Agriculture Archives

1. Which one among the following sectors in India consumes the maximum am

Which one among the following sectors in India consumes the maximum amount of groundwater ?

Industry

Agriculture

Household

Mining

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2023

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In India, the sector that consumes the maximum amount of groundwater is Agriculture.

Agriculture in India relies heavily on irrigation, and a significant portion of this irrigation water is sourced from groundwater. Estimates indicate that agricultural use accounts for around 80-90% of the total groundwater withdrawal in the country.

While Industry and Household sectors also consume groundwater, their consumption levels are substantially lower compared to the demand for irrigation in agriculture across the vast cultivated areas of India. Mining also uses water, but its groundwater consumption footprint is generally much smaller than the other three sectors on a national scale. The heavy reliance on groundwater for irrigation is a major concern regarding groundwater depletion in India.

2. Consider the following statements: 1. India has more arable area tha

Consider the following statements:

1. India has more arable area than China.
2. The proportion of irrigated area is more in India as compared to China.
3. The average productivity per hectare in Indian agriculture is higher than that in China.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Only one

Only two

All three

None

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2023

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Statement 1 is correct: India has a larger area of arable land (land under temporary crops, meadows, pastures) compared to China. Estimates vary, but India’s arable land is typically cited as around 155-160 million hectares, while China’s is around 120-130 million hectares.
Statement 2 is incorrect: China has a higher proportion of irrigated area relative to its cultivated land compared to India. China has made massive investments in irrigation infrastructure.
Statement 3 is incorrect: China generally has higher average agricultural productivity per hectare for most major crops compared to India due to greater mechanization, input use efficiency, and technological adoption.

– India possesses more available land suitable for cultivation.
– China has a higher reliance on and proportion of irrigated farming.
– China generally achieves higher yields per unit area in agriculture.

Despite having more arable land, India’s large population size results in lower per capita availability of cultivated land compared to China. Both countries face challenges related to water management and sustainable agricultural practices.

3. Among the following, which one is the least water-efficient crop?

Among the following, which one is the least water-efficient crop?

Sugarcane

Sunflower

Pearl millet

Red gram

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2021

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Among the given options, sugarcane is generally considered the most water-intensive crop. While the water requirement varies depending on the region, soil type, and climate, sugarcane needs a large amount of water throughout its long growing season compared to the other crops listed. Pearl millet (Bajra) and Red gram (Arhar) are typically grown as rainfed crops or require less water, especially Pearl millet which is known for its drought tolerance. Sunflower also requires less water than sugarcane. Therefore, sugarcane is the least water-efficient crop among the options.

– Water efficiency of crops refers to the amount of yield produced per unit of water consumed.
– Sugarcane is a long-duration crop with high water requirements.
– Pearl millet and Red gram are relatively drought-tolerant crops.

Water efficiency can also be measured by the yield per unit of water transpired (WUE – Water Use Efficiency) or applied (IRWUE – Irrigation Water Use Efficiency). Crops like sugarcane, rice, and cotton are known for high water consumption. Promoting water-efficient crops and practices is crucial for sustainable agriculture, especially in water-scarce regions.

4. With reference to the current trends in the cultivation of sugarcane i

With reference to the current trends in the cultivation of sugarcane in India, consider the following statements:

A substantial saving in seed material is made when ‘bud chip settlings’ are raised in a nursery and transplanted in the main field.
When direct planting of setts is done, the germination percentage is better with single-budded setts as compared to setts with many buds.
If bad weather conditions prevail when setts are directly planted, single-budded setts have better survival as compared to large setts.
Sugarcane can be cultivated using settlings prepared from tissue culture.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1 and 2 only

3 only

1 and 4 only

2, 3 and 4 only

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2020

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Statements 1 and 4 are correct. Statements 2 and 3 are incorrect.

Statement 1 is correct because bud chip settlings (using small cane pieces with just one bud grown in a nursery) significantly reduce the amount of seed cane required compared to traditional methods. Statement 4 is correct as tissue culture is a viable method for producing disease-free sugarcane planting material. Statement 2 is incorrect; traditional direct planting uses multi-bud setts (typically 2-3 buds) for better germination and survival compared to single-budded setts. Statement 3 is incorrect; larger setts with more buds and reserves are generally more resilient to adverse weather conditions than smaller single-budded setts when planted directly.

Modern techniques like bud chip technology and tissue culture propagation aim to improve the efficiency and health of sugarcane cultivation. They help in conserving planting material, reducing disease spread, and achieving better crop stands.

5. Consider the following pairs: Region Well-known for the productio

Consider the following pairs:

Region	Well-known for the production of
1. Kinnaur	Areca nut
2. Mewat	Mango
3. Coromandel	Soya bean

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

1 and 2 only

3 only

1, 2 and 3

None

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2014

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The correct answer is D) None. Let’s examine each pair:
1. Kinnaur: Kinnaur district in Himachal Pradesh is famous for apples, grapes, and apricots. Areca nut (supari) is predominantly grown in coastal regions of South India and parts of Northeast India. This pair is incorrectly matched.
2. Mewat: Mewat region spans parts of Haryana and Rajasthan and is primarily an agricultural area known for crops like wheat, barley, mustard, and also dairy farming. It is not particularly known for large-scale mango production compared to traditional mango-growing belts in India. This pair is incorrectly matched.
3. Coromandel: The Coromandel Coast is the southeastern coast of India. While agriculture is practiced, it is not primarily known for large-scale soya bean production. Soya bean cultivation is concentrated in states like Madhya Pradesh (often called the “Soya State”), Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. This pair is incorrectly matched.

Geographical regions are often known for specific agricultural products based on climate, soil conditions, and traditional practices. Knowing the primary produce of different regions in India is relevant for geography and economics.

