Social Science (087) — CBSE Class 10 board question

Importance of Agriculture in the Indian Economy:

1. Employment: Agriculture is the primary livelihood for more than 60% of India's population, making it the backbone of the economy.

1. Food Production: It is a primary activity that produces most of the food we consume, including food grains, vegetables, and fruits.

1. Raw Material: Agriculture supplies raw materials to many industries, such as cotton textiles, sugar, jute, and tea industries.

1. Export: Agricultural products like tea, coffee, and spices are exported, earning valuable foreign exchange for the country.

1. Cropping Diversity: India has three cropping seasons — rabi, kharif, and zaid — ensuring year-round agricultural production across varied regions.

1. Economic Base: Despite industrialisation, agriculture remains central to India's economy, and reforms like Green Revolution, crop insurance, and Kisan Credit Card continue to strengthen it.

Source: Chapter 4 — Agriculture, Introduction and Technological & Institutional Reforms

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• Examiners expect 5 distinct points for a 5-mark question — one point per mark is the safest approach.
• Use terms from the textbook: "primary activity," "60% population," "raw material," "foreign exchange," "rabi/kharif/zaid."
• Avoid vague statements; each point should be specific and textbook-grounded.
• You may use a short introductory line but do not write a long introduction — dive into points quickly.