This concept mainly deals with different types of crops and agriculture tools that are used for crop production. Through this concept, the students will be introduced to varieties of crops like coconut, jute, cotton, rubber, maize, rice, and wheat.
After reading the concept, students will be able to:
Each concept is explained to class 4 students using descriptions, illustrations, and concept maps. After you go through a concept, assess your learning by solving the two printable worksheets given at the end of the page.
Download the worksheets and check your answers with the worksheet solutions for the concept of Types of Crops and Tools of Agriculture provided in PDF format.
What is a Crop?
Classification of Crops:
Crops can be categorised into two main groups per their usage—food crops and cash crops.
1. Food Crops:
These crops are grown to feed the human population.
Some food crops that are grown in India are briefly described below—
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Rice is the staple food of India and is mainly consumed by all. For the cultivation of rice, sufficient humidity, heavy rainfall, and high temperature are required. |
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Wheat is the staple food of the northern and western regions of India. This crop requires a cool climate with moderate rainfall. |
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Maize grows well in areas where there are alternate spells of rain and sunny conditions. It is used as a food grain for human consumption as well as fodder for livestock. |
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In India, millets consist of ragi, jowar, and bajra. These are highly nutritious crops and have coarse grains. These crops grow well in arid and semi-arid regions. |
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The most common pulses grown in India are tur, urad, moong, masur, peas, and gram. These crops are grown in areas receiving less rainfall. |
2. Cash Crops:
Cash crops are those that are grown for the purpose of sale and earning profit.
Examples:Mustard, cotton, jute, tea, etc.
Cash crops can be further classified into the following types—
a) Oilseed Crops: Oilseed crops are those which are cultivated exclusively for the edible cooking oil they produce.
Some oil crops that are grown in India are briefly described below—
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b) Plantation Crops: These crops are grown for commercial purposes on a large plantation that is owned by an individual or a company.
Some plantation crops that are grown in India are briefly described below—
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c) Beverage Crops: Crops that produce beverages fit for human consumption are called beverage crops.
Some beverage crops that are grown in India are briefly described below—
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d) Fibre Crops: These crops are extensively cultivated for their fibres.
Some fibre crops that are grown in India are briefly described below—
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Based on harvesting seasons, crops are categorised into two main groups—
1. Rabi Crops:
Examples:
Wheat | Coriander | Oats |
Mustard | Potato | Gram |
2. Kharif Crops:
Examples:
Rice | Corn | Sugarcane |
Groundnut | Cotton | Soybean |
Tools of Agriculture:
1. Traditional tools:
These tools are used in the traditional methods of agriculture, but their use has reduced considerably due to the onset of modern farming techniques.
a) Farmer’s plough: It is drawn by oxen or cows in the fields under the farmer’s supervision to loosen the soil.
b) Spade: A spade has a flattened blade attached to a handle and is used for lifting soil, loose debris, and weeds. These are also dumped at some other place with the spade itself.
c) Shovel: These have angled blades that are curved at the front and are used to dig the soil and loosen it before sowing seeds.
d) Axe: An axe is a hand tool used for cutting, chopping and piercing. It is made with an iron blade having a wooden handle.
e) Hoe: It is made with sharpened and curved blades with long handles. A hoe is used to dig the soil before sowing seeds and to chop weeds.
f) Sickle: It is used by farmers to harvest crops. A sickle is made of a curved and sharpened blade.
Modern tools:
These tools are efficient and reduce the workload and time immensely. However, these are more expensive than the traditional tools, and not all farmers can afford them.
a) Tractor:
b) Combine Harvester:
c) Pump Units:
d) Seed Drill:
New Words:
Surplus: An excess production or supply.
Plantation: An extensive piece of land used for to cultivate tea, coffee, tobacco, rubber, etc.
Beverage: A drink other than water that is fit for consumption.
Threshing: Manual separation of grains from the crops.
Reaping: The process of harvesting crops.
Winnowing: It involves the separation of chaff from the grain.
Did You Know?