Q11. Which of the following crops is not typically cultivated during the Zaid season in India?
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 11–20 of 23 questions
Q12. Which of the following river basins in India is the most globally recognized hub for the cultivation of Jute, also known as the golden fibre?
Explanation
The Hooghly basin in West Bengal is the most globally recognized hub for jute cultivation and processing. The region provides the perfect combination of fertile alluvial soil, high temperatures, and high humidity. Furthermore, the abundance of water from the Hooghly River and its tributaries is crucial for the retting process, where jute stalks are soaked to separate the commercial fibers.
Q13. Consider the following statements regarding Rice cultivation:
I. India is the largest producer of rice in the world.
II. It is a Kharif crop requiring high humidity.
III. Punjab and Haryana grow rice primarily using canal irrigation and tubewells.
IV. Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) is a technique used to save water in paddy cultivation.
Which combination represents the correct statements?
I. India is the largest producer of rice in the world.
II. It is a Kharif crop requiring high humidity.
III. Punjab and Haryana grow rice primarily using canal irrigation and tubewells.
IV. Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) is a technique used to save water in paddy cultivation.
Which combination represents the correct statements?
Explanation
Rice is a critical Kharif crop in India that requires high humidity and significant water. Although China is the world’s largest producer, India follows closely in the second position. In states like Punjab and Haryana, rice cultivation is made possible through intensive irrigation using canals and tubewells. Modern techniques like Direct Seeded Rice are being promoted to reduce water consumption.
Q14. Given below are two statements regarding agricultural production in India. Read the statements and choose the correct option.
Statement I: Groundnut is a Kharif crop and accounts for about half of the major oilseeds produced in the country.
Statement II: Gujarat is consistently one of the largest producing states of groundnut in India.
Statement I: Groundnut is a Kharif crop and accounts for about half of the major oilseeds produced in the country.
Statement II: Gujarat is consistently one of the largest producing states of groundnut in India.
Explanation
Groundnut is a major Kharif oilseed that accounts for nearly half of the total oilseed production in India. It grows well in various soils but is most productive in well-drained loamy and sandy soils. Gujarat is consistently the leading producer of groundnut in the country. While both statements are true, the fact that Gujarat is a leader doesn’t define the season.
Q15. Arrange the following states in the correct descending order of their total rice production:
A. West Bengal
B. Uttar Pradesh
C. Punjab
D. Rajasthan
Select the correct order:
A. West Bengal
B. Uttar Pradesh
C. Punjab
D. Rajasthan
Select the correct order:
Explanation
Rice production in India varies significantly by state based on water availability and climate. West Bengal is the largest producer, benefiting from high rainfall and multiple crops per year. Uttar Pradesh ranks second due to its vast fertile plains. Punjab is the third-largest producer, relying heavily on advanced irrigation. Rajasthan produces the least among these four due to its arid environment.
Q16. The tea plant grows well in tropical and sub-tropical climates. Which soil characteristic is essential for tea plantations to thrive?
Explanation
Tea is a plantation crop that requires very specific soil conditions to thrive. It grows best in deep, fertile, and well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter and humus. While tea requires high rainfall, it is extremely sensitive to stagnant water around its roots.
Q17. Match the coarse cereal in List-I with its primary producing state in List-II.
| Coarse Cereal | State |
|---|---|
| A. Jowar | i. Rajasthan |
| B. Bajra | ii. Maharashtra |
| C. Ragi | iii. Karnataka |
| D. Barley | iv. Uttar Pradesh |
Explanation
Coarse cereals are important for regional food security in India. Maharashtra is the leading producer of Jowar, while Rajasthan leads in Bajra production due to its sandy soils. Karnataka is the top producer of Ragi, a crop valued for its nutritional content. Barley is an important crop in Uttar Pradesh, where it is grown during the Rabi season in plains.
Q18. A farmer transitions from conventional to organic farming. In the first three years, the farmer notices a dip in the crop yield but premium pricing in the market. What economic term best describes the certification phase where the land recovers from chemical residues before being officially certified as organic?
Explanation
When a farmer switches from conventional to organic farming, the land undergoes a mandatory "conversion period." During these three years, the soil gradually recovers from the residues of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers used previously. While the farmer follows organic practices, the produce cannot yet be sold with an official organic seal. This phase is crucial for ensuring long-term biological integrity.
Q19. The ‘Middle Gangetic Plain Region’ primarily encompasses the agricultural zones of which two major Indian states known for high population density and intensive subsistence farming?
Explanation
The Middle Gangetic Plain region covers the agricultural zones of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, which have a high population density and intensive subsistence farming.
Q20. Several challenges plague Indian agriculture. Which of the following is an institutional challenge rather than a technological or environmental one?
Explanation
Groundwater depletion, lack of high-yielding seeds and pest attacks are technological or environmental problems. Fragmentation of landholdings is an institutional challenge, since it comes from the structure of land ownership.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 11 | (a) Mustard |
| 12 | (c) Hooghly basin |
| 13 | (d) II, III and IV |
| 14 | (b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I. |
| 15 | (a) A, B, C, D |
| 16 | (a) Deep, fertile, well-drained soil rich in humus and organic matter. |
| 17 | (b) A-ii, B-i, C-iii, D-iv |
| 18 | (c) Conversion period |
| 19 | (a) Uttar Pradesh and Bihar |
| 20 | (d) Fragmentation of landholdings |
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.