Agriculture (UPSC) (Part-I)

Total Questions: 50

41. Consider the following crops of India: [2012-1]

1. Groundnut

2. Sesamum

3. Pearl millet

Which of the above is/are predominantly rained crop/crops?

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Solution:All of them are predominantly rain fed crops
Characteristics of Rainfed Crops
  • Crops grown in rainfed areas must be tailored to the length of the growing season.
  • The duration of rainfed crops ranges from 75 to 150 days, depending on region and crop type.
  • There are many criteria for selecting rainfed crop and variety, but the ability to produce a reasonably good yield under limited soil moisture conditions is the most desirable.
  • Rainfed crops should be short-lived, high-yielding, and drought-resistant.
  • Rainfed crops suffer from both moisture stress and nutrient deficiency.
  • The supply of required nutrients to rainfed crops is inadequate, resulting in very low yield.
  • Rainfed crops have lower fertiliser requirements than irrigated crops.
  • Rainfed crops are traditionally seeded by broadcasting, placing seed behind a country plough, and drilling seed with a funnel attached to a country plough.

    • Some rainfed crops sown using these traditional methods perform poorly in terms of germination and plant stand.

    • Seeds must be planted in an optimally moist seed bed and covered with desirable soil cover.

42. Contour bunding is a method of soil conservation used in

Correct Answer: (d) None of the above
Solution:Contour Bunding is one of the simple method of soil and water conservation. This technique is used at places where the land is sloppy. Due to slope, soil and nutrients erode fast which makes agriculture on this land very uneconomical. To adopt this technique the agriculture fields contours are marked and then the bunds are taken along the contours.

43. Consider the following crops:

1. Cotton     2. Groundnut

3. Rice        4. Wheat

Which of these are Kharif crops?

Correct Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 3
Solution:Rice is the main kharif crop and groundnut and cotton are also the kharif crops wheat is a raki.

The term "Kharif" is derived from Arabic, meaning "autumn." Kharif crops are cultivated during the monsoon season, which typically begins in June and lasts until October in India. Examples of Kharif crops include rice, maize, cotton, bajra (pearl millet), jowar (sorghum), groundnut (peanut), soybean, sugarcane, and pulses like urad (black gram) and tur (red gram). Key characteristics include:

  • Sowing and Harvesting: Kharif crops are sown at the onset of the monsoon rains (around June to July) and harvested from September to October.
  • Water Requirements: These crops require substantial rainfall, typically between 100 to 150 cm, making them suitable for regions with heavy monsoons.
  • Climatic Conditions: Kharif crops thrive in warm and humid conditions, which are prevalent during the monsoon season.
  • Soil Type: They grow best in loamy or alluvial soils that retain moisture well.

44. With reference to Neem tree, consider the following statements:

1. Neem oil can be used as a pesticide to control the proliferation of some species of insects and mites.

2. Neem seeds are used in the manufacture of biofuels and hospital detergents.

3. Neem oil has applications in pharmaceutical industry.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Solution:Neem oil can be used as pesticide to control the proliferation of some species of insects and mites and also has applications in pharmaceutical industry as neem oil has various medicinal properties.
Neem trees are cultivated and used for a variety of purposes. Almost every component of the neem tree is beneficial. Neem is considered a weed in many locations.
However it is also used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries due to its antimicrobial resistance and other antifungal qualities.

Neem has a variety of other uses, including:

  • Insect repellents made from neem oil and neem barks are utilised.
  • Some toothpastes and mouthwashes contain neem as a key ingredient.
  • Neem is widely found in dandruff shampoos, as well as soaps and lotions to cure skin allergies and infections.
  • Young twigs are used directly as rudimentary toothbrushes in various parts of the country.
  • Neem leaves have long been used as a traditional diabetes treatment, and there is some evidence that it may help manage blood sugar levels.

45. Consider the following pairs:

RegionWell-known for the production of
1. KinnaurAreca nut
2. MewatMango
3. CoromandelSoya bean

Which of the above pairs is/ are correctly matched?

Correct Answer: (d) None
Solution:Kinnaur (Himachal) is famous for apples. Areca nut mostly confined to Karnataka, Kerala and Assam. Mewat in haryana is not famous for mango. UP is famous for mango.

Similarly, coromandel coast is not famous for soya beans. Top two producers of soya are Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra which are outside coromandel coast.

