Resource and its types
Clothes, utensils, grain, books and water at home all serve some need of ours. Such useful things are called resources.
Natural or man-made things used to satisfy human needs and improve the standard of living are called resources. A thing of nature becomes a resource only when it is useful to humans.
Key idea 1 : Natural and man-made — Natural resources come from nature, e.g. air, water, soil, minerals. Houses, bridges and machines made by humans using them are man-made resources. Iron is natural until extracted from the ground and man-made once a bridge is built.
Key idea 2 : Biotic and abiotic sources — Sources of resources are biotic, e.g. plants, animals, birds, humans, microbes; or abiotic, e.g. air, sunlight, water, land, minerals.
Key idea 3 : Time, technology and humans — Time and technology turn materials into resources: the discovery of fire led to cooking and the wheel to transport. Humans are resources too because they have knowledge, skill and creativity; this is called human resource.
- Easy : Coal in a mine is which resource? — Natural.
- Medium : A building is which resource? — Man-made.
- Exam-type : Teachers and doctors are which resource? — Human resource.
In the figure: Types of resources.
Nature gives; humans make.
It is not that only things measured in money are resources; clean air, knowledge and skill are resources too.
Memory clue: Natural + human effort = man-made. Memory clue: "Nature gives, humans make".
Spot the difference
| Type | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Natural | Given by nature | Water, soil, minerals |
| Man-made | Made by humans | Bridge, building |
| Human | Knowledge and skill | Teacher, farmer |
Practice questions
- 1What is a resource?
- 2State the difference between natural and man-made resources.
- 3Give two examples each of biotic and abiotic sources.
- 4How is iron both a natural and a man-made resource?
- 5How do time and technology affect resources?
- 6What is human resource?
- 7List five resources at your home as natural/man-made.
- 8“Are all natural things resources?” Write your opinion.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Natural or man-made things that meet needs.
- 2Natural from nature; man-made made by humans.
- 3Biotic: plants, animals; abiotic: air, minerals.
- 4Natural in the mine; man-made once made into things.
- 5New inventions make materials resources.
- 6Human knowledge, skill and creativity.
- 7Student writes own.
- 8No; only what is useful to humans is a resource.
Water as a resource
Water is needed for drinking, cooking, farming and factories. That is why water is the most important natural resource.
Water is the basis of life for all living things and is necessary for farming, industry, power generation and household use. About 71 per cent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water, but usable fresh water is limited, so it must be used carefully.
Key idea 1 : Sources of usable water — Rivers, streams and lakes are natural sources. Groundwater is obtained through wells, tube wells and springs. Rain water is stored and used for drinking and farming. Waste water can be treated and reused for farming and industry.
Key idea 2 : Why water scarcity? — Despite so much water, scarcity is felt in many places because rainfall is uneven, population has increased, and water is wasted and polluted. Drought and floods also create food and water problems.
Key idea 3 : Ways to save water — Repairing leaking taps at home and school, keeping the tap closed while brushing, using drip irrigation, storing rain water and reusing used water are easy ways. Water management is everyone’s collective responsibility.
- Easy : A well is which source? — Groundwater.
- Medium : Storing roof water in a tank? — Rain water harvesting.
- Exam-type : World Water Day is when? — 22 March.
In the figure: Water: from source to reuse.
World Water Day is observed every year on 22 March; the United Nations decided it in 1992 and the first World Water Day was held in 1993 (as per several sources; check with the book).
Store, save, reuse.
It is not that water will never end because 71 per cent of the Earth is water; usable fresh water is limited.
Memory clue: Store – save – reuse. Memory clue: "Three S: Store, Save, Spend again (reuse)".
Spot the difference
| Source | How obtained | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Rivers, lakes | Flowing/stored water | Drinking, farming, power |
| Groundwater | Well, tube well | Drinking, farming |
| Recycled | Treated waste water | Farming, industry |
Practice questions
- 1Why is water an important resource?
- 2State four sources of usable water.
- 3What causes water scarcity?
- 4Write three ways of saving water at home.
- 5How can water be saved at school?
- 6When is World Water Day?
- 7How is reuse of waste water useful?
- 8Record the water use of your family for one day.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Needed by all living things, farming, industry and homes.
- 2Rivers-lakes, groundwater, rain water, recycled water.
- 3Uneven rain, rising population, wastage, pollution.
- 4Stop leaks, close taps, store rain.
- 5Repair leaking taps, give used water to plants.
- 622 March.
- 7Fresh water is saved.
- 8Student records own.
Subsistence farming
When a farmer grows just enough to feed his family it is called subsistence farming. Farming gives humans food, clothing and to some extent shelter.
Farming practised mainly for the livelihood of the farmer and his family is subsistence farming. It has two types: intensive subsistence farming and shifting cultivation.
