What is Horticulture?
Horticulture is branch of agriculture which deals with gardening of plants
These plants may be used for :
Food (Example Fruits and Vegetables)
Comfort (Example Cotton used to make clothes)
Beauty for Decoration (Example Jute)
Difference between Horticulture and Agriculture
Horticulture | Agriculture |
It involves only plant cultivation | It involves crop cultivation as well as animal farming |
It focusses on growing plants for both food and non food uses | It focusses on growing plants and crops only for human consumption |
It is done on smaller enclosed plots | It is done on larger scale in farms |
How has Horticlture helped Indian farmers?
Diverse Crops Provide Food and Nutrition
India has vide variety of soil and climate
Hence, a large no of crops grown like fruits, vegetable, medicinal plants, spices etc
These provide food and nutrition to farmers
Contribution to GDP
It contributes 6% of GDP
It also contributes 1/3 of Total Agricultural Output
Exports
India is largest producer of fruits like mango, banana ,cocunuts as well as spices
These are exported and India earn foreign contribution
Employment Opportunities
It has provided employment opportunities in rural areas especially for women
Many people are involved in flower harvesting, seed production, food preparation etc
What measures need to be taken to Promote Horticulture?
Investments in Infrastructure are required like:
Cold Storage System
To Store fruits and vegetables for long time
Electricity
To run various Agriculture processing Industries
Technology Improvement
Research on new technology which can increase output
Information Dissemination
Information regarding new horticuture practices needed to be informed to farmers
Market Linkages
Farmers need to be connected to Organized Markets where farmers can sell their produce
by having good transport system
What is Golden Revolution
It is the period between 1991 and 2003
whre there was increased production of horticulture and honey in India
Basis |
Green Revolution |
Golden Revolution |
Meaning |
It refers to the large increase in production of food grains due to use of HYV seeds |
It refers to the period in which there was rapid growth in production of horticulture crops. |
Effect |
It led to increase in production of food grains |
It led to increase in production of fruits, vegetables etc |
Period |
It startd in 1960's |
It lasted from 1991-2003 |
Result |
This made India self-sufficient in production of food grains. |
This made India, a world leader in production of mangoes, bananas, coconut etc. |
NCERT Questions
Question 10
Distinguish between 'Green Revolution' and 'Golden Revolution'.
View Answer
Basis |
Green Revolution |
Golden Revolution |
Meaning |
It refers to the large increase in production of food grains due to use of HYV seeds |
It refers to the period in which there was rapid growth in production of horticulture crops. |
Effect |
It led to increase in production of food grains |
It led to increase in production of fruits, vegetables etc |
Result |
This made India self-sufficient in production of food grains. |
This made India, a world leader in production of mangoes, bananas, coconut etc.
|
Question 13
Bring out the importance of animal husbandry, fisheries and horticulture as a source of diversification.
View AnswerAnimal Husbandry
There is higher risk in just depending on agriculture
Animal Husbandry provides more employment opportunities to rural people and present them
with opportunities to get higher
Fisheries
It is a source of livelihood for farmers
It also provides them food and nutrition
Fisheries have a contribution of 0.9% in Total GDP
Women are not directly involved in active fishing
However, they contribute
60% of workforce in export marketing
40% of workforce in domestic marketing
Horticulture
1. Diverse Crops Provide Food and Nutrition
India has vide variety of soil and climate
Hence, a large no of crops grown like fruits, vegetable, medicinal plants, spices etc
These provide food and nutrition to farmers
2. Contribution to GDP
It contributes 6% of GDP
It also contributes 1/3 of Total Agricultural Output
3. Exports
India is largest producer of fruits like mango, banana ,cocunuts as well as spices
These are exported and India earn foreign contribution
4. Employment Opportunities
It has provided employment opportunities in rural areas especially for women
Many people are involved in flower harvesting, seed production, food preparation etc
MCQ Other Books
Question 1
In the following questions, select the correct answers:
Measures taken to promote Horticulture require investment in:
- Electricity
- Technology Improvement
- Market Linkages
- All of these
D. All of these
Explanation
What measures need to be taken to Promote Horticulture?
Investments in Infrastructure are required like:
Cold Storage System
To Store fruits and vegetables for long time
Electricity
To run various Agriculture processing Industries
Technology Improvement
Research on new technology which can increase output
Information Dissemination
Information regarding new horticuture practices needed to be informed to farmers
Market Linkages
Farmers need to be connected to Organized Markets where farmers can sell their produce
by having good transport system
Question 2
The benefits of Horticulture include:
- Exports
- Loss of job of farmers
- Employment opportunities
- Contribution to GDP
B. Loss of job of farmers
Explanation
Horticulture does not cause loss of jobs rather it gives employment opportunities
Question 3
In the following questions, a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of Reason (R).
Assertion (A): In rural India, horticulture plays a vital role in providing food and nutrition to the rural population.
Reason (R): Various horticultural activities in Indian villages have improved the economic conditions of many farmers.
Such activities have become a lucrative source of livelihood for many women in the rural India.
Mark the correct choice:
- Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
- Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
- Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
- Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
- Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
Explanation
Horticulture has provided employment opportunities in rural areas especially for women
Many people are involved in flower harvesting, seed production, food preparation etc