Agriculture and Allied Sectors (Part

31. Consider the following statements : [I.A.S. (Pre) 2009]

1. The Commission for Agriculture Cost and Prices recommends the Minimum Support Prices for 31 crops.

2. The Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has launched the National Food Security Mission.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution:As of now, the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) recommends MSP for 22 crops and Fair and Renumerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane. These 22 crops comprise 7 cereals (Paddy, Wheat, Maize, Sorghum, Bajra Pearl Millet, Barley and Ragi-Finger Millet), 5 pulses (Gram, Tur, Moong, Urad, Lentil), 7 oilseeds (Groundnut, Rapeseed. Mustard, Soyabean, Sesamum, Sunflower, Safflower, Nigerseed) and 3 commercial crops (Copra, Cotton and Raw Jute). In addition, MSP for Toria and De-husked Coconut is fixed by the Department of Food and Public Distribution on the basis of Rapeseed-Mustard and Copra respectively. Be sides these crops, the Government also announces Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for Sugarcane.

National Food Security Mission (NFSM) was launched in 2007-08 as a centrally sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare to increase the production of foodgrains.

Hence, both of the given statements are incorrect.

32. Consider the following : [I.A.S. (Pre) 2018]

1. Areca nut

2. Barley

3. Coffee

4. Finger millet

5. Groundnut

6. Sesamum

7. Turmeric

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has announced the Minimum Support Price for which of the above ?

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 7 only
(b) 2, 4, 5 and 6 only
(c) 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7

Correct Answer: (b) 2, 4, 5 and 6 only

Solution:As of now, the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) recommends MSP for 22 crops and Fair and Renumerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane. These 22 crops comprise 7 cereals (Paddy, Wheat, Maize, Sorghum, Bajra Pearl Millet, Barley and Ragi-Finger Millet), 5 pulses (Gram, Tur, Moong, Urad, Lentil), 7 oilseeds (Groundnut, Rapeseed. Mustard, Soyabean, Sesamum, Sunflower, Safflower, Nigerseed) and 3 commercial crops (Copra, Cotton and Raw Jute). In addition, MSP for Toria and De-husked Coconut is fixed by the Department of Food and Public Distribution on the basis of Rapeseed-Mustard and Copra respectively. Be sides these crops, the Government also announces Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for Sugarcane.

National Food Security Mission (NFSM) was launched in 2007-08 as a centrally sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare to increase the production of foodgrains.

Hence, both of the given statements are incorrect.

33. Consider the following statements : [I.A.S. (Pre) 2023]

1. The Government of India provides Minimum Support Price for niger (Guizotia abyssinica ) seeds.

2. Niger is cultivated as a kharif crop.

3. Some tribal people in India use niger seed oil for cooking.

How many of the above statements are correct ?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None of these

Correct Answer: (c) All three

Solution:One of the 14 kharif crops for which the Government of India provides a Minimum Support Price (MSP) every year is niger seed or ramtil (Guizotia abyssinica). This lesser known oilseed commands one of the highest MSPs, fixed on the basis of the cost of production and market demand. Some tribal people in India use niger seed oil for cooking, the press cake post oil-extraction as livestock feed, and also consume the seeds as a condiment. Niger seed oil has medicinal properties, which is the reason for its commercial demand by the cosmetics, perfumeries and other allied industries. Hence, all three statements are correct.

34. Since 1997-98, which statement is correct regarding Minimum Support Price (MSP)? [R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 2016, R.A.S/R.T.S. (Pre) (Re. Exam) 2015]

(a) MSP = C2 costs
(b) MSP > C2 costs
(c) MSPC2 costs
(d) MSP is independent to C2 cost.

