Primary Activities - Class 12 Geography - Chapter 4 - Notes, NCERT Solutions & Extra Questions
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Notes - Primary Activities | Class 12 Fundamentals of Human Geography | Geography
Primary Activities Class 12 Notes: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction to Primary Activities
Primary activities form the backbone of the global economy by utilising the natural resources available on Earth. They are the foundation upon which other economic activities are built and are often essential for survival in many parts of the world.
Primary Activities Overview
What Are Primary Activities?
Primary activities are economic activities that directly depend on the environment. They involve the extraction and utilisation of Earth's natural resources such as land, water, vegetation, minerals, and more.
Dependence on the Environment
These activities rely heavily on environmental conditions, such as climate, soil quality, and water availability.
Examples of Primary Activities
Examples include hunting and gathering, pastoral activities, fishing, forestry, agriculture, and mining.
Types of Primary Activities
Hunting and Gathering
Hunting and gathering are the most ancient forms of primary activities. Early humans relied on hunting animals and gathering edible plants for sustenance. Although largely replaced by modern methods, some communities still practice these activities, especially in harsh climates.
Historical Perspective
In primitive societies, hunting was often conducted with primitive tools, which limited the number of animals killed, aiding in conservation. Over time, technological advancements have modernised these activities.
Modernisation and Commercialisation
Today, gathering has become more market-oriented. Gatherers now collect valuable plants for use in products like beverages, drugs, and cosmetics, making this activity commercially viable in some regions.
Pastoralism
Pastoralism involves the domestication of animals for various uses. This practice likely evolved when humans realised that hunting was unsustainable.
Nomadic Herding
Nomadic herding, or pastoral nomadism, is a subsistence activity where herders move with their livestock in search of pastures. This is common in tropical Africa, the Sahara, and other arid regions.
Regions of Nomadic Herding
Nomadic herding is primarily found in the Sahara, Arabian Peninsula, Mongolia, Central China, the tundra regions of Eurasia, and small areas in South-west Africa and Madagascar.
graph TD;
A[Tropical Africa] --> B[Cattle]
C[Sahara] --> D[Sheep, Goats, Camel]
E[Tibet and Andes] --> F[Yak, Llamas]
G[Arctic and Sub-Arctic] --> H[Reindeer]
Issues and Challenges
The number of pastoral nomads has been decreasing due to political boundaries and new settlement plans, among other factors.
Commercial Livestock Rearing
Unlike nomadic herding, commercial livestock rearing is a more organised and capital-intensive activity. It involves permanent ranches and scientific management practices.
Characteristics and Practices
Commercial livestock ranching involves organised breeding, genetic improvement, and disease control to produce high-quality meat, wool, hides, and skin.
Global Regions Practicing Commercial Livestock Rearing
Key countries include New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Uruguay, and the United States.
Agriculture as a Primary Activity
Classification of Agricultural Systems
Agricultural practices vary widely, depending on physical and socio-economic conditions. They can be broadly classified into several systems.
Subsistence Agriculture
Primitive Subsistence Agriculture
Often practised in the tropics, this form involves slash-and-burn techniques and minimal technological intervention. It is common in Africa, South and Central America, and Southeast Asia.
Intensive Subsistence Agriculture
Found in densely populated regions of Asia, this method is labour-intensive and often involves the cultivation of rice or other crops.
Plantation Agriculture
Introduced by European colonists, plantation agriculture focuses on the monocultural production of crops like tea, coffee, and rubber. These plantations require significant capital investment and technical expertise.
Historical Background
Plantations were established in tropical colonies and managed by Europeans. Today, many are owned by the local governments or nationals.
Key Features and Present Status
Plantations specialise in single crops and involve large-scale production for export.
Extensive Commercial Grain Cultivation
This system involves large farms that use mechanised methods for growing grains such as wheat, corn, and barley.
Mixed Farming
Mixed farming combines crop cultivation and animal husbandry, providing a diversified income for farmers.
Dairy Farming
Considered the most advanced form of animal rearing, dairy farming involves significant investment in facilities and machinery.
Mediterranean Agriculture
Practised in regions with a Mediterranean climate, this specialised form of agriculture focuses on the cultivation of grapes, olives, and citrus fruits.
Market Gardening and Horticulture
These activities specialise in high-value crops like vegetables, fruits, and flowers, primarily for urban markets.
graph TD;
A[Market Gardening and Horticulture] --> B[Vegetables]
A --> C[Fruits]
A --> D[Flowers]
Mining as a Primary Activity
Historical Importance and Evolution
The use of minerals dates back to ancient times. The actual development of mining began during the Industrial Revolution.
Factors Affecting Mining Activity
Physical Factors
These include the size, grade, and mode of occurrence of mineral deposits.
Economic Factors
The demand for minerals, available technology, capital, and labour and transport costs all play crucial roles.
Methods of Mining
Surface Mining (Open-Cast Mining)
This method is cost-effective for minerals close to the surface.
Underground Mining (Shaft Method)
Used for deeper deposits, this method involves significant safety precautions and specialised equipment.
graph TD;
A[Mining] --> B[Surface Mining]
A --> C[Underground Mining]
B --> D[Open-Cast Mining]
C --> E[Shaft Mining]
Risks and Challenges in Mining
Modern mining faces challenges such as high labour costs, safety issues, and environmental impacts.
Conclusion
Primary activities are foundational to the global economy, providing essential resources and employment to millions. Their significance extends from ancient times to the present, adapting and evolving with technological advancements and socio-economic changes.
Through this comprehensive guide, students can grasp the critical concepts of primary activities, their types, and their global significance.
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NCERT Solutions - Primary Activities | Fundamentals of Human Geography | Geography | Class 12
Which one of the following is not a plantation crop?
