Agriculture and Allied Sectors

41. Which of the statements given below is/are correct ? 1. For the mar

Which of the statements given below is/are correct ?

  • 1. For the marketing year 2014 – 2015, the minimum support price (MSP) for wheat in India has been fixed at Rs. 1,400 / quintal
  • 2. MSP is the rate at which the government sells the grains through the fair price shops

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1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2014
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Statement 1 is correct. For the marketing season 2014-2015 (which corresponds to the Rabi crops harvested in 2014, including wheat), the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for wheat was fixed by the government at Rs. 1,400 per quintal. Statement 2 is incorrect. MSP is the price at which the government *purchases* crops from farmers to protect them from market price fluctuations. The government sells food grains through fair price shops under the Public Distribution System (PDS) at *subsidised* issue prices, which are much lower than the MSP.
MSP is a procurement price set by the government to buy from farmers.
The government sells food grains through fair price shops at subsidised prices.
The MSP for wheat for the 2014-15 marketing season was Rs. 1400/quintal.
The MSP is announced by the government based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). The PDS is a system for distributing subsidised food and non-food items to India’s poor.

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42. Which among the following agencies disbursed maximum credit to the agr

Which among the following agencies disbursed maximum credit to the agricultural sector in India between 2006-07 and 2011-12?

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Cooperative banks
Regional rural banks
Commercial banks
Moneylenders
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2013
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The correct answer is C) Commercial banks. Between 2006-07 and 2011-12, Commercial Banks disbursed the largest share of institutional credit to the agricultural sector in India.
– Institutional credit to the agricultural sector in India is primarily channelled through Cooperative Banks, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), and Commercial Banks.
– While Cooperative banks historically played a dominant role, their share declined over time, and Commercial Banks, including Public Sector Banks and Private Sector Banks, significantly expanded their lending to agriculture, especially after policy directives emphasizing priority sector lending.
– During the period between 2006-07 and 2011-12, data consistently showed that Commercial Banks were the largest providers of institutional credit to agriculture, followed by Cooperative Banks and then RRBs.
– Moneylenders are non-institutional sources of credit and, while still present, their share in the total credit flow (institutional + non-institutional) declined significantly with the expansion of the institutional credit network. The question likely refers to the major categories of lenders active in the formal financial system.
The government has taken various initiatives to enhance institutional credit flow to agriculture, including setting targets for banks under priority sector lending, implementing schemes like Kisan Credit Card (KCC), and providing interest subvention. The focus has been on increasing both the availability and affordability of credit for farmers.

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43. In the context of agricultural revolution in India, which of the follo

In the context of agricultural revolution in India, which of the following statements is/are correct?

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  • 1. White revolution in the field of agricultural development is associated with modernization of sheep farming.
  • 2. Second green revolution is associated with development of horticulture.
  • 3. Blue revolution in the field of agriculture is associated with improvement in the production of fish and marine products.

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1 only
3 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2012
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Statement 1: The White Revolution in India is associated with Operation Flood, a programme that transformed India into the world’s largest milk producer, focusing on dairy farming and not sheep farming. This statement is incorrect. Statement 2: Horticulture development is primarily associated with the Golden Revolution. The term “Second Green Revolution” is often used in a broader sense to describe future strategies for sustainable agricultural growth, diversification, and value addition beyond the focus on cereals in the first Green Revolution, but it is not specifically defined by horticulture development alone. This statement is likely incorrect in the context of standard terminology. Statement 3: The Blue Revolution is indeed associated with the improvement in the production of fish and marine products, boosting the aquaculture and fisheries sector. This statement is correct.
Different colors are used to denote revolutions associated with specific agricultural products or sectors in India (e.g., Green for food grains, White for milk, Blue for fish, Golden for horticulture).
Other revolutions include Yellow Revolution (Oilseeds), Silver Revolution (Eggs/Poultry), Brown Revolution (Leather, Cocoa), Red Revolution (Meat, Tomatoes), and Grey Revolution (Fertilizers).

