Agriculture

Total Questions: 43

11. The richest state in replenishable groundwater resource is: [U.P.P.C.S.(MAINS) 2006]

(a) Andhra Pradesh
(b) Madhya Pradesh
(c) Uttar Pradesh
(d) West Bengal

Correct Answer: (c) Uttar Pradesh

Solution:The richest state in replenishable groundwater resource is Uttar Pradesh (2011). According to the status of the year 2023, the annual rechargeable groundwater resources (in bcm) of the State in question are as follows:

State	Replenishable groundwater resource (in billion cubic meter/year)
Andhra Pradesh	27.83
Madhya Pradesh	35.47
Uttar Pradesh	71.83
West Bengal	26.29

Source- National Compilation on Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India, 2023.

12. Which one of the following states is the pioneer in introducing contract farming in India? [U.P.P.C.S.(MAINS) 2005]

(a) Haryana
(b) Punjab
(c) Tamil Nadu
(d) Uttar Pradesh

Correct Answer: (b) Punjab

Solution:Punjab is the pioneer in introducing contract farming in India. It is an agreement between farmers (producers) and buyers in which both agree in advance on the terms and conditions for the production and marketing of farm products. These conditions usually specify the price to be paid to the farmer, the quantity and quality of the product demanded by the buyer, and the date for delivery to buyers. In some cases the contract may also include more detailed information on how the production will be carried out or if inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and technical advice will be provided by the buyer.

13. "Green agriculture" involves- [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016]

(a) Organic farming and emphasis on horticulture
(b) Avoiding pesticides, chemical fertilizers while focusing on horticulture and floriculture
(c) Integrated pest management, integrated nutrient supply and integrated natural resource management
(d) Emphasis on food crops, horticulture and floriculture

Correct Answer: (c) Integrated pest management, integrated nutrient supply and integrated natural resource management

Solution:Green Agriculture involves the adoption of integrated pest management, integrated nutrient supply, scientific water management and use of appropriate crop varieties. It is increasingly clear that climate change as the dominant global-scale environmental concern will have a profound influence on the agroecological conditions under which farmers and rural populations need to develop their livelihood strategies, manage their natural resources and achieve food security and other ends. The government of India is already promoting green agriculture by way of green/ sustainable agriculture and good agriculture practices with environmental concerns.It is implementing the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) which is one of the National Missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). To meet the challenges of sustaining domestic food production in the face of changing climate, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Ministry of Agriculture, and Farmers Welfare, Government of India has launched a flagship network project called National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA).

14. Which of the following is not true in respect of globalization impact on Indian Agriculture? [Uttarakhand Lower Sub.(PRE) 2010]

(a) Climate change
(b) Emphasis on cash crops
(c) Growth of income inequality
(d) Reduction of subsidies

Correct Answer: (a) Climate change

Solution:Narasimha Rao Government made major modifications in its economic policy in 1991 by introducing Globalization in India. It had a large impact on Indian Agriculture which includes an emphasis on cash crops, growth of income inequality, reduction of subsidies and many more. Hence, option (a) is not true in respect of globalization impact on Indian agriculture.

15. Which one of the following best describes the main objective of 'Seed Village Concept'? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2015]

(a) Encouraging the farmers to use their own farm seeds and discouraging them to buy the seeds from others
(b) Involving the farmers for training in quality seed production and thereby to make available quality seeds to others at the appropriate time and affordable cost.
(c) Earmarking some villages exclusively for the production of certified seeds
(d) Identifying the entrepreneurs in villages and providing them technology and finance to set up seed companies.

Correct Answer: (b) Involving the farmers for training in quality seed production and thereby to make available quality seeds to others at the appropriate time and affordable cost.

Solution:Seed village concept refers to a village wherein trained group of farmers are involved in the production of seeds of various crop and cater to their need of seeds themselves, fellow farmers of their village and the neighbouring village at affordable cost and at the appropriate time". The concept is to increase the seed production, meet local demands at a reasonable cost, self-sufficiency and self-reliance by a trained group of farmers.

