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
Answer is Right!
Answer is Wrong!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2010
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.