Q91. A standard Soil Health Card assesses the status of soil based on how many distinct parameters?
Agricultural Development: Institutional, Technological Aspects and Reforms: RAS Prelims MCQs
99 RAS Prelims MCQs on agricultural development cover institutional reforms, technology and the Green Revolution. The abolition of intermediaries, tenancy laws, consolidation of holdings, cooperative farming, the 97th Amendment and the Green Revolution’s first phase are asked as facts, sequences and statements, with the explanations linking each reform to its State or year.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 91–99 of 99 questions
Q92. Which of the following statements regarding the Soil Health Card scheme is incorrect?
Explanation
The Soil Health Card scheme aims to promote sustainable agriculture by providing crop-specific fertilizer recommendations. It helps farmers reduce costs by preventing the over-use of urea. Importantly, the card does not just test for macro-nutrients like Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium; it also includes secondary nutrients, micronutrients, and vital physical parameters such as soil pH and organic carbon levels.
Q93. What is considered the most critical, direct benefit of implementing the Soil Health Card scheme on a nationwide scale?
Explanation
The most critical and direct benefit of the Soil Health Card scheme is its role in promoting the balanced and scientific use of chemical fertilizers. By identifying exact nutrient deficiencies in the soil, the card discourages the traditional practice of indiscriminate fertilizer application. This leads to healthier soil, improved crop yields, and reduced environmental pollution from excessive chemical runoff.
Q94. Consider the following parameters tested under the Soil Health Card scheme:
I. Macro-nutrients (N, P, K)
II. Secondary nutrient (Sulphur)
III. Micro-nutrients (Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Bo)
IV. Physical parameters (pH, EC, Organic Carbon)
Which of the above statement(s) indicating parameters included in the soil test report is/are correct?
I. Macro-nutrients (N, P, K)
II. Secondary nutrient (Sulphur)
III. Micro-nutrients (Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Bo)
IV. Physical parameters (pH, EC, Organic Carbon)
Which of the above statement(s) indicating parameters included in the soil test report is/are correct?
Explanation
The soil test report provided under the Soil Health Card scheme covers a wide array of indicators. This includes macro-nutrients like N, P, and K, and the secondary nutrient Sulphur. It also assesses several micro-nutrients, including Zinc, Iron, and Copper. Finally, it measures crucial physical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, and organic carbon, providing a holistic view of soil health.
Q95. According to the Agriculture Census (2015- 16), what is the average size of operational landholdings in India, reflecting the severe challenge of fragmentation?
Explanation
According to the 2015-16 Agriculture Census, the average size of operational landholdings in India has declined to approximately 1.08 hectares. This trend reflects the severe challenge of land fragmentation due to inheritance laws and population pressure. Small and fragmented holdings make it difficult for farmers to achieve economies of scale and adopt modern, mechanized farming practices.
Q96. Which of the following is an immediate consequence of climate change on Indian agriculture, severely impacting states like Rajasthan?
Explanation
Climate change poses a severe threat to Indian agriculture, especially through increased temperature variability. An immediate and damaging consequence is heat stress, particularly the terminal heat effect on Rabi crops like wheat. High temperatures during the grain-filling stage can significantly reduce crop duration and yields, presenting a major challenge for farmers in states like Rajasthan.
Q97. Match the Agricultural Challenges in List I with their Impacts/Consequences in List II and select the correct answer using the options given below:
| Agricultural Challenges | Impacts |
|---|---|
| A. Severe Land Fragmentation | i. High post-harvest losses, especially in horticulture |
| B. Over-exploitation of Groundwater | ii. Unviability of using large farm machinery |
| C. Climate Change and Heat Waves | iii. Increase in soil salinity and dark zones |
| D. Inadequate Cold Storage Logistics | iv. Altered phenology and reduced crop duration |
Explanation
Various agricultural challenges have distinct impacts. Severe land fragmentation makes the use of large farm machinery unviable. The over-exploitation of groundwater leads to increased soil salinity and the creation of ‘dark zones.’ Climate change and heat waves alter crop phenology and reduce duration. Inadequate cold storage logistics result in high post-harvest losses, particularly in the horticulture sector.
Q98. To combat the severe water stress challenge in regions like Rajasthan, the concept of ‘Per Drop More Crop’ is promoted. This is a primary component of which scheme?
Explanation
The concept of ‘Per Drop More Crop’ is a central pillar of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana. This component focuses on improving water use efficiency at the farm level through modern irrigation technologies like drip and sprinkler systems. By reducing water wastage, the scheme helps farmers in water-stressed regions like Rajasthan maintain productivity while conserving precious resources.
Q99. Consider the following strategies recommended by the Ashok Dalwai Committee to double farmers’ income:
I. Improvement in crop productivity.
II. Resource use efficiency or saving in cost of production.
III. Increase in cropping intensity.
IV. Diversification towards high value crops.
V. Shift of cultivators to non-farm jobs.
Which of the above statements representing these recommended strategies is/are correct?
I. Improvement in crop productivity.
II. Resource use efficiency or saving in cost of production.
III. Increase in cropping intensity.
IV. Diversification towards high value crops.
V. Shift of cultivators to non-farm jobs.
Which of the above statements representing these recommended strategies is/are correct?
Explanation
The Ashok Dalwai Committee recommended a multi-pronged approach to double farmers’ income. This includes improving crop productivity and resource use efficiency to save costs. The committee also emphasized increasing cropping intensity and diversifying toward high-value crops. Furthermore, it recognized that shifting some cultivators to non-farm jobs is necessary to reduce the population pressure on limited agricultural land.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 91 | (c) 12 |
| 92 | (c) It only tests for macro-nutrients (NPK) and completely ignores physical parameters like pH and electrical conductivity. |
| 93 | (d) Promoting the balanced use of chemical fertilizers based on exact soil deficiencies. |
| 94 | (d) I, II, III and IV |
| 95 | (b) 1.08 hectares |
| 96 | (b) Heat stress leading to terminal heat effect and reduced yield in rabi crops like wheat. |
| 97 | (a) A-ii, B-iii, C-iv, D-i |
| 98 | (c) Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) |
| 99 | (d) I, II, III, IV and V |
Key facts from Agricultural Development: Institutional, Technological Aspects and Reforms
- Agriculture and allied sectors contribute about 18.3 per cent of India’s Gross Value Added.
- Madras was the first State in independent India to legislate for the abolition of the Zamindari system.
- The Rajasthan Tenancy Act, which gave statutory rights to tenants, was passed in 1955.
- Consolidation of holdings, which joins fragmented parcels into a compact block, has been most successful in Punjab and Haryana.
- The 97th Amendment Act, 2011 gave constitutional status to cooperative societies.
- M. S. Swaminathan is the chief architect of the Green Revolution, whose first phase was mainly confined to wheat and rice.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Agricultural Development: Institutional, Technological Aspects and Reforms?
This page has 99 practice MCQs on Agricultural Development: Institutional, Technological Aspects and Reforms (Indian Economy). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
What is the objective of consolidation of landholdings?
To amalgamate fragmented parcels of land into a single compact block. It reduces the cost of cultivation, saves time and makes irrigation and mechanisation easier, and it has worked best in Punjab and Haryana.
Which amendment gave constitutional status to cooperative societies?
The 97th Amendment Act of 2011. It made the right to form cooperative societies a fundamental right under Article 19 and added a Directive Principle on promoting them.
Who is the father of the Green Revolution in India?
M. S. Swaminathan is widely regarded as the chief architect of the Green Revolution in India. The first phase, from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s, was largely limited to wheat and rice in irrigated areas.