Grade 5 Q&A: Chapter 12: Food for All

Concept Questions

Q1: What are the two main agricultural seasons in India?

Answer: The two main agricultural seasons in India are the **kharif season** and the **rabi season**.

Q2: When is the kharif season, and how are crops watered during this season?

Answer: The kharif season is from June to October. In this season, the crops are watered mainly by the rain.

Q3: When is the rabi season, and what are the sources of water for crops during this season?

Answer: The rabi season is from October to March. In this season, rainwater that has soaked into the soil, the retreating monsoons, and dew are the sources of water for the crops.

Q4: What are 'summer crops'?

Answer: Some crops that are grown from March to June are called summer crops.

Q5: What four things are essential for a good harvest?

Answer: Fertile land, good quality seeds, fertilizers, and availability of water are essential for a good harvest.

Q6: How was ploughing and tilling done in traditional agriculture?

Answer: In traditional agriculture, ploughing, tilling, etc., were done with the help of oxen.

Q7: What is a 'mot', and how was it used in traditional agriculture?

Answer: A 'mot' is a huge leather bag driven with the help of oxen, used to draw water from the well for irrigation.

Q8: What is the main difference between traditional and modern agriculture in terms of labor?

Answer: In traditional agriculture, many tasks like harvesting and threshing were done by the farmer's family members with the help of oxen. In modern agriculture, farmers carry out all these tasks with the help of machines.

Q9: What are the advantages of using improved seeds?

Answer: Improved seeds have a higher yield, can resist pest attacks, some varieties ripen faster, and some give a high yield even with low water supply.

Q10: Name two modern methods of irrigation.

Answer: Drip irrigation and sprinkle irrigation are two modern methods of irrigation.

Q11: Explain the 'drip irrigation' method.

Answer: The drip irrigation method uses pipes with holes. This ensures that the required amount of water drips only near the plants, making full use of the available water and saving a lot of water.

Q12: Explain the 'sprinkle irrigation' method.

Answer: Sprinkle irrigation uses sprinklers of different sizes that spray water directly on plants, providing enough water while saving a lot of water.

Q13: Why are fertilizers added to the soil?

Answer: Fertilizers are added to the soil to restore its productivity and provide the required nutritive substances to the crop, especially if the same crops are grown repeatedly, which decreases soil fertility.

Q14: What are the two kinds of fertilizers?

Answer: The two kinds of fertilizers are natural fertilizers (manures) and chemical (artificial) fertilizers.

Q15: What are 'manures'?

Answer: Natural fertilizers are called manures. They are obtained from materials available in nature like green waste and animal dung.

Q16: What are the harmful effects of the overuse of chemical fertilizers?

Answer: The overuse of chemical fertilizers leads to the accumulation of excessive chemicals in the soil, which lowers the fertility of the soil and reduces its productivity. Overwatering can also make the land saline and fallow.

Q17: How are crops protected from diseases and pest attacks in the fields?

Answer: As a remedy, insecticides and pesticides are sprayed on crops, or certain chemicals are rubbed on the seeds before sowing.

Q18: What are the two ways stored grain can get damaged?

Answer: Stored grain can get damaged by mice, rats, and insects, or if stored in a closed and damp space, it can catch fungus and become unfit for eating.

Q19: What measures are taken to prevent damage to stored grain by pests and fungus?

Answer: To prevent damage by pests, chemicals are sprayed at the storage place or around it. Neem leaves are mixed in the grain. Some protective chemicals can also be mixed with the grain to repel insects. Storage places are always kept dry and airy to prevent fungus formation.

Q20: What was the 'Green Revolution', and who is credited for its success in India?

Answer: The 'Green Revolution' was a tremendous increase in foodgrain production in India, achieved through the joint efforts of scientists, people working for the spread of science, and farmers. The credit for the research that led to improvement in the seeds of wheat and rice goes to Dr. M. S. Swaminathan.

Q21: What is 'Food Security Law'?

Answer: Food Security Laws are laws made by countries to ensure that every person gets sufficient food according to their need. India enacted a Food Security Law in 2013 to fight malnutrition, starvation, and deaths due to hunger.

Q22: What is 'organic farming'?

Answer: Organic farming is a method of farming that relies on natural (organic) materials, using manure obtained from plants and animals (like fish and bone meal, animal excreta, decomposed remains). It retains nutritive substances in the soil and uses organic pesticides that have no harmful effects on the produce.

Application-Based Questions

Q23: Why is it important to protect the harvested crop and store it safely?

Answer: It is important to protect and store the harvested crop safely because crops are ready only at certain times of the year. Safe storage ensures that the foodgrain is available throughout the year, preventing spoilage by pests or fungus, and ensuring food security for the population until the next harvest.

Q24: Your family has a small farm, and you want to increase your yield without harming the environment. What methods would you use?

Answer: To increase yield without harming the environment, I would use: * **Improved Seeds:** To get higher yields and resistance to pests naturally. * **Drip or Sprinkle Irrigation:** To conserve water and ensure efficient watering. * **Natural Fertilizers (Manures):** To maintain soil fertility without introducing harmful chemicals. * **Organic Pesticides/Neem Leaves:** To protect crops and stored grain from pests naturally.

