AGRICULTURE

COMMERCIAL USES OF SUGERCANE:

1. Bio-Plastics
Traditional plastics are not biodegradable, but modern technology has
allowed scientists to create "compostable" bio-plastic , using sugarcane as a
primary ingredient.

2. Fertilizer
When combined with other ingredients, such as lime, sugarcane can be
used to create organic fertilizer. Using sugarcane fertilizer helps improve
the quality of soil, thereby improving the quality of any food grown in that
soil.

3. Cane Ethanol
Ethanol, an alternative to gasoline, is an ecological bio-fuel that is made
using sugarcane. This is considered to be a more renewable, sustainable
resource than traditional gasoline, as sugarcane cultivation occurs at a very
fast rate and it's less taxing on the environment.

4. Skin Care
When refined, sugarcane is a common ingredient in many body scrubs and
exfoliating products, as its grainy texture makes it useful for scrubbing away
dead skin cells. Sugarcane can also be mixed with lemon juice and other
ingredients to create an all-natural.

Q. Why tea cannot be cultivated in plain areas? Comment.

A: Tea grows in well drained fertile soil. Well drained soil in found in hilly region.
The slanting slope allows water to easily flow and water logging doesn't occur. But
in plains, the land is flat. There is water logging in plains. Tea can't be cultivated in
plains as there is much of water logging due to flat land.
AGRICULTURE
Q .Why is Southeast Asia famous for rice cultivation? Comment.
A: More than 90% of the world’s rice is produced by Asian farmers, Vietnam and
Thailand being amongst the highest exporters of rice in the world. Just looking
around us we can see how the growth of rice has shaped the landscape in many
areas. Cultivated, neat rice terraces clinging to steep hillsides, shining a dazzling
bright green are striking images of South East Asia that can be seen in Spa,
Vietnam, Bali, Indonesia among other places. One of the most famous
rice plantations in Asia can be found in Luzon in the Philippines.

BY-PRODUCTS OF RICE CROPS

RICE BRAN
Rice bran is a mixture of substances, including protein, fat, ash, and
crude fiber. In many cases, bran contains tiny fractions of rice hull,
which increases the ash content of bran. Bran composition is largely
dependent on the milling process. Rice bran has a high nutritive value.
Besides proteins, rice bran is an excellent source of vitamins B and E.
Bran also contains small amounts of anti-oxidants, which are
considered to low cholesterol in humans. Rice bran contains 10−23%
bran oil. The oily nature makes bran an excellent binder for animal
feeds. Bran oil, once stabilized and extracted, is a high quality vegetable
oil for cooking or eating. The conventional use of rice bran is as
ingredient for animal feeds, in particular ruminants and poultry. In the
developing countries, rice bran is underutilized due to a lack of suitable
stabilization techniques.

RICE HUSK
The rice husk, also called rice hull, is the coating on a seed or grain of
rice. It is formed from hard materials, including silica and lignin, to
protect the seed during the growing season. Common products from
rice husk are: solid fuel (i.e., loose form, briquettes, and pellets),
AGRICULTURE
carbonized rice husk produced after burning, and the remaining rice
husk ash after combustion. ice husk was long considered a waste from
the rice milling process and was often dumped and/or burned. But
because it can be easily collected and is cheap, some amount of rice
husk has always been used as an energy source for small applications,
such as for brick production, for steam engines and gasifiers used to
power rice mills, and for generating heat for rice dryers. Produced
during rice milling, the rice husk is already dried and accumulated at
the factory. The specific weight of uncompressed rice husk is about 100
kg/m3.

RICE STRAW
Rice straw is a rice by-product produced when harvesting paddy. Each kg of milled
rice produced results in roughly 0.7–1.4 kg of rice straw depending on varieties,
cutting-height of the stubbles, and moisture content during harvest. Rice straw is
separated from the grains after the plants are threshed either manually, using
stationary threshers or, more recently, by using combine harvesters Rice straw, as
a lignocelluloses biomass, is comprised of three components: lignin, cellulose, and
hemicelluloses. These could be fractionated through pretreatment Traditionally,
in South and Southeast Asian countries, rice straw and husk are considered as
wastes, either dumped into rivers or burned in the field, causing GHG emissions,
contamination, and pollution. With the development of recent technologies, rice
residues can be processed and managed using better practices. Management
options for rice residues can be classified as in-field and off-field management.
AGRICULTURE
The largest tea producer have no role in world tea trade:
The largest producers of tea have to work for the improvement of the
livelihood which is limited. In addition to this, it is essential to enhance the
productivity and reduce the input cost to help them. But they play a vital role in
the climate change hence, bringing in no sense of security to them. Ultimately
the options for tea producers to improve their livelihood are limited. Increasing
productivity and reducing the costs of inputs can help to some extent. But
producers will still be vulnerable to impacts of climate change as well as global
reductions in tea price. The only way to create long term security for tea
producers is to increase their negotiating power as to shift the value chain in
their favour. Currently, there are 93 fair trade certified tea producers but they
are only able to sell a small proportion of their tea because of high home
consumption.

Natural Rubber: Essential Factors Required for Rubber

Cultivation:
1. Climate: Rubber is a tropical tree. It requires high temperature throughout
the year – ranging between 20°-35°C or average monthly mean of 27°C.
Less than 20°C temperature is detrimental. It requires constant high
temperature of around 27°C and should not be less than 21°C. As the
temperature decreases with the elevation thus, it can be grown above
2000 feet even in equatorial region ideal temperature for plantation of
rubber should range between 75°F to 80°F.
2. Rainfall : It requires heavy rainfall well distributed over the year it grows
best in regions having rain more than hundred inches a year and the
monthly rainfall should not be less than two or three inches. Dry season is
harmful to rubber because flow of latex reduces.

