Agriculture in The National Economic

Total Questions: 35

31. Consider the following statements: [2020-1]

1. In terms of short-term credit delivery to the agriculture sector, District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) deliver more credit in comparison to Scheduled Commercial Banks and Regional Rural Banks

2. One of the most important functions of DCCBs is to provide funds to the Primary Agricultural Credit Societies.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 only
Solution:Compared to DCCB, scheduled commercial banks command larger quantities of deposits, more number of Bank branches, have an obligation to give 18% of their loans to agriculture under the priority sector lending (PSL).
Therefore statement#1 is unpalatable (gte djuk eqf'dy gS) and wrong. Statement#2 is correct. DCCBs give funds downwards to PACS.
About District Central Co-operative Banks (DCCBs)
• A DCCB is a rural cooperative bank operating at the district level in various parts of India.
• It is established to provide banking to the rural hinterland for the agricultural sector, with the branches primarily established in rural and semi-urban areas.
• DCCB provides finance to all the co-operative societies in the district, and conduct the activities and provide banking services according to the provisions of the co-operative act and banking act.
• They act as link between the primary credit co-operative society and the State Co-operative Bank.
• At the district level, DCCB works as a banker of state government. Educational institutions, Zilla Parishad, Panchayat Samiti, Gram Panchayat, cooperative societies, etc have accounts in this bank.
• All the financial transactions of co-operative sector are conducted through DCCB.
• DCCBs have three sources of funds:
-Their own share capital and reserves
-Deposits from the public and
-Loans from the state co-operative banks

32. Which one of the following best describes the concept of 'Small Farmer Large Field". [2023-1]

Correct Answer: (b) Many marginal farmers in an area organize themselves into groups and synchronize and harmonize selected agricultural operations.
Solution:The correct answer is (b). The concept of 'Small Farmer Large Field' model allows small farmers to benefit from economies of scale by working together to perform certain agricultural operations, such as planting, harvesting, and marketing.

By working together, the farmers can reduce costs and increase output. This can lead to improved profitability and increased incomes for the farmers.

33. Consider the following statements: [2023-1]

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?

Correct Answer: (c) All three
Solution:Government announces the minimum support prices for kharif crops such as Paddy, Jowar, Bajra, Maize, Ragi, Tur (Arhar). Moong, Urad, Cotton, Groundnut, Sunflower, Seed, Soyabean, Sesamum, Nigerseed. So, St 1 And St 2 are Right. St 3 is correct as some tribal people in India do use niger seed oil for cooking. Therefore the answer is [c].
About Minimum Support Price
• Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a “minimum price” for any crop that the government considers as remunerative for farmers and hence deserving of “support”.
• It is also the price that government agencies pay whenever they procure a particular crop. Simply, the MSP is the rate at which the government buys grains from farmers.
• The Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP) in the Ministry of Agriculture recommends MSPs for 23 crops (22 mandated crops and fair and remunerative price (FRP) for sugarcane) but MSP is declared for 25 crops (toria and de-husked coconut). MSP is announced at the beginning of the sowing season.
• The MSP is fixed by the Central government on the recommendations of the CACP.
• After receiving the feedback, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) of the Union government makes a final decision on the level of MSPs and other recommendations made by the CACP.
• The Food Corporation of India (FCI), the nodal agency, along with other State Agencies undertakes procurement of crops.
• There is neither statutory backing for these prices nor any law mandating their enforcement. Thus, the government is not legally bound to pay these even if open market rates for the said produce are ruling below their announcement floor prices.

34. Consider the following statements: [2023-1]

1. India has more arable area than China.

2. The proportion of irrigated area is more in India as compared to China.

3. The average productivity per hectare in Indian agriculture is higher than that in China.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Correct Answer: (a) Only one
Solution:Statement 1 is correct: India has the largest cropland (or arable land) of any country at 179.8 million hectares, compared with 167.8 million in the US and 165.2 million in China.

Russia ranks fourth, while South Asia and Europe are labelled "agricultural capitals of the world," as cropland accounts for more than 80% of some countries in those regions.

In comparison, only about a fifth of land in US and China is dedicated to growing food.

Statement 2 is correct: China's irrigation cover is 41% of cultivated area, and India's is 48%. Hence, India has high proportion of irrigated area.

Statement 3 is incorrect: As a result of this irrigation, China's total sown area is 166 m ha compared to India's gross cropped area of 198 m ha. Even with much lesser land under cultivation.

China produces agricultural output valued at $1,367 billion-more than three times that of India's $407 billion. China's productivity in most crops is 50 to 100% higher than India's.

But UPSC has given the answer as (a) in its official answer key declared.

35. Consider the following plants: [2024-1]

1. Groundnut

2. Horse-gram

3. Soybean

How many of the above belong to the pea family?

Correct Answer: (c) All three
Solution:The Fabaceae, also known as the Leguminosae, is a significant family of flowering plants commonly referred to as legumes, peas, or beans. Groundnuts, which are legumes, are part of this family and are unique in that they develop underground.

Horse gram, another member of the Fabaceae family, is a promising grain legume known for its high nutritional value, medicinal properties, and ability to thrive in challenging environmental conditions.

Soybeans, classified as dicotyledonous flowering plants (eudicots), also belong to the Fabaceae family. Thus all three belong to the pea family.