Q71. If a farmer wants to cultivate cotton successfully, which of the following combinations of environmental conditions should they seek?
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 71–79 of 79 questions
Q72. Which of the following pairs of sugar-producing crops and their climatic preference is incorrectly matched?
Explanation
Sugarcane is a tropical and subtropical crop that is highly sensitive to frost; even a short freeze can damage the plant and reduce its sugar content. In contrast, sugar beet is well-adapted to cool temperate climates and is a major source of sugar in those regions. Statement three is incorrect because frost-prone continental climates are unsuitable for sugarcane growing needs.
Q73. Given below are two statements regarding tea cultivation:
Statement I: Tea bushes require an acidic, well-drained soil and high rainfall evenly distributed throughout the year.
Statement II: Stagnant water around the roots of the tea plant is highly beneficial for the growth of tender leaves.
Which of the following is correct?
Statement I: Tea bushes require an acidic, well-drained soil and high rainfall evenly distributed throughout the year.
Statement II: Stagnant water around the roots of the tea plant is highly beneficial for the growth of tender leaves.
Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
Tea bushes require acidic, well-drained soil and high rainfall that is evenly distributed throughout the year to promote continuous growth of tender leaves. However, stagnant water is highly damaging as it can cause root rot; therefore, tea is often grown on hill slopes to ensure natural drainage. Statement two is incorrect because the plant cannot tolerate waterlogging in its roots.
Q74. Which of the following statements about the distribution and production of Jute is incorrect?
Explanation
Jute is a tropical fiber crop that requires high temperatures and heavy rainfall throughout its growth cycle. It thrives in humid conditions and fertile alluvial soils, particularly in the delta regions of India and Bangladesh. The claim that it requires a cool and dry climate is incorrect, as such conditions would stunt the plant’s growth. Harvesting jute requires significant manual labor.
Q75. Which of the following farming systems is the odd one out in terms of its primary reliance on chemical fertilizers and advanced mechanization?
Explanation
Primitive subsistence agriculture relies on traditional tools, manual labor, and natural soil fertility rather than modern industrial inputs. In contrast, commercial grain farming, dairy farming, and modern mixed farming are characterized by high levels of mechanization and the application of chemical fertilizers. This fundamental difference in technological intensity separates primitive farming from the advanced, profit-oriented agricultural systems that dominate global trade.
Q76. Regarding plantation agriculture, which of the following is NOT typically considered a plantation crop?
Explanation
Plantation agriculture is a specialized commercial system focusing on the large-scale production of a single cash crop, such as rubber, coffee, tea, or sugarcane, primarily for export. These crops are usually grown on large estates in tropical regions. Wheat, however, is a cereal grain typically grown in extensive commercial grain farming or subsistence systems. It is not managed under plantations.
Q77. What is the main effect of inadequate drainage in heavily irrigated farming regions, such as parts of the Indira Gandhi Canal command area in Rajasthan?
Explanation
In heavily irrigated regions with poor drainage, the water table can rise to the surface, causing waterlogging. This inhibits plant growth by depriving roots of oxygen. Additionally, as water evaporates from the soil surface, it leaves behind dissolved salts, leading to secondary salinization. This process degrades soil quality and can eventually render the land unproductive, as seen in parts of northwestern Rajasthan.
Q78. Which cereal crop ranks first in the world in terms of total geographical area under cultivation and acts as a staple food for a large portion of the global population, especially in temperate zones?
Explanation
Wheat is the world’s most widely cultivated cereal crop in terms of total geographical area. It serves as a primary staple food for a large portion of the global population, particularly in the temperate regions of Europe, North America, and Asia. Its versatility and ability to grow in varied environments make it a cornerstone of global food security and international agricultural trade.
Q79. Which of the following agricultural practices is the most appropriate and sustainable approach for maintaining soil fertility in mixed farming systems?
Explanation
The most sustainable way to maintain soil fertility in mixed farming is through crop rotation that incorporates leguminous plants like clover or alfalfa. These crops naturally enrich the soil with nitrogen. This practice, combined with the application of animal manure from livestock, reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers. It ensures long-term agricultural productivity while supporting the livestock component of the farm system.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 71 | (a) Well-drained black clayey soil, ample sunshine, and a long frost-free period. |
| 72 | (c) Sugarcane - Frost-prone continental climates |
| 73 | (c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect. |
| 74 | (d) Jute requires a cool and dry climate during its primary growth phase. |
| 75 | (b) Primitive subsistence (Shifting cultivation) |
| 76 | (c) Wheat |
| 77 | (d) Waterlogging and secondary salinization of the soil. |
| 78 | (a) Wheat |
| 79 | (b) Crop rotation incorporating leguminous fodder crops like clover or alfalfa. |
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.