3.Soils
Rubber plants can be grown on all kinds of soil but better results can be obtained
by growing plants having nitrates and phosphate contents. Any defect should be
made good by enriching the soil using nitrogen fertilizers.

4. Climate
For planting rubber trees equatorial moist climate is good dry and what time it is
not good to plant rubber trees.
AGRICULTURE

5. Anti- disease devices

Rubber trees are highly vulnerable To diseases such as fungus infection two roots
is found in Brazil rubber plant/ tree.

6.Econimic conditions:
Among economic conditions labour, capital, transport and market are necessary
for proper rubber plantation.
(a) Labour: It is required for maintenance of plantations, collection of latex,
preparation of rubber, nurturing of rubber tree, etc. It is a labour-intensive
activity. Plantation of rubber trees is a laborer occupation hence for economic
production of natural rubber and Army of cheap labour is needed which can be
obtained only in thickly populated countries.

(b) Capital For cultivation of rubber huge capital is required, especially during
first 6-7 years, when income is more or less nil. Capital requirement is necessary
for labour wages, plantation cost, processing machines, etc.

(c) Transport: Both internal and external transport network is necessary for
successful rubber cultivation. Internal transport is required for collection of latex
and its transportation up to processing centres, while external transportation
network is a pre-requisite for export.

(d) Market: Although, rubber is in great demand but with the development of
synthetic rubber its demand has decreased. Market demand encourages the
rubber plantation.

Pakistan’s economy depends upon agriculture:

Introduction: Pakistan is an agriculture based country meaning that
Pakistan’s economy heavily depends on the agriculture yields. Pakistan is
situated in south east its location it’s such that it satisfies all the conditions
necessary for agriculture. Pakistan is an agricultural country which depends on
the sector for many of its needs for development.
AGRICULTURE
Agriculture: Agriculture is the process of cultivation of the soil and the
land for economic and production purposes.

Pakistan an Agro economy : Agriculture sector is the main source

of foreign exchange which is earned by exporting crops like cotton, sugarcane,
rice ,wheat sector in international market. Rice of the best quality from
Pakistan is exported to the foreign markets. Fruits and vegetables are the
major exports of Pakistan. U.A.E imports food items from Pakistan.
Importance of Pakistan’s Agriculture:

• Source of foreign exchange:

Agriculture sector is the main source of foreign exchange which is earned
by exports of Agricultural items. Products such as cotton, rice and wheat
are exported to various countries. It brings about 65% of the total
earnings

• Major source of employment: The agriculture industry provides

employment to a large portion of the labour force of the country. More
than 45% of the labour force is thought to be directly associated with this
industry while more than 66.7% of the rural population is dependent on
agriculture. Agriculture has played an important role in the reduction of
unemployment and disguised employment.

• Increasing the GDP of the economy: Agriculture abundantly contributes to

the GDP of Pakistan. A country prospers and develops economically when its
GDP increases. At the time of independence agriculture was the largest
contributor to the GDP of Pakistan but as time passed the service industry
took over. Now agriculture has the third largest contribution in the GDP of the
country. Livestock and fisheries is a huge part of this sector and it not only
provides employment to the people of Pakistan but also is exported to several
countries. Livestock accounts for 40% of this economic sector and 9% of the
GDP. Pakistan is considered to be at the fifth position in the Muslim world and
ranked at the twelfth position World Wide for farm output. It is the world’s
fifth largest milk producer. All this implies that agriculture is the
AGRICULTURE
• Reduction in poverty: The agriculture sector has a huge role in the
development of the rural areas. The productivity helps to reduce poverty and
also stimulates non-farming employment too. The people are able to get the
basic necessities of life such as a good sanitary system, clean water, electricity,
provision of health an educational facilities etc. About 21% of the population
of Pakistan is below the poverty line.

• Food requirement: The population of Pakistan is increasing rapidly.

According to the UNDP population growth report, the population growth rate
of Pakistan is 2% per year. So in order to protect the country from dying of
starvation, the food production has also increased manifold. In this case the
agriculture sector is the only economic sector that is meeting the demand of
the people. And in comparison the agriculture sector has also reduced the
imports from other economies. So it can be said that agriculture is playing a
vital role in sustaining the economy of Pakistan by providing food for the
country’s citizens.

• Increasing Tax revenue for the government: The more money the
government can make using tax schemes the more money it will have, to
spend on the development of Pakistan. As agriculture contributes a lot to the
per capita income so the government tax revenues increase as their tax
revenues are directly proportional to the increase in the GDP. In this
way agriculture helps in generating more tax revenue for the
government.

• Source of raw material: The development of manufacturing industry

director depends on supply of raw materials by the agricultural sector for
example sugarcane, cotton, oilseeds, meat etc are supplied to industry for
processing.

Conclusion:
About 48% of the country’s labour force is engaged in the agriculture sector
and about 70% is related to it both directly and indirectly. It is considered to
be the main source of food for the citizens of this country. The agriculture
sector also provides a large amount of raw material to the industrial
sector. The sector contributes about 25% towards GDP which is the highest
AGRICULTURE
of any other economic sector. It maybe be concluded that Pakistan Depends
Largely on Agriculture and it's an important industry that helps to keep the
country stable. Agriculture is the backbone of our economic system.

SUGARCANE INDUSTRY LOCATED NEAR RAW MATERIAL:

• INTRODUCTION: the sugar industries are usually located near to

sugarcane farms due to several factors some of which are as follows:

• COSTLY TRANSPORTATION:
Sugarcane farms are far from the sugar mills then the cost of
transportation will be increased.

