Agriculture is an age-old economic activity in our country. Over these years,

cultivation methods have changed significantly depending upon the characteristics of

physical environment, technological know-how and sociocultural practices. Farming

varies from subsistence to commercial type. At present, in different parts of India, the

following farming systems are practised. Primitive Subsistence Farming . This type of

farming is still practised in few pockets of India. Primitive subsistence agriculture is

practised on small patches of land with the help of primitive tools like hoe, dao and

digging sticks, and family/community labour. This type of farming depends upon

monsoon, natural fertility of the soil and suitability of other environmental conditions

to the crops grown.It is a ‘slash and burn’ agriculture. Farmers clear a patch of land

and produce cereals and other food crops to sustain their family. When the soil fertility

decreases, the farmers shift and clear a fresh patch of land for cultivation. This type

of shifting allows Nature to replenish the fertility of the soil through natural processes;

land productivity in this type of agriculture is low as the farmer does not use fertilisers

or other modern inputs. It is known by different names in different parts of the

country.

Answer the following questions:-

a. Which type of activity is agriculture?

b. What are the factors on which primitive subsistence farming depends?

c. Give one example of the main commercial crop cultivatable in laterite soil.

d. In which type of area is intensive subsistence farming practiced?​