Agriculture in The National Economic

Total Questions: 35

11. Consider the following statements: [2004]

1. Regarding the procurement of food-grains, Government of India follows a procurement target rather than an open-ended procurement policy.

2. Government of India announces minimum support prices only for cereals.

3. For distribution under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), wheat and rice are issued by the Government of India at uniform central issue prices to the States/Union Territories.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (c) 1 & 3
Solution:Regarding the procurement of food-grains, Government of India follows a procurement target rather than an open-ended procurement policy. In case, there is no procurement target.

The government allows the procurement agencies like the FCI to buy whatever is offered by the farmers for sale at MSP. Minimum Support Price is announced for around 22 crops.

Wheat and Rice are issued by the central Government at Uniform central issue Prices (CIPs) to states and Union Territories for distribution under TPDS. The difference between the economic cost and issue price of food grains is reimbursed to the FCI by the central Government in the form of subsidy.

12. Consider the following statement: [2004]

India continues to be dependent on imports to meet the requirement of oilseeds in the country because:

1. farmers prefer to grow food grains with highly remunerative support prices.

2. most of the cultivation of oilseed crops continues to be dependent on rainfall.

3. oils from the seeds of free origin and rice bran have remained unexploited.

4. its far cheaper to import oilseeds than to cultivate the oilseed crops.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 1,2 & 3
Solution:The reduction of rainfall and leak of seed preservation technology are the main cause.

• Oilseeds are generally, seeds grown primarily for the production of edible (i.e. cooking) oils. India is one of the major oilseeds grower and importer of edible oils.
• The diverse agro-ecological conditions in the country are favourable for growing 9 annual oilseed crops, which include 7 edible oilseeds (groundnut, rapeseed & mustard, soybean, sunflower, sesame, safflower and niger) and two non-edible oilseeds (castor and linseed).
• India has been forced to go in for large imports of edible oils since the domestic production of oilseeds falls short of demand. The self-sufficiency in oilseeds attained through “Yellow Revolution” during early 1990s, could not be sustained beyond a short period.

13. Consider the following statements: [2009]

1. The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices recommends the Minimum Support Prices for 32 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?

Correct Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Solution:Statement 1 is incorrect because the comission for agricultural cost and prices actually recommends the MSP for 23 crops. Statement 2 is also incorrect because mission was launched by ministry of agriculture and formers welfare.
About the National Food Security Mission
• Launched by the Government of India in 2007, the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) aims at enhancing food security of the country by increasing production of rice, wheat, pulses, coarse cereals, and commercial crops like sugarcane and cotton.
• The program recognizes issues like rising food demand, increasing population, and decreasing agricultural productivity with a focus on increasing area under cultivation, raising crop productivity, and bridging yield gaps through improved agricultural technology.
• These include promoting the use of high-yielding varieties; efficient water management; enhancement of soil fertility; pest control; and strengthening of capacity among farmers.
• The mission has a special focus on empowering small and marginal farmers in the effort to contain regional imbalance in crop production and promote sustainable farming.
• By creating proper food grain availability and supporting farmers’ incomes, the NFSM plays a very significant role in strengthening the resilience of Indian farming and achieving sustained food security.

14. Consider the following statements; [2010]

1. The Union Government fixes the Statutory Minimum Price of sugarcane for each sugar season

2. Sugar and sugarcane are essential commodities under the Essential Commodities Act.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (c) Both 1 & 2
Solution:Statutory minimum price of sugarcane for every season is a policy provision while sugar and sugarcane falls within essential commodities act.
Economic Importance of Sugarcane Production
The economic importance of its production can be seen in the following points:
• Significant Revenue Generator – It is one of the highest revenue-generating crops in India, contributing substantially to the country’s agricultural GDP.
• Support to Related Industries – The crop supports various industries like sugar, ethanol, and paper manufacturing, creating a robust industrial backbone for rural economies.
• Export Potential – The by-products of this crop, like sugar and ethanol, have a significant export value, contributing to the national economy.
• Employment Opportunities – This crop cultivation provides direct and indirect employment to millions of people, including farmers, labourers, and workers in related industries.
• Income Stability – For many farmers, especially in cane-growing regions, the crop is a primary source of income, offering more stability than other crops.
• Increased Livelihood – Cane crop cultivation helps improve the standard of living for farming communities by providing a reliable income source and contributing to rural development.

15. With reference to micro-irrigation, which of the following statements is/are correct? [2011-1]

1. Fertilizer/nutrient loss can be reduced.

2. It is the only means of irrigation in dry land farming.

3. In some areas of farming, receding of ground water table can be checked.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Correct Answer: (c) 1 & 3 only
Solution:The first statement is correct because with Micro irrigation, Fertigation can be used to check the loss of the nutrients. The second statement is incorrect.
The third statement is correct, because Micro irrigation has evolved from the sub-irrigation where irrigation water is supplied to the plant by "raising the water table" up to the root zone.

