Agriculture — Questions & Answers

Sample questions from Agriculture

1. Q1. Why is shifting cultivation called slash-and-burn agriculture?

   • A.Crops are cut and burnt after every harvest to preserve soil
   • B.Vegetation is cut and burnt to clear a plot before cultivation✓
   • C.Farmers burn only harvested wheat in irrigated plains
   • D.The method uses machines that slash and burn crop residues
   Solution

   Vegetation is cleared and burnt, and the ash adds nutrients for a short period. The other options confuse the process or its purpose.

2. Q2. Which crop is mainly grown as a kharif crop and is also used as an oilseed?

   • A.Groundnut✓
   • B.Wheat
   • C.Gram
   • D.Mustard
   Solution

   Groundnut is a major kharif oilseed crop. Wheat, gram and mustard are mainly rabi crops.

3. Q3. Why are pulses important in Indian agriculture?

   • A.They require more water than rice in every region
   • B.They help restore soil fertility by fixing nitrogen and provide protein✓
   • C.They are all plantation crops for export
   • D.They remove nitrogen permanently from soil
   Solution

   Pulses fix nitrogen and are an important protein source. A, C and D are incorrect generalisations.

4. Q4. Why is jute mainly grown in West Bengal and the lower Ganga-Brahmaputra plain?

   • A.It requires dry desert air and sandy soil
   • B.It grows only on black soil with low rainfall
   • C.It is a winter crop needing frost
   • D.It needs a hot, humid climate, heavy rainfall and fertile alluvial soil✓
   Solution

   Jute requires heat, humidity, abundant water and alluvial soil found in the lower river plains. A, B and C describe unsuitable conditions.

5. Q5. Why does agriculture need diversification in addition to higher yields?

   • A.It requires every farmer to grow only rice
   • B.It can spread risk through mixed crops, livestock, fisheries and horticulture✓
   • C.It eliminates the need for markets and storage
   • D.It prevents farmers from using irrigation
   Solution

   Diversification spreads climatic and market risk and creates additional income. A, C and D are opposite to its purpose.

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