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44. Which one of the following types of economic activities dominates in a

Which one of the following types of economic activities dominates in all rural settlements ?

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Primary
Secondary
Tertiary
Quaternary
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2011
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Primary economic activities dominate in almost all rural settlements.
Primary activities involve the extraction and production of raw materials directly from the natural environment, such as agriculture, forestry, fishing, and mining. Rural areas, by their nature, are the locations where these activities are predominantly carried out due to the availability of natural resources like land, forests, and water bodies.
Secondary activities (manufacturing, processing) are more common in industrial areas, often located in or near urban centers or resource sites. Tertiary activities (services) and Quaternary activities (knowledge-based services, research) are predominantly concentrated in urban areas, though some services exist in rural areas. While rural economies are diversifying, the *dominant* historical and often present economic base for rural settlements globally remains primary activities.

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45. Consider the following statements: 1. The Minimum Support Price (MS

Consider the following statements:

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  • 1. The Minimum Support Price (MSP) for agricultural crops is determined by the Central Government.
  • 2. The MSP is based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
  • 3. The MSP is mandatory for procurement of agricultural produce by the government agencies.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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1 and 2 only
1 and 3 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2010
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Statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect.
– Statement 1: The Minimum Support Price (MSP) for various agricultural crops is fixed or determined by the Central Government, specifically by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). This statement is correct.
– Statement 2: The CCEA fixes the MSP based on the recommendations provided by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). This statement is correct.
– Statement 3: MSP is the price at which the government agencies, like FCI, procure certain crops from farmers. However, it is not legally mandatory for all government agencies or market participants to procure *all* agricultural produce at MSP. Procurement policies vary by crop and state, and the effectiveness of MSP as a floor price depends on the extent of procurement and market conditions. The statement “MSP is mandatory for procurement of agricultural produce by the government agencies” is too absolute and not entirely reflective of the ground reality or policy design for all crops under MSP. This statement is incorrect.
MSP is intended to protect farmers from price volatility and ensure a minimum profitable price. While government procurement at MSP is a key mechanism, it doesn’t cover all crops equally or ensure procurement of the entire marketable surplus for every farmer.

46. Consider the following statements: 1. The Government of India provi

Consider the following statements:

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  • 1. The Government of India provides Minimum Support Price (MSP) for some crops.
  • 2. The MSP is declared by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
  • 3. The MSP is fixed by the Government of India on the basis of the recommendations of the CACP.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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1 and 2 only
1 and 3 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2010
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Statements 1 and 3 are correct, while statement 2 is incorrect.
– Statement 1: The Government of India provides Minimum Support Price (MSP) for a number of crops (currently 22 mandated crops and Sugarcane’s Fair and Remunerative Price). This statement is correct.
– Statement 2: The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) recommends the MSP. The MSP is *declared* or *announced* by the Government of India. This statement is incorrect.
– Statement 3: The MSP is fixed by the Government of India on the basis of the recommendations made by the CACP. The CACP submits its reports and recommendations to the government, and the final decision on MSP levels is taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). This statement is correct.
The CACP is an attached office of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. It provides recommendations on MSPs based on various factors like cost of production, demand-supply situation, market price trends, inter-crop price parity, etc.

47. Which one of the following best describes the term ‘Integrated Farming

Which one of the following best describes the term ‘Integrated Farming System’ ?

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It is a system of agriculture where multiple crops are grown simultaneously on the same field.
It is a system of farming where livestock is integrated with crop production.
It is a system of farming that combines traditional farming practices with modern technology.
It is a farming system that utilizes resources in a cyclical manner to improve sustainability.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2010
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Option D is the best description of the term ‘Integrated Farming System’.
– An Integrated Farming System (IFS) is a holistic approach that combines multiple compatible farm enterprises such as crops, livestock, poultry, fishery, forestry, etc., within the farm.
– The primary objective of IFS is to utilize resources efficiently, minimize waste by recycling it as input for other components, and thereby improve the productivity and sustainability of the farm.
– Option A describes intercropping or mixed cropping. Option B describes a common form of integration within IFS, but not the system’s overarching principle. Option C relates to modern or sustainable agriculture practices.
– Option D accurately captures the core principle of IFS, which revolves around cyclical resource flow and improving overall sustainability and efficiency.
IFS aims to provide stable income, reduce reliance on external inputs, generate employment, and enhance biodiversity on the farm. Examples include using livestock manure as fertilizer for crops, crop residues as feed for livestock, or integrating fish farming with crop irrigation.

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48. A farmer sows beans in his fields after harvesting a crop of wheat. Wh

A farmer sows beans in his fields after harvesting a crop of wheat. Which one of the following agricultural practice is he following ?

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Multiple cropping
Crop rotation
Fallow field
Mixed cropping
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2009
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The practice of growing different types of crops sequentially in the same area across a series of growing seasons is called Crop Rotation. In this specific example, a farmer grows beans (a legume) after wheat (a cereal). Legumes like beans have root nodules containing nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which enrich the soil with nitrogen, benefiting subsequent crops like wheat. This practice helps maintain soil fertility, prevent depletion of specific nutrients, control pests and diseases, and improve soil structure.
– Crop rotation involves growing different crops in sequence on the same land over time.
– Sowing nitrogen-fixing legumes like beans after cereals like wheat is a common practice in crop rotation to improve soil health.
Multiple cropping involves growing two or more crops on the same land in one year. Fallow field refers to leaving the land uncultivated for a period. Mixed cropping involves growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same field.

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49. How many of the following pairs of specialized agriculture and its pro

How many of the following pairs of specialized agriculture and its products are correctly matched ?
1. Apiculture : Honey
2. Sericulture : Silk
3. Silviculture : Forestry
4. Viticulture : Grapes
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4
3
2
1
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2023
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Let’s evaluate each pair:
1. Apiculture : Honey – Apiculture is the practice of beekeeping, primarily for obtaining honey, beeswax, and other bee products. This pair is correctly matched.
2. Sericulture : Silk – Sericulture is the cultivation of silkworms for the production of silk. This pair is correctly matched.
3. Silviculture : Forestry – Silviculture is the practice of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health, and quality of forests to meet diverse needs and values such as timber, wildlife habitat, water quality, recreation, etc. It is a branch of forestry. This pair is correctly matched.
4. Viticulture : Grapes – Viticulture is the cultivation of grapevines, usually for producing wine or table grapes. This pair is correctly matched.
All four pairs are correctly matched.
– Specialized agriculture focuses on specific crops or animal rearing for commercial purposes.
– Each term refers to a particular type of cultivation or rearing practice.
Other examples include Pisciculture (fish farming), Horticulture (cultivation of fruits, vegetables, flowers), Floriculture (flower farming), etc.

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50. Which one of the following is not a specified Sub-Mission of the Nat

Which one of the following is not a specified Sub-Mission of the National Livestock Mission ?

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Livestock development
Pig development in north-western region
Fodder and feed development
Skill development, technology transfer and extension
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2021
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The correct answer is B, “Pig development in north-western region”, as it is not a specified Sub-Mission of the National Livestock Mission (NLM).
The National Livestock Mission was launched by the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries (now Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying) in 2014-15 to ensure quantitative and qualitative improvement in livestock production systems and capacity building of all stake holders.
The National Livestock Mission has various Sub-Missions. The actual sub-missions generally cover areas such as:
– Sub-Mission on Livestock Development (covering sheep, goat, poultry, cattle feed and fodder development etc.)
– Sub-Mission on Pig Development in North-Eastern Region.
– Sub-Mission on Fodder and Feed Development.
– Sub-Mission on Skill Development, Technology Transfer and Extension.
Option B incorrectly specifies “north-western region” instead of the correct “North-Eastern Region” for Pig Development. Options A, C, and D represent actual broad areas covered by the mission’s sub-missions.

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