• PERISHABLE GOOD:
The canes are perishable therefore it needs to be transported quickly to
the local mill to be processed within 48 hours of cutting to preserve the
high quality of sugar.

• DETORIATION OF SUGAR :
The mail must be near the farm because the sugar deteriorates if it is not
quickly processed. If they are kept for a long time before they are
processed in the raw form that is, the sugary content of the cane
decreases and they get dried up.

• LABOUR COST:

The labour cost decreases if the mill is Located nearer to its raw material.
Therefore, one of the reason for the locating of sugarcane industry near the raw
material is that The labour cost is reduced.

CONCLUSION:

As a result, the industries are very close to where the raw materials are
grown.
AGRICULTURE
Q. Write a note on sources of edible oil.
EDIBLE OILS:
Cooking oil is plant, animal or synthetic used in frying, baking and other types of cooking. It is
also used in food preparation and flavouring that doesn’t involve heat, such as salad dressings
and bread dips, and in this sense might be more accurately termed edible oil.

SOURCES OF EDIBLE OIL: Most of them are extracted from the fruits or seeds of plants of
all sizes which grow in many parts of the world under varied condition of climate and soil.
Following are the sources of edible oil:
1. Palm nuts
2. Coconuts
3. Groundnuts
4. Soya beans
5. Olives
6. Cotton seed
7. Mustard or rape seed
8. Sesame seed (till)
9. Sunflower

PALMNUTS
Palm oil, the world’s most-used cooking oil, used in everything from candy to biofuels. The
palm oil tree is a tropical tree. It requires heavy (about 80 inches) well distributed rain
throughout the year, constant high temperature and plenty of sunlight. It can be grown in any
type of soil. The quality of oil deteriorates markedly if it is not processed on the same day.
In terms of location, oil production does not correspond exactly with oilseed production since
oil seeds may be exported before crushing. In contrast, palm oil can only be exported as oil and
therefore palm oil is produced and exported from the same countries.
LOCATION: The palm oil is grown in two main wet tropical regions
a) West Africa
b) South east asia

WEST AFRICA: Nigeria is the native place of palm oil. It was grown for centuries as a sources of
domestic cooking oils from wild and semi-wild trees. Nigeria and Zaire (Congo) are main
producing areas of this region. Other producers of palm oil are the Sierra leone, Ivory Coast and
Dahomey.
AGRICULTURE
SOUTH EAST ASIA: The palm oil tree has been introduces in the present century and its acreage
in the region is still expanding. The main producing countries of this region are Malaysia and
Indonesia mainly in Southern Sumatra.

COCONUTS
It is a fruit or nut of a well known species of palm, known as coconut palm tree of the tropical coast
land. It thrives best in high temperature between 44°C to 48°C and heavy rainfall (about 80 inches)
well distributed throughout the year. The ideal inhabitant is the sandy soil of the beach and
nearest inland areas. Maritime climate is the best for coconut palm trees.
The tree takes about 5 to 6 years to mature and then yields continuously for many years. The
tree rises to a height of 40 to 60 feet. Harvesting takes place every 1 to 2 months and about
fifty nuts may be obtained from one tree annually. The oil is obtained from the dried flesh of
the nut of “COPRA”. The fresh kernel is useful as a food and its water as a drink.
LOCATION: Coconuts are grown along the shores of the tropical lands including India, Srilanka
and the south east asian countries, the pacific islands, west African and tropical latin American
countries. The leading copra producing countries are Philippines, India, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Mexico, New Guinea, Mozambique, New herbrides and Fiji. The major producers usually export
most of their output. The main importers are Britain, Pakistan and other European countries.

GROUNDNUTS:
it is also known as peanuts. The native country is Brazil but it is now grown widely in the
tropical and sub-tropical area of warm temperature and light to moderate rainfall (between 25
to 35 inches). The nut is obtained from the roots of a small plant which grows well on sandy
soils because the nut ripens in the soil. Fertilizer is used with the seeds when they are planted.
It is a seasonal crop. It adds valuable Nitrogen to the soil thus it is often grown as a rotation
crop particularly in USA, it is grown on mechanized mixed farms in the cotton belt.
Oil is extracted from the nuts. The oil is used as food directly and also in manufacturing of
vegetable ghee.
LOCATION: The chief groundnut producing countries in order of importance are India, China,
Nigeria, USA, Senegal, Brazil, Indonesia and Burma etc. Nigeria, Brazil and Senegal are the main
exporting countries. The chief main exporting countries are UK france and West Germany.

SOYA BEANS
Soya bean is a traditional crop of China nut has been introduced in a number of other countries.
It is an annual crop and grows to a height of about three feet. It requires warm temperature as
well as cool temperate climate of about 21°C at the times of harvest and a moderate rainfall
around 40 inches. It grows best in rich loamy soil which Is also suitable for the cultivation of
AGRICULTURE
maize crop. It is sown in spring and harvested in the late summer near autumn. It adds reliable
nitrogen to the soil like groundnuts thus it is often grown as a rotation crop.
It is a low oil content crop of about 15 to 20 percent compared with 65 to 70 percent for palm
oil and 35-40 percent copra and groundnuts but is widely grown as rotation or mixed crop
therefore it is most important crop in the world. In china, it is not only a food crop but it is also
used for cooking oil, fresh vegetable and soya sauce which is indispensible to Chinese cookery.
In Indonesia, a kind of vegetable cheese is made.
LOCATION: The two main areas, famous for the cultivation of soya beans are the Far East and
the USA.
Far East: China is the original home of soya beans. It is mostly grown in the North china plain
and Manchuria. Other growing countries of the Far East are Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and
Central Asian countries.
The USA: Soya beans were introduced in the USA in the early nineteenth century. The USA now
dominates in the production of soya bean crop. After its home consumption, a large quantity of
soya bean is exported to Europe and other countries including Pakistan.

