World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops: RAS Prelims MCQs
79 RAS Prelims MCQs on world agriculture cover farming types and systems and the major crops. Mixed farming, Mediterranean agriculture, shifting cultivation, commercial dairy farming and the processing of crops like cotton and jute are asked as definitions, locations and sequences, and the explanations give the reasons behind each pattern.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 21–30 of 79 questions
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops
Q21. Match the regions in List I with their dominant agricultural system in List II.
Region
System
A. Prairies of North America
i. Primitive Subsistence (Shifting)
B. Mediterranean coast of Europe
ii. Intensive Subsistence
C. Amazon Basin
iii. Commercial Grain Farming
D. Monsoon Asia
iv. Viticulture and Orchard Farming
Explanation
The North American Prairies are famous for extensive commercial grain farming. Mediterranean Europe specializes in viticulture and orchard farming. The Amazon Basin is a traditional area for primitive subsistence or shifting cultivation practiced by indigenous communities. Monsoon Asia is characterized by intensive subsistence agriculture, where high population density requires maximizing food production from small plots of land.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops
Q22. Consider the following statements regarding Dry land farming practices: I. It involves deep ploughing and moisture conservation techniques. II. It exclusively relies on groundwater extraction via tube wells. III. It restricts the cultivation of crops that require high amounts of water. IV. It is commonly practiced in the arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Dry land farming utilizes specific techniques like deep ploughing and mulching to conserve limited soil moisture. It focuses on crops that require minimal water and is prevalent in arid regions such as Rajasthan. Unlike irrigated farming, it does not rely on consistent groundwater extraction via tube wells. Instead, it adapts agricultural practices to the natural rainfall constraints.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops
Q23. Which of the following crops is considered a water-intensive crop primarily grown in the Kharif season in India?
Explanation
Rice is a water-intensive crop that requires high temperatures and heavy rainfall or irrigation for successful growth. In India, it is primarily grown during the Kharif season, coinciding with the Southwest Monsoon. The crop typically needs standing water in the fields during its early stages. This differentiates it from Rabi crops like wheat, which grow in drier conditions.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops
Q24. Which of the following represents the correct sequence of major wheat-producing countries arranged in descending order of their total production volume?
Explanation
China is the world’s leading producer of wheat, followed by India, as both nations have vast agricultural land and high domestic demand. Russia and the United States also rank among the top global producers, often exporting significant surpluses to international markets. These four countries dominate global wheat production, though rankings can shift slightly depending on annual weather patterns.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops
Q25. Which of the following pairs concerning the utilization of maize is correctly matched?
Explanation
Maize is a significant source for biofuel production, particularly ethanol, which is used as an alternative or additive to gasoline. While it is a staple food in many cultures and an essential fodder for livestock, its use for silk extraction or synthetic rubber is not standard. In developed economies, a large portion of maize is processed for energy.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops
Q26. Consider the following statements regarding Cotton cultivation: I. It requires high temperature and light rainfall or irrigation. II. It requires 210 frost-free days and bright sunshine for its growth. III. It is a Kharif crop in India. IV. It is heavily cultivated in the podzol soils of the Taiga region. V. China and India are among the top producers globally. Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Cotton is a tropical and subtropical crop that requires high temperatures, bright sunshine, and a long frost-free period. It is entirely unsuitable for the cold Taiga regions or acidic podzol soils found in high-latitude forests. Major producers like China and India cultivate cotton in warmer climates and moisture-retentive soils, such as the black soils of the Deccan Plateau.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops
Q27. Given below are two statements regarding Sugar beet: Statement I: Sugar beet requires a temperate climate with moderate rainfall and cool temperatures for optimal sucrose accumulation. Statement II: Sugar beet can only be cultivated in water-logged soils of the equatorial region. Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
Sugar beet is a temperate crop that thrives in cool climates with moderate rainfall, which promotes the accumulation of sucrose in its roots. It is not grown in equatorial regions or water-logged soils, as these conditions are unsuitable for its development. Instead, it is a major source of sugar in Europe and North America, complementing tropical sugarcane production.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops
Q28. What is the primary reason that coffee plantations often intersperse coffee plants with taller shade trees?
Explanation
Coffee plants are sensitive to direct, intense sunlight and extreme fluctuations in temperature. Taller shade trees are interspersed within plantations to create a microclimate that provides filtered light and maintains more stable temperatures. This practice protects the delicate coffee bushes, enhances bean quality, and helps retain soil moisture. It is an effective method used in many tropical regions worldwide.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops
Q29. Match the industrial crops in List I with their most suitable climatic requirements in List II.
Crop
Requirement
A. Natural Rubber
i. Tropical climate with well-drained fertile soil; long growing season.
B. Jute
ii. High temperature, heavy rainfall, and humid climate; grows best on flood plains.
C. Cotton
iii. Equatorial climate with heavy rainfall above 200 cm throughout the year.
D. Sugarcane
iv. High temperature, light rainfall, 210 frost-free days.
Explanation
Natural rubber requires an equatorial climate with very high rainfall. Jute thrives in hot, humid conditions on fertile floodplains. Cotton needs high temperatures and a specific frost-free period with light rainfall. Sugarcane is a tropical grass requiring a long growing season and well-drained fertile soil. Each crop has distinct environmental requirements that determine its geographical distribution and commercial success.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops
Q30. Which of the following best describes the core objective of the ‘Ladang’ agricultural system practiced in Southeast Asia?
Explanation
Ladang is the regional term for shifting cultivation practiced in Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia and Malaysia. The system involves clearing small patches of forest, burning the vegetation to enrich the soil with ash, and growing crops for a few years. Once the soil fertility declines, the plot is abandoned for a new site, allowing for forest regeneration.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
21
(a) A-iii, B-iv, C-i, D-ii
22
(c) I, III and IV only
23
(a) Rice
24
(a) China, India, Russia, USA
25
(a) Biofuel production - Ethanol derived from maize
26
(a) IV only
27
(c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.
28
(c) To protect coffee plants from direct sunlight and extreme temperature variations.
29
(a) A-iii, B-ii, C-iv, D-i
30
(a) It is a shifting cultivation system based on clearing forest patches for short-term agricultural use.
Key facts from World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops
Mixed farming gives equal emphasis to crop cultivation and animal husbandry.
Mediterranean agriculture is specialised in olives, grapes and citrus fruits.
Shifting cultivation leads to deforestation and loss of soil fertility in the tropics; in Brazil it is known as Roca.
Commercial dairy farms are located near urban centres that provide a ready market for fresh milk.
In the United States maize is used mostly as livestock feed.
Retting separates the fibre from the jute stem by soaking bundles in water.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops?
This page has 79 practice MCQs on World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops (World Geography). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
What is mixed farming?
A type of farming in which equal emphasis is placed on growing crops and rearing animals. It is common in the developed countries of the temperate zone, and the two activities support each other, since crop waste feeds animals and animals provide manure.
Which crops are typical of Mediterranean agriculture?
Olives, grapes and citrus fruits, which suit the hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters of the Mediterranean climate. The region is also known for its wine and for orchard crops grown on terraces.
What is retting?
Retting is the soaking of jute bundles in water so that the fibre separates from the stem. The microbes in the water rot the soft tissue, after which the fibre is stripped, washed and dried.
