Food Crops

1. Which one of the following crops is not a Kharif crop?

Which one of the following crops is not a Kharif crop?

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Rice
Maize
Wheat
Soya bean
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2019
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Wheat is a Rabi crop, not a Kharif crop.
Kharif crops are sown during the monsoon season (roughly June-July) and harvested in autumn (September-October). Rabi crops are sown in winter (October-November) and harvested in spring (March-April). Rice, Maize, and Soya bean are typical examples of Kharif crops grown during the monsoon season in India.
Major Rabi crops include Wheat, Barley, Gram, Mustard, and Peas. Other Kharif crops include Jowar, Bajra, Cotton, Jute, Groundnut, etc.

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2. Which one of the following is the main ‘Rabi Season (winter season)’ c

Which one of the following is the main ‘Rabi Season (winter season)’ cereal crop of India ?

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Paddy
Maize
Millets
Wheat
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2017
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Wheat is the principal cereal crop grown in India during the Rabi season.
Rabi crops are planted in winter (October-December) and harvested in spring/summer (April-June).
Paddy (Rice) is primarily a Kharif crop, while Maize and Millets (like Jowar and Bajra) are also largely Kharif crops. Wheat is the staple cereal during the winter harvest.

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3. Which of the following statements about Ragi crop grown in India is co

Which of the following statements about Ragi crop grown in India is correct ?

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It is a millet crop grown in drier parts of south India.
It is a Rabi crop sown between November and March.
It is a rainfed crop grown on red, light black and sandy loam soil.
It is grown between 20 degree Celsius and 30 degree Celsius of temperature and 50 – 100 cm rainfall.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2023
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Statement C is correct: Ragi is a rainfed crop, especially in areas with moderate rainfall, and it can grow well on a variety of soils including red, light black, sandy loams, and even poor stony soils. Statement A is generally correct that Ragi is a millet crop grown in drier parts of south India (like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh), but statement C provides a more detailed description of its growing conditions and soil suitability, which are key characteristics of the crop enabling its cultivation in such areas. Statement B is incorrect: Ragi is primarily a Kharif crop, sown during the monsoon season (June-July) and harvested in October-November. While it can be grown as a Rabi or summer crop in certain regions with irrigation, it is predominantly Kharif. Statement D provides temperature and rainfall requirements. While 50-100 cm rainfall is accurate, the optimal temperature range is often cited as 25-35°C, making 20-30°C slightly restrictive, although it might fall within the acceptable range. Comparing A, C, and D, statement C most accurately describes the typical cultivation practices and soil requirements that make Ragi suitable for the regions mentioned in A and the climate mentioned in D.
Ragi (Finger Millet) is a hardy millet known for its ability to grow in rainfed conditions on poor soils, making it suitable for drought-prone areas.
Ragi is highly nutritious, rich in calcium, dietary fiber, and essential amino acids. It is considered a valuable crop for food security in arid and semi-arid regions and is part of the broader group of ‘Nutri-Cereals’ promoted by the government.

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4. Which of the following conditions is/are essential for wheat cultivati

Which of the following conditions is/are essential for wheat cultivation ?

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  • 1. Optimum temperature during growing period is around 30°C
  • 2. A frost-free period of about 100 days
  • 3. Light clay or heavy loam soil

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1, 2 and 3
1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2019
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Let’s evaluate each condition:
1. Optimum temperature during growing period is around 30°C: Wheat is typically a cool-season crop (Rabi crop in India). While temperatures around 25-30°C are favourable for ripening, the optimum temperature for the main growing period (vegetative growth, tillering) is much lower, around 15-20°C. Stating 30°C as the optimum for the “growing period” is inaccurate for the entire cycle.
2. A frost-free period of about 100 days: Frost can severely damage wheat, especially during flowering and grain filling. A sufficient frost-free period (typically the duration of the growing season) is essential. 100 days is a reasonable minimum for the main growth phase. This statement is generally correct.
3. Light clay or heavy loam soil: Wheat grows best in fertile, well-drained soils. Loamy soils (including heavy loams) and clay loams are considered suitable due to good water retention and nutrient content. This statement is generally correct.
Based on the analysis, conditions 2 and 3 are essential/correct, while condition 1 is not accurate for the optimum temperature throughout the primary growing period.
– Wheat is a cool-season crop.
– Frost is detrimental to wheat cultivation.
– Fertile loamy soils are preferred.
– Ideal temperature for germination is 5-10°C.
– Ideal temperature for vegetative growth is 15-20°C.
– Ideal temperature for ripening is 20-25°C, possibly up to 30°C.
– The soil should be well-drained to prevent waterlogging.