OLIVES
The olive is a fruit of a tree grown in the Mediterranean lands, Southern Europe, North Africa
and South-West Asia. It thrives best in Mediterranean climate, hot dry summer, cool and moist
winters. Olive trees take 15 to 20 years to mature and the yield continuously for 100 years. The
fruits are harvested in summer and processed immediately to maintain quality. Oil is extracted
from olive fruits. It is mainly used for cooking oil and salad. It is the finest and most highly prices
of the edible oils.
LOCATION: The principle olive oil producing countries are the Mediterranean countries such as
Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, France, Turkey, Tunisia, Syria and morocco. A small quantity is
also produced in California (USA). Though it is used in small quantities in all parts of the world
but the producing areas are the main consuming areas.

COTTON SEEDS
It is a by-product of cotton, cultivated for fiber. Oil is extracted from the cotton seed, it is a
good substitute of animal fat. It is now the chief ingredient of vegetable ghee and margarine in
many countries. It is now used for cooking in salad dressing and soup making.
Once processed, cotton seed has a mild taste and appears generally clear with a light golden
colour, the amount of colour depending on the amount of refining. Cotton seed oil has
traditionally been used in foods such as potato chips and is a primary ingredient in Crisco, the
Crisco, the shortening product. But since it is significantly less expensive than olive oil or canola
AGRICULTURE
oil, cottonseed has started to creep into a much wider range of processed foods, including
cereals, breads and snack foods.
LOCATION: The chief producing countries are the USA, China, India, France, CIS (common
wealth of independent states), Egypt and Pakistan.

MUSTARD OR RAPE SEED

It is widely grown. It is a winter crop. Generally it is grown in association with other crops like
wheat. But it matures earlier than wheat. Oil is obtained from the seeds. It is mainly used for
cooking.
LOCATION: The chief producing countries are India, Pakistan and Western European countries.

SESAME SEED
Oil is extracted from the seeds. It requires moderate temperature about 21° to 23°C. The
rainfall for its well growth must be between 20 to 25 inches. It grows well in light loamy soils. It
is mainly used for cooking.
LOCATION: The leading producers are India, Mexico and China.

SUNFLOWER
Sunflower is one of the most important annual crops grown or edible oils purposes in the world
next t soya bean and palm oil. It has 40-50 percent oil in its seed. It has several advantages such
as high yield potential, matures in 90 to 120 days, drought tolerant, tolerates insects and
diseases, it grows in poor and well drained soil and rich in edible oil and protein. It is cultivated
largely in sub-tropical and warm temperate countries. It can be grown by rotation with wheat
and cotton. It requires high temperature and moderate rainfall.
The oil is of good quality and is used mainly for cooking. Due to short growth period, sunflower
has proved to be a very suitable crop. In tropical areas two crops are grown, one in spring and
one in autumn.
In Pakistan, it is mainly sown in February and harvested in May. It can also be planted as
autumn crop if the area is not utilized but the main Kharif crops of cotton, rice or maize.
LOCATION: East European countries particularly CIS, are the principal producers of sunflower,
other producers include Argentina, Turkey, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria and Pakistan. It is
widely grown for home consumption and exports are rather negligible.

Q. Why is cheap labour required for the cultivation of tea?

A. Tea is one of the most important crops of the world. It is the cheapest and most drunk
universally. Besides geographical factors, cheap and skilled labour and capital are most
necessary for tea gardens preparation and picking the tea leaves. Tea cultivation or industry
AGRICULTURE
requires high amount of cheap and skilled labour as it is a labour intensive crop and requires it
specially during the plucking of the tree leaves which is a tedious process and requires skilled
and trained fingers to pluck two leaves and a bud at a time. Women labourers are employed in
large numbers for this purpose. Over 1 million workers are employed in the tea industry
currently. Another reason is that tea is sold at a fairly low price and therefore low cost of
production is required i.e cheap labour to earn profit.

Q. why is cheap labour required for cultivation of rubber?

A. Similar to tea cultivation, rubber also requires a large number of cheap labour for its
cultivation. It is labour intensive. It requires cheap, efficient and skilled labour to look after the
young plants, tapping the trees every other day, maintaining roads, collection of latex and early
stages of rubber processing for shipment. Other than that cheap labour is required to keep the
cost of production low to earn profit as it is sold at a comparatively low price. So plantations are
confined in densely populated areas for availability of abundant and cheap labour.

Q. cotton is a leading vegetable crop as well as industrial crop. Discuss.

A. Cotton is a leading vegetable fiber as well as an industrial crop. Cotton is a kind of fiber which
grows around the cotton seed as a protective shell. The fiber around the seed is removed to
make yarn which is used for clothes and is the basis for large textile industries of the world. In
this way it is an important industrial crop. After the fiber is removed the seed is used to extract
cottonseed oil which after refining changes into an edible oil which is used in cooking and
preparation of food. In this way it is a vegetable crop. Hence cotton is a leading vegetable crop
as well as an industrial crop.

