NCERT Class 9 Science Chapter 15 Notes Improvement In Food Resources- Download PDF Notes

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NCERT Notes for Class 9 Chapter 12

This chapter explains how we can grow more food and make it better in quality. It talks about different methods like improving crops, using fertilisers and manures, managing animals for food, and protecting them from diseases. It also includes farming practices, irrigation techniques, and the role of science in agriculture. These concepts help students understand how food production can be increased sustainably. For revision, you can use the Improvement in Food Resources Class 9 NCERT Solutions.

Improvement in Crop Yields

Food production is facilitated by agriculture. To address the growing demand for food, several agricultural practices have been brought forth, such as:

Crop Types

Various crop types are grown to satisfy different nutritional needs:

• Grains (e.g., wheat, rice, maize) offer carbohydrates.
• Legumes (e.g., gram, lentils, kidney beans) contain proteins.
• Oil crops (e.g., mustard, groundnut, sunflower) offer fats.
• Vegetables, fruits, and spices contain vital vitamins and minerals.
• Fodder crops (such as berseem, oats, and Sudan grass) are fed to livestock.

Types of Crops According to Seasons

• Kharif Crops (Monsoon crops): Cultivated during the rainy season between June and October (such as rice, soybean, pigeon pea, maize, cotton, green gram, and black gram).
• Rabi Crops (Winter crops): Cultivated in the winter season between November and April (such as wheat, gram, peas, mustard, linseed).

Methods for Improving Crop Production

Crop production can be improved through:

Crop Variety Improvement

Improved crop varieties can increase productivity, pest resistance, and environmental adaptability. Such varieties are achieved through:

• Hybridisation: Inter-varietal, interspecific, and intergeneric crossing of genetically different plants of a variety.
• Genetically Modified (GM) Crops: Plants developed with biotechnology to achieve higher yields, pest resistance, and enhanced adaptability.

Goals of Crop Variety Improvement:

• Increased yield
• Improved quality
• Pest and disease resistance
• Adaptation to abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) stress factors
• Reduced maturation period

Crop Production Management

Production methods employed by farmers vary with their financial status. On a cost basis, the best practices for crop production can be divided into:

• No-cost production: Conventional practices involving no additional expenditure.
• Low-cost production: Utilisation of natural resources with lesser investment.
• High-cost production: Sophisticated technology and intensive cultivation.

Nutrient Management

Plants receive their nutrients from soil, air, and water. There are 16 essential nutrients required for plant growth, out of which 13 are absorbed as mineral ions from the soil.

• Macronutrients (needed in large quantities): Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur.
• Micronutrients (needed in small quantities): Iron, Manganese, Copper, Zinc, Boron, Molybdenum, Chlorine.

To improve the fertility of soil, nutrients are provided in the form of:

Manure

• Made up of decomposed animal excreta and plant waste.
• Enhances the structure of soil and its water-holding capacity.

Manure types:

• Compost & Vermicompost, which are microbe or earthworm-decomposed organic waste.
• Green Manure, for example, Leguminous plants mulched and returned to the soil to supply nitrogen and phosphorus.

Fertilizers

• Commercial fertilisers contain plant nutrients in the form of NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium).
• Overuse leads to soil degradation and water body eutrophication.

Irrigation Methods

Water supply is essential for plants. The following irrigation systems are employed:

• Wells and tube wells
• Canal irrigation
• River lift systems
• Tank irrigation
• Check dams for rainwater harvesting

Cropping Patterns

• Mixed Cropping: Producing two or more crops together to avoid complete crop failure.
• Intercropping: Alternating various crops in rows to use soil nutrients optimally.
• Crop Rotation: Cultivating different crops in a rotation to restore soil fertility.

Crop Protection Management

Weeds, pests, and diseases impact agricultural productivity. Protection measures include:

• Weed Control: Destruction by weedicides, manual destruction, intercropping, and crop rotation.
• Pest Control: Appropriate use of pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides)
• Biological Control: Utilising natural predators against pests.

