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Agriculture and Allied Sectors (Part – I)

📆 October 3, 2024

Total Questions: 50

1. 'Kisan Divas' is celebrated on : [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]

Correct Answer: (c) December 23
Solution:Farmers' Day also known to be Kisan Diwas, is observed on 23 December every year. The day celebrates the contributions of farmers and celebrates the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh, the fifth Prime Minister of India. Known as the "Champion of India's Farmers"
Farmer's Day is celebrated as a significant contribution of farmers in providing food to the nation and sustainably balancing the economy. The day significantly highlights the following:
  • The significance of agricultural practices in contributing to India's GDP and employment.
  • The need of policies in promoting farmers' welfare and sustainable farming practices.
  • Highlighting the issues like climate change, financial constraints and adoption of technology in agriculture.

Farmers' Day is celebrated throughout India by organising events and initiatives that spread awareness about farmers' welfare and agricultural advancements. Following are the ways Kisan Diwas is celebrated:

  • Agricultural challenges and policy discussions are conducted through seminars and workshops.
  • Farmers are awarded throughout India for their exceptional contributions in the field of agriculture.
  • Workshops are conducted to educate farmers about modern farming practices and government schemes and policies.
  • Birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh is celebrated by honoring his achievements through speeches and performances.

2. Which of the following is not mentioned in the 'Farmers' Produce, Trade and Commerce Bill 2020' of India ? [U.P.R.O./ A.R.O. (Pre) 2021]

Correct Answer: (c) Minimum Support Price
Solution:The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 (which became Act in September, 2020 but was later repealed on 1 December, 2021) had provisions for intra-state and inter-state trade of farmers' produce be- yond the physical premises of APMC (Agriculture Produce Market Committees) markets. State governments were pro- hibited from levying any market fee, cess or levy outside APMC areas. Essential Commodities, Contract Farming and Minimum Support Price were not mentioned in that bill (Act). 'Essential Commodities' and 'Contract Farming' were part of other two Farm Acts - 'Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020' and 'Farmer (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020' respectively (which were also repealed on 1 December, 2021).

3. Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and other as Reason (R) : [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]

Assertion (A) : The Union Budget 2020-21 has focused on Rural Development with aim of doubling farmers' income.

Reason (R) : The 16 Action points announced in the budget is centred around agriculture, irrigation and rural development.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below.

codes

Correct Answer: (a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
Solution:Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her budget 2020-21 speech said that the Government is committed to doubling farmers' income by 2022 and towards this goal, she announced 16 action points plan for farmers which is centred around agriculture, irrigation and rural development. The Union Budget 2020-21 had focused on rural development with aim of doubling farmers' income and the government allocated Rs. 2.83 lakh crore for agriculture and allied activities, irrigation and rural development. Hence, both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

4. Genetic industry includes : [U.P.R.O. /A.R.O. (Re - Exam) (Pre) 2016]

Correct Answer: (a) Agriculture
Solution:Genetic industries are engaged in re-production and multiplication of certain species of plant and animals with the object of sale. The main aim is to earn profit from such sale. Examples of genetic industries includes nurseries (where plants are grown for the sale), poultry farm (where birds are raised for meat and eggs), animal husbandry, pisciculture (for growing fish in ponds, canals and rivers), orchard (to harvest different kind of fruits) and agriculture or farming for growing crops.

5. Which one among the followings is not an objective of food management in India ? [B.P.S.C (Pre) 2020]

Correct Answer: (d) Export of food grains
Solution:Procurement and distribution of food grains and maintenance of food grains buffer stock are main objectives of food management in India, while export of food grains is not an objective of food management in India.                              The government procures foodgrains (mainly rice and wheat) from farmers through agencies like the FCI, at MSP to ensure fair prices for farmers. FCI maintains buffer stocks of foodgrains to stabilize prices and ensure availability, especially during emergencies. The PDS, primarily through the NFSA, distributes subsidized food to eligible households, particularly the poor and vulnerable, through ration shops.
Foodgrains are sold under the PDS at CIP (Central Issue Price) which is fixed by the government to ensure affordability. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulates food standards and ensures food safety. FCI transports foodgrains from surplus to deficit regions, ensuring availability across the country.

