Consider the following crops of India:
- Groundnut
- Sesamum
- Pearl millet
Which of the above is/are predominantly rainfed crop/crops?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2012 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
- Around 60% of the net sown area in India consists of rainfed lands, where crops are solely dependent on rainwater.
- Rainfed crops constitute approximately 48% of the area under food crops and 68% of non-food crops.
- The majority of millets, pulses, cotton, oilseeds (such as groundnut and sesame), and 40% of rice production in India come from rainfed areas, indicating the accuracy of statements 1, 2, and 3.
- Coarse cereals grown in rainfed areas had only 3,200 crore rupees worth of procurement between 2001 to 2012.
- Rainfed areas support a significant number of cattle, sheep, and goat population, amounting to 64%, 74%, and 78% respectively.
Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.
