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds is a method of crop production that ensures high yield. These seeds are specially developed to give more production, resist pests, and grow well in different conditions, helping farmers get more crops from the same land.

2. Why are manure and fertilizers used in fields?

• Manure and fertilizers provide essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to the soil.
• They increase soil fertility, which helps plants grow healthier and faster.
• They improve the structure and water-holding capacity of the soil.
• They help in getting higher yield by providing nutrients to crops.

3. What are the advantages of inter-cropping and crop rotation?

Aspect	Inter-cropping	Crop Rotation
Definition	Growing two or more crops together on the same field in a specific pattern.	Growing different crops in the same field in a sequence season by season.
Benefits	Better use of nutrients, reduces pests and diseases, increases productivity.	Maintains soil fertility, reduces soil depletion, helps control pests and weeds.
Example	Growing groundnut with sunflower.	Growing wheat followed by leguminous crops like gram.

4. What is genetic manipulation? How is it useful in agricultural practices?

Genetic manipulation means changing the genes of plants to get desired qualities like higher yield and disease resistance. It is useful in agriculture because it helps in developing improved varieties of crops, which give better production and can withstand harsh conditions and pests.

5. How do storage grain losses occur?

• Due to attacks by insects like beetles and weevils that damage grains.
• Rodents like rats eat and spoil stored grains.
• Fungal growth due to moisture can spoil grains and make them unfit for use.
• Poor storage conditions like dampness and lack of cleaning increase losses.
• These losses reduce the quantity and quality of food available for future use and cause financial loss to farmers.

6. How do good animal husbandry practices benefit farmers?

• They increase milk, meat, and wool production.
• Improve animal health and reduce disease risks.
• Help in getting better quality products.
• Increase the income of farmers by giving higher and better production from animals.

7. What are the benefits of cattle farming?

• Provides milk which is a source of nutrition and income.
• Provides meat and leather.
• Cattle are used in farming activities like ploughing fields.
• Cow dung is used as manure and fuel, improving soil fertility.

8. For increasing production, what is common in poultry, fisheries and bee-keeping?

• All these practices provide additional income sources for farmers.
• They supply protein-rich food like eggs, fish, and honey.
• They require less space compared to crop farming.
• Help in using available resources efficiently and increasing overall production for farmers.

9. How do you differentiate between capture fishing, mariculture and aquaculture?

Capture fishing means catching fish from natural water bodies like rivers and seas. Mariculture means fish farming in sea water. Aquaculture means rearing fish and other aquatic animals in artificial water bodies like ponds and tanks for production.