Which one of the following is the correct descending order of countrie

Which one of the following is the correct descending order of countries in terms of per capita availability of arable land ?

India – China – Brazil
China – Brazil – India
Brazil – China – India
Brazil – India – China
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2016
The correct answer is D) Brazil – India – China. Per capita availability of arable land is calculated by dividing the total arable land area by the total population. Using approximate figures (as of recent years, trends were similar earlier):
– Brazil: Large land area, relatively smaller population compared to India and China. High per capita arable land.
– India: Significant arable land area, but very high population. Moderate per capita arable land.
– China: Significant arable land area, but also very high population (similar to India’s), and slightly less arable land area than India. Low per capita arable land compared to India and Brazil.

Therefore, the descending order of per capita availability of arable land is Brazil > India > China.

– Per capita arable land = Arable land area / Population.
– Brazil has a large land area and lower population density compared to India and China.
– India and China have very large populations, which significantly reduces their per capita figures despite having large absolute areas of arable land.
– Factors affecting arable land availability include total land area, climate, topography, soil quality, land use patterns, and population size.
– China’s arable land area has been under pressure due to urbanization, industrialization, and desertification.
– India faces challenges related to land degradation, fragmentation, and high population density.