Q. Write a note on the international trade of tea.

WORLD TRADE OF TEA
Tea is one of the most important drink crops of the world. It is the cheapest one and the most
drunk universally. Although Russia is the leading importer but, the British are the greatest tea
drinkers consuming an average of 4.5 kg per head annum. Due to increasing population, area
under tea cultivation and production is increasing rapidly. World tea production in 1970 was 1.2
million tons, which reached about 3.9 million tons in 2007. In the world under tea cultivation in
2007 was 2,856,226 (2.8 million hectares) and per hectare yield was 13,554 kg.
It has been estimated that more than 80% output of worlds tea come from seven countries
India, China, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Kenya, Turkey and Indonesia.
World tea exports reached 1.77 million tonnes in 2013 a 5 percent increase compared to 2012.
Volumes of black tea were up by 5.8 percent in 2013 and export earnings increased by 10
percent to USD 5.7 billion
AGRICULTURE
CHINA
The tea industry in China is the largest in the world, and has been dominating the global tea
industry for centuries, since China introduced tea to the world. China is the first largest
producer of tea with her annual production of 1487467 Mt. China is regarded as home of tea
and monopolist of tea production and its trade. In 2016, China produced over 2.4 million tons
of tea, accounting for 40% of all the tea grown in the world. China itself is also the world's
largest tea market, or consumer of tea, with over 2 million tons of tea consumed in 2016,
averaging more than 1.5kg of tea per person per year. It is mainly cultivated in valley of river
yang tze-kiang and the hilly region of Szechwan.

INDIA
Indian tea is among the finest in the world owing to strong geographical indications, heavy
investments in tea processing units etc. India stands first among the largest producers of tea
with her annual production of 991180 Mt. India has ideal climate and fertile soil for tea
plantation. The major areas are Assam, Nilgiri hills, Chota Nagpur plateau etc. She is also the
major exporter of tea.

KENYA
Tea is a major cash crop that is grown in Kenya. Kenyan tea has been the leading major foreign
exchange earner for the country. Most tea produced in Kenya is black tea, with green tea,
yellow tea, and white tea produced on order by major tea producers. Kenya is the third largest
producer of tea of the world with her annual production of 399000 Mt. The climate is ideal, soil
is fertile, labour is cheap. So Kenya carries out ideal plantation of tea on hill slopes. Kenya’s per
hectare production is high.

SRI LANKA
She stands fourth in production of tea and her annual production is 282300 Mt. In 2018 the
total production of tea was 303,843 Mt, and the export was 282,363 Mt. Sri Lanka has favorable
climate and fertile soil. The central highlands of Sri Lanka have the perfect ecosystem for
growing high-quality tea. She uses scientific methods to cultivate tea using cheap labour
available. Sri Lanka is a large producer and exporter of quality tea.

TURKEY
Tea is an important part of Turkish culture, and is the most commonly consumed hot drink.
Most of the tea produced in Turkey is Rize tea, a terrier from Rize Province on the eastern Black
Sea coast, which has a mild climate with high precipitation and fertile soil. This tea is usually
processed as black tea. In 2004 Turkey produced 205,500 tons of tea (6.4% of the world's
total tea production), which made it one of the largest tea markets in the world, with 120,000
tons being consumed in Turkey, and the rest being exported. Furthermore, in 2004, Turkey had
AGRICULTURE
the highest per capita tea consumption in the world, at 2.5 kg per person—followed by
the United Kingdom (2.1 kg per person)

INDONESIA
Indonesia has historically been a major tea producer as well as an increasingly large-scale
consumer. Based on plantation statistics data from 2014, Indonesia has a total tea plantation
area of 121,034 hectares. West Java province has the most tea plantation areas with a total of
89,978 hectares or around 73% of total national tea planted areas and supplies around 70% of
the country’s tea production. Other tea producing regions in the country are Central Java and
North Sumatra. The country’s major export destination countries are Malaysia, the United
Kingdom, Russia, and Pakistan, followed by the United States, Germany, United Arab Emirates,
Ukraine, the Netherlands, and Poland.

Q. Explain the socio economic factors necessary for the cultivation of sugarcane.
INTRODUCTION:
For the cultivation of sugarcane various different factors other than rainfall,
temperature or soil and its fertility are necessary for example; Abundance of
cheap labour, efficient transportation are included in socio economic factors.
SOCIO ECONOMIC FACTORS:
The socio economic factors necessary for cultivation are:
 Cheap labour
 Transportation
 Advanced scientific methods
 Market

1) LABOUR:
The presence of abundance of availability of cheap labour is one of the
most important socio economic factors in the cultivation of the crop. It is
one of the most essential factor for better cultivation of sugarcane crop
,because in most of the stages of sugarcane cultivation that is from sowing
seeds to harvesting the full ripen crop abundance of cheap labour is
required. China, India, Australia, Pakistan. Are among the largest producers
and exporters due to availability of cheap labour in abundance.
2) TRANSPORTATION:
AGRICULTURE
Transportation is another most important socio economic factor affecting
the sugarcane. Sugarcane is perishable crop therefore should be
transported quickly to the local mills and processed within 48 hours of
harvesting to preserve a high quality of sugar. The mills should be close
enough to the farms because the sugar deteriorates if not quickly
processed. Secondly, it will be very costly to transport to longer distances
which will lead into increase in the price of by products.
3) ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC METHODS: The advancement in the technology
has greatly affected the agricultural sector in the production of sugarcane
across the world. In USA particularly in Hawaii state , the use of machinery
has benefited the sugarcane industry such that the plowing, preparation of
land, planting, spraying to control pests and diseases, harvesting of the
sugarcane and manufacturing is all done with machines using scientific
farming. The total yield of the land has been increased thrice.
4) MARKET:
The market of the certain crop in a specific area also affects the production
of the crop. For example; the sugarcane is grown in the countries such as
Brazil, China, Pakistan and India in abundance due to the market demand is
also increasing day by day. Now days, the sugarcane’s by products like
sugar, gaur, ethanol, bioelectricity and other goods are being made by the
sugarcane. Which has increased the market demand of not only sugarcane
but also it’s by products.

