Ramesh Singh Test: Agriculture & Food Management- 1 - UPSC MCQ

1. Correctly Matched: Crop Diversification Programme (CDP) - Shift from tobacco to alternative crops in tobacco-growing states. The CDP was expanded in 2015-16 to include shifting areas under tobacco farming to alternative crops.
2. Correctly Matched: Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) - Promoted under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY). ZBNF is indeed one of the forms of organic farming promoted under PKVY.
3. Correctly Matched: International Year of Millets (IYM) - 2023 designated by the United Nations. The UNO has designated 2023 as the International Year of Millets.
4. Incorrectly Matched: Second Green Revolution - Proposal for incorporating genetically modified foods (GMFs). The Second Green Revolution did include proposals for incorporating GMFs, but the Second Green Revolution itself is not a program that was initiated solely for GMFs.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

- Statement 1: Correct. Kharif crops are sown with the beginning of the South-West Monsoon in July and harvested in the autumn (around October).

- Statement 2: Incorrect. Rabi crops are sown after the monsoon season, typically in October, and harvested in the spring, not during the summer monsoon.

- Statement 3: Correct. Zaid crops are grown in the short period between the Rabi and Kharif seasons, specifically from March to June.

Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 3 only. Therefore, the correct answer is Option C.

1. Kharif Crop - Wheat: Incorrect. Wheat is a Rabi crop, not a Kharif crop.

2. Rabi Crop - Chickpea/gram: Correct. Chickpea/gram is a Rabi crop.

3. Kharif Crop - Rice: Correct. Rice is a Kharif crop.

4. Rabi Crop - Maize: Incorrect. Maize is typically a Kharif crop, though it can also be grown in other seasons in some areas.

Explanation:

• Wheat is sown in winter (October to December) and harvested in spring (March to April), making it a Rabi crop.
• Chickpea/gram is grown during the Rabi season, planted in winter and harvested in spring.
• Rice is typically planted during the Kharif season, which aligns with the monsoon rains (July to October).
• Maize is predominantly a Kharif crop but can be grown in other seasons as well, depending on the region and climatic conditions.

Thus, only pairs 2 and 3 are correctly matched.

- Statement 1 is correct. The percentage share of female operational holders increased from 11.70% in 2005-06 to 12.79% in 2010-11.

- Statement 2 is correct. The average size of operational holdings indeed declined to 1.16 hectares in 2010-11 compared to 1.23 hectares in 2005-06.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. Large holdings (10.00 hectares & above) accounted for 0.73% of total holdings in 2010-11, not 1.73%.

Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 2 only.

1. Statement 1: The reform period initiated in 1991 introduced corporate and contract farming in India. - Correct. The economic reforms of 1991 led to recognizing agriculture as an industry in 2000, which facilitated the introduction of corporate and contract farming in India.

2. Statement 2: The proposal for the Second Green Revolution in 2002 emphasized the incorporation of genetically modified foods (GMFs). - Correct. The Second Green Revolution proposed in 2002 indeed focused on incorporating genetically modified foods to address emerging agricultural challenges.

3. Statement 3: The Crop Diversification Programme (CDP) was initiated to shift paddy cultivation to alternative crops in Green Revolution states. - Correct. The CDP, a centrally-sponsored scheme under RKVY, aimed to shift cultivation from water-intensive crops like paddy to alternative crops in Green Revolution states to address issues like depleting water tables and declining soil fertility.

Thus, all three statements are correct, making Option D the correct answer.

Statement-I focuses on natural farming, which promotes the exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs. This aligns with the principles of natural farming that aim to eliminate chemical inputs from agricultural practices for producing chemical-free crops. Therefore, Statement-I is correct.
Statement-II discusses crop diversification, emphasizing the transition from less profitable crops to more lucrative ones to promote sustainable agriculture. However, the statement incorrectly implies that natural farming involves the use of synthetic chemical inputs, which is contradictory to the principles of natural farming as outlined in the provided information. Hence, Statement-II is incorrect.

1. The abolition of intermediaries indeed resulted in the complete removal of the Zamindari, Mahalwari, and Ryotwari systems. This is a correct statement.

2. Tenancy reforms, however, were not as successful as stated. By 1992, only 4% of India's total operated areas were covered by tenant rights, not 14.4%. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.

3. Land consolidation efforts did find success primarily in regions that experienced the Green Revolution, such as Haryana, Punjab, and western Uttar Pradesh. This is a correct statement.

Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 3. Therefore, the correct answer is Option C

Statement-I correctly highlights that India achieved self-sufficiency in food production by the late 1980s, mainly attributed to the Green Revolution. This was a significant milestone in India's agricultural history.

Statement-II accurately notes that the Green Revolution, while boosting food production, also led to increased costs, which worsened the affordability of food for many individuals. This cost issue was a side effect of the increased productivity brought about by the Green Revolution.

Both statements are correct in their assertions, but Statement-II does not directly explain Statement-I. While both statements are related to the Green Revolution and its impacts on food production and affordability, Statement-II does not provide a direct explanation or elaboration for Statement-I. Thus, the correct answer is option (b).

Statement-I correctly identifies the key objectives of land reforms in India, focusing on addressing historical disparities and enhancing agricultural productivity. Statement-II accurately reflects the consequence of the failure of land reforms, which necessitated the shift towards the Green Revolution strategy. The Green Revolution emerged as a response to the inadequacies of land reforms to significantly improve agricultural production levels, thereby indicating that Statement-II indeed explains the need for and impact of the Green Revolution following the shortcomings of land reform efforts. Hence, both statements are correct, and Statement-II logically follows and explains Statement-I in the context of India's agricultural development history.

1. Economic Holding: Ensures a minimum satisfactory standard of living for a family. (Correct)

- Economic holding is indeed defined as ensuring a minimum satisfactory standard of living for a family.

2. Family Holding: Provides work for an average-sized family with one plough. (Correct)

- Family holding refers to a land size that provides employment for an average-sized family using one plough.

3. Optimum Holding: The maximum size of holding a family should possess for optimal cultivation. (Correct)

- Optimum holding is defined as the maximum size of land a family should have for efficient and optimal cultivation.

4. Large Holdings (10.00 hectares & above): Accounted for 1.73% of total holdings in 2010-11. (Incorrect)

- Large holdings (10.00 hectares & above) accounted for 0.73% of total holdings in 2010-11, not 1.73%.

Thus, only three pairs (1, 2, and 3) are correctly matched.