Agriculture Miscellaneous part-2

1. Consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2003]

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

Correct Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution:When the question was asked option (d) was correct. As per the statistics is given by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO 2021), India is second place (First China) fruits producing (Except Melon) country. India is the 5th largest exporter of tobacco (Unmanufactured) in the world according to export value (FAO, 2022).

2. Consider the following statements about the Jute cultivation in India: [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]

I. Jute is a Rabi crop

II. Jute crop requires humid climate with high temperature

III. The cultivation of Jute in India is mainly confined to the eastern region of the country

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

(a) Only I is correct
(b) Only II and III are correct
(c) I, II and III all are correct
(d) Only I and III are correct

Correct Answer: (b) Only II and III are correct

Solution:Jute is a kharif crop. High temperatures (24°C to 35°C), heavy rain (125-200 cm) and low plain land are favourable conditions for its cultivation. West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh are the major Jute producing states.

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

Assertion (A): India is the largest producer of Jute in the world.

Reason (R) : India's Jute production increased due to Yellow Revolution

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Code

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

Correct Answer: (c) (A) is true but (R) is false

Solution:According to National Jute Board, India is the largest producer of raw jute in the world, followed by Bangladeshi second place. Agricultural statistics at a glance 2022 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, in global agriculture, India rank second in jute production in the year 2020, while Bangladesh held the first rank. Yellow Revolution is related to oilseed production. Hence, Assertion (A) true but Reason (R) is false.

4. The largest Jute producing state in India is- [41st B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1996]

(a) Andhra Pradesh
(b) Bihar
(c) Tamil Nadu
(d) West Bengal

Correct Answer: (d) West Bengal

Solution:According to the figures released in 2021-22 (4% A.E.), the largest Jute and Mesta producing state in India is West-Bengal followed by Assam and Bihar. It is the second most crucial fibre crop in India after cotton. It is used for manufacturing gunny bags, ropes, carpets, rugs, tarpaulins, and more. This crop has great demand due to its low price, softness, and strength. However, the introduction of synthetic alternatives has resulted in a decline in demand for jute. After partition, 75% of the jute-producing areas went to Bangladesh. However, most of the jute mills remained in India. There was a rapid increase in area, production, and yield between 1950 to 1980. Negative trends have been observed in area, production, and yield from 1981 till present. This is due to changes in weather conditions, an increase in rice cropped area, and the introduction of synthetic alternatives to this crop, among other factors. India accounts for about 56% of world jute production, while Bangladesh is second with 25%.

5. The Jute Industry in India is mainly concentrated in [U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Mains) 2004]

(a) Kerala
(b) Orissa
(c) Uttar Pradesh
(d) West Bengal

Correct Answer: (d) West Bengal

Solution:Jute is produced in a loamy soil. West Bengal is the major producer of jute and Mesta in India. It is the second most crucial fibre crop in India after cotton. It is used for manufacturing gunny bags, ropes, carpets, rugs, tarpaulins, and more. This crop has great demand due to its low price, softness, and strength. However, the introduction of synthetic alternatives has resulted in a decline in demand for jute. After partition, 75% of the jute-producing areas went to Bangladesh. However, most of the jute mills remained in India. There was a rapid increase in area, production, and yield between 1950 to 1980. Negative trends have been observed in area, production, and yield from 1981 till present. This is due to changes in weather conditions, an increase in rice cropped area, and the introduction of synthetic alternatives to this crop, among other factors. India accounts for about 56% of world jute production, while Bangladesh is second with 25%.

6. The lower Gangetic plain is characterized by a humid climate with high temperature throughout the year. Which one among the following pairs of crops is most suitable for this region? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2011]

(a) Paddy and Cotton
(b) Wheat and Jute
(c) Paddy and Jute
(d) Wheat and Cotton

Correct Answer: (c) Paddy and Jute

Solution:Lower Gangetic plain provides humid climatic conditions with high temperature which is suitable for production of paddy and jute crop.

7. Largest area under jute cultivation in India is in- [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2007]

(a) Assam
(b) West Bengal
(c) Bihar
(d) Meghalaya

Correct Answer: (b) West Bengal

Solution:

According to the data from Agricultural Statistics at a Glance, 2022 (in 2021-22, 4th A.E.), the area under jute & Mesta cultivation in the given States is as follows:

State	Area (in million hectares)
West Bengal	0.52 million hectares
Bihar	0.06 million hectares
Assam	0.08 million hectares

Thus, West Bengal has the largest area under jute & Mesta cultivation.

8. Which of the following group belongs to fibre crop? [U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2017]

(a) Patsan, Gram, Linseed
(b) Lentil, Oat, Dhaicha
(c) Cotton, Jute, Sunhemp
(d) Jute, Wheat, Cotton

Correct Answer: (c) Cotton, Jute, Sunhemp

Solution:Cotton, Jute, and Flax are related to fibre crops. It is known that in India, the maximum production of cotton is in Maharashtra, and the production of jute is in West Bengal.

9. Which of the following crops is grown throughout the year? [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2015]

(a) Black gram
(b) Wheat
(c) Mustard
(d) Maize

Correct Answer: (d) Maize

Solution:Maize, popularly known as 'Corn', is one of the most versatile cash crops with wider adaptability under varied climatic conditions. It can be grown throughout the year and is called the Queen of Cereals globally. In India, it is the third most important food crop after rice and wheat. Maize serves multiple purposes: it is used as both food and fodder. Besides being a staple food for humans and a quality feed for animals, maize is a crucial raw material and ingredient in various industrial products, including starch, oil, protein, alcoholic beverages, food sweeteners, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, film, textiles, gum, packaging, and paper industries. Maize is cultivated throughout the year in all states of the country for various purposes, including grain, fodder, green cobs, sweet corn, baby corn, and popcorn in peri-urban areas. The predominant maize-growing states are Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. Maize has emerged as an important crop in non-traditional regions, such as peninsular Indian states like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, which have recorded some of the highest production and productivity in the country.

10. Maize crop can be grown during — [U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2007]

(a) Kharif Season
(b) Rabi Season
(c) Zaid Season
(d) Throughout the year

Correct Answer: (d) Throughout the year

Solution:Maize, popularly known as 'Corn', is one of the most versatile cash crops with wider adaptability under varied climatic conditions. It can be grown throughout the year and is called the Queen of Cereals globally. In India, it is the third most important food crop after rice and wheat. Maize serves multiple purposes: it is used as both food and fodder. Besides being a staple food for humans and a quality feed for animals, maize is a crucial raw material and ingredient in various industrial products, including starch, oil, protein, alcoholic beverages, food sweeteners, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, film, textiles, gum, packaging, and paper industries. Maize is cultivated throughout the year in all states of the country for various purposes, including grain, fodder, green cobs, sweet corn, baby corn, and popcorn in peri-urban areas. The predominant maize-growing states are Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. Maize has emerged as an important crop in non-traditional regions, such as peninsular Indian states like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, which have recorded some of the highest production and productivity in the country.