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 41–50 of 99 questions
Explanation
In 2020, the Government of India launched the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana to revitalize the fisheries sector. This flagship scheme aims to bring about ecologically healthy and socially inclusive development. It focuses on enhancing fish production and productivity, improving post-harvest infrastructure, and modernizing the value chain to double the incomes of fishermen and fish farmers across the country.Explanation
India has emerged as a global leader in the fisheries sector. Currently, the country ranks third globally in total fish production and occupies the second position in aquaculture production. This significant growth is driven by the expansion of inland fisheries and the adoption of modern farming techniques, contributing substantially to India’s agricultural exports and providing essential protein to the population.Statement I: Historically, marine fisheries constituted the major share of India’s total fish production.
Statement II: In recent years, inland fisheries (including aquaculture) have surpassed marine fisheries and now contribute to more than 70 percent of total fish production.
Explanation
Historically, marine fisheries provided the largest share of India’s total fish production. However, recent decades have seen a significant structural shift. Inland fisheries, which include freshwater aquaculture, have grown exponentially and now surpass marine catches. Today, inland fisheries contribute more than seventy percent of the total fish production, reflecting the high potential of pond and reservoir-based farming in rural areas.Assertion (A): The Blue Revolution focuses exclusively on enhancing fish catch from deep-sea marine environments.
Reason (R): Inland aquaculture has experienced exponential growth and is highly suitable for integration with agriculture in rural areas.
Explanation
The Blue Revolution does not focus exclusively on deep-sea marine environments; in fact, it places immense emphasis on inland fisheries and aquaculture. While marine resources are important, inland aquaculture has experienced the most rapid growth in recent years. This is because inland farming is highly suitable for integration with existing agricultural activities in rural areas, providing farmers with additional income.Explanation
The Yellow Revolution in Indian agriculture refers to the focused effort to achieve self-reliance in the production of oilseeds. Launched in the late 1980s, this initiative aimed to increase the output of crops like mustard, groundnut, and soybean to meet the growing domestic demand for edible oils and reduce the country’s heavy reliance on expensive imports from international markets.Explanation
To drive the objectives of the Yellow Revolution, the Government of India launched the Technology Mission on Oilseeds in 1986. This mission was designed to integrate various aspects of oilseed production, including research, technology transfer, and processing. By providing farmers with better seeds and incentives, the mission sought to boost productivity and ensure a steady supply of domestic edible oils.Explanation
While India has made progress in oilseed production, it is not yet self-sufficient in edible oils. Rajasthan remains a leading producer of mustard, but the country still imports a significant portion of its edible oil requirements to meet domestic demand. Palm oil, in particular, accounts for a major share of these imports, highlighting the ongoing challenge of achieving total self-reliance.I. Mustard
II. Groundnut
III. Soybean
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The initial phase of the Yellow Revolution focused on several key oilseed crops to boost domestic production. These included mustard, groundnut, and soybean. By introducing high-yielding varieties and better cultivation techniques for these specific crops, the government aimed to increase the overall availability of edible oils and improve the economic condition of farmers in rainfed agricultural regions.Explanation
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development was established based on the recommendations of the Shivaraman Committee, also known as the Committee to Review Arrangements for Institutional Credit for Agriculture and Rural Development. Founded in 1982, NABARD was created to serve as an apex institution for providing and regulating credit and other facilities for the promotion of rural development.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 41 | (c) Fish and Marine products |
| 42 | (a) Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana |
| 43 | (d) India ranks third globally in total fish production and second in aquaculture. |
| 44 | (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are true. |
| 45 | (d) A is false but R is true. |
| 46 | (d) Oilseeds |
| 47 | (b) 1986 |
| 48 | (b) India is currently completely self-sufficient in edible oils and is a net exporter. |
| 49 | (d) I, II and III |
| 50 | (c) Shivaraman Committee (CRAFICARD) |
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.