Agriculture and Allied Sectors (Part

Total Questions: 50

41. The net crop sown area in India is about : [U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2016]

(a) 12 crore hectares
(b) 16 crore hectares
(c) 14 crore hectares
(d) 17 crore hectares

Correct Answer: (c) 14 crore hectares

Solution:As per the Agricultural Statistics at a Glance Report 2015, in the year 2012-13 the net area sown under various crops in India was 13.99 crore hectares. Net area sown refers to the total area sown with crops and orchards. In its estimation the area sown more than once in the same year is counted only once. According to the 'Annual Report, 2022-23' of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare (as per the Land Use Statistics 2018-19), the total geographical area of the country is 328.7 million hectares, of which 139.3 million hectares is the reported net sown area and 197.3 million hectares is the gross cropped area with a cropping intensity of 141.6%. The net area sown works out to 42.4% of the total geographical area. The net irrigated area is 71.6 million hectares.

42. The average cropping intensity of India is about : [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012]

(a) 11o percent
(b) 135 percent
(c) 160 percent
(d) 185 percent

Correct Answer: (b) 135 percent

Solution:As per the figures of 2009-10, India's average cropping intensity was 135,79%. As per the Land Use Statistics 2018- 19 (Data presented in Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Annual Report 2022-23), the average cropping intensity is 141.6%. Cropping Intensity is a physical quantity that describes the raising of numerous crops from the same land in a single agricultural year. Cropping Intensity is calculated as the ratio of Gross Area Sown to Net Area Sown.

Gross Cropped Area: This is the total area that has been sown once, twice or more during a given year; the area is counted as many times as there are sowings during that year. This total area is sometimes referred to as the total cultivated area or the whole area that has been sown.
Net Sown Area: This is the total area planted with orchards and crops. The area that is sown more than once in a single year is only counted once.
Compared to the 11% global average, 51% of India's land area is already under cultivation. Since independence, the current cropping intensity, which is 136%, has only increased by 25%. Furthermore, 65% of the total net planted area consists of rainfed drylands.

43. In which of the following years, food grain production had a negative growth rate ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2008]

(a) 2001-02
(b) 2003-04
(c) 2004-05
(d) 2005-06

Solution:Among the given years, in 2004-05 the foodgrain production had a negative growth rate. As per the 2nd Advance Estimates of production of foodgrains for 2023-24 and previous estimates, in last 15 years the total foodgrain production has recorded negative growth in the year 2009-10, 2012-13, 2014-15 and 2015-16. This was primarily due to a shortfall in the south-west monsoon, particularly during July, which negatively impacted kharif (summer) crop production. While the rabi (winter) crop had a positive production, the overall foodgrain production for 2004-05 was estimated to be nearly 6 million tonnes less than the previous year. This translates to a decline of about 3% in overall foodgrain production.

44. In which of the following years, growth rate in agriculture and allied sector was negative ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2017]

(a) 2012-13
(b) 2013-14
(c) 2014-15
(d) 2015-16

Solution:As per the 2nd A.E. of National Income, 2023-24 and 1 R.E. of National Income, 2022-23 (released on 29 February, 2024), among the given years agriculture and allied sectors (agriculture, forestry and fishing) had reported negative growth rate at (-) 0.2 percent in 2014-15. In last five years, growth rates of agriculture and allied sector at constant (2011-12) basic prices are as follows:

Year

2019-20

2020-21

(3rd R.E.)

2021-22

(2nd R.E.)

2022-23

(1sd R.E.)

2023-24

(2nd A.E.)

Agriculture &

Allied

Sector

Growth Rate

6.2%

4.0%

4.6%

4.7%

0.7%

45. During which year was the average annual growth rate (at constant prices ) of agriculture and allied sectors negative ? [B.P.S.C (Pre) 2015]

(a) 2002-03
(b) 2003-04
(c) 2005-06
(d) 2006-07

Correct Answer: (a) 2002-03

Solution:Among the given years, the average annual growth rate (at constant prices ) of Agriculture and allied sectors was negative in 2002-03. India plays a significant role in the global agriculture sector, with agriculture serving as the primary source of income for about 58% of its population. Boasting the world's largest herd of cattle (buffaloes) and extensive cultivation areas for wheat, rice, and cotton, India stands as the leading producer of milk, pulses, and spices worldwide. Additionally, it ranks second in the production of fruits and vegetables, tea, farmed fish, cotton, sugarcane, wheat, rice, and sugar. With the world's second-largest agricultural land, India's agriculture sector employs roughly half of the nation's populace, highlighting the crucial role of farmers in ensuring food security.

