UPSC Prelims 2008 Q69: Geography – Indian Agriculture & Land Use
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Checking two claims about Karnataka's agricultural regions
These statements examine specific agricultural specializations of two Karnataka districts, with the claims actually swapped.
| Statement | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Chikmagalur is well-known for sugar production | Incorrect | Chikmagalur is actually well-known for coffee production, not sugar |
| 2. Mandya is well-known as a coffee-producing region | Incorrect | Mandya is actually well-known for sugar production (sugarcane), not coffee |
Correcting both claims (the roles are swapped):
| District | Actual specialization |
|---|---|
| Chikmagalur | Coffee (NOT sugar) |
| Mandya | Sugar/sugarcane (NOT coffee) |
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Chikmagalur is actually known for coffee, not sugar, so statement 1 is false.
- (b) Incorrect. Mandya is actually known for sugar, not coffee, so statement 2 is false.
- (c) Incorrect. Both statements have their specializations swapped, so 'both' cannot be correct.
- (d) CORRECT. Both statements swap the actual agricultural specializations of Chikmagalur (coffee) and Mandya (sugar).
Key point
Chikmagalur is actually known for COFFEE production (not sugar), and Mandya is actually known for SUGAR/sugarcane production (not coffee) — this question's statements have the two districts' specializations swapped.
Remember
Chikmagalur is known for coffee, NOT sugar. Mandya is known for sugar, NOT coffee — the opposite of what this question's statements claim.
Common mistakes
- Taking the stated district-crop pairings at face value without checking the actual, swapped reality.
- Confusing Chikmagalur's coffee heritage with Mandya's sugar-growing region.
- Not knowing these two Karnataka districts' distinct agricultural specializations.
Exam tip
Chikmagalur = coffee (Karnataka's coffee heartland). Mandya = sugar/sugarcane. This question's statements swap these two — a classic reversed-pair trap.
Sources
- Coffee Board of India — Chikmagalur coffee-growing region
- Department of Sugar, Karnataka — Mandya sugarcane cultivation