Micro Irrigation
• Micro-irrigation is a prudent irrigation technology that is being promoted both nationally and internationally in order to achieve higher cropping intensity and irrigation intensity through more focused water application to crops.
• Micro irrigation is defined as the application of a small volume of water at a low pressure and frequency.
• Micro-irrigation can boost yields while reducing water, fertiliser, and labour requirements.
• The practise reduces water loss through conveyance, run-off, deep percolation, and evaporation by applying water directly to the root zone.
• The system includes a large network of pipes that operate at low pressure.
• Outlets for emission water, also known as emitters, are provided at predetermined spacing.
• Drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, micro-sprinkler, porous pipe system, rain gun, are other systems of micro irrigation which are available, with drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation being the most common.
• Drip irrigation is best suited for crops with wider spacing.
• Micro sprinkler irrigation is commonly used in sandy or loamy soils. This system works best with horticultural crops and small grasses.
o Water is sprinkled from a lower height in various directions in this method

16. Government of India encourages the cultivation of 'sea buckthorn'. What is the importance of this plant? [2012-1]

1. It helps in controlling soil erosion and in preventing desertification.

2. It is a rich source of biodiesel.

3. It has nutritional value and is well-adapted to live in cold areas of high altitudes.

4. Its timber is of great commercial value.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 & 4
Solution:It is also known as Chharma in Himachal Pradesh. Seabuckthorn is known for its immunity-boosting and medical properties. It is found in the cold desert and dry temperate regions of Himachal Pradesh, Ladhak, Uttrakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Seabuckthorn can play a crucial role in preventing soil erosion and help nitrogen fixation in cold and desert areas. Seabuckthorn oil is a "Rich" source of Biodiesel. It was studied as a good option/candidate for the manufacture of biodiesel.

The major use of seabuckthorn oil is in medicinal and food use. The fruit and leaves of seabuckthorn are quite rich in a variety of vitamins and antioxidants i.e. vitamin C, A, E, K, carotenoids, polyphenols, and sterols, etc. Seabuckthorn timber is of great commercial value because of its diverse use in medicine, herbal etc.

17. In the context of food and nutritional security of India, enhancing the 'Seed Replacement Rates' of various crops helps in achieving the food production targets of the future. But what is/are the constraint/ constraints in its wider/greater implementation? [2016-1]

1. There is no National Seeds Policy in place.

2. There is no participation of private sector seed companies in the supply of quality seeds of vegetables and planting materials of horticultural crops.

3. There is a demand-supply gap regarding quality seeds in case of low value and high volume crops.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Correct Answer: (b) 3 only
Solution:We have a National Seed policy made in 2002. So 1 is not a constraint. The private sector produces high-priced seeds but in lower volume. It supplies nearly the entire hybrid seeds required for vegetables. So 2 is not a constraint.

In the case of low value and high volume crops such as wheat and rice, farmers tend to use their own preserved seeds as there is demand and supply gap. So 3 is a constraint.

18. Which of the following is/are the advantage/advantages of practising drip irrigation? [2016-1]

1. Reduction in weed

2. Reduction in soil salinity

3. Reduction in soil erosion

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Correct Answer: (c) 1 & 3 only
Solution:As per Tamilnadu Agriculture University: Advantages of drip irrigation system: Water saving and higher yield, High quality and increased fruit size, Suitable for all types of soil, Easy method of fertigation and chemigation, saving in labour, reduces weed formation and soil erosion.

Whereas Disadvantage of drip irrigation system: High initial investment, Clogging of emitters. Possible damage of system components due to animals, etc. After the exam, experts were divided between A and C since both soil salinity and soil erosion are reduced depending on various books. But in its official Answer key, UPSC has kept "C" as the answer.

19. Why does the Government of India promote the use of Neem-coated Urea' in agriculture? [2016-1]

Correct Answer: (b) Neem coating slows down the rate of dissolution of urea in the soil.
Solution:(i) Spraying urea with Neem oil slows the release of nitrogen, by about 10 to 15 per cent, concomitantly reducing consumption of the fertiliser.

Many research studies in India have conclusively established that Neem oil acts as an effective nitrification inhibitor if coated onto urea.

(ii) Spraying urea with neem oil slows the release of nitrogen, by about 10 to 15 per cent, concomitantly reducing consumption of the fertiliser. Hence B is the closest answer.

20. With reference to 'Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana', consider the following statements: [2016-1]

1. Under this scheme, farmers will have to pay a uniform premium of two percent for any crop they cultivate in any season of the year.

2. This scheme covers post-harvest losses arising out of cyclones and unseasonal rains.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 only
Solution:(1) Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana will also seek to address a long standing demand of farmers and provide farm level assessment for localised calamities including hailstorms, unseasonal rains, landslides and inundation.

(ii) Post-harvest loss is included so #2 is right. But Under the new scheme, farmers will have to pay a uniform premium of two per cent for all kharif crops and 1.5 per cent for all rabi crops. For annual commercial and horticultural crops, farmers will have to pay a premium of 5 per cent. So, #1 is wrong. Therefore, answer (b) only 2