Why in News
Moth bean varieties developed by the Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI) performed with resilience during an El Niño year. El Niño is the warm phase of the Pacific ocean and atmosphere cycle that often suppresses the Indian monsoon.
Static Context
CAZRI is an ICAR institute at Jodhpur, Rajasthan, focused on arid zone agriculture and desertification research. Moth bean is a hardy arid legume grown in the rainfed drylands of western Rajasthan and Gujarat. It tolerates drought and poor soils, which makes it valuable for climate resilient cropping. Release specific yield figures could not be verified, as the PIB detail page did not resolve this run. The exam value here is the institute and the crop, not the unverified numbers.
Prelims angle
Place CAZRI at Jodhpur under ICAR. Recognise moth bean as a drought tolerant arid pulse. Recall that El Niño tends to weaken the southwest monsoon.
Mains angle
GS3, dryland agriculture and climate resilience. A supporting example for answers on drought resistant crops and rainfed farming.
Matching Previous Year Question
“[2012] Consider the following crops of India: 1. Groundnut 2. Sesamum 3. Pearl millet Which of the above is / are predominantly rainfed crop/crops?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)”
PIB Link
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2309690®=3&lang=1