Therefore, (d) is the correct option.

46. Consider the following techniques phenomena :

1. Budding and grafting in fruit plants

2. Cytoplasmic male sterility

3. Gene silencing

Which of the above is/are used to create transgenic crops?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 and 3
Solution:Cytoplasmic male sterility and gene silencing are used for creation of transgenic crops. Grafting and budding in fruit plants are not used for transgenic crop production but used during regular horticulture practices.
Transgenic crops refer to plants that have been genetically engineered to include DNA from different organisms to improve a specific characteristic. An example would be improved nutrition, herbicide tolerance, or pest resistance. The primary goal of such crops is to provide an increased yield, a lesser need for pesticides, and the promotion of sustainable agriculture through the use of biotechnology, which ultimately benefits the farmer as well as the consumer.

47. Consider the following statements:

1. Maize can be used for the production of starch.

2. Oil extracted from maize can be a feedstock for biodiesel.

3. Alcoholic beverages can be produced by using maize.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Solution:All three statements are correct as Maize can be used for the production of starch. Oil extracted from maize can be a feedstock for biodiesel. Alcoholic beverages can be produced by using maize.
  • 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.

48. What are the significances of a practical approach to sugarcane production known as 'Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative'?

1. Seed cost is very low in this compared to the conventional method of cultivation.

2. Drip irrigation can be practiced very effectively in this.

3. There is no application of chemical/inorganic fertilizers at all in this.

4. The scope for intercropping is more in this compared to the conventional method of cultivation.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Correct Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 4 only
Solution:NPK (fertilizers) can be applied at the rate of 112 kg, 25 kg and 48 kg per acre, respectively through inorganic or organic methods. Hence statement #3 is wrong, this eliminates (a), (c) and (d). therefore, answer (b) 1,2,4 only.

What is Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI)?

  • The Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI) is an innovative set of agronomic practises that entails using fewer seeds, raising seeds in a nursery, and using new planting methods with wider seed spacing and better water and nutrient management to significantly increase cane yields.
  • Sugarcane yields can be increased by at least 20% using 30% less water and 25% less chemical input.
  • The Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative helps to lessen the negative environmental effects of sugarcane production practices while also establishing commercial links with sugar makers.
  • This program aims to advance agronomic methods that are intelligent and sustainable.
  • The project benefits small and marginal farmers since it improves output, uses less water and fertilizer, and allows for intercropping.
  • The technical-cum-financial support given to the project under the Umbrella Program for Natural Resource Management (UPNRM) has transformed the mindset of farmers to adopt new techniques for higher yield and income, in addition to sensitizing them to the scientific production system.

49. Consider the following pairs:

Programme/ProjectMinistry
1. Drought-Prone Area ProgrammeMinistry of Agriculture
2. Desert Development ProgrammeMinistry of Environment and Forests
3. National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed AreasMinistry of Rural Development 

Which of the above pairs is/ are correctly matched?

Correct Answer: (d) None
Solution:The draught prone area programme is by ministry of Rural development to minimise the adverse effects of drought on production of crops and livestock and productivity of land, water and human resources. The desert development programme is also by ministry of Rural development to minimise the adverse effect of drought and control desertification. National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas is by ministry of agriculture..

50. What are the benefits of implementing the 'Integrated Watershed Development Programme'?

1. Prevention of soil runoff

2. Linking the country's perennial rivers with seasonal rivers

3. Rainwater harvesting and recharge of groundwater table

4. Regeneration of natural vegetation

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Correct Answer: (c) 1, 3 and 4 only
Solution:
  • The Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development is implementing the Integrated Watershed Development Programme (IWMP) from 2009-10 with an objective to cover 55 million hectares of rain fed land by 2027.
  • The IWMP is the second largest watershed programme in the world after China’s.
  • It envisages restoring the ecological balance by harnessing, conserving and developing degraded natural resources such as soil, vegetative cover & water through watershed management initiatives.
  • The program is being implemented in all the states of the country and is financed by the central and state governments in the ratio of 90:10.
  • The outcomes of IWMP are prevention of soil run-off, regeneration of natural vegetation, rain water harvesting and recharging of the ground water table.
  • This enables multi-cropping and the introduction of diverse agro-based activities, which help to provide sustainable livelihoods to the people residing in the watershed area.
  • In 2015, the IWMP along with On-Farm Water Management (OFWM) scheme and Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) was subsumed into Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)