(a) Coffee
(b) Sugarcane
(c) Wheat
(d) Rubber
The correct answer is:
(c) Wheat
Explanation: Unlike coffee, sugarcane, and rubber, which are plantation crops, wheat is typically categorized under commercial grain cultivation or intensive subsistence agriculture.
In which one of the following countries co-operative farming was the most successful experiment?
(a) Russia
(b) Denmark
(c) India
(d) The Netherlands
(b) Denmark
Co-operative farming was a successful experiment in Denmark.
Growing of flowers is called:
(a) Truck farming
(b) Factory farming
(c) Mixed farming
(d) Floriculture
The correct answer is:
(d) Floriculture
Which one of the following types of cultivation was developed by European colonists?
(a) Kolkoz
(b) Viticulture
(c) Mixed farming
(d) Plantation
The type of cultivation developed by European colonists is (d) Plantation.
Plantation agriculture was introduced by Europeans in colonies situated in the tropics and involved crops like tea, coffee, cocoa, rubber, and more.
In which one of the following regions is extensive commercial grain cultivation not practised?
(a) American Canadian prairies
(b) European Steppes
(c) Pampas of Argentina
(d) Amazon Basin
The region where extensive commercial grain cultivation is not practised is the Amazon Basin.
So, the correct answer is (d) Amazon Basin.
In which of the following types of agriculture is the farming of citrus fruit very important?
(a) Market gardening
(b) Plantation agriculture
(c) Mediterranean agriculture
(d) Co-operative farming
(c) Mediterranean agriculture
Mediterranean agriculture is highly specialized in the farming of citrus fruits.
Which one type of agriculture amongst the following is also called ‘slash and burn agriculture’?
(a) Extensive subsistence agriculture
(b) Primitive subsistence agriculture
(c) Extensive commercial grain cultivation
(d) Mixed farming
(b) Primitive subsistence agriculture
Primitive subsistence agriculture, also known as shifting cultivation, is referred to as 'slash and burn agriculture'.
Which one of the following does not follow monoculture?
(a) Dairy farming
(b) Mixed farming
(c) Plantation agriculture
(d) Commercial grain farming
The correct answer is (b) Mixed farming.
Mixed farming involves the cultivation of *multiple types of crops* and the rearing of *various types of livestock*, as opposed to monoculture, which focuses on just one type of crop or livestock.
Future of shifting cultivation is bleak. Discuss.
The future of shifting cultivation is bleak due to deforestation, loss of soil fertility, and decreasing cycle duration. Government policies aiming to curb environmental degradation and promote sustainable agriculture also contribute to this decline. Additionally, modernization and introduction of high-yield farming techniques offer more efficient alternatives, making shifting cultivation outdated and less viable.
Market gardening is practised near urban areas. Why?
Market gardening is practised near urban areas because it specialises in cultivating high-value crops like vegetables, fruits, and flowers for urban markets. Located close to cities, it ensures quick delivery and fresh produce, catering to high-income consumers. Additionally, these farms benefit from good transportation links, reducing transportation costs and ensuring higher profitability.
Large scale dairy farming is the result of the development of transportation and refrigeration.
Absolutely! Large-scale dairy farming has greatly benefited from the development of transportation and refrigeration technologies. These advances have enabled:
Efficient transportation of fresh milk and dairy products to distant markets.
Longer storage durations due to refrigeration and preservation processes, allowing for fresh and safe dairy products year-round.
The establishment of dairy farms near urban and industrial centers to cater to the high demand from nearby populations.
These factors collectively support the viability and growth of large-scale dairy farming operations.
Differentiate between Nomadic Herding and Commercial Livestock Rearing.
Criteria | Nomadic Herding | Commercial Livestock Rearing |
---|---|---|
Nature of Activity | Primitive subsistence activity | Organized and capital-intensive |
Mobility | Herders move from one place to another | Animals are reared on permanent ranches |
Types of Animals | Cattle, sheep, goats, camels, yaks, llamas, reindeer | Sheep, cattle, goats, horses |
Dependency | Dependent on pastures and water availability | Managed scientifically with regulated grazing |
Geographical Locations | Tropical Africa, Sahara, Asiatic deserts, Tibet, Andes, Arctic regions | New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Uruguay, USA |
Scale of Operation | Small-scale, community-based | Large-scale, corporate or individual-owned ranches |
Technological Use | Minimal, traditional methods | High, advanced breeding and care methods |
Productivity | Low yield per head, sustenance level | High yield per head, commercial level |
Output Products | Mainly for herders' sustenance (food, clothing, shelter) | For market (meat, wool, hides, skin) |
Economic Orientation | Subsistence-based | Profit-oriented and market-focused |
This table highlights the key differences in various aspects, including the nature of activity, mobility, type of animals, scale, and economic orientation between Nomadic Herding and Commercial Livestock Rearing.
Discuss the important characteristic features of plantation agriculture. Name a few important plantation crops from different countries.
Plantation agriculture is a form of commercial farming where crops are grown for profit on large estates or plantations. It is characterized by several important features:
Single Crop Specialization: Large-scale cultivation of one crop.
Large Capital Investment: Significant upfront costs for machinery, seeds, and fertilizers.
Managerial and Technical Support: Professional managers and modern techniques.
Scientific Methods of Cultivation: Advanced methods for maximizing yield.
Cheap Labor: Often relies on inexpensive labor, either local or imported.
Efficient Transportation: Well-developed transportation links to move products to markets or processing units.
Important Plantation Crops:
Tea: India, Sri Lanka, and Kenya.
Coffee: Brazil, Colombia, and Ethiopia.
Rubber: Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Cocoa: Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, and Nigeria.
Sugarcane: Brazil, India, and the Philippines.
These features and examples illustrate the global importance and specialized nature of plantation farming.
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