46. In the year 1997-98, Indian agriculture and allied sectors has shown a negative growth of : [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 1998]

(a) 2.4%
(b) 3.2%
(c) 3.5%
(d) 1%

Correct Answer: (d) 1%

Solution:The agriculture and allied sectors had shown a negative growth rate of about 1% in the year 1997-98. India plays a significant role in the global agriculture sector, with agriculture serving as the primary source of income for about 58% of its population. Boasting the world's largest herd of cattle (buffaloes) and extensive cultivation areas for wheat, rice, and cotton, India stands as the leading producer of milk, pulses, and spices worldwide. Additionally, it ranks second in the production of fruits and vegetables, tea, farmed fish, cotton, sugarcane, wheat, rice, and sugar. With the world's second-largest agricultural land, India's agriculture sector employs roughly half of the nation's populace, highlighting the crucial role of farmers in ensuring food security.

47. Under which Five Year Plan, did agriculture register a negative growth ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2004]

(a) Third
(b) Fifth
(c) Seventh
(d) Ninth

Correct Answer: (a) Third

Solution:Agriculture demonstrated negative growth in the Third Five Year Plan. During the years 1961-65, the growth rate of agriculture was recorded at (-) 1.0% India plays a significant role in the global agriculture sector, with agriculture serving as the primary source of income for about 58% of its population. Boasting the world's largest herd of cattle (buffaloes) and extensive cultivation areas for wheat, rice, and cotton, India stands as the leading producer of milk, pulses, and spices worldwide. Additionally, it ranks second in the production of fruits and vegetables, tea, farmed fish, cotton, sugarcane, wheat, rice, and sugar. With the world's second-largest agricultural land, India's agriculture sector employs roughly half of the nation's populace, highlighting the crucial role of farmers in ensuring food security.

48. Assertion (A) : Near self -sufficiency has been achieved in India in the production of foodgrains. [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2002, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2003]

Reason (R) : India no longer imports foodgrains in bulk quantity.

In the context of above statements, which of the following is correct :

(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false but (R) is true.

Correct Answer: (a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Solution:After the green revolution there has been multifold increase in the production of foodgrains in the country. The production of foodgrains increased from 50.8 million tonnes in 1950-51 to 211.9 million tonnes in 2001-02. Thus, in this period production of foodgrains increased more than four times and near self-sufficiency has been achieved in India. Indian import of foodgrains was only 4.5% of the total import value in 2001-02. So the Assertion and Reason both ar correct and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion . As per the 2nd Advance Estimates of production of foodgrains for 2023-24 (Released on 29 February, 2024) India's foodgrain production is estimated at 309.35 million tonnes. It was at 315.62 and record 329.69 million tonnes in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 crop year respectively.

49. What do we mean by the statement "India has achieved national food security but has not secured household security "? [U.P.P.C.S. (Spl.) (Mains) 2008]

(a) Each households does not have a buffer stock
(b) Food production has shown increase but per-capita availability has decreased
(c) The number of people below poverty line has increased
(d) There is sufficient food stock but all households do not have access to it

Correct Answer: (d) There is sufficient food stock but all households do not have access to it

Solution:As a result of the green revolution, there has been a remarkable increase in food production in India but the population also increased rapidly. Due to the compliance with the capitalistic policies initiated in 1990's, the benefits of rapid economic growth in the transitional Indian Economy did not reach the lower sections of the society. Despite of availability of adequate foodgrains, the weaker sections have no access to it because of their low purchasing power. In this context it can be said that "National food security has been attained by India but family security has not been able to achieve so for".

50. Given below are two statements, in which one in labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R) : [U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2023]

Assertion (A): Significant technical and institutional reforms in Indian agriculture are required to feed the growing population.

Reason (R): A significant number of farmers in many parts in India still rely on monsoon rains and natural soil fertility for agriculture.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Code :

(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) (A) is true but (R) is false.
(c) (A) is false but (R) is true.
(d) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

Correct Answer: (d) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

Solution:with a large and further growing population to feed and many people working in agriculture, agriculture is critical for India's development. Major reform and strengthening of India's agricultural research and extension systems is one of the most important needs for agricultural growth. These services have declined over time due to chronic underfunding of infrastructure and operations, no replacement of aging researchers or broad access to state-of-the-art technologies. Thus, significant technical and institutional reforms in Indian agriculture are required to feed the growing population.

A significant number of farmers in many parts of India still rely on monsoon rains and natural soil fertility for agriculture. In India, irrigation facilities are limited, and the majority of farmers are still dependent on rainfall. A significant portion of Indian farmers still rely on traditional and outdated farming methods due to inadequate availability of fertilizers and other resources in many areas and farmers' unawareness of the latest farming practices, techniques and technologies that can help them to increase crop yields.

Hence, both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

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Agriculture and Allied Sectors (Part – I)