Q25: You notice that the plants in a field are not growing well, even though they are being watered regularly. What could be the reason, and what solution would you suggest?

Answer: The reason could be that the **fertility of the soil has decreased** due to repeated cultivation of the same crops, or there might be an **overuse of chemical fertilizers** making the land saline. * **Solution:** Test the soil to find out what substances it lacks. Add appropriate natural manures to restore fertility. If chemical fertilizers are being used, advise against their overuse and suggest a shift towards organic farming methods.

Q26: How can the information from agricultural assistance programmes and agricultural schools benefit farmers in remote villages?

Answer: Information from agricultural assistance programmes and schools can greatly benefit farmers in remote villages by providing them with: * **Knowledge of Latest Technology:** Guidance on modern farming methods and equipment. * **Improved Practices:** Information on improved seeds, efficient irrigation (drip/sprinkle), and proper use of fertilizers/pesticides. * **Weather Forecasts:** Crucial information for planning sowing and harvesting. * **Skill Development:** Training for family members in new agricultural techniques, leading to increased production and income.

Q27: Why is it important for a country to produce surplus foodgrain and store it in huge warehouses?

Answer: It is important for a country to produce surplus foodgrain and store it because: * **Food Security:** It ensures that the country is self-reliant in food production and can feed its population even during times of scarcity. * **Disaster Management:** Stored surplus grain can be used to feed people affected by natural disasters like floods, droughts, cyclones, or earthquakes. * **Price Stability:** A stable supply helps in controlling food prices in the market. * **Export Opportunities:** Surplus grain can be exported, earning foreign exchange for the country.

Higher-Order Thinking Questions

Q28: "The population of our country is increasing, and still the needs of all the people are being met. This has been possible because of modern improved methods of agriculture." Discuss the challenges and triumphs implied by this statement.

Answer: This statement highlights a significant achievement. The **challenge** was feeding a continuously growing population, which traditionally would have led to widespread food shortages. The **triumph** lies in how modern improved methods of agriculture (e.g., high-yielding seeds, advanced irrigation, scientific use of fertilizers/pesticides, mechanization) enabled a "Green Revolution." This allowed India to overcome food deficits, achieve self-reliance, and even become an exporter, demonstrating how scientific advancements and their application can address fundamental societal needs like food security, despite demographic pressures.

Q29: How does the concept of 'Food Security Law' reflect a country's commitment to social justice and human rights?

Answer: The 'Food Security Law' reflects a country's commitment to social justice and human rights by recognizing that access to sufficient food is a fundamental right, not a privilege. By enacting such a law, a government legally obligates itself to ensure its citizens do not suffer from hunger, malnutrition, or starvation. This demonstrates a commitment to: * **Equity:** Ensuring food access for all, especially the vulnerable. * **Dignity:** Upholding the basic human right to food. * **Welfare State:** Taking active steps to improve public health and well-being. It moves beyond charity to a rights-based approach, holding the state accountable for the nutritional well-being of its population.

Q30: Why is there a growing preference for 'organic farming' despite the initial success of chemical fertilizers in increasing yields? What long-term considerations are driving this shift?

Answer: The growing preference for organic farming, despite chemical fertilizers' initial success, is driven by long-term considerations: * **Environmental Sustainability:** Chemical fertilizers and pesticides can degrade soil fertility over time, pollute water bodies, and harm beneficial micro-organisms. Organic farming promotes soil health and biodiversity. * **Health Concerns:** Organic produce is perceived as healthier as it lacks chemical residues, and the methods used have no harmful effects on consumers. * **Nutritional Value:** Organic produce is often believed to be more nutritious and better tasting. * **Economic Sustainability for Farmers:** While initial yields might be lower, reduced input costs (for chemicals) and premium prices for organic produce can make it economically viable. * **Consumer Demand:** Increasing consumer awareness about health and environmental issues is driving demand for organic products, pushing farmers to adopt these methods.

Q31: The chapter mentions that "All the time, plants are busy producing the food they need. Even so, there are some plants that store food." Explain the biological significance of food storage in plants and how humans utilize this.

Answer: The biological significance of food storage in plants is to provide an energy reserve for their own survival, growth, and reproduction, especially during unfavorable conditions (e.g., winter, drought) or for the development of new plant parts (e.g., seeds, sprouts). Examples include roots (radish, sweet potato), stems (potato, ginger, onion), and seeds (grains, pulses). Humans utilize this stored food as a primary food source for themselves and livestock. We cultivate these plants specifically for their stored energy and nutrients, forming a significant part of our diet (e.g., staple grains, root vegetables). This natural storage mechanism in plants is fundamental to human agriculture and global food supply.

References

1. Maharashtra State Board Environmental Studies (Part One) Standard Five Textbook (2015 Edition) - Chapter 12: Food for All, pages 58-63.
2. Maharashtra State Board 5th Standard Environmental Studies Syllabus.
3. Balbharati Environmental Studies Part 1 Textbook.