Question Discussion & Solution

The correct answer is Cooperative farming.

Key Points

• Efficiency and effectiveness are two wings of Productivity.
• These two are essential for a productive industry.
• Low productivity occurs due to lack of adequate machinery, lack of finances for farmers, lack of good quality seeds and fertilizers and ownership of land.
• Other factors include:
  • Inadequate inputs availability
  • Sub-division and fragmentation of land holdings
  • Poor finance and marketing facilities
• The co-operatives and other institutional agencies have not been able to eliminate the village money-lenders.
• Storage facilities for farmers are not still available to preserve their agricultural products for a better price.

The correct answer is 2 only.

Key Points

• Indian Agriculture:
  • ​The share of agriculture in the gross domestic product (GDP) has reached almost 20 per cent for the first time in the last 17 years, making it the sole bright spot in GDP performance during 2020-21, according to the Economic Survey 2020-2021.​ Hence statement 1 is not correct.
  • The resilience of the farming community in the face of adversities made agriculture the only sector to have clocked a positive growth of 3.4 per cent at constant prices in 2020-21 when other sectors slid.
  • The share of agriculture in GDP increased to 19.9 per cent in 2020-21 from 17.8 per cent in 2019-20. The last time the contribution of the agriculture sector in GDP was at 20 per cent was in 2003-04.
• Dependence on monsoon:
  • Reliance on seasonal rainfall hampers productivity. Additionally, change in climatic conditions and erratic weather patterns such as cyclones and droughts can impact the yields of agricultural crops.
  • The growth of India’s agriculture sector has been dependent on monsoons, and as a result, it has been volatile. Hence statement 1 is correct.
  • The government is now encouraging micro-irrigation to improve water usage/efficiency.
• Government initiatives:
  • Improve soil fertility on a sustainable basis through the soil health card scheme.
  • Provide improved access to irrigation and enhanced water efficiency through Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY).
  • Support organic farming through Paramparagat Krishi VikasYojana (PKVY).
  • Creation of a unified national agriculture market to boost the income of farmers.
  • To mitigate risk in the agriculture sector, “Pradhan Mantri Fasal BimaYojana (PMFBY) has been launched for implementation from Kharif 2016.

The correct answer is 2nd October 2011.

• Mukhya Mantri Nishulk Dava Yojana:
  • The scheme was launched by the then Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on October 2, 2011.
  • The Rajasthan government's budget announcement 2011-2012 mentions the formation of Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation.
  • Through this corporation, a centralized system will be implemented for the purchase of generic drugs, surgical and diagnostic equipment for all medical institutions in the state.
  • The most used medicines are being provided free of cost to all the patients coming to the state hospital from 02 October 2011.
  • In addition, medical facilities are also being provided free of cost to the patients of Thalassemia and Haemophilia in state hospitals.

Key Points

• The scheme has mainly two components
  • Free Medicines - Making available the commonly used medicines free of cost to patients visiting government health institutions.
  • Free Tests - Ensuring free trial of patients coming to government health institutions.
• Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation Limited (RMSCL) was incorporated/incorporated as a Public Limited Company for successful implementation of the scheme.

Additional Information

• Rajasthan Annapurna Rasoi Yojana:
  • The scheme was launched by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on 15 December 2016.
  • The rickshaw pullers, the elderly, and the needy have benefited a lot from the introduction of this scheme.
  • Food will be made available to the people through mobile vans.
  • Breakfast for just ₹ 5 and lunch and dinner for ₹ 8 will be provided.
  • Keeping food hygiene in mind, maximum food will be made by machines.

The correct answer is Andhra Pradesh.

Key Points

• Andhra Pradesh
  • Andhra Pradesh had the largest area (2010) under tobacco cultivation.
  • With rich black soil and irrigation facilities, the state is bestowed with high-grade production of tobacco. 
  • It is next to Cuban tobacco which is considered rich in quality in the world.  
  • The tobacco research institute is situated at Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh state
  • Recently, Andhra Pradesh is the highest producer of tobacco in India and as per the government records, the tobacco production in this state is estimated to be at 110 million kilograms.

Additional Information

• Uttar Pradesh: The Uttar Pradesh state is famous for its wheat and sugar cane production.
  • It is the largest state in terms of population and as well area in India.
• Karnataka: The Karnataka state is the leading producer of coffee with rich climatic conditions.
  • It has many mineral resources like bauxite iron ore etc.
• Gujarat: The Gujarat state is famous for its cotton production, petrochemical complex, natural ports, fishing zones, etc.

The correct answer is 1, 2 and 3.

Key Points

• Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)
  • The international agricultural research system, mainly the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) has been a useful ally of the
    national system. Hence statement 1 is correct.
  • However, it has undergone significant change, in terms of funding, organization and research thrusts. 
• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
  • It was established on 16 July 1929 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
  • It is an autonomous organization under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. Hence statement 2 is correct.
  • It is headquartered in New Delhi. With 102 ICAR institutes and 71 agricultural universities spread across the country, this is one of the largest national agricultural systems in the world.
  • It is the apex body for coordinating, guiding and managing research and education in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in the entire country.
• Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)
  • KVK is an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS). The first KVK was established in 1974 at Puducherry. Hence statement 3 is not correct.
  • The mandate of KVK is technology assessment and demonstration for its application and capacity development.
  • It aims at assessment of location-specific technology modules in agriculture and allied enterprises, through technology assessment, refinement and demonstrations.
  • KVKs also produce quality technological products (seed, planting material, bio-agents, livestock) and make them available to farmers.