Worksheet Solutions: Rural Development - 2 | Economics Class 12 - Commerce PDF Download

Section 1: Fill in the Blanks

Q1: The main objectives of rural development include enhancing ________ productivity.
Ans: agricultural
The main objectives of rural development often involve improving agricultural productivity, which includes enhancing crop yields, efficient use of land and resources, promoting modern farming techniques, and overall agricultural development to uplift rural communities.

Q2: Rural credit helps bridge the gap between planting crops and ________.
Ans: earning post-production revenue
Rural credit provides farmers with the necessary funds to cover the costs of planting crops, managing the farm, and sustaining until the harvest. The funds acquired through rural credit enable farmers to invest in their agricultural activities and bridge the gap until they earn revenue from the sale of their produce.

Q3: In 1969, India introduced ________ to provide rural credit.
Ans: social banking
In 1969, the Indian government introduced the concept of "social banking" to provide financial services, including credit facilities, to rural and semi-urban areas. Social banking aimed to uplift the rural economy by extending banking services and credit to those who traditionally had limited access to financial resources.

Q4: ________ is an eco-friendly farming practice crucial for sustainable development.
Ans: Organic farming
Organic farming is an eco-friendly farming practice that avoids the use of synthetic chemicals and focuses on sustainable methods. It emphasizes soil health, biodiversity, and the minimization of environmental impact, making it a crucial approach for sustainable agricultural development.

Q5: Operation Flood is a network of ________ cooperatives.
Ans: milk
Operation Flood was a program initiated in India to develop and organize the dairy industry. It involved the creation of a network of milk cooperatives to improve milk production, processing, and marketing. The cooperatives were a significant part of the Operation Flood initiative.

Q6: The Food Corporation of India maintains a stock of crops like ________ to manage price discrepancies.
Ans: wheat and rice
The Food Corporation of India (FCI) maintains a stock of essential food grains like wheat and rice. This strategic reserve helps manage price discrepancies and ensure a stable supply of these essential commodities, especially during times of shortages or fluctuating market prices.

Q7: Crop diversification aims to encourage the transition from ________ farming to commercial farming.
Ans: subsistence
Crop diversification involves shifting from subsistence farming, where farmers grow crops primarily for their family's consumption, to commercial farming. Commercial farming focuses on growing crops for sale in the market, aiming to increase income and contribute to the economy.

Q8: The ultimate goal of increasing the role of information technology in rural areas is to make every village a ________ center.
Ans: knowledge
By increasing the role of information technology in rural areas, the goal is to transform every village into a "knowledge center." This means providing access to information, education, digital resources, and connectivity to empower rural communities with knowledge and skills for their development.

Q9: Grading and quality control assist farmers in obtaining better prices for their high-quality ________.
Ans: produce
Grading and quality control processes help farmers obtain better prices for their high-quality produce by ensuring that the products meet specific standards and are classified based on quality. This allows farmers to fetch a premium price for their superior-quality agricultural produce in the market.

Q10: Minimum Support Price is set by the government to safeguard ________ interests.
Ans: farmers'
The Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a price at which the government assures to purchase crops from farmers to safeguard their interests. It ensures that farmers receive a fair and reasonable price for their produce, providing them with some level of income security and encouraging agricultural production.

Section 2: Assertion and Reason 

Q1: Assertion: Rural credit is essential for farmers in India.
Reason: The time gap between sowing seeds and earning post-production revenue is long.
(a) Both assertion and reason are true and related.
(b) Assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(c) Assertion is false, but the reason is true.
(d) Both assertion and reason are false.
Ans: (a) Both assertion and reason are true and related.

Q2: Assertion: Operation Flood led to a significant increase in milk production.
Reason: Operation Flood encouraged farmers to adopt better milk production practices.
(a) Both assertion and reason are true and related.
(b) Assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(c) Assertion is false, but the reason is true.
(d) Both assertion and reason are false.
Ans: (a) Both assertion and reason are true and related.

Q3: Assertion: Organic farming can be a source of income through exporting crops.
Reason: There is an increasing demand for organically grown produce.
(a) Both assertion and reason are true and related.
(b) Assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(c) Assertion is false, but the reason is true.
(d) Both assertion and reason are false.
Ans: (a) Both assertion and reason are true and related.

Q4: Assertion: Minimum Support Price (MSP) is set by the government for various crops.
Reason: MSP ensures that farmers receive a price higher than the market price.
(a) Both assertion and reason are true and related.
(b) Assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(c) Assertion is false, but the reason is true.
(d) Both assertion and reason are false.
Ans: (a) Both assertion and reason are true and related.

Q5: Assertion: Information technology has played a significant role in Indian agriculture.
Reason: IT has enabled the prediction of food insecurity and vulnerability.
(a) Both assertion and reason are true and related.
(b) Assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(c) Assertion is false, but the reason is true.
(d) Both assertion and reason are false.
Ans: (a) Both assertion and reason are true and related.

Section 3: Very Short Answers

Q1: Define rural development.
Ans: Rural development refers to initiatives aimed at improving economic and social conditions in rural areas.

Q2: Name two key areas that require improvement in the rural sector.
Ans: Employment opportunities and agricultural productivity.

Q3: What does NABARD stand for?
Ans: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.

Q4: What is the main objective of crop diversification?
Ans: To transition from subsistence farming to commercial farming.

Q5: Mention one formal source of rural credit.
Ans: Commercial banks.

Q6: What is the primary role of Operation Flood?
Ans: Collection of milk from farmers through cooperatives to improve its quality and quantity.

Q7: Define Minimum Support Price (MSP).
Ans: A government-set price for agricultural products to protect farmers' interests.

Q8: Explain the importance of grading in agricultural marketing.
Ans: Grading helps farmers obtain better prices for their high-quality produce.

Q9: Name one activity involved in agricultural marketing.
Ans: Assembling.

Q10: What is the primary focus of organic farming?
Ans: Cultivating food through natural methods without synthetic chemical fertilizers or GMOs.

Section 4: Short Answers

Q1: Explain two key objectives of rural development.
Ans:

• Enhancing agricultural sector productivity.
• Creating supplementary sources of income in rural areas.

Q2: Describe two sources of rural credit in India.
Ans:

• Informal Sources: Moneylenders, relatives, traders, commission agents.
• Formal Sources: Commercial banks, regional rural banks, NABARD, self-help groups.

Q3: What are the advantages of organic farming?
Ans:

• Affordable locally sourced inputs.
• Higher nutrient content in produce.
• Export potential due to increasing demand.
• Labor-intensive, creating more employment opportunities.

Q4: Explain two measures to improve agricultural marketing.
Ans:

• Regulation of markets to ensure transparency.
• Providing infrastructural facilities like warehousing and processing units.

Q5: Briefly describe two policy instruments related to agricultural marketing.
Ans:

• Minimum Support Price (MSP): Government sets a price to protect farmers' interests.
• Buffer Stock: Food Corporation of India maintains a stock to manage price discrepancies.

Q6: How does information technology (IT) contribute to agriculture development?
Ans:

• Predicts food insecurity areas and vulnerabilities.
• Circulates information on technologies, prices, weather, and soil conditions, enhancing agricultural knowledge.

Q7: What is the limitation of organic farming?
Ans:

• Initial lower yields compared to modern farming.
• Shorter shelf life of produce.

Q8: Explain the role and impact of Operation Flood.
Ans:

• Operation Flood collects milk from farmers through cooperatives, improving quality and quantity.
• It has reportedly increased milk production fourfold and encouraged better milk production practices.

Section 5: Long Answers 

Q1: Discuss the key objectives and initiatives in rural development in India.
Ans:
Objectives:

• Enhancing agricultural sector productivity.
• Creating supplementary sources of income.
• Improving education and healthcare facilities.
• Developing infrastructure.
• Enhancing human resource development.
• Mitigating poverty.

Initiatives:

• Diversifying crops to mitigate risks.
• Promoting organic farming for sustainability.
• Enhancing human resources through education.
• Improving healthcare and hygiene.
• Expanding production activities for sustainable livelihoods.

Q2: Explain the sources and reasons for the need for rural credit in India.
Ans:
Sources:

• Informal Sources: Moneylenders, relatives, traders.
• Formal Sources: Banks, NABARD, cooperatives, government institutions.

Reasons for Need:

• Bridging the time gap between sowing and revenue.
• Funding input purchases and personal expenditures.

Q3: Describe the measures and policies taken to improve agricultural marketing in India.
Ans: Measures:

• Regulated markets for transparency.
• Infrastructural facilities like warehousing and processing units.
• Grading and quality control for better prices.

Policies:

• Minimum Support Price (MSP) to protect farmers' interests.
• Buffer Stock to manage price discrepancies.
• Public Distribution System to distribute food grains.

Q4: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of organic farming.
Ans: Advantages:

• Affordable and locally sourced inputs.
• Higher nutrient content in produce.
• Export potential due to increasing demand.
• Labor-intensive, creating more employment opportunities.

Disadvantages:

• Initial lower yields compared to modern farming.
• Shorter shelf life of produce.