CONCLUSION:
The socio economic factors affecting the cultivation of sugarcane are
described above these factors must be kept in mind for better cultivation of
sugarcane which will lead into its by products.

Q. Cotton is the most important cash crop comment.

IMPORTANCE OF COTTON AS CASH CROP:
Cotton is a major crop of Pakistan after wheat and it occupies the largest
area in Pakistan compared to other crops. Cotton is one of the major cash
crops that is exported to other countries .It brings cash returns to the
farmers, supplies raw materials to the textile industry and provides
AGRICULTURE
employment in both rural and urban areas. Cotton gives material for
producing yarn from which we make clothes ad well as the cotton seed
which is left behind is used for making cottonseed oil which is used for
livestock hence, it is the industrial as well as the vegetable crop. Cotton
crops earns the largest export revenues most Pakistan’s cotton and its
products are exported that is why it is also called silver fiber crop and is
considered as important cash crop.
Q.What do you mean by edible oils. Name the main sources of edible oils.
EDIBLE OILS:
Cooking oil is plant, animal, synthetic used in frying, baking other types of
cooking. It is also used in food preparation and flavoring that does not
involve heat, such as salad dressings and bread dips, and in this sense might
be more accurately termed EDIBLE OIL. They are also important for
industrial purpose. Most of the crops from which oil is extracted have been
grown from centuries but few of them are regarded solely as producers of
oils, such as coconut, palm nut, mustard.
SOURCES OF EDIBLE OILS:
1) There are variety of cooking oils from plant sources as olive oil, palm oil,
soya bean oil, canola oil, corn oil, peanut oil and other vegetable oils as
well as animal based oils like butter
2) Oil can be flavored with aromatic food stuffs with as herbs, chills, or
garlic.
3) Animal fats area by product of the whole meat chain. Animal fats are
not produced as such. They are only produced in relation to the raising
of animals for meat, eggs .They are main source of edible oil
4) We get edible oils from oil seeds like fish oil by processing of animal by
products.
5) We get oils from kernels and nut trees also.
AGRICULTURE
Q. Why rubber is called an equatorial plant.
RUBBER IS AN EQUATORIAL PLANT:
1) Rubber plants being tropical trees, grow well in hot and equatorial climate
within 10N and 10S of the equator. The plants either grow wild, or can be
grown as plantation trees .The equatorial regions of the world are suitable
for rubber cultivation.
2) Rubber grows in high temperature it can be grown in heavy rainfall and
humid climate.
3) Rich deep loamy soils are highly suitable for rubber plantation.
4) It needs constantly high temperature over 26C and with no month having
less than 21C temperature.
5) Gentle slopes provide ideal grounds for rubber plantation. It provides
Drainage to the plants.
6) Preparation of land, looking after the plants, clearing of weeds, collection of
latex, transportation etc. involve huge labour, thus availability of cheap and
efficient labour is an assets for the development of rubber plantation.

Q. Write about main sugarcane cultivation areas in Pakistan.

INTRODUCTION:
Sugarcane is the most important cash crop of Pakistan. Although it is a
plant of tropical region but it can also be cultivated in sub tropical areas. In
Pakistan, sugarcane is cultivated in the spring season in the month of
February to march it is harvested in November to December. It is cultivated
in Pakistan with artificial irrigation through canals and tube wells
Following are the Main Sugarcane growing areas in Pakistan:
1) PUNJAB:
Punjab is the biggest and most important region of Sugarcane
cultivation and has 69 percent proportion of total production of
sugarcane in the country. The districts of Punjab important in this
respect are; Sarghoda, Bhakka, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Bahalpur,
Okara, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Layya, Vehari , Muzaffar nagar, Kusur, Jhang.
AGRICULTURE
2) SINDH: The areas of Sindh where Sugarcane cultivated is concentrated
are districts of Thatta, Badin, Khairpur, Shaheed Benazirabad, Noshero
Feroz, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Hyderabad.

3) KPK:
The main sugarcane growing areas in KPK include the districts of
Charsadda, Mardan, Peshawar.

SECONDARY SUGARCANE GROWING REGIONS:

The secondary sugarcane cultivating areas include the district of Shaikh pura,
Narowal,Khanowai, Gujrat, Mianwali,Khushab in Punjab whilw the districts og
Ghotki and Sukkur in Sindh and districts of Dera ismail Khan, Mala kand and
Naushera are in KPK.
MINOR SUGARCANE GROWING AREAS:
Less important sugarcane growing areas include the districts of Attock,
Rawalpindi, Gujrat, Sialkot, Guranwala, Hafizabad, Lahore.Multan, Dara ghazi
khan.Sindh , the minor Sugar producing regions are the districts of
Sukkar,Jaccobabad, Shikarpur, Larkana, Umarkot and Dadu while in KPK these
districts are Bunair, Manshara, Kohat and Sawabi.Sugarcane is almost not
cultivated in Balochistan.Scattered cultivation of Sugarcane is found in the
districts of Sibbi, Jaffarabad, Nasirabad, Lasbella because the temperature is very
high and irrigation facilities are not available.
AGRICULTURE
Q. Give an account of three rice producing countries in monsoon Asia.
RICE PRODUCING COUNTRIES IN MONSOON ASIA:
A large number of varieties of rice is cultivated throughout the world
especially in South east Asian tropical Countries. In USA and in monsoon regions
of countries of India, Pakistan.
1. CHINA:
 POSITION AS PRODUCER:
China stands first among the rice producing countries of the
world.
 DETAILS OF YEILD:
The rice contributes 40 percent of the food requirements of
the country 95 percent of the total rice is cultivated of low land
rice variety.
 LOCALIZATION OF CULTIVATION:
The rice is ground in Monsoon China South of 33 North
latitude 68 percent of cultivated land is used for cultivation of
rice following are the main rice cultivating areas of China.
1. SOUTH CHINA:
90 percent of cultivated area.
2. THE RED BASIN AROUND CHUNKING:
41 percent of total cultivated area.
3. THE SOUTH CENTRAL CHINA:
73 percent of cultivated area.
4. THE BASIN OF YANGTZE RIVER:
It comprises 58 percent of the cultivated area.
 TRADE IN RICE:
China is self sufficient in rice production and does not export
any quality of rice.

