UPSC Prelims 2011 Q58: Geography – Indian Agriculture & Land Use
With reference to micro - irrigation, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Fertilizer/nutrient loss can be reduced.
2. It is the only means of irrigation in dry land farming.
3. In some areas of farming, receding of ground water table can be checked.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Explanation
Micro-irrigation: checking the three statements
Micro-irrigation (drip/sprinkler) delivers water efficiently, directly to the root zone.
| Statement | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Fertilizer/nutrient loss can be reduced | Correct | Fertigation through micro-irrigation delivers nutrients precisely to roots, cutting leaching/runoff losses |
| 2. It is the only means of irrigation in dryland farming | Incorrect | Dryland farming can also use other methods (e.g., rainfed cultivation, occasional flood/furrow irrigation where feasible); micro-irrigation is not the only option |
| 3. Receding ground water table can be checked in some areas | Correct | By reducing over-extraction and water waste, micro-irrigation can help slow the decline of groundwater tables in some regions |
Micro-irrigation benefits:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Water efficiency | Reduces wastage, targets root zone directly |
| Fertilizer efficiency | Fertigation reduces nutrient loss |
| Not exclusive | Not the only irrigation method for dryland farming |
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 3 (checking the groundwater table decline) is also correct, so '1 only' is incomplete.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 2's claim of being the 'only' means in dryland farming is false, and statement 1 is also valid, making this combination wrong.
- (c) CORRECT. Reducing fertilizer loss (1) and helping check groundwater decline (3) are real benefits; the 'only means' claim (2) is false.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 2's exclusivity claim is false, so 'all three' cannot be correct.
Key point
Micro-irrigation reduces fertilizer/nutrient loss and can help check receding groundwater tables — but it is NOT the only means of irrigation in dryland farming.
Remember
Micro-irrigation: cuts fertilizer loss + helps check groundwater decline; NOT the only irrigation method in dryland farming.
Common mistakes
- Treating micro-irrigation as the exclusive irrigation method for dry regions.
- Missing the fertigation (combined fertilizer+irrigation) efficiency benefit.
- Not connecting water-use efficiency to slowing groundwater decline.
Exam tip
Absolute words like 'only' or 'always' in a statement are usually the trap — micro-irrigation helps a lot, but isn't the sole method anywhere.
Sources
- Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India — Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Micro Irrigation: Operational Guidelines (2010)
- Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India — Report of the Task Force on Micro Irrigation (2004)