Q31. Consider the following scenario: An agricultural extension officer suggests planting shelterbelts and windbreaks in a farm located in Jaisalmer. Which specific issue of land degradation is the officer primarily trying to mitigate?
Agriculture in Rajasthan: Status, Issues and Initiatives: RAS Prelims MCQs
62 RAS Prelims MCQs on agriculture in Rajasthan cover its share in the economy, the crops and regions, irrigation and the risk of drought. The core maize districts, the national rank in mustard and spices, the fruit-growing districts and the order of drought vulnerability are asked as facts, and the explanations tie each crop to its climate and region.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 31–40 of 62 questions
Q32. Read the following statements regarding agricultural marketing in Rajasthan:
I. e-NAM (National Agriculture Market) integrates existing APMC mandis to create a unified national market.
II. Storage and warehousing deficits often force small farmers in Rajasthan into distress sales.
III. The Directorate of Agricultural Marketing regulates the operations of mandis in the state.
IV. Cooperative marketing societies play no role in agricultural marketing in Rajasthan.
Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?
I. e-NAM (National Agriculture Market) integrates existing APMC mandis to create a unified national market.
II. Storage and warehousing deficits often force small farmers in Rajasthan into distress sales.
III. The Directorate of Agricultural Marketing regulates the operations of mandis in the state.
IV. Cooperative marketing societies play no role in agricultural marketing in Rajasthan.
Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Marketing systems in Rajasthan are evolving through digital integration via e-NAM and regulation by the Directorate of Agricultural Marketing. Statement four is incorrect because cooperative marketing societies actually play a significant role in the state. They assist in the procurement, storage, and sale of agricultural produce, providing an alternative channel that helps farmers avoid distress sales and obtain better market prices.
Q33. Which of the following is NOT a recognized cause of soil degradation in the agricultural lands of Rajasthan?
Explanation
Soil degradation in Rajasthan is driven by factors like wind erosion in the west, water erosion in the Chambal ravines, and salinity due to unscientific irrigation. However, the application of farmyard manure is a positive agricultural practice. It improves soil structure, enhances water retention, and increases organic matter content, thereby helping to restore and maintain soil health rather than causing degradation.
Q34. Identify the correct statement regarding drought management programs in Rajasthan.
Explanation
The Drought Prone Area Programme is a key initiative designed to mitigate the long-term impact of water scarcity. It focuses on water harvesting, soil conservation, and promoting sustainable land use practices. Statements about full state funding for DDP or total eradication of drought impacts are factually incorrect, as these programs often involve central assistance and drought remains a recurring challenge in Rajasthan.
Q35. Which of the following agencies acts as the primary nodal agency for the procurement of oilseeds and pulses under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations in Rajasthan?
Explanation
RAJFED serves as the primary nodal agency in Rajasthan for implementing Minimum Support Price operations for oilseeds and pulses on behalf of the central government. It coordinates the procurement process through cooperative societies, ensuring that farmers receive the guaranteed price for their harvest. This intervention is crucial for stabilizing market prices and protecting the income of farmers during periods of surplus production.
Q36. Read the following statements regarding the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme in Rajasthan:
I. It aims to provide adequate and timely credit support to farmers for their cultivation and other needs.
II. The credit limit is fixed based on operational landholding, cropping pattern, and scale of finance.
III. Only commercial banks are authorized to issue KCCs in Rajasthan; cooperative banks are excluded.
IV. It covers post-harvest expenses and consumption requirements of farmer households.
V. Tenant farmers and sharecroppers are eligible for the KCC scheme.
Which of the above statements are correct?
I. It aims to provide adequate and timely credit support to farmers for their cultivation and other needs.
II. The credit limit is fixed based on operational landholding, cropping pattern, and scale of finance.
III. Only commercial banks are authorized to issue KCCs in Rajasthan; cooperative banks are excluded.
IV. It covers post-harvest expenses and consumption requirements of farmer households.
V. Tenant farmers and sharecroppers are eligible for the KCC scheme.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Explanation
The KCC scheme provides flexible credit for cultivation, post-harvest needs, and consumption. Eligibility extends to various categories, including tenant farmers. Statement three is incorrect because KCCs are issued by a wide range of institutions, including commercial, regional rural, and cooperative banks. This broad institutional support ensures that credit is accessible to farmers even in the remote rural areas of Rajasthan.
Q37. Match the crops in List I with the maximum premium rate payable by farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in
List II.
List I: (Crop Type)
A. Kharif food and oilseed crops
B. Rabi food and oilseed crops
C. Annual commercial crops
D. Annual horticultural crops
List II: (Maximum Premium Rate)
i. 1.5%
ii. 2.0%
iii. 5.0%
iv. 5.0%
List II.