1. INDIA:
 POSITION AS PRODUCER:
India stands second in the world as rice producer.
AGRICULTURE
 DETAILS IN YEILD:
It is most important food grain which is locally consumed. India
is not self Sufficient in rice. Most of rice cultivated belongs to
low land variety which is grown on 25 percent of total
cultivated area of the country.
 LOCALIZATION OF CULTIVATION
Rice is grown in the province of West Bengal Bihar, Madhya
pardesh, Andhra Pardesh and Madras.
 TRADE IN RICE:
India is not self sufficient in the production of rice and it
imports rice from Thailand and Brume.
2. PAKISTAN:
Pakistan grows variety of basmati rice and irri Pak rice in a large
quantity in the canal irrigation areas of Punjab and Sindh province
and Nasirabad using Karez Wata.It is also cultivated in small quantity
in NWFP and Swat areas as well. Pakistan is self sufficient in rice and
exports her surplus basmati rice to Middle East countries and the
European countries which have large demand of basmati rice.

Q. The total crop duration of spring wheat is lesser than winter wheat. Write two
major reasons to support this statement.

ANS. Winter wheat acreage has always been much smaller than that of spring wheat. from
1999to 2004, 15000 to 60000 acres, the primary constraint to winter wheat production is
winter kill, newer varieties and production practice have reduced this risk making winter wheat
a more variable option in the cropping system of the state
The benefits of winter wheat include:
1. A higher yield than spring wheat
2. Great profitability as it often requires less inputs than spring wheat
3. More efficient use of labour and machinery as it is planted and harvested during
periods with few competing field activities
4. Establishment of a cover to reduce wind and water erosion
5. Establishment of a cover for wildlife in rainfall and early spring
AGRICULTURE
Q. Name the cotton producing areas in Pakistan and state their importance.
ANS. In Pakistan cotton is grown in canal irrigated areas of Punjab and sindh and also in some
parts of Baluchistan and KPK .In Pakistan the cotton growing regions can be divided into 3
groups

1. Areas having abundant production (primary areas):

The Punjab: Bahawalpur, Bahawalnaga, Rahim yar khan ,Sahiwal , Faisalabad, Rajanpur and
Muzaffargarh are famous cotton growing districts in Punjab.

The sindh: Sukkur, Khairpur, Ghotki, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot and Hyderabad are
famous cotton growing districts in sindh

2. Areas having moderate production:

The Punjab: Sargodha, Kushab, Mianwali, Bhakkar and Kasur

3. Less productive areas:

the Punjab: Mandibahauddin and Sheikhupura

The Sindh: Dadu and Badin

KPK: D.I .Khan

Balochistan: Kohlu & Khaddar

IMPORTANCE OF COTTON GROWING REGIONS:

Punjab and Sindh are the major cotton growing provinces. The respective shares of the two
provinces in cotton production are estimated at 81 and 19 per cent, respectively. Cotton is a
major summer crop and planted in March/April in Sindh and May and June in the Punjab. The
time of sowing is so adjusted that the young seedlings escape the early summer heat as much
as possible. The climate of lower Sindh is milder than that of upper Sindh and the Punjab.

Q. State the favorable conditions for sugarcane and state the by products of sugar
cane.
ANS. SUGARCANE:
Sugarcane requires tropical and sub-tropical climate with a minimum amount of
moisture content and requires a year warm weather to reach maturity. The areas
having temperature of 20` to 26` C and an average rainfall of 150cm are suitable
for its cultivation. In many areas water is partly supplemented by canals, much
AGRICULTURE
sunshine is required especially at the end of growing season to produce cane with
high sugar content. Sugarcane grows well in alluvium and light clay soil and as the
crop is a valuable one large amount of fertilizers are used to increase the yield.
Sugarcane cultivation also needs sufficient capital and labour.

BY PRODUCTS OF SUGARCANE:
The byproducts of sugarcane are:
1. BAGASSE: Bagsses is the fibrous residue leftover after the sugarcane is
crushed. This is used in cellulose industries to make pape ,board cattle-feed
etc.

2. MOLASSE: Molasses is the final mother liquor leftover after the

crystallization of sugar. It is the main material for the production of different kinds
of yeasts but it is sent out of the factory as a waste product.

3. SUGARCANE WAX: Oil from sugarcane wax is used for protection against
corrosion

QUESTION: What are Rabi and kharif crops of Pakistan?