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5. Which one of the following states in India produces largest marketable

Which one of the following states in India produces largest marketable surplus of wheat?

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Maharashtra
Haryana
Uttar Pradesh
Punjab
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2020
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Punjab state consistently produces a large marketable surplus of wheat due to high per-hectare yields, extensive irrigation facilities, and efficient procurement systems, coupled with a relatively lower per capita consumption compared to its production.
Marketable surplus is the quantity of produce left with the farmer after meeting his own consumption requirements, seed requirements, and other expenses. States like Punjab and Haryana, being major contributors to the Green Revolution, have specialized in wheat production and have highly commercialized agriculture leading to large marketable surpluses.
While Uttar Pradesh is the largest producer of wheat in terms of total volume, its large population results in a significant portion of the produce being consumed within the state, leading to a smaller marketable surplus percentage compared to Punjab or Haryana. Maharashtra is not a major wheat-producing state among the options.

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6. Consider the following statements : 1. Bajra is predominantly grown

Consider the following statements :

  • 1. Bajra is predominantly grown in states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, while Ragi is mainly cultivated in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
  • 2. Bajra grows well in sandy and shallow black soils, whereas red and shallow black soil is suited for Ragi.

With regard to the statements given above, which of the following is correct ?

Both the statements are correct and statement 2 is the correct explanation of statement 1.
Both the statements are correct, but statement 2 is not the correct explanation of statement 1.
Statement 1 is correct, but statement 2 is false.
Statement 1 is false, but statement 2 is correct.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2024
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Statement 1 is correct. Bajra (Pearl Millet) is primarily grown in the drier regions of India, with Rajasthan being the largest producer, followed by states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. Ragi (Finger Millet) is another important millet, with Karnataka being the leading producer, followed by Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Bihar. The statement accurately reflects the main producing states for both crops.

Statement 2 is correct. Bajra is well-adapted to arid and semi-arid conditions and thrives in sandy soils, light alluvial soil, and shallow black soils, which are prevalent in its major growing regions. Ragi is a hardy crop that can grow in a variety of soils, including red, black, sandy, loamy, and shallow lateritic soils. The description of suitable soil types aligns with the general characteristics and distribution of these millets.

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Relationship between statements: The soil and climatic conditions (described in Statement 2) are key factors determining where specific crops are predominantly cultivated (described in Statement 1). The prevalence of sandy and shallow black soils in states like Rajasthan and Gujarat makes them suitable for Bajra cultivation, while the presence of red and shallow black soils in states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu favors Ragi cultivation. Thus, Statement 2 provides a correct explanation for the distribution patterns mentioned in Statement 1.

– Statement 1 correctly identifies major growing states for Bajra and Ragi.
– Statement 2 correctly identifies suitable soil types for Bajra and Ragi.
– Soil type is a major factor influencing crop distribution.
Both Bajra and Ragi are important coarse cereals or millets known for their nutritional value and resilience in diverse agro-climatic conditions, especially in rainfed areas.

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7. Identify the crop on the basis of the following characteristics : It

Identify the crop on the basis of the following characteristics :

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  • It is a kharif crop.
  • Aus, Aman and Boro are its three different growing periods in an agricultural year.
  • About one-fourth of the total cropped area of India is under its cultivation.

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Wheat
Rice
Pulses
Cotton
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2021
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The crop described by the given characteristics is Rice.
– The statement “It is a kharif crop” applies to Rice and Cotton. Wheat is a rabi crop. While pulses include both types, the subsequent characteristics point to a single major crop.
– The description of “Aus, Aman and Boro” as three different growing periods in an agricultural year is a specific characteristic of Rice cultivation, particularly prevalent in regions like West Bengal. Aman is the main rice crop grown during the monsoon (Kharif) season.
– The statement that “About one-fourth of the total cropped area of India is under its cultivation” also strongly points to Rice, which occupies the largest area under cultivation among all crops in India (approximately 23-24% of the Gross Cropped Area).
Wheat is primarily a rabi crop, grown in about 15% of the cropped area. Cotton is a kharif crop but grown in a much smaller area than rice (around 6-7%). Pulses are grown in about 15-20% area but are not a single crop, and the “Aus, Aman, Boro” description is unique to rice.

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