UPSC Prelims 2020 Q86: Geography – Indian Agriculture & Land Use
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 2 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation
Pulse Production in India: Statements Check
| Statement | Claim | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Black gram (urad) cultivated as Kharif + Rabi | TRUE | Urad grown in both seasons. Rabi (preferred, higher yield) + Kharif. |
| 2. Green gram (moong) = half of pulse production | FALSE | Moong ~15-20% of production. Chickpea (chana) is largest (~40-45% of pulses). |
| 3. Kharif pulses increased; Rabi decreased | FALSE | OPPOSITE: Rabi pulses increased (chickpea, masur expansion). Kharif relatively stable. |
Only statement 1 is correct. Answer: (a) 1 only.
Answer: (a) 1 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Only statement 1 (urad cultivated both seasons) is true. Statements 2 and 3 are factually wrong.
- (b) Incorrect. Statements 2 and 3 are both false.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 2 is false.
- (d) Incorrect. Statements 2 and 3 are both false.
Key point
Indian pulse production: Chickpea dominates (~40-45%). Masur, urad, moong follow. Rabi pulses growing (government MSP support). Imports ~5-7M tonnes/year (demand > domestic supply).
Remember
Black gram (urad) can be cultivated both as Kharif and Rabi crop (Statement 1 correct). Green gram (moong) does NOT account for nearly half of pulse production - chickpea is the largest pulse (Statement 2 wrong). In the last three decades, Rabi pulse production has INCREASED while Kharif has been relatively stable (Statement 3 wrong). Answer: 1 only.
Common mistakes
- Confusing moong as dominant pulse. While grown widely, chickpea is largest pulse.
- Missing rabi pulse expansion trend - government promotion (MSP) has increased winter pulse cultivation.
- Assuming kharif = pulses. Many kharif pulses are secondary (moong); winter (rabi) is primary season (chickpea, masur).
Exam tip
India's pulse crisis: Consumption ~25M tonnes/year; production ~20M tonnes -> imports dependency. Policy: MSP increases, crop insurance, push for eastern India cultivation.
Sources
- Ministry of Agriculture - Pulse Production Statistics
- CACP - Pulse Market Reports