Agriculture: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Geography)

Explanation

Assertion (A) is false: It is incorrect to assert that there are no tea plantations in any African country. Several African countries, such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, and Rwanda, are major tea producers. Kenya is the third-largest tea producer globally after China and India. Malawi was the first African country to grow tea (in the 19th century) and remains a key exporter. Reason (R) is true: Tea plants do need fertile soil with high humus. Tea plants thrive in fertile, well-drained soils with high humus content, which improves water retention and nutrient availability.

Explanation

Dalbergia species is a genus of trees and shrubs known for their high-quality timber, especially varieties used in furniture and musical instruments. Dalbergia includes species such as Dalbergia sissoo (Indian Rosewood) and Dalbergia latifolia (East Indian Rosewood), which are primarily used for rosewood timber. These trees are valued for their durability, aesthetic grain patterns, and strength, making them popular for crafting luxury furniture and decorative items. Dalbergia species are not associated with crops like cashew, coffee, or tea.

Explanation

Eco-friendly agriculture is a farming approach that focuses on reducing environmental harm while ensuring long-term sustainability and benefiting farmers, communities, and consumers. Sustainable agriculture is crucial for human health, food safety, environmental conservation, long-term food security, soil health, farmer empowerment, water conservation, biodiversity preservation, and addressing climate change.

Option (a) is correct: Organic Farming is eco-friendly. It avoids synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms. It relies on natural inputs like compost, crop rotation, and biological pest control, promoting soil health, biodiversity, and reduced pollution. Options (b), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

Shifting Cultivation is not eco-friendly. Also known as "slash and burn" agriculture, it involves clearing forests for temporary farming. This practice leads to deforestation, soil degradation, and loss of biodiversity. Cultivation of High-Yielding Varieties (HYVs) is not eco-friendly. These varieties often require significant inputs of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and water, which can lead to environmental degradation, including soil depletion, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity. Growing Plants in Glasshouses is not eco-friendly. Glasshouses typically rely on significant energy inputs for heating, cooling, and artificial lighting, which contribute to carbon emissions unless renewable energy is used.

Explanation

Assertion (A) is true: Bt cotton is a genetically modified (GM) crop that has been engineered to produce a protein toxic to certain insect pests, particularly bollworms. The gene responsible for this trait is derived from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). When the Bt gene is inserted into the cotton plant, the plant produces the Bt toxin, which kills specific insect pests when they feed on the plant. Reason (R) is true: The Bt gene is derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. This bacterium naturally produces a protein (Cry protein) that is toxic to certain insects. Scientists isolated the gene responsible for producing this protein and inserted it into the cotton plant’s genome to create insect-resistant transgenic cotton. Reason (R) correctly explains Assertion (A): The insertion of the Bt gene from Bacillus thuringiensis into cotton plants enables these transgenic plants to produce the Bt toxin internally. The Bt gene encodes a protein that is toxic to certain insects but harmless to humans and other non-target organisms. When the gene is inserted into the cotton plant, the plant itself produces the toxin, reducing the need for chemical insecticides.

Explanation

A is matched correctly with 2: Cotton cultivation needs 1500-2000 mm of rainfall and the suitable temperature range required for cotton growth is 25° - 35°C. Cotton is a tropical and subtropical crop that needs a long growing season with plenty of sunshine. Excessive rainfall can damage the crop, so moderate rainfall is ideal. The states of India with significant cotton production are Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. B is matched correctly with 3: Flax cultivation needs 600-800 mm of rainfall and temperature requirement varies from 5° - 18°C. The major flax growing states in India are Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Nagaland and Assam accounting for about 97 percent of total area of the country. Flax prefers cooler temperatures and moderate rainfall. It is commonly grown in regions with mild summers and well-distributed rainfall. C is matched correctly with 5: The suitable climatic condition for sugar beet requires 500-600 mm and temperature 18°-22°C. D is matched correctly with 4: Jute cultivation needs 500-1000 mm rainfall and temperature between 18°-22°C. The jute industry is among the oldest and most prominent industries in India. It is primarily grown in the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta region of India and Bangladesh. The major jute-producing states in India are West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Orissa, and Andhra Pradesh.

Explanation

India is the largest producer of fuelwood in the world due to its extensive use in rural areas for cooking and heating. In rural India, traditional biomass sources like firewood account for a significant share of energy consumption. Fuelwoodis sourced from forests, plantations, and farm trees, especially in states with dense forests and agroforestry practices.

Option (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:

Indonesia: A major producer of timber, but its fuelwood production is significantly lower than India’s due to its smaller rural population relying on fuelwood. Russia: Focuses on commercial timber and industrial wood rather than fuelwood. China: While biomass energy is significant, China’s reliance on coal and other energy sources reduces its dependence on fuelwood compared to India.

Explanation

Wheat is mainly grown during Rabi season and has wide adaptability. It can be grown not only in the tropical and sub-tropical zones, but also in the temperate zone and the cold tracts of the far north, beyond even to the 60 degrees North altitude.

Option (a) is correct: Wheat grows best in a moderate temperature range of 10°C-25°C. For a good crop of wheat, the following conditions are ideal:

Temperature: Wheat grows best in a moderate temperature range of 10°C-25°C. Temperatures above 25 C during this period tend to depress grain weight. Moderate rainfall of 50-75 cm is sufficient, as excessive rainfall can damage the crop. Cloudy weather, with high humidity and low temperatures is conducive for rust attack Wheat requires a cool climate during the growing period and a warm, dry climate during harvesting to ensure proper grain development.

Explanation

The Barak Valley is located in the southern part of Assam, India, comprising the districts of Cachar, Karimganj, and Hailakandi. This region is characterized by a warm and humid climate, with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 30°C and annual rainfall between 100 to 200 cm. These conditions are ideal for the cultivation of jute, making it a significant crop in the Barak Valley.

Option (a) is correct: Jute is grown here as a cash crop and contributes significantly to the region’s agricultural economy. Jute flourishes in regions with high humidity, temperatures exceeding 25°C, and well-drained loamy soil. The Barak Valley is enriched by the Barak River which provides these ideal conditions making it highly suitable for jute cultivation. Options (b), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

While tea is a significant crop in Assam, tea cultivation is more prominent in the Brahmaputra Valley rather than the Barak Valley. Sugarcane is cultivated in various parts of India, including Assam but it is not a major crop of the Barak Valley. The major sugarcane producing states in India are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, and Odisha with Uttar Pradesh being the largest producer of sugarcane in the country. Cotton is not a significant crop in the Barak Valley due to the region’s unsuitable climatic and soil conditions. States of India known for cotton production include Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.