Identify the characteristics of dry-land farming:
(A) Such regions face flood and soil erosion hazards frequently.
(B) It is largely confined to the regions having annual rainfall less than 75 cm.
(C) Hardy and drought resistant crops are grown.
(D) Practise various measures of soil moisture conservation and rain water harvesting.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → (B), (C) and (D) only
Rainfed farming is of two kinds. Dryland farming is done where rain is too little for the crops, and wetland farming where rain is more than the crops need.
(A) Such regions face flood and soil erosion hazards frequently. — Incorrect. These are hazards of wetland farming regions, where rain is in excess.
(B) It is largely confined to the regions having annual rainfall less than 75 cm. — Correct. Dryland farming is found in low-rain areas, where the soil stays short of moisture in the cropping season.
(C) Hardy and drought resistant crops are grown. — Correct. Crops like ragi, bajra, moong, gram and guar can survive with little water, so they suit these dry areas.
(D) Practise various measures of soil moisture conservation and rain water harvesting. — Correct. With little rain, farmers must save every drop.
NCERT (2026-27): “Rainfed farming is further classified on the basis of adequacy of soil moisture during cropping season into dryland and wetland farming. In India, the dryland farming is largely confined to the regions having annual rainfall less than 75 cm. These regions grow hardy and drought resistant crops such as ragi, bajra, moong, gram and guar (fodder crops) and practise various measures of soil moisture conservation and rain water harvesting. In wetland farming, the rainfall is in excess of soil moisture requirement of plants during rainy season. Such regions may face flood and soil erosion hazards. These areas grow various water intensive crops such as rice, jute and sugarcane and practise aquaculture in the fresh water bodies.” |