Rice, the staple food of Kerala, is cultivated primarily in:

The correct answer is a) Paddies.

Paddies are flooded fields where rice is grown. They are typically found in lowland areas with a lot of rainfall. Rice is a water-intensive crop, so paddies need to be constantly flooded. This helps to keep the soil moist and prevents weeds from growing.

Hill slopes are not suitable for growing rice because they are too dry and have poor drainage. Plantations are used to grow crops such as tea, coffee, and rubber. Dryland areas are not suitable for growing rice because they do not have enough water.

Here are some additional details about each option:

• Paddies are flooded fields where rice is grown. They are typically found in lowland areas with a lot of rainfall. Rice is a water-intensive crop, so paddies need to be constantly flooded. This helps to keep the soil moist and prevents weeds from growing.
• Hill slopes are not suitable for growing rice because they are too dry and have poor drainage. The soil on hill slopes is also often shallow, which makes it difficult for rice plants to grow.
• Plantations are used to grow crops such as tea, coffee, and rubber. Plantations are typically large, commercial farms that use intensive farming methods.
• Dryland areas are not suitable for growing rice because they do not have enough water. Rice plants need a lot of water to grow, so they cannot be grown in areas that are too dry.