Key idea 1 : Beginning of farming — Earlier humans moved through forests hunting, fishing and gathering food. Later they discovered cultivation, stored grain, left the nomadic life and began permanent farming in one place.
Key idea 2 : Intensive subsistence farming — Getting maximum production from limited land. Farming is done on the same land for many years; as population is high, land per person is less. Much human and animal labour is used; due to low production the farmer’s economic condition stays weak. It is mainly found in developing countries.
Key idea 3 : Shifting cultivation — An old method practised in dense tropical forests and hilly areas. A forest patch is chosen, trees and bushes are cut, burnt after drying, ash is mixed with soil and seeds are sown before the rains. When fertility falls a different patch is chosen; so output is low.
- Easy : Growing only for family use? — Subsistence farming.
- Medium : More produce from small land? — Intensive farming.
- Exam-type : Clearing land by burning forest? — Shifting cultivation.
In the figure: Types of subsistence farming.
Farming for the stomach.
Intensive farming is not farming on large land; it is done on small land with much labour.
Memory clue: Subsistence = for family; intensive = small land, more labour. Memory clue: "Intensive stays on one land, shifting shifts to new land".
Spot the difference
| Point | Intensive | Shifting |
|---|---|---|
| Land | Same land for years | Land changes |
| Region | Densely populated countries | Dense forests, hills |
| Method | More labour | Burn to clear |
Practice questions
- 1What is subsistence farming?
- 2State the types of subsistence farming.
- 3Write three features of intensive farming.
- 4Explain the method of shifting cultivation stage by stage.
- 5Why does the farmer change place in shifting cultivation?
- 6How did humans begin farming?
- 7Why does the farmer’s economic condition stay weak in intensive farming?
- 8Write which farming is found in your area.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Farming for the family’s livelihood.
- 2Intensive and shifting.
- 3Small land, same land for years, more labour.
- 4Cut, burn, mix ash, sow, change place when fertility falls.
- 5Land becomes less fertile.
- 6From hunter-nomad life to crops and permanent settlement.
- 7Production is low and only for need.
- 8Student writes own.
Commercial and modern farming
A farmer growing tea, cotton, wheat or mangoes in large quantities to sell in the market farms for profit. This is commercial farming.
Farming on a large scale using modern technology and capital with the aim of profit is commercial farming. Its types: extensive farming, plantation farming, truck farming and horticulture and floriculture.
Key idea 1 : Types of commercial farming — Extensive: on 200 hectares or more with machines, a single crop (wheat, maize). Plantation: on 40 hectares or more a single cash crop (tea, rubber, coffee, coconut). Truck farming: vegetables on small land near cities. Horticulture: fruits and flowers (mango, grapes, pomegranate, marigold).
Key idea 2 : Traditional and modern farming — Traditional farming depends on nature and manpower and uses simple tools (plough, sickle) and farmyard manure. Modern farming is based on science and technology, market-oriented and gives higher production. A balanced use of both is needed for sustainable development.
Key idea 3 : Modern technology in farming — Drip irrigation, drones, sensors, solar energy, digital apps and artificial intelligence give higher production in less space and with less water. Hydroponics, vertical farming and organic farming are newer types.
- Easy : Large tea estates? — Plantation farming.
- Medium : Vegetables near a city? — Truck farming.
- Exam-type : Water-saving method? — Drip irrigation.
In the figure: Types of commercial farming.
The textbook says Vasantrao Naik, Chief Minister from 1963 to 1975, is considered the father of the Green Revolution in Maharashtra; he was Chief Minister from 1963 to 1975 and is the longest-serving Chief Minister of Maharashtra (as per several sources; check with the book).
Farming for the market.
Modern farming does not mean leaving traditional farming completely; use both in a balanced way.
Memory clue: Commercial = profit + market + technology. Memory clue: "EPTH": Extensive, Plantation, Truck, Horticulture.
Spot the difference
| Point | Traditional | Modern |
|---|---|---|
| Tools | Plough, sickle, oxen | Tractor, drone, sensor |
| Manure | Farmyard manure, compost | Chemical fertilisers |
| Production | Lower | Higher and stable |
Practice questions
- 1What is commercial farming?
- 2State four types of commercial farming.
- 3State the difference between plantation and truck farming.
- 4Write three differences between traditional and modern farming.
- 5State four modern technologies used in farming.
- 6Why is truck farming done near cities?
- 7Who is considered father of the Green Revolution in Maharashtra (as per book)?
- 8Which modern farming can be done on a terrace? Write five lines.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Large-scale farming for profit.
- 2Extensive, plantation, truck, horticulture.
- 3Plantation: large land, one cash crop; truck: small land, vegetables.
- 4Differences in tools, manure, production (see table).
- 5Drip irrigation, drones, sensors, solar energy.
- 6Demand for vegetables is high in cities.
- 7Vasantrao Naik.
- 8E.g. hydroponics or vertical farming; student writes own.