6. What is the policy measure adopted by the Government of India to improve the system of agriculture marketing ? [B.P.S.C (Pre) 2022]

Correct Answer: (d) More than one of the above
Solution:Public Distribution System (PDS), Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Maintenance of Buffer Stock - the Government of India has adopted all these measures to improve the system of agricultural marketing in India. Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.                                                            Agricultural marketing encompasses the entire process of getting agricultural products from the farm to the consumer, involving activities like production, processing, storage, transportation, and distribution. It's a crucial link between farmers and consumers, ensuring a smooth flow of goods while also supporting the farm economy. It connects the agricultural sector with the broader economy, facilitating the flow of produce from producers to consumers.
It includes various functions, such as planning, organizing, and handling agricultural produce to meet the needs of farmers, intermediaries, and consumers. Agricultural marketing encompasses the entire supply chain for agricultural products, from individual sales to integrated chains like contract farming. It involves addressing specific challenges of agricultural products, such as their bulky nature, perishability, and seasonal fluctuations.
It highlights the need for efficient storage, transportation, and processing facilities to ensure quality and minimize losses during the marketing process. Providing market information to farmers is crucial for them to make informed decisions about what and when to produce, and where to sell their produce. Various government initiatives and policies are in place to support agricultural marketing, such as developing infrastructure, providing market information, and promoting farmer cooperatives.

7. Which of the following factors / policies were affecting the price of rice in India in the recent past ? [U.P.S.C (Pre) 2020]

1. Minimum Support Price

2. Government's trading

3. Government's stockpiling

4. Consumer subsidies

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Solution:All of the given factors/policies were affecting the price of rice in India in the recent past. Minimum support price impacts the price of rice in India as it is directed at providing insurance to agricultural producers against any sharp fall in farm prices. The government typically buys more than one- third of the country's rice output at a fixed price, which also has a direct impact on prices paid by traders. In the recent years, sale of wheat and rice is undertaken through Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) so as to check inflationary trend in prices of food grains. Prices of rice (and wheat) remained stable in recent past due to adequate supply and also due to maintenance of adequate buffer stock of rice (and wheat) by the FCI. The impact of consumer subsidies is to lower prices for the consumers, e.g. the National Food Security Act provides rice at Rs. 3 per kg to the poor families.

8. In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture ? [U.P.S.C (Pre) 2020]

1. Fixing Minimum Support Price for agriculture produce of all crops.

2. Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies.

3. Social Capital development.

4. Free electricity supply to farmers.

5. Waiver of agricultural loans by the banking system

6. Setting up of cold storage facilities by the governments

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Correct Answer: (c) 2, 3 and 6 only
Solution:Public investment means investment in creation of physical infrastructure, such as, setting up cold storage facilities, construction of canals and rural roads, computerization of primary credit societies, social capital formation with education and training, research and development etc. Hence, statement (2), (3) and (6) are correct.

Investment is a term associated with the capital part of the budget. Subsidy is a revenue part and it is not included in public investment. Thus, subsidies and loan waivers are not investment. Free electricity supply to farmers and waiver of agricultural loans by the banking system are parts of the government's subsidy policy. Public investment in agriculture constitutes investment made by government to create capital or social assets to improve agricultural productivity. Fixing MSP gives farmers the remunerative price S. (Pre) 2020 without creating any durable infrastructure. Hence, statement (1), (4) and (5) are incorrect.

9. On which date was the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana started ? [B.P.S.C (Pre) 2022]

Correct Answer: (e) None of the above / More than one of the above
Solution:Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) is a Central Sector scheme with 100% funding from the Government of India. It has become operational from 1.12.2018. The initiative was announced during the 2019 Interim Union Bud- get of India on 1 February 2019. On 24 February 2019, PM Narendra Modi officially launched the scheme in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, by transferring the first instalment of Rs. 2,000 each to over one crore farmers. Under the scheme, an income support of Rs. 6,000 per year in three equal installments is provided to all land holding farmer families. Definition of family for the scheme is husband, wife and minor children. Respective State Governments and UT administrations have to identify the farmer families which are eligible for support as per scheme guidelines.

10. What is/are the advantage/advantages of implementing the 'National Agricultural Market' Scheme ? [U.P.S.C (Pre) 2017]

1. It is a pan-India electronic trading portal for agricultural commodities.

2. It provides the farmers access to nationwide market, with prices commensurate with the quality of their produce.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Correct Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Solution:National Agriculture Market (eN A M) is a pan-India electronic trading portal which networks the existing Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis to create a unified national market for agricultural commodities. Integration of APMCs across the country through a common online market platform to facilitate pan-India trade in agriculture commodities, providing better price discovery through transparent auction process based on quality of produce along with timely online payment to farmers is the mission of eN A M. It provides access to a nationwide market for the farmer, with prices commensurate with quality of his produce and availability of better quality produce at more reasonable prices to the consumers. Hence, both the given statements are correct.
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