NOTES Chapter 15: "Improvement in Food Resources" from Class 9 Science CBSE NCERT:

 summary of Chapter 15: "Improvement in Food Resources" from Class 9 Science CBSE NCERT:

1. Introduction

  • Food is essential for survival. It provides the nutrients required for growth, energy, and maintaining bodily functions.
  • Agriculture plays a major role in producing the food we consume. Along with farming, animal husbandry and fisheries also contribute significantly to food production.

This chapter focuses on how we can improve food resources, including methods used in agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries.

2. Agricultural Practices

Agriculture is the practice of cultivating plants and rearing animals for food. The following practices are used to improve food production:

a) Crop Production

  • Crop refers to a group of plants of the same kind that are grown on a large scale for food or other purposes.
  • Crops can be classified into two types:
    1. Food Crops: Crops grown for food, e.g., rice, wheat, maize.
    2. Cash Crops: Crops grown for selling, e.g., cotton, coffee, sugarcane.

b) Crop Variety Improvement

  • High-yielding varieties (HYVs) of crops are developed to increase food production.
    • Example: Hybrid varieties of wheat and rice (like IR-8 rice) are developed to produce higher yields.
    • These varieties are developed through crossbreeding and genetic modification to produce better yields, disease resistance, and pest resistance.

c) Nutrient Management

  • Soil is the basic requirement for growing crops. It provides nutrients to plants.
  • Fertilizers and manures are added to the soil to improve its nutrient content.
    • Fertilizers are chemical substances that supply nutrients (e.g., Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium).
    • Manures are organic substances (e.g., compost, cow dung) that enrich the soil with organic matter and nutrients.

d) Irrigation

  • Irrigation is the process of supplying water to crops to help them grow.
  • Different methods of irrigation:
    1. Surface irrigation: Water is spread over the surface of the field (e.g., flood irrigation, furrow irrigation).
    2. Drip irrigation: Water is delivered directly to the root zone of the plant in small quantities.
    3. Sprinkler irrigation: Water is sprayed over crops like rainfall.

e) Crop Protection

  • Crops are often affected by pests and diseases. To protect crops:
    1. Pesticides are chemicals that kill pests.
    2. Insecticides control insects.
    3. Herbicides kill weeds.
    However, biological control (using natural predators of pests) is a more eco-friendly method.

3. Animal Husbandry

Animal husbandry refers to the care and breeding of animals for food, milk, wool, and other products.

a) Livestock Production

  • Livestock includes animals like cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry (chickens, ducks, etc.).
  • Improvement of breeds is done to increase milk, meat, and wool production.
    • Crossbreeding is done between different species to produce superior breeds with better productivity.

b) Dairy Farming

  • Dairy farming involves the rearing of cattle and buffaloes for milk production.
  • Good breeds like Holstein Friesian (for high milk production) and Jersey (for better quality milk) are raised.

c) Poultry Farming

  • Poultry farming focuses on the rearing of chickens for eggs and meat.
  • Broiler farming focuses on raising chickens for meat production, and layer farming is for egg production.

d) Bee-Keeping (Apiculture)

  • Bee-keeping is the practice of maintaining honey bee colonies to produce honey and beeswax.
  • Beekeeping helps in pollination (helping plants to reproduce), which is vital for crop production.

4. Fisheries

  • Fisheries are a source of food that involves the cultivation and harvesting of fish and other aquatic organisms.
  • Fish farming or aquaculture has become an important activity to meet the demand for fish as a food resource.

a) Freshwater Fisheries

  • Freshwater fisheries involve the farming of fish in ponds, lakes, and rivers.
  • Common freshwater fish include carp, rohu, and catla.

b) Marine Fisheries

  • Marine fisheries involve fishing in the oceans and seas.
  • Tuna and mackerel are examples of fish caught in marine fisheries.

5. Sustainable Practices

Sustainable farming and food production are important for long-term food security. The key sustainable practices include:

a) Organic Farming

  • Organic farming avoids the use of synthetic chemicals (pesticides, fertilizers) and instead uses natural alternatives (compost, natural pesticides).
  • It focuses on maintaining soil health and reducing environmental pollution.

b) Crop Rotation

  • Crop rotation involves changing the types of crops grown on a field from season to season.
  • This helps in preventing soil exhaustion, controlling pests, and improving soil fertility.

c) Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

  • IPM is an eco-friendly method of managing pests by combining biological, mechanical, cultural, and chemical control measures.

d) Water Conservation

  • Efficient water use through techniques like drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting is critical to avoid water scarcity and ensure sustainable agriculture.

6. Improving Food Production through Biotechnology

  • Biotechnology has revolutionized food production by helping improve the quality and quantity of crops and livestock.
    1. Genetically Modified (GM) Crops: Crops that have been modified using genetic engineering to improve their yield, pest resistance, and nutritional value.
    2. Gene Editing: Techniques like CRISPR are used to modify the genes of crops and animals to enhance their characteristics.

7. Conclusion

Improvement in food resources is essential to meet the growing demands of the increasing global population. Advances in agricultural techniques, animal husbandry, and fisheries management play a significant role in ensuring food security. The use of biotechnology, sustainable farming practices, and improved crop varieties are key to ensuring that food production is sufficient and sustainable in the long run.

Key Terms to Remember

  1. High-Yielding Varieties (HYVs): Crops that are bred for higher yields.
  2. Fertilizers: Chemical substances that provide essential nutrients to crops.
  3. Manure: Organic substance used to enhance soil fertility.
  4. Irrigation: Supplying water to crops.
  5. Pesticides: Chemicals used to control pests and diseases in crops.
  6. Animal Husbandry: Breeding and raising animals for food and other products.
  7. Aquaculture: The farming of aquatic organisms like fish and prawns.
  8. Sustainable Agriculture: Farming that meets current food needs without compromising future generations.

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