16. Agmark is- [U.P.P.C.S.(Pre) 2003]

(a) Co-operative Committee for production of eggs
(b) Co-operative committee for farmers
(c) Regulated market of eggs
(d) Mark of standard Guarantee (Quality Certification)

Correct Answer: (d) Mark of standard Guarantee (Quality Certification)

Solution:Agmark is a quality certification mark provided by the Government of India which is under Agriculture produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937. This Act provides for the grading and marking of agriculture and other produce. This plan is being implemented in India since 1938.

17. With reference to the circumstances in Indian agriculture, the concept of "Conservation Agriculture" assumes significance. Which of the following fall under the Conservation Agriculture? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2018]

1. Avoiding the monoculture practices

2. Adopting minimum tillage 100

3. Avoiding the cultivation of plantation crops.

4. Using crop residues to cover soil surface

5. Adopting spatial and temporal crop sequencing/ crop rotations.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Correct Answer: (c) 2, 4 and 5

Solution:Conservation agriculture is the method of which keeping the agricultural cost low. High profits and sustainable product can be brought. Along with this, there is a balanced increase in natural resources like soil, water, environment, and biological factors. In this, there is a balanced and proper use of agricultural chemicals and inorganic and organic sources along with agricultural activities such as zero tillage/minimum tillage, so that there is no adverse effect on the various bio-functions of agriculture. In conservation agriculture, minimum tillage allows crop residues to remain on the soil surface. This greatly reduces soil erosion. Generally it is very important to keep the soil covered by crop residues up to 30 percent. It is very important to adopt crop diversification and crop rotation in protected cultivation. Generally, farmers follow the same type of crop rotation for many years. For example, farmers have been planting the paddy wheat cropping system in the same field for years, which directly affected the fertility of the soil. It does impact crop diversification maintains soil fertility and reduces crop related pests and diseases.

18. Which one of the following is the pathway to increase productivity in agriculture? [64th B.P.S.C.(Pre) 2018]

(a) Efficient irrigation
(b) Quality seeds
(c) Use of pesticides
(d) Use of fertilizers
(e) None of the above/More than one of the above

Correct Answer: (e) None of the above/More than one of the above

Solution:All the statements given above will increase productivity in agriculture. Agricultural Productivity refers to the ratio of agricultural outputs to inputs. It is measured by the production (crops, livestock) per unit of input (land, labour, fertilizer, seeds) used in agricultural production. There are two ways to estimate agricultural productivity:
Dividing State Agri-GDP by Net Sown Area (NSA): In this, Andhra Pradesh (AP) has the highest productivity (Rs 6.43 lakh/ha), followed by West Bengal (Rs 5.19 lakh/ha). Punjab ranks 13th with productivity of (Rs 3.71 lakh/ha).
Dividing Agri-GDP by Gross Cropped Area (GCA): In this too, Andhra Pradesh (5.30 lakh/ha) has the highest productivity followed by Tamil Nadu (3.97 lakh/ha). Punjab has productivity of Rs 1.92 lakh/ha

19. What is/are true in reference to Agriculture Census (2015-16)? [Chhattisgarh P.C.S.(Pre) 2021]

(i) Small and marginal farmers are 86.2% of total farmers whereas they hold only 47.3% of farm land (out of total farm land)

(ii) Statewise, based on total number of farmers, Maharashtra is at third position

(iii) Statewise, based on total farmed land area, Rajasthan is at first position.

(a) (i), (ii) and (iii)
(b) (i) and (iii)
(c) (i) and (ii)
(d) Only (i)

Correct Answer: (a) (i), (ii) and (iii)

Solution:According to the Agriculture Census (2015-16), small and marginal farmers constitute 86.2 percent of the total farmers, while they own only 47.3 percent of the cropped areas. On the basis of state-wise total cultivable land, Rajasthan rank first. On the basis of state-wise total number of farmers, Maharashtra is at the third position.

20. How is permaculture farming different from conventional chemical farming? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2021]

1. Permaculture farming discourages monocultural practices but in conventional chemical farming, monoculture practices are pre-dominant.

2. Conventional chemical farming can cause increase in soil salinity but the occurrence of such phenomenon is not observed in permaculture farming.

3. Conventional chemical farming is easily possible in semi-arid regions but permaculture farming is not so easily possible in such regions.

4. Practice of mulching is very important in permaculture farming but not necessarily so in conventional chemical farming.