List I: (Crop Type)
A. Kharif food and oilseed crops
B. Rabi food and oilseed crops
C. Annual commercial crops
D. Annual horticultural crops
List II: (Maximum Premium Rate)
i. 1.5%
ii. 2.0%
iii. 5.0%
iv. 5.0%
Explanation
Under the PMFBY, farmers pay a subsidized and capped premium rate. For Kharif food and oilseed crops, the rate is 2.0 percent. For Rabi food and oilseed crops, it is lower at 1.5 percent. Annual commercial and horticultural crops both have a maximum premium rate of 5.0 percent. The government covers the remainder of the premium to ensure insurance affordability.
Q38. Identify the incorrect statement concerning the cooperative credit structure for farmers in Rajasthan.
Explanation
Rajasthan’s short-term cooperative credit system is three-tiered. Primary Agricultural Credit Societies operate at the village level, and Central Cooperative Banks function at the district level. Statement two is incorrect because the Rajasthan State Cooperative Bank is the apex body at the state level. It provides leadership and refinance facilities to the district-level banks, ensuring a smooth flow of agricultural credit.
Q39. Read the following statements about the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in Rajasthan:
I. It aims to provide financial support to farmers suffering crop loss due to non-preventable natural risks.
II. Enrolment under PMFBY is currently optional for farmers.
III. Yield losses due to localized calamities like hailstorms and landslides are assessed at the individual farm level.
Which of the above statements are correct?
I. It aims to provide financial support to farmers suffering crop loss due to non-preventable natural risks.
II. Enrolment under PMFBY is currently optional for farmers.
III. Yield losses due to localized calamities like hailstorms and landslides are assessed at the individual farm level.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Explanation
The PMFBY aims to protect farmers from financial losses caused by natural disasters. Currently, the scheme is optional for all farmers, including those with existing bank loans. For specific localized events like hailstorms or landslides, the assessment of crop damage is conducted at the individual farm level to ensure fair and accurate compensation for the affected farmers in the state.
Q40. At which level do the Primary Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Banks (PCARDBs) generally operate in Rajasthan to provide long-term credit to farmers?
Explanation
Primary Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Banks operate at the Panchayat Samiti or Tehsil level in Rajasthan. These institutions are specifically designed to provide long-term credit to farmers for investments such as land development, minor irrigation, and the purchase of farm machinery. By functioning at the local level, they ensure that long-term financing is accessible to the rural farming community for asset creation.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 31 | (d) Wind erosion and sand dune shifting |
| 32 | (c) IV only |
| 33 | (b) Extensive application of farmyard manure (FYM) |
| 34 | (d) The Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) aims to minimize the adverse effects of drought on crops, livestock, and land productivity. |
| 35 | (c) RAJFED (Rajasthan State Co-operative Marketing Federation Ltd.) for oilseed procurement. |
| 36 | (b) I, II, IV, and V only |
| 37 | (a) A-ii, B-i, C-iii, D-iv |
| 38 | (b) Central Cooperative Banks (CCBs) function at the state level as the apex body. |
| 39 | (d) I, II, and III |
| 40 | (a) Panchayat Samiti/Tehsil level |
Key facts from Agriculture in Rajasthan: Status, Issues and Initiatives
- Agriculture and allied sectors contribute about 28 to 30 per cent of Rajasthan’s economy.
- Bajra is the crop of the arid west because it matures quickly and needs little water.
- Bhilwara, Chittorgarh and Udaipur are the core maize-producing districts.
- Rajasthan holds the first national rank in rapeseed and mustard, and is the largest producer of coriander, cumin and fenugreek.
- Around 30 to 35 per cent of the net sown area is under assured irrigation.
- Jhalawar is known for oranges (mandarin); drought vulnerability is highest in the Western Arid Region, then the Semi-Arid Region and then the South-Eastern Plateau.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Agriculture in Rajasthan: Status, Issues and Initiatives?
This page has 62 practice MCQs on Agriculture in Rajasthan: Status, Issues and Initiatives (Rajasthan Economy). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which crop does Rajasthan lead India in?
Rapeseed and mustard, where it frequently holds the first rank. It is also the largest producer of spices such as coriander, cumin and fenugreek, and the first in bajra.
Which are the main maize-growing districts?
Bhilwara, Chittorgarh and Udaipur in the south and south-east. These districts have the rainfall and soils that suit maize, which is a Kharif crop grown with the monsoon rains, and the crop is also an important fodder source for livestock.
How much of the net sown area is irrigated?
Around 30 to 35 per cent is under assured irrigation, so most farming in the State still depends on rain, which is erratic. This is why crop output swings from year to year.