ANSWER:

Rabi Crops:

The Arabic translation of the word “Rabi” is spring. These crops’ harvesting happens
in the springtime hence the name. The Rabi season usually starts in November and
lasts up to March or April. Rabi crops are mainly cultivated using irrigation since
monsoons are already over by November. In fact, unseasonal showers in November
or December can ruin the crops. The seeds are sown at the beginning of autumn,
which results in a spring harvest.

kharif Crops:

The word “Kharif” is Arabic for autumn since the season coincides with the beginning
of autumn or winter. Kharif crops also are known as monsoon crops. These are the
crops that are cultivated in the monsoon season. The Kharif season differs in every
state of the country but is generally from June to September. These crops are usually
AGRICULTURE
sown at the beginning of the monsoon season around June and harvested by
September or October. Rice, maize, bajra, ragi, soybean, groundnut, cotton are all
Kharif types crops.
QUESTION: Describe international trade of Rice.
ANSWER:
International rice market/trade:

ice is the staple food of more than half of the world’s population, with more than
700 million tons produced annually (equivalent to 470 million tons of milled rice).
Although most rice is consumed in the countries where it is produced, a growing
demand in some areas is feeding the international rice trade.

Most of the rice is grown and consumed in Asia, from Pakistan in the west
to Japan in the east. ‘Rice-producing Asia’ – defined as Asia excluding Mongolia
and the countries of Central Asia – accounts for roughly 90% of world rice
production. But because it is a net exporter of rice to the rest of the world, its
current share in global rice consumption is slightly less (87%).Outside Asia, where
rice is not a staple yet, per capita consumption continues to grow.

QUESTION: Why rice is not grown in Tundra?

ANSWER: Rice is essentially a tropical crop; it requires high degree to

temperature ranging between 70 degree F and 100 degree F. Whereas Tundra lies
between 70 degree latitude, it is terribly cold throughout the year, the
temperature remain below freezing point. The snow fall occurs even in
summer season. That is why rice is not grown in the tundra.
AGRICULTURE

QUESTION: Importance of irrigation for cotton crops.

ANSWERS:

Why Irrigate Cotton?

Benefits of Irrigation: Irrigation has economic benefits to the producer by
increasing yield per unit land area, and benefits to society by providing a
consistent and dependable source of food and fiber. Irrigation offers
safeguards against poor crop performance and/or failure due to insufficient
and/or untimely rainfall. Safeguarding against rainfall uncertainties is highly
desirable in today’s competitive markets where substantial investment has
been committed at cotton planting time. Irrigation also facilitates agro -
chemical management through the use of fertigation and chemigation
practices.

Irrigation Stabilizes and Boosts Yield:

It is estimated that approximately 70% of the world’s fresh water
consumption is for irrigation (all crops, not just cotton), and for good
reasons. Irrigation can boost yield as well as stabilize yield and quality by
ensuring adequate soil water during the entire growing season or at least
during critical growth stages in areas where water resources are limited. In
the sandy Coastal Plain soils in the Southeast, irrigation has been shown to
nearly double the non-irrigated cotton yield from about 750 to near 1,200 to
1,500 lbs. of lint per acre during water limited years. These large differences
in yield are mainly because irrigation supplements rainfall, ensuring
adequate water in the root zone to meet crop water needs on a consistent
basis. The lower non-irrigated yields are mostly due to insufficient soil water
during the season, even though yearly rainfall in the humid parts of the
Cotton Belt is about 45-55 inches, or almost twice as large as the seasonal
cotton water use.
Removing Risks Associated with Yield Instability
The problem is that the occurrence of rainfall is random; one never knows if
the right amount will come at the right time in the growing season.
AGRICULTURE
Consequently, drought periods could occur at any crop growth stage with
varying duration and severity. Because of this, non-irrigated yields can vary
widely from year to year. The risks associated with yield instability can be
partially removed by irrigation, which leads to a more predictable season -
ending yield (and thus return) year after year. This is a significant advantage,
allowing for financial planning on the part of the producer.

Water Use Efficiency

A useful relationship between yield produced per unit ET or crop water used
is water use efficiency (WUE). Modern, high water use efficiency (WUE)
cotton varieties tend to provide at least 60 pounds of lint and 90 pounds of
seed for every inch of water used. On a global basis, a recent summary of
the past 25 years of cotton data (that included some data from the Cotton
Belt) lists average WUE for seed cotton (fiber plus the seed) as 147 pounds
per acre-inch or, just considering the fiber, 52 pounds of fiber per acre-inch.
On a smaller scale and based on a limited study in south Georgia, the
addition of 4 to 6 inches of supplemental irrigation above the seasonal
rainfall increased lint yield by 250 to 620 lbs., suggesting 60 to 100 lbs. of
lint per inch of irrigation above rainfall.

Boosting Yield and Reducing Costs

Irrigating cotton with the correct amount at the right time can boost yield
and reduce input costs. This requires a firm understanding of the critical
cotton growth stages and water use. The use of high WUE varieties also
helps with securing greater crop per applied water. Increasing WUE and
drought tolerance in cotton is highly valuable to U.S. and world agriculture
by helping growers to maintain or increase crop production with less water.
Currently, traditional crop breeding and advanced gene technology methods
are being used by the seed industry to develop cotton varieties with higher
WUE and drought tolerance.

Getting the “Most Crop Per Drop”

Irrigation delivery methods continue to be refined to make sure producers
get the “most crop per drop.” Within the last few years, new technology has
also become available that allows individual sections of an irrigated field to
be turned on or off. This leads to more water savings. If there is a portion of
AGRICULTURE
the field that does not need irrigation (for example, a low spot where
rainfall collects) the pivot is programmed to turn off the sprinklers over that
area. In spite of all the advances, over – and untimely-irrigation is
widespread. In many instances, over-irrigation is used as a management
strategy to guard against risks associated with inadequate water
management plans. But over irrigation is also a major contributor to excess
leaching of water, nutrients and crop protection chemicals.