Which of the following statements with regard to the Mediterranean agr

Which of the following statements with regard to the Mediterranean agriculture is/are correct?

  1. The Mediterranean agriculture is highly specialized commercial agriculture.
  2. It is intensive subsistence agriculture dominated by wet paddy cultivation.
  3. It is a primitive subsistence agriculture.
  4. Viticulture is a speciality of the Mediterranean region.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only
2 and 3
1 and 4 only
1, 3 and 4
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2017
Mediterranean agriculture is a distinct type of agriculture practiced in regions with Mediterranean climates (hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters).
– Statement 1: The Mediterranean agriculture is highly specialized commercial agriculture. This is correct. It often focuses on high-value crops like citrus fruits, olives, figs, grapes (for wine), and cork, which are primarily grown for commercial markets.
– Statement 2: It is intensive subsistence agriculture dominated by wet paddy cultivation. This describes agriculture typically found in monsoon regions of Asia, not the Mediterranean. Wet paddy cultivation requires abundant water during the growing season, which is contrary to the dry summer conditions of Mediterranean climates.
– Statement 3: It is a primitive subsistence agriculture. Primitive subsistence agriculture (like shifting cultivation or nomadic herding) is characterized by low technology, dependence on natural rainfall, and production mainly for the farmer’s own consumption. Mediterranean agriculture is more advanced, uses irrigation, and is market-oriented. This statement is incorrect.
– Statement 4: Viticulture is a speciality of the Mediterranean region. This is correct. The climate is very suitable for grape cultivation, and the region is world-renowned for its wine production.
Mediterranean agriculture is known for its arboriculture (cultivation of trees and shrubs), cultivation of drought-resistant cereals (like wheat and barley during the wet winter/spring), and increasingly, market gardening near urban centers. It is generally considered a form of commercial rather than subsistence agriculture.