Storage of Grains

• Grain storage should be properly done to avoid damage from:
• Insects, rodents, fungi, mites, and bacteria
• Moisture and temperature changes

Precautions include:

• Proper drying before storage
• Use of airtight containers
• Fumigation using pest-control chemicals

Animal Husbandry

Animal husbandry constitutes cattle farming, poultry farming, fish production, and beekeeping to supply the demand for milk, eggs, and meat.

Cattle Farming

• Milch Cattle (e.g., Red Sindhi, Sahiwal) for milk.
• Draught Cattle (e.g., buffaloes, bulls) for farm work.
• Crossbreeding is a type of plant breeding where local and exotic breeds are mixed to improve milk production and disease resistance.
• Sufficient Shelter and Nutrition: Properly ventilated sheds and well-nourishing feed enhance productivity.

Poultry Farming

• Crossbreeding local birds (e.g., Aseel) and exotic birds (e.g., Leghorn) enhances egg and meat production.
• Broilers are provided a high-protein diet and maintained in a clean environment.

Fish Production

• Capture Fishing: Harvesting fish from natural water bodies.
• Culture Fishing (Aquaculture): Raising fish in controlled environments.
• Marine Fisheries: Cultivation of fish such as pomfret, tuna, and sardines.
• Inland Fisheries: Freshwater and brackish water fisheries.

Beekeeping (Apiculture)

Honey bees yield honey and wax, which have commercial and medicinal uses. Apiculture is the rearing of honey bees for various uses. Pasturage (availability of flowers) decides the quality and flavour of honey.

Common bee species:

• Apis cerana (Indian bee)
• Apis dorsata (Rock bee)
• Apis mellifera (Italian bee) used for commercial production of honey

Improving food resources through advanced agricultural techniques, efficient nutrient management, and sustainable animal husbandry practices is essential for meeting the growing demand for food. The adoption of modern scientific techniques and eco-friendly farming methods ensures food security while maintaining ecological balance.

Also, Read

• NCERT Books for Class 9
• NCERT Books for Class 9 Science
• NCERT Syllabus for Class 9
• NCERT Syllabus for Class 9 Science

Chapter 12 Previous Year Questions and Answers

Given below are some of the previous years' questions from this chapter. These questions show the exam pattern clearly. They also help students check how well they are prepared.

Question 1: The scinetific name for cow is:

Option 1. Bos indicus

Option 2. Gallus gallus domesticus

Option 3. Bos bubalis

Option 4. None of the above

Answer:

The scientific name for the Indian cow is Bos indicus. It is a species of domestic cattle known for its hump, loose skin, and resistance to high temperatures and tropical diseases. This distinguishes it from Bos taurus, the European breed. The other options are incorrect: Gallus gallus domesticus is the domestic chicken, and Bos bubalis is the scientific name for the water buffalo.

Hence, the correct answer is option (1), Bos indicus

Question 2: Which of the following is the freshwater fish?

Option 1. Bombay duck

Option 2. Mackerel

Option 3. Rohu

Option 4. Tuna

Answer:

Among the given options, Rohu is a freshwater fish commonly found in rivers and ponds across India. It is widely used in aquaculture due to its fast growth and high nutritional value. In contrast, Bombay duck, Mackerel, and Tuna are all marine fishes found in saltwater environments. So, if you're looking for a fish that thrives in fresh water, Rohu is the right choice.

Hence, the correct answer is option (3). Rohu.

Question 3: Which of the following is an Indian breed of cattle?

Option 1. Jersey

Option 2. Sahiwal

Option 3. Brown Swiss

Option 4. Red Dane

Answer:

Sahiwal is an Indian breed of cattle known for its high milk yield and resistance to heat and diseases. It originated in the regions of Punjab and is one of the best dairy breeds in India. On the other hand, Jersey, Brown Swiss, and Red Dane are all exotic breeds developed in foreign countries for commercial dairy farming.

Hence, the correct answer is option 2. Sahiwal.

Subject-Wise NCERT Exemplar Solutions

• NCERT Solutions for Class 9

• NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Maths

• NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Science

Chapter-Wise NCERT Class 9 Notes Science

Below are the links to detailed notes for each chapter, designed to help you quickly revise and understand key concepts.