Correct Answer: (b) MSP > C2 costs

Solution:CACP recommends that MSP should be considered on the basis of C2 costs. C2 cost includes all actual expenses in cash and kind incurred in production by actual owner plus rent paid for leased land plus imputed value of family labour plus interest on the value of owned capital assets (excluding land) plus rental value of owned land (net of land revenue). Since 1997-98, the Minimum Support. Prices (MSPs) for major crops are fixed at greater value than C2 costs.

35. Who determines the minimum support price in India? [B.P.S.C (Pre) 2019]

(a) The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices
(b) The Agriculture Ministry
(c) The Finance Commission
(d) NABARD
(e) None of the above/More than one of the above

Correct Answer: (a) The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices

Solution:The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP since 1985, earlier named as Agricultural Prices Commission) came into existence in January, 1965. It is mandated to recommend minimum support prices (MSPs) to incentivize the cultivators to adopt modern technology, and raise productivity and overall grain production in line with the emerging demands patterns in the country, MSP for major agricultural products are fixed by the government, each year, after taking into account the recommendations of the CACP.

36. The Agricultural Prices Commission (APC) was set up in the year : [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2002]

(a) 1955
(b) 1965
(c) 1970
(d) 1973

Correct Answer: (b) 1965

Solution:The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP since 1985, earlier named as Agricultural Prices Commission) came into existence in January, 1965. It is mandated to recommend minimum support prices (MSPs) to incentivize the cultivators to adopt modern technology, and raise productivity and overall grain production in line with the emerging demands patterns in the country, MSP for major agricultural products are fixed by the government, each year, after taking into account the recommendations of the CACP.

37. Minimum Support Price is decided by : [U.P.P.C.S. (Spl.) (Pre) 2008]

(a) I.C.A.R.
(b) State Government
(c) CACP
(d) None of these

Correct Answer: (c) CACP

Solution:The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP since 1985, earlier named as Agricultural Prices Commission) came into existence in January, 1965. It is mandated to recommend minimum support prices (MSPs) to incentivize the cultivators to adopt modern technology, and raise productivity and overall grain production in line with the emerging demands patterns in the country, MSP for major agricultural products are fixed by the government, each year, after taking into account the recommendations of the CACP.

38. Which of the followings makes recommendation regarding fixing of minimum support price for various crops ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) (Re. Exam.) 2015]

(a) Indian Council of Agricultural Research
(b) NABARD
(c) Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices
(d) Indian Agricultural Research Institute

Correct Answer: (c) Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices

Solution:The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP since 1985, earlier named as Agricultural Prices Commission) came into existence in January, 1965. It is mandated to recommend minimum support prices (MSPs) to incentivize the cultivators to adopt modern technology, and raise productivity and overall grain production in line with the emerging demands patterns in the country, MSP for major agricultural products are fixed by the government, each year, after taking into account the recommendations of the CACP.

39. Who recommends support price of the wheat ? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1990]

(a) Planning Commission
(b) RBI
(d) President
(c) Commission for Agricultural Costa and Prices

Correct Answer: (c) Commission for Agricultural Costa and Prices

Solution:The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP since 1985, earlier named as Agricultural Prices Commission) came into existence in January, 1965. It is mandated to recommend minimum support prices (MSPs) to incentivize the cultivators to adopt modern technology, and raise productivity and overall grain production in line with the emerging demands patterns in the country, MSP for major agricultural products are fixed by the government, each year, after taking into account the recommendations of the CACP.

40. Institution which recommends support prices of foodgrains : [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1992]

(a) Planning Commission
(b) Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices
(c) Ministry of Agriculture
(d) Ministry of Irrigation

Correct Answer: (b) Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices

Solution:The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP since 1985, earlier named as Agricultural Prices Commission) came into existence in January, 1965. It is mandated to recommend minimum support prices (MSPs) to incentivize the cultivators to adopt modern technology, and raise productivity and overall grain production in line with the emerging demands patterns in the country, MSP for major agricultural products are fixed by the government, each year, after taking into account the recommendations of the CACP.

Agriculture and Allied Sectors (Part – IV)