Areca nut cultivation is significant in states like Karnataka, Kerala, Assam, and Meghalaya. Major mango-producing states include Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Bihar, and Maharashtra. Madhya Pradesh is the largest producer of soya bean in India.

6. Consider the following crops: 1. Cotton 2. Groundnut 3. Rice 4. W

Consider the following crops:

1. Cotton
2. Groundnut
3. Rice
4. Wheat

Which of these are Kharif crops?

1 and 4

2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

2, 3 and 4

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2013

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The correct answer is C) 1, 2 and 3. Cotton, Groundnut, and Rice are all Kharif crops.

Kharif crops, also known as monsoon crops, are sown at the beginning of the southwest monsoon season (typically June-July) and harvested at the end of the monsoon season (typically September-October). Rice, cotton, and groundnut are prominent examples of Kharif crops in India. Wheat is a Rabi crop, sown in winter and harvested in spring/summer.

Other examples of Kharif crops include Maize, Jowar, Bajra, Tur (Arhar), Moong, Urad, Jute, Soybean, etc. Rabi crops are sown after the monsoon (October-December) and harvested in spring (April-May); examples include Wheat, Barley, Gram, Rapeseed and Mustard, Lentil, etc. There is also a short season called Zaid during summer for crops like watermelon, cucumber, and vegetables.

7. Which one of the following is not an important reason behind the preva

Which one of the following is not an important reason behind the prevailing variation in cropping patterns in the country ?

Variation in rainfall

Variation in soil type

Variation in irrigation facilities

Variation in altitude

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2010

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The correct option is D) Variation in altitude.

While variation in altitude certainly affects local cropping patterns (e.g., tea, coffee, specific fruits/vegetables grown in hills), it is generally considered less significant as a primary driver of the overall *country-wide* variation in cropping patterns compared to the other three factors. Rainfall, soil type, and irrigation facilities fundamentally determine what crops can be grown, where, and at what intensity across the vast agricultural areas of India (plains, plateaus), which constitute the majority of cultivated land.

Variation in rainfall dictates the choice between rain-fed and irrigated crops, and which crops are suitable for different precipitation levels. Variation in soil type determines the nutrient availability and water-holding capacity, suitability for different crops. Variation in irrigation facilities enables cultivation in areas with low or erratic rainfall, allowing for different cropping intensities and crop types than would otherwise be possible. Altitude plays a role regionally but is not the *most important* or as pervasive a reason for variation across the entire country compared to the others listed.

8. Any land that is left fallow for more than five years is termed as

Any land that is left fallow for more than five years is termed as

Current fallow

Fallow other than current fallow

Culturable waste land

Barren and waste land

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-2 – 2024

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In land use classification, ‘Culturable Waste Land’ is defined as land that is available for cultivation but has not been cultivated for more than five consecutive years. This category includes land left fallow for an extended period, overgrown with bushes or forests, or covered with sand, which can be brought under cultivation with effort. ‘Current fallow’ is land left uncultivated for less than one year, and ‘Fallow other than current fallow’ is land left uncultivated for a period between one and five years. ‘Barren and waste land’ is land which cannot be brought under cultivation easily or at all, such as hills, deserts, etc.

The duration for which land is left uncultivated determines its classification as current fallow, old fallow (fallow other than current fallow), or culturable waste land.

Land use statistics are crucial for agricultural planning and resource management. Changes in these categories over time can indicate trends in agricultural practices, land degradation, or successful land reclamation efforts.

9. In India, a cultivable land which is left uncultivated for more than a

In India, a cultivable land which is left uncultivated for more than a year but less than five years is labelled as

cultivable wasteland

current fallow

fallow other than current fallow

barren and wasteland

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-2 – 2022

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A cultivable land which is left uncultivated for more than a year but less than five years is labelled as fallow other than current fallow.

In Indian land use classification, fallow lands are defined based on the period they are left uncultivated. ‘Current fallow’ refers to land that is left uncultivated for a period of one agricultural year or less. ‘Fallow other than current fallow’ (also known as Old Fallow) refers to land that has been left uncultivated for a period of more than one year but less than five years. ‘Culturable wasteland’ is land available for cultivation but not cultivated for more than five years. ‘Barren and wasteland’ is land that cannot be brought under cultivation without disproportionate cost.

Leaving land fallow is a traditional agricultural practice to allow the soil to recover fertility naturally. The specific classification helps in understanding land use patterns, agricultural potential, and planning strategies for land management and development.

10. Which of the following pairs of crop and product is/are correctly matc

Which of the following pairs of crop and product is/are correctly matched ?

1. Food crop : Ragi
2. Cash crop : Jute
3. Plantation crop : Coconut

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

3 only

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-2 – 2021

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Let’s examine each pair:
1. Food crop : Ragi – Ragi (Finger Millet) is a cereal grain that is primarily cultivated for human consumption as food. This pairing is correct.
2. Cash crop : Jute – Jute is a fibre crop grown for sale rather than for local consumption. It is a significant cash crop in states like West Bengal and Bihar. This pairing is correct.
3. Plantation crop : Coconut – Coconut palms are typically grown in large estates or plantations, especially in coastal regions. Crops grown on a large estate are classified as plantation crops. This pairing is correct.
All three pairs are correctly matched.

– Food crops are grown primarily for direct human consumption (cereals, pulses, vegetables, etc.).
– Cash crops are grown primarily for sale in the market (jute, cotton, sugarcane, tobacco, spices, etc.).
– Plantation crops are grown on extensive farms or estates, often for export or industrial processing (tea, coffee, rubber, coconut, spices like cardamom and pepper, etc.).

Crop classification can sometimes overlap (e.g., some food crops can also be cash crops if grown commercially). However, the given examples fit the classifications well.