UPSC Prelims 2023 Q4: Geography – Agriculture
Consider the following statements:
1. India has more arable area than China.
2. The proportion of irrigated area is more in India as compared to China.
3. The average productivity per hectare in Indian agriculture is higher than that in China.
How many of the above statements are correct?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) All three
- (d) None
Answer: (a) Only one
Explanation
India vs China: Agriculture Comparison
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Data |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India has more arable area than China | TRUE | India has ~156–157 million hectares of arable land. China has ~119–125 million hectares. India has the second largest arable land in the world (after USA) — more than China. |
| 2 | India has higher proportion of irrigated area than China | FALSE | China irrigates about 45–50% of its arable land. India irrigates about 35–40%. China has higher irrigation coverage. |
| 3 | India's average productivity per hectare is higher than China's | FALSE | China's agricultural productivity per hectare is significantly higher than India's for most crops (rice, wheat, maize). China invests heavily in inputs, technology, and mechanisation. |
Only Statement 1 is correct.
Answer: (a) Only one.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Only Statement 1 (India has more arable area than China) is true. Statements 2 and 3 are false — China leads in irrigation proportion and per-hectare productivity.
- (b) Incorrect. 'Only two' — neither irrigation proportion nor productivity is higher in India compared to China.
- (c) Incorrect. 'All three' — China outperforms India on both irrigation intensity and agricultural productivity.
- (d) Incorrect. 'None' — India genuinely has more raw arable land than China, being the world's second-largest arable land country.
Key point
India has MORE arable land than China (2nd largest globally). But China has higher irrigation ratio and higher productivity per hectare. India's advantage is land area, not efficiency.
Remember
India has more arable land than China (Statement 1 TRUE). But China has a higher proportion of irrigated area and higher agricultural productivity per hectare than India.
Common mistakes
- Assuming China has more arable land because it is larger overall — China's total area is larger, but much of it is desert, mountains, and unusable land.
- Confusing total irrigation with irrigation proportion — India has large absolute irrigated area but the proportion of arable land irrigated is lower than China's.
- Thinking India is more productive per hectare because it has more farmers — more labour does not equal higher productivity; China uses better inputs and technology.
Exam tip
Memory trick: India = MORE LAND (arable), China = MORE EFFICIENT (irrigation % and productivity). Think 'India is big but not intensive; China is intensive.'
Sources
- FAO AQUASTAT — Global Irrigation Data
- World Bank — Agricultural Land Area Statistics