The correct answer is (d) Uttar Pradesh.
Uttar Pradesh is the largest state in India by population and the second largest by area. It is also the largest producer of rice in India, accounting for over 20% of the country’s total rice production. The state has a long history of rice cultivation, and hybrid rice cultivation has been practiced in Uttar Pradesh since the early 1970s.
Hybrid rice is a type of rice that is produced by crossing two different varieties of rice. Hybrid rice is more productive than traditional rice varieties, and it is also more resistant to pests and diseases. As a result, hybrid rice has become the preferred type of rice for cultivation in Uttar Pradesh.
In 2019, the area under hybrid rice cultivation in Uttar Pradesh was 11.5 million hectares. This was an increase of 10% from the previous year. The state government has been promoting hybrid rice cultivation through a number of initiatives, including providing subsidies to farmers who adopt hybrid rice varieties.
The cultivation of hybrid rice has had a number of benefits for Uttar Pradesh. It has increased rice production, which has helped to improve food security in the state. It has also generated employment opportunities in the agricultural sector. In addition, hybrid rice cultivation has helped to reduce the use of pesticides, which has benefited the environment.
However, there are also some challenges associated with the cultivation of hybrid rice. Hybrid rice varieties are more expensive than traditional rice varieties, and they require more inputs, such as fertilizer and water. In addition, hybrid rice is more susceptible to pests and diseases than traditional rice varieties.
Despite these challenges, the cultivation of hybrid rice is likely to continue to increase in Uttar Pradesh in the coming years. This is because hybrid rice is a more productive and efficient type of rice cultivation, and it is also more environmentally friendly.