30. Why did guar or cluster bean cultivation gain new commercial importance?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2014]
A. Guar gum is used in shale gas hydraulic fracturing
B. Its leaves replace tea exports
C. It is the only source of cane sugar
D. It became the leading wheat substitute
Answer: A. Guar gum is used in shale gas hydraulic fracturing
Explanation: Guar seeds provide guar gum, a thickening agent with industrial uses including oil and gas fracturing fluids. This external demand helped change the economics of a crop traditionally grown for fodder and vegetables.
29. Which ministry mappings for dryland programmes are correct:
drought-prone area—Agriculture;
desert development—Environment;
watershed project for rainfed areas—Rural Development?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2014]
A. First only
B. Second only
C. Third only
D. None of the three
Answer: D. None of the three
Explanation: The Drought-Prone Areas Programme and Desert Development Programme belonged to rural-development administration, while the National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas was with agricultural administration. Thus none of the three proposed ministry pairings matched.
28. Match the agricultural colour revolutions: foodgrain growth, milk, fisheries and fertilisers.
[UPPCS Civil Service 2014]
A. Green, White, Blue, Grey
B. White, Blue, Green, Grey
C. Grey, Green, White, Blue
D. Blue, White, Grey, Green
Answer: A. Green, White, Blue, Grey
Explanation: Green Revolution denotes rising foodgrain productivity, White Revolution relates to milk, Blue Revolution to fisheries and Grey Revolution to fertiliser output. These conventional colour labels are often tested in general studies examinations.
27. Which sugar-industry by-products are useful:
1. Bagasse for power;
2. Molasses as a feedstock for synthetic chemical fertiliser;
3. Molasses for ethanol?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2013]
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: C. 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Bagasse is fibrous cane residue used as boiler fuel and for cogeneration. Molasses is a fermentable by-product used for ethanol. The statement describing molasses as a normal synthetic-fertiliser feedstock is incorrect.
26. Why does India promote Mega Food Parks:
1. Processing infrastructure;
2. Reduced spoilage of perishables;
3. Access to improved food-processing technology?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2011]
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: Mega Food Parks seek to connect producers to processing, cold chains and distribution infrastructure. Better aggregation and technology can lower wastage, support value addition and improve the viability of food-processing enterprises.
25. Which institutions have the highest share in agricultural and allied-sector credit disbursements?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2011]
A. Commercial banks
B. Cooperative banks
C. Regional rural banks
D. Moneylenders
Answer: A. Commercial banks
Explanation: Commercial banks have become major formal institutional lenders to agriculture. Their lending covers crop operations as well as allied activities, while cooperative and regional rural banks also retain important roles.
24. Which claims about micro-irrigation are correct:
1. Nutrient loss may decrease;
2. It is the only irrigation method in drylands;
3. It can help arrest groundwater decline in some areas?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2011]
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. All three
Answer: B. 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Micro-irrigation applies controlled quantities of water and dissolved nutrients near roots, often reducing wastage. It is not the sole possible dryland irrigation method, though efficient use may ease groundwater stress in suitable areas.
23. The National Food Security Mission was initially designed to increase output of which crops?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2010]
A. Rice, wheat and pulses
B. Cotton, coffee and tea
C. Sugarcane, rubber and tobacco
D. Only maize and barley
Answer: A. Rice, wheat and pulses
Explanation: The National Food Security Mission initially focused on rice, wheat and pulses through area expansion and productivity improvements in identified districts. It combined improved inputs, demonstrations and extension support.
22. Consider:
1. The Union Government fixes sugarcane’s statutory minimum price each season;
2. Sugar and sugarcane are essential commodities under the Essential Commodities Act.
Which are correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2010]
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both
D. Neither
Answer: C. Both
Explanation: At the time of the question, statutory sugarcane pricing and essential-commodity regulation were important central interventions. Later terminology evolved toward Fair and Remunerative Price, so historical questions should be read in their examination-year context.
21. Consider:
1. CACP recommends MSP for 32 crops;
2. National Food Security Mission was launched by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.
Which are correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2009]
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both
D. Neither
Answer: D. Neither
Explanation: The numerical MSP claim was not accurate for the cited period, and the National Food Security Mission belonged to agriculture administration rather than the consumer-affairs ministry. The question checks both scheme ownership and pricing institutions.
