Microtheme: SubsidiesXAgriculture —
12 questions asked in Prelims in the past.

1. [2023] Consider the following statements :
   1. The Government of India provides Minimum Support Price for niger (Guizotia abyssinica) seeds.
   2. Niger is cultivated as a Kharif crop.
   3. Some tribal people in India use niger seed oil for cooking.
   How many of the above statements are correct?
   • (a) Only one
   • (b) Only two
   • (c) All three
   • (d) None
   Correct Answer: (C) All three
2. [2020] Consider the following statements:
   1. In the case of all cereals, pulses and oil-seeds, the procurement at Minimum Support
   Price (MSP) is unlimited in any State/UT of India.
   2. In the case of cereals and pulses, the MSP is fixed in any State/UT at a level to which
   the market price will never rise.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   • (a) 1 only
   • (b) 2 only
   • (c) Both 1 and 2
   • (d) Neither 1 nor 2
   Correct Answer: (D) Neither 1 nor 2
3. [2020] Which of the following factors/policies were affecting the price of rice in India in the
   recent past?
   1. Minimum Support Price
   2. Government’s trading
   3. Government’s stockpiling
   4. Consumer subsidies
   Select the correct answer using the code given below:
   • (a) 1, 2 and 4 only
   • (b) 1, 3 and 4 only
   • (c) 2 and 3 only
   • (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
   Correct Answer: (D) 1, 2, 3 and 4
4. [2020] In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture?
   1. Fixing Minimum Support Price for agricultural produce of all crops
   2. Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies
   3. Social Capital development
   4. Free electricity supply to farmers
   5. Waiver of agricultural loans by the banking system
   6. Setting up of cold storage facilities by the governments
   Select the correct answer using the code given below:
   • (a) 1, 2 and 5 only
   • (b) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only
   • (c) 2, 3 and 6 only
   • (d) 1, 2 3, 4, 5 and 6
   Correct Answer: (C) 2, 3 and 6 only
5. [2020] With reference to chemical fertilizers in India, consider the following statements:
   1. At present, the retail price of chemical fertilizers is market-driven and not administered
   by the Government.
   2. Ammonia, which is an input of urea, is produced from natural gas.
   3. Sulphur, which is a raw material for Phosphoric acid fertilizer, is a by-product of oil
   refineries.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   • (a) 1 only
   • (b) 2 and 3 only
   • (c) 2 only
   • (d) 1, 2 and 3
   Correct Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only
6. [2018] Consider the following:
   1. Areca nut
   2. Barley
   3. Coffee
   4. Finger millet
   5. Groundnut
   6. Sesamum
   7. Turmeric
   The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affair, has announced the Minimum Support Prick for which of the above?
   • (a) 1, 2, 3 and 7 only
   • (b) 2, 4, 5 and 6 only
   • (c) 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 only
   • (d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7
   Correct Answer: (B) 2, 4, 5 and 6 only
7. [2016] In the context of which of the following do you sometimes find the terms ‘amber box, blue box
   and green box’ in the news?
   • (a) WTO affairs
   • (b) SAARC affairs
   • (c) UNFCCC affairs
   • (d) India-EU negotiations on FTA
   Correct Answer: (A) WTO affairs
8. [2015] In India, markets in agricultural products are regulated under the
   • (a) Essential Commodities Act, 1955
   • (b) Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act enacted by States
   • (c) Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937
   • (d) Food Products Order, 1956 and Meat and Food Products Order, 1973
   Correct Answer: (B) Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act enacted by States
9. [2015] The Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane is approved by the
   • (a) Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
   • (b) Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices
   • (c) Directorate of Marketing and Inspection, Ministry of Agriculture
   • (d) Agricultural Produce Market Committee
   Correct Answer: (A) Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
10. [2014] In the context of food and nutritional security of India, enhancing the ‘Seed Replacement Rates’ of various crops helps in achieving the food production targets of the future. But what is/are the constraint/constraints in its wider/greater implementation?
    1. There is no National Seeds Policy in place.
    2. There is no participation of private sector seed companies in the supply of quality seeds of vegetables and planting materials of horticultural crops.
    3. There is a demand-supply gap regarding quality seeds in case of low value and high volume crops.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    • (a) 1 and 2 only
    • (b) 3 only
    • (c) 2 and 3 only
    • (d