UPSC Prelims 2021 Q59: Environment & Ecology – Sustainable Agriculture & Forestry
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Climate-Smart Villages and CGIAR-CCAFS
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Climate-Smart Village approach led by CCAFS | TRUE | Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) is a CGIAR research programme that established the Climate-Smart Village (CSV) approach in India (started 2011, scaled 2013+). CSVs test climate-smart practices at village scale. |
| 2 | CCAFS is under CGIAR, headquartered in France | TRUE | CGIAR (Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research) is headquartered in Montpellier, France. CCAFS is one of its research programmes. |
| 3 | ICRISAT (India) is one of CGIAR's research centres | TRUE | International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is headquartered in Patancheru, Hyderabad, India and is one of CGIAR's 15 research centres. It focuses on chickpea, pigeonpea, sorghum, millet crops. |
All three statements are correct. Answer: (d).
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 3 (ICRISAT is a CGIAR centre) is also correct - a well-known Hyderabad-based institute.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 1 (CCAFS leads Climate-Smart Village approach) is also correct.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 2 (CGIAR headquartered in France) is also correct.
- (d) CORRECT. All three statements are true - CCAFS leads the Climate-Smart Village approach; CGIAR is HQ in Montpellier, France; ICRISAT (Hyderabad) is one of 15 CGIAR research centres.
Key point
CGIAR = 15 international ag research centres, HQ in Montpellier, France. CCAFS = its climate research programme. Climate-Smart Village = CCAFS's India programme. ICRISAT (Hyderabad) = CGIAR centre for semi-arid crops. All 3 statements correct.
Remember
All three statements are correct: (1) Climate-Smart Village approach in India is led by CCAFS (CGIAR programme); (2) CGIAR is headquartered in Montpellier, France; (3) ICRISAT (Patancheru, Hyderabad) is one of CGIAR's 15 research centres, focusing on semi-arid crops. Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3.
Common mistakes
- Not knowing CGIAR is a global consortium of 15 agricultural research centres coordinated from France.
- Confusing ICRISAT (CGIAR, semi-arid crops, Hyderabad) with ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research, apex Indian body, New Delhi).
- Missing that other CGIAR centres in India include IRRI-South Asia office and CIP Global Potato Improvement Centre partnership.
Exam tip
CGIAR (Montpellier, France) has 15 centres. Key ones in India: ICRISAT (Hyderabad, semi-arid crops). Global centres: IRRI (rice, Philippines), CIMMYT (wheat/maize, Mexico), IITA (Africa), CIP (potato, Peru), Bioversity International (crop biodiversity). CCAFS = climate research programme.
Sources
- CGIAR System Organization - Research Centres and Programmes
- International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) — About ICRISAT, Patancheru, Hyderabad