UPSC Prelims 2023 Q27: Indian Economy – Agriculture & Rural Development
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) All three
- (d) None
Answer: (c) All three
Explanation
Niger Seeds (Guizotia abyssinica) — Facts
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Government of India provides MSP for Niger seeds | TRUE | Niger is one of the oilseeds covered under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme — announced by CACP (Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices) and approved by Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. |
| 2 | Niger is cultivated as a Kharif crop | TRUE | Niger is sown in June–July with monsoon onset and harvested in October–November — a classic Kharif oilseed crop. |
| 3 | Some tribal people in India use Niger seed oil for cooking | TRUE | Niger seed oil is used for cooking in tribal communities in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh — areas where niger is traditionally grown. |
All three statements are correct.
Answer: (c) All three.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. 'Only one' — all three facts about Niger (MSP coverage, Kharif season, tribal food use) are accurate.
- (b) Incorrect. 'Only two' — the tribal cooking oil use is a documented fact across central Indian tribal regions.
- (c) CORRECT. All three statements about Niger seeds are correct — MSP coverage, Kharif crop classification, and tribal cooking oil use are all accurate.
- (d) Incorrect. 'None' — Niger is unambiguously a Kharif oilseed with MSP support.
Key point
Niger (Guizotia abyssinica) = Kharif oilseed with MSP. Grown in tribal areas (Odisha, CG, Maharashtra). Seed oil used for cooking by tribal communities. All three statements are correct — UPSC tests obscure oilseed knowledge.
Remember
Niger (Guizotia abyssinica) is a Kharif oilseed crop with MSP support. It is grown in tribal areas and its oil is used for cooking by tribal communities in central and eastern India. All three statements are correct.
Common mistakes
- Not knowing that Niger has MSP — it is a minor oilseed but the government does support it through MSP to protect tribal farmers.
- Assuming Niger is a Rabi crop because of its name — it is a Kharif crop like most tropical oilseeds.
- Not associating Niger with tribal communities — it is primarily a tribal/adivasi crop grown in hilly, forested regions of central India.
Exam tip
Niger = N for North-East and Central tribal India, N for November harvest, N for Nutritious oil. Kharif oilseed. MSP covered. Tribal cooking use. The plant is related to sunflower (both Asteraceae family).
Sources
- CACP — Price Policy for Kharif Crops
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad — Niger (Guizotia abyssinica)