Chapter 3 | 🚀 Class 12 Geography Made Easy! | India – People and Economy | Quick Revision Notes for MP Board & CBSE”

Geography Class 12: Land Resources and Agriculture - Quick Notes

📘 Class 12 Geography

Chapter 3: Land Resources and Agriculture

⭐ MP Board & CBSE Board Exam 2026–Oriented ⭐

ULTRA-REVISION NOTES, ONE-LINERS, AND MCQs

🧠 Quick Revision Notes

1️⃣ Land Resources

All natural and economic benefits derived from land are called Land Resources.

➡️ Land is a limited and invaluable resource.

2️⃣ Land Use Classification in India (Most Important)

Land use in India is classified into the following categories:

Forest Area
Net Sown Area / Cultivable Land
Fallow Land (Current Fallow and Other Fallow)
Permanent Pastures and Grazing Lands
Barren and Wastelands
Land put to Non-Agricultural Uses (Settlements, roads, factories, etc.)

➡️ Exam Focus: Causes of change in land use (Population growth, Industrialization, Urbanization)

3️⃣ Agriculture

Activities related to crop production, animal husbandry, forestry, etc., are called Agriculture.

4️⃣ Types of Agriculture in India

Subsistence Agriculture	Commercial Agriculture
Small land holdings	Large farms
Traditional techniques	Modern technology (HYV seeds, fertilizers)
Production for family consumption	Production for the market

5️⃣ Major Crops of India (Repeated PYQ)

🌾 Food Crops: Rice, Wheat, Maize, Millets.
🌱 Cash Crops: Cotton, Sugarcane, Jute, Tobacco.
🌿 Plantation Crops: Tea, Coffee, Rubber, Coconut.

6️⃣ Factors Affecting Agriculture

Climate (Temperature, Rainfall)
Soil (Type of soil)
Irrigation facilities
Improved Technology and Seeds
Government Agricultural Policy

7️⃣ Land Degradation

The reduction in the fertility of the land is called Land Degradation.

🔹 Causes:

Soil Erosion (by water and wind) [attachment_0](attachment)
Overgrazing
Deforestation
Excessive use of chemical fertilizers
Salinity and Alkalinity

8️⃣ Land Conservation Measures (Very Important)

Afforestation (Tree planting)
Crop Rotation (Growing different crops)
Contour Ploughing (Ploughing parallel to the slopes in hilly areas)
Terrace Farming (On hills)
Controlled Grazing

9️⃣ Green Revolution

The significant increase in agricultural production, especially of wheat and rice, achieved through the use of High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation facilities.

➡️ Impact:

✔️ Massive increase in food grain production (India became self-sufficient)
❌ Increased Regional Disparities (Punjab, Haryana, and Western UP benefited the most)

🔟 Important Keywords

Land Use, Land Degradation, Subsistence Agriculture, Commercial Agriculture, Green Revolution, Net Sown Area.

⭐ Golden One-Liners (Exam Ready)

Land is a limited resource.
Agriculture is the backbone of India's economy.
Land degradation reduces production.
Afforestation is a major measure for land conservation.
The largest share of land use in India is Cultivable Land/Net Sown Area.

✍️ Exam Tips (2026)

✔️ Remember the land use classification categories.
✔️ Write crops always in a Table or Bullet Points with examples.
✔️ Clearly separate causes and measures/solutions into different points.
✔️ Always include examples in the answer (e.g., Plantation crop - Tea).

📝 20 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

What does Land Resource refer to? (A. Only agricultural land, B. All benefits derived from land, C. Only forest area, D. Only minerals)
What type of resource is land considered? (A. Unlimited, B. Renewable, C. Limited, D. Artificial)
The largest share of land use in India comes under which category? (A. Forest Land, B. Barren Land, C. Cultivable Land/Net Sown Area, D. Pastures)
Which of the following is land put to non-agricultural use? (A. Field, B. Garden, C. Road, D. Pasture)
Fallow land refers to land— (A. Which has never been ploughed, B. Left uncultivated for some time, C. Barren land, D. Forest land)
The main characteristic of subsistence agriculture is— (A. High production, B. Production for the market, C. Small land holdings, D. Export)
The purpose of commercial agriculture is— (A. Self-sufficiency, B. Family consumption, C. Production for the market, D. Animal husbandry)
Which of the following is a food crop? (A. Cotton, B. Tea, C. Wheat, D. Rubber)
Which of the following is a cash crop? (A. Rice, B. Maize, C. Cotton, D. Jowar)
An example of a plantation crop is— (A. Wheat, B. Jute, C. Tea, D. Bajra)
The main natural factor affecting agriculture is— (A. Education, B. Climate, C. Policy, D. Market)
The main cause of land degradation is— (A. Afforestation, B. Crop rotation, C. Soil Erosion, D. Contour ploughing)
Which is NOT a measure for land conservation? (A. Afforestation, B. Overgrazing, C. Crop rotation, D. Terrace farming)
The Green Revolution is associated with— (A. Animal husbandry, B. Industrialization, C. Increase in agricultural production, D. Transport)
What was used in the Green Revolution? (A. Traditional seeds, B. High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds, C. Organic manure, D. Rain-fed farming)
The negative impact of the Green Revolution is— (A. Decrease in production, B. Regional disparities, C. Lack of employment, D. Increase in rainfall)
What is the backbone of India's economy? (A. Industry, B. Mining, C. Agriculture, D. Trade)
Controlled grazing is related to— (A. Increasing land degradation, B. Land conservation, C. Agricultural expansion, D. Deforestation)
What helps maintain land fertility? (A. Chemical fertilizer, B. Soil erosion, C. Afforestation, D. Excessive irrigation)
Which statement is correct? (A. Land is an unlimited resource, B. Land degradation increases production, C. Agriculture is a major economic activity, D. The Green Revolution failed)