40. Which claims about Intensive Millets Promotion are correct:
1. Demonstration of production and post-harvest technologies;
2. Focus on poor and marginal farmers;
3. Free micro-irrigation input kits to shift every commercial-crop farmer to millets?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2016]
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. All three
Answer: A. 1 and 2 only
Explanation: The initiative aimed to demonstrate improved millet production, processing and value addition, with relevance to poor, marginal and tribal farmers. The sweeping claim about free kits for all commercial farmers was not a stated objective.
39. What is the advantage of drip irrigation:
1. Less weed growth;
2. Automatically lower soil salinity;
3. Reduced erosion?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2016]
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. None
Answer: C. 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Drip systems apply water near roots rather than over whole fields, often limiting weeds and surface runoff. Salinity does not automatically decline, and salt build-up can require careful management.
38. What were Rajasthan’s Twelfth Five-Year Plan growth targets for agriculture, industry and services respectively?
[RPSC RAS Prelims 2016]
A. 3.5%, 8.0%, 9.5%
B. 4.0%, 8.0%, 9.0%
C. 4.0%, 8.5%, 9.0%
D. 3.5%, 8.5%, 9.5%
Answer: A. 3.5%, 8.0%, 9.5%
Explanation: Rajasthan targeted annual sectoral growth of 3.5 percent in agriculture, 8.0 percent in industry and 9.5 percent in services during its Twelfth Plan. The relative targets reflect the challenge of faster service-sector growth than primary production.
37. Who approves the Fair and Remunerative Price of sugarcane?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2015]
A. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
B. Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices
C. Directorate of Marketing and Inspection
D. Agricultural Produce Market Committee
Answer: A. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
Explanation: CACP examines costs and recommends prices, but the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs takes the central decision on Fair and Remunerative Price. The decision becomes a statutory pricing benchmark for sugarcane purchases.
36. Under which law are markets in agricultural products generally regulated in India?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2015]
A. Essential Commodities Act only
B. State Agricultural Produce Market Committee Acts
C. AGMARK rules only
D. Food Products Order only
Answer: B. State Agricultural Produce Market Committee Acts
Explanation: Regulated agricultural markets are generally established under state APMC legislation. Market yards, licensing and charges consequently reflect state law, although central laws affect other aspects of food commodity trade.
35. The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme began in 1996–97 to provide direct loans to poor farmers, while Command Area Development began in 1974–75 for efficient water use. Which statement is correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2015]
A. First only
B. Second only
C. Both
D. Neither
Answer: B. Second only
Explanation: AIBP was intended to accelerate the completion of irrigation projects, not principally provide individual loans to poor cultivators. Command Area Development addressed improved utilisation of irrigation potential and water-use efficiency.
34. What is the main objective of the Seed Village concept?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2015]
A. Discourage all purchased seed
B. Train local farmers to produce and distribute quality seed
C. Reserve whole villages only for commercial seed companies
D. Replace all local seed with imported seed
Answer: B. Train local farmers to produce and distribute quality seed
Explanation: Seed Village programmes train selected farmers in quality seed production and local distribution. The goal is timely access to reliable seed at affordable cost, helping maintain productivity and improve seed replacement.
33. What effects can excessive nitrogen fertiliser use cause:
1. More nitrogen-fixing organisms;
2. Soil acidification;
3. Nitrate leaching into groundwater?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2015]
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. All three
Answer: C. 2 and 3 only
Explanation: Excessive nitrogen application can acidify soils and allow nitrate to leach into groundwater. High available nitrogen does not necessarily stimulate nitrogen fixation; it can actually discourage biological fixation.
32. Seed Replacement Rate improvement faces which constraint:
1. India lacks a National Seeds Policy;
2. Private seed firms do not participate in horticulture;
3. Quality seed demand–supply gaps for low-value, high-volume crops?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2014]
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: C. 3 only
Explanation: India already had a National Seeds Policy and substantial private-sector involvement. A real challenge remained producing and distributing enough quality seed, particularly for lower-value crops needed in large volumes.
31. Which features of Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative are correct:
1. Lower seed cost;
2. Drip irrigation suits it;
3. It absolutely excludes chemical fertilisers;
4. Greater intercropping scope?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2014]
A. 1, 2 and 4 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. All four
Answer: A. 1, 2 and 4 only
Explanation: The approach uses fewer nursery-grown seedlings, wider spacing and efficient drip watering. Wider rows can support intercropping. It does not require a complete ban on inorganic fertilisers in every circumstance.
