Agriculture and Allied Sectors (Economic Development) (Part-II)

Total Questions: 55

31. What approxiamate percentage of India's labour force at present depends on agriculture for their livelihood? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1997]

Correct Answer: (b) 65%
Solution:The nearest correct answer in the context of question period, was option (b) . As per the 2011 Census about 55% of the total workforce of the country with the agriculture sector.

Despite the Indian economy experiencing robust growth, with an annual GDP increase of 8.3% in recent years, agricultural dependency has persisted. The proportion of the rural workforce engaged in agriculture rose from 57.8% in 2018-19 to 59.8% in 2023-24. This trend presents a paradox: why is a growing economy relying more on agriculture?

This paradox can be partly explained by the stagnation in manufacturing employment, which accounted for only 11.4% of the workforce in 2023-24, down from previous years. The movement of surplus labour does not appear to be transitioning from agriculture to manufacturing; instead, it is shifting to informal sectors with similar low productivity and wage characteristics.

32. Which of the following is not a cash crop ? [B.P.S.C (Pre) 2016]

Correct Answer: (c) Jowar
Solution:
  • India is one of the world's leading crop producers.
  • Crops grown in the country are classified as food, cash, plantation, or horticulture.
  • Cash crops are agricultural crops grown for the purpose of selling on the market or exporting for profit, as opposed to subsistence crops grown for the farmer's self-supply (like livestock feeding or food for the family).
  • The majority of cash crops grown in developing countries are sold to developed countries at a higher price.
  • Coffee, tea, cocoa, cotton, and sugarcane are all well-known cash crops.
  • These are grown for market sale or as raw materials for industries.
  • With increased productivity of certain crops, particularly sugar, the government assists agriculture by providing incentives.
  • These occupy only 15% of the country's total cropped area but account for more than 40% of agricultural production by value.
  • Jowar is not a cash crop and it is a coarse foodgrain.

33. The main objective of Vishesh Krishi and Gram Udyog Yojna is : [U.P.U..D.A./L.D.A. (Spl.) (Pre) 2010]

Correct Answer: (a) Promotion of agricultural export
Solution:The main objective of the Vishesh Krishi and Gram Udyog Yojna (VKGUY) is to promote agricultural export. VKGUY compensates the high transport costs (from village to port/ airport for export) and offset other disadvantages to promote exports of the following products:

(i) Agricultural produce and their value-added products;

(ii) Gram Udyog products;

(iii) Minor forest produce and their value-added variants;

(iv) Forest based products; and

(v) Other such products notified.

34. Kissan Bahi Yojana was started in Uttar Pradesh in : [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2010]

Correct Answer: (d) 1992
Solution:In the year 1992, Kisan Bahi Yojana was started in Uttar Pradesh.                    It gives the details of the farmer, how much cultivable land he owns, and how much land revenue he has. This was an important initiative to protect the farmers from wasteful runaway and administrative difficulties. Like the passbook of banks, the farmer book contained all kinds of information about the farmer. It was issued under the signature of Tehsildar and Kanungo.

35. Consider following statements about Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and state which one of them is incorrect ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2009]

Correct Answer: (c) Additional Central Assistance under the scheme would be available as 80% grant to the States
Solution:The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) was launched in August, 2007. Therefore, statement of option (a) is correct. In the 11th Five Year Plan, the total outlay of Rs. 25000 crore was fixed for the RKVY, hence, statement of option (b) is also correct. Till 2013-14, the scheme was implemented as an Additional Central Assistance (ACA) to State plan scheme with 100% central assistance.

Thus, statement of option (c) is incorrect. Statement of option (d) is correct. RKVY was converted into a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in 2014-15 also with 100% central assistance. Since 2015-16, the funding pattern of the scheme has been altered in the ratio of 60 : 40 between Centre and States (90 : 10 ) for Northern Eastern States and Himalayan States ).

For Union Territories the funding pattern is 100% central grant. The RKVY scheme has been revamped as Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna-Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sector Rejuvenation (RKVY-RAFTAAR) for implementation from 2017-18, with broad objectives of making farming a remunerative economic activity through strengthening the farmer's effort, risk mitigation and promoting agribusiness entrepreneurship.

36. For Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, which of the following funding pattern is correct ? [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Spl.) (Pre) 2010]

StateCentre
(a)  0%100%
(b)  25%75%
(c)  50%50%
(d)  75%25%
Correct Answer: (a)
Solution:The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) was launched in August, 2007. In the 11th Five Year Plan, the total outlay of Rs. 25000 crore was fixed for the RKVY. Till 2013-14, the scheme was implemented as an Additional Central Assistance (ACA) to State plan scheme with 100% central assistance.

RKVY was converted into a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in 2014-15 also with 100% central assistance. Since 2015-16, the funding pattern of the scheme has been altered in the ratio of 60: 40 between Centre and States (90: 10) for Northern Eastern States and Himalayan States).

For Union Territories the funding pattern is 100% central grant. The RKVY scheme has been revamped as Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna-Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sector Rejuvenation (RKVY-RAFTAAR) for implementation from 2017-18, with broad objectives of making farming a remunerative economic activity through strengthening the farmer's effort, risk mitigation and promoting agribusiness entrepreneurship.

37. Which is not included in 'National Agricultural Development Yojna'? [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]

Correct Answer: (e) None of these
Solution:Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) was initiated in 2007 as an umbrella scheme for ensuring holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors. Soil test lab, fertilizer's quality control lab, agricultural tools test lab and agricultural engineering all of these are included under various components of RKVY. Hence, option (e) is the correct answer.

38. P. Sengupta and G. Sdasyuk (1968) had divided India into how many micro agricultural regions ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2017]

Correct Answer: (c) 60
Solution:P. Sengupta and G Sdasyuk (1968) presented a three-tier division of India's agricultural regions-

(a) On the basis of Climatic conditions: 4 macro regions.

(b) On the basis of Physiographic conditions: 11 meso (or mega) regions.

(c) On the basis of crop combinations : 60 micro regions.

39. For the 8th Plan, India was divided into how many agro-climatic zones by the Planning Commission ? [R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1999, 2000]

Correct Answer: (b) 15
Solution:In order to plan agricultural activities more accurately on the basis of soil, climate (temperature), rainfall and other agrometeorological characteristics, Planning Commission had demarcated the geographical area of India into 15 agroclimatic zones in 1988 for the 8th Five Year Plan.
  • In order to maximize the production from the available resources and prevailing climatic conditions, need-based, location specific technology needs to be generated. Delineation of agro-climatic zones based on soil, water, rainfall, temperature etc. is the first essential step for sustainable production.
  • Agro-climatic regions were devised by planning commission in 1989. It was based on land survey, soil survey and agricultural survey of rural India.
  • An "Agro-climatic zone" is a land unit in terms of major climates, suitable for a certain range of crops and cultivars. The planning aims at scientific management of regional resources to meet the food, fibre, fodder and fuel wood without adversely affecting the status of natural resources and environment.
  • Agro-climatic conditions mainly refer to soil types, rainfall, temperature and water availability which influences the type of vegetations.

40. National Horticulture Mission was launched in which of the following Five Years Plans ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2009]

Correct Answer: (b) Tenth Five Year Plan
Solution:National Horticulture Mission (NHM) is a centrally sponsored scheme. It was started (in May, 2005) during the 10th Five Year Plan. At present, NHM is one of the sub-schemes of Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), which is being implemented by State Horticulture Missions (SHM) in selected districts of 18 States and 5. Union Territories. MIDH was launched in 2014-15 during 12th Five Year Plan.