With reference to the cultivation of Kharif crops in India in the last five years, consider the following statements:

1. Area under rice cultivation is the highest.
2. Area under the cultivation of jowar is more than that of oilseeds.
3. Area of cotton cultivation is more than that of sugarcane.
4. Area under sugarcane cultivation has steadily decreased.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2019 Prelims]

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2, 3 and 4 only

(c) 2 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct as the area under rice cultivation in India was 44.13 million hectares in 2013-14, and it decreased to 43.39 million hectares in 2015-16, making it the highest among all crops.
• Statement 2 is not correct as the annual area under Jowar ranges between 17 and 18 million hectares, which is less than the oilseed area that was 28 million hectares in 2013-14 and 26.1 million hectares in 2015-16.
• Statement 3 is correct as the area under cotton cultivation was 11.96 million hectares in 2013-14, increased to 12.81 million hectares in 2014-15, and decreased to 11.87 million hectares in 2015-16, which is more than the area under sugarcane cultivation.
• Statement 4 is not correct as the area under sugarcane cultivation was 4.99 million hectares in 2013-14, increased to 5.066 million hectares in 2014-15, and decreased to 4.953 million hectares in 2015-16, indicating no steady decrease.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.