Q1. Which of the following represents the most appropriate description of the role of agriculture in the Indian economy?
Agriculture: Food, Commercial and Plantation Crops: RAS Prelims MCQs
23 RAS Prelims MCQs on Indian agriculture cover food, commercial and plantation crops, their conditions of growth and leading States. Wheat, maize, rubber, jute, floriculture and vegetables are asked along with the regional divisions of agriculture and the institutional challenges of farming, and the explanations give the climate and soil each crop needs.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 1–10 of 23 questions
Q2. Which of the following statements correctly differentiates between the Kharif and Rabi cropping seasons in India?
Explanation
Cropping patterns in India are largely determined by climatic variations and monsoon cycles. Kharif crops are sown at the beginning of the southwest monsoon season, typically in June or July, and harvested in autumn. In contrast, Rabi crops are sown at the start of winter, around October or November, and harvested during the spring months.
Q3. Which of the following states is not traditionally considered a major rice-producing state but has seen increased production due to the expansion of irrigation networks?
Explanation
Traditionally, rice is a crop of high rainfall areas like West Bengal and Odisha. However, with the expansion of extensive canal and tubewell irrigation networks during the Green Revolution, states like Punjab and Haryana have emerged as major rice producers. This technological shift enabled rice cultivation in regions that do not naturally receive sufficient monsoon rainfall annually.
Q4. In the following question, a statement of
Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of
Reason (R). Choose the correct option.
Assertion (A): The Green Revolution in India disproportionately benefited wheat production over other crops.
Reason (R): High Yielding Variety seeds introduced during the Green Revolution were primarily successful in wheat in the irrigated regions of Punjab and Haryana.
Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of
Reason (R). Choose the correct option.
Assertion (A): The Green Revolution in India disproportionately benefited wheat production over other crops.
Reason (R): High Yielding Variety seeds introduced during the Green Revolution were primarily successful in wheat in the irrigated regions of Punjab and Haryana.
Explanation
The Green Revolution significantly transformed Indian agriculture by introducing high-yielding variety seeds specifically developed for wheat. This scientific advancement was most successful in northern states like Punjab and Haryana because these regions possessed well-established irrigation systems. Consequently, wheat production grew at a much faster rate compared to other food grains, creating a noticeable disparity in growth.
Q5. Maize in India is used both as food and fodder. Which of the following temperature and soil conditions are most ideal for maize cultivation?
Explanation
Maize is a versatile cereal crop utilized as both food for humans and fodder for livestock. It thrives best in geographical conditions featuring temperatures ranging between twenty-one and twenty-seven degrees Celsius. Additionally, the presence of old alluvial soil is ideal for its growth, providing the necessary nutrients and drainage required for a healthy and high-yield harvest.
Q6. Which of the following states is generally an exception and not considered among the top traditional hubs for commercial floriculture in India?
Explanation
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra are leading centres of commercial floriculture in India. Jharkhand is not among the traditional hubs, so it is the exception.
Q7. Consider the following statements regarding the challenges faced by Indian agriculture:
I. The average size of operational landholdings has been steadily increasing.
II. Depletion of groundwater tables severely impacts sustainable irrigation.
III. A lack of cold storage facilities leads to high post-harvest losses.
IV. Access to formal credit remains difficult for small and marginal farmers.
V. The APMC act universally guarantees maximum retail price to all farmers directly.
Which combination represents the incorrect statement(s)?
I. The average size of operational landholdings has been steadily increasing.
II. Depletion of groundwater tables severely impacts sustainable irrigation.
III. A lack of cold storage facilities leads to high post-harvest losses.
IV. Access to formal credit remains difficult for small and marginal farmers.
V. The APMC act universally guarantees maximum retail price to all farmers directly.
Which combination represents the incorrect statement(s)?
Explanation
Indian agriculture faces several hurdles, but some common perceptions are incorrect. First, the average size of landholdings is actually decreasing due to fragmentation, not increasing. Second, while the APMC system regulates markets, it does not universally guarantee a maximum retail price to all farmers. Valid challenges include the depletion of groundwater, high post-harvest losses, and limited formal credit access.
Q8. Identify the correctly matched pair regarding India’s agro-climatic zones and their prominent features.
Explanation
The Eastern Himalayan Region is characterized by high annual rainfall, rugged hilly terrain, and dense forest cover. Due to these geographical features, shifting cultivation, locally known as Jhumming, is a prominent agricultural practice among tribal communities. This contrasts with other zones like the Western Dry Region, which is arid, or the Trans-Gangetic Plains, which feature intensive irrigation and productivity.
Q9. Wheat is the second most important cereal crop in India. Which state is the leading producer of wheat in terms of total volume?
Explanation
Wheat is the second most important cereal crop in India and a staple for millions. While Punjab and Haryana are famous for their high productivity and the success of the Green Revolution, Uttar Pradesh is the leading producer in terms of total volume. This is due to the state’s vast geographical area and the extensive fertile plains of northern India.
Q10. Disguised unemployment is a major feature of the Indian agricultural sector. What is the primary cause of this phenomenon?
Explanation
Disguised unemployment is a common phenomenon in Indian agriculture where more people are engaged in farming a piece of land than are actually needed. If some workers are removed, total production remains unchanged because their marginal productivity is zero. This situation arises primarily because of the lack of alternative employment opportunities in manufacturing and service sectors for rural workforces.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | (b) It employs the largest segment of the workforce despite its declining share in Gross Domestic Product. |
| 2 | (a) Kharif crops rely on the southwest monsoon, while Rabi crops are sown at the beginning of winter. |
| 3 | (c) Punjab |
| 4 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 5 | (c) Temperature between 21 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius in old alluvial soil |
| 6 | (c) Jharkhand |
| 7 | (b) I and V |
| 8 | (d) Eastern Himalayan Region: High rainfall, dense forest, and shifting cultivation. |
| 9 | (a) Uttar Pradesh |
| 10 | (c) More people engaged in work on a piece of land than are actually required. |
Key facts from Agriculture: Food, Commercial and Plantation Crops
- Wheat is the second most important cereal of India, and Uttar Pradesh is the leading producer.
- The Middle Gangetic Plain region covers Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
- Maize needs deep, well-drained loam, sunshine and 21 to 27 degrees Celsius, and does not tolerate waterlogging.
- Natural rubber is an equatorial crop needing over 200 cm of rain and temperatures above 25 degrees; Kerala is the largest producer.
- Fragmentation of landholdings is an institutional challenge of Indian farming.
- The Hooghly basin is the most globally recognised hub for jute.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Agriculture: Food, Commercial and Plantation Crops?
This page has 23 practice MCQs on Agriculture: Food, Commercial and Plantation Crops (Indian Geography). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which State is the leading producer of wheat?
Uttar Pradesh, followed by Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Wheat is a Rabi crop grown in the cool season with irrigation and is India’s second most important cereal.
What conditions does natural rubber need?
More than 200 cm of rain, a temperature above 25 degrees Celsius and a humid equatorial climate. This is why Kerala is the largest producer, while the dry zones of western Rajasthan are unsuitable.
Which river basin is the major jute hub?
The Hooghly basin in West Bengal. The humid climate, alluvial soil and plentiful water for retting make the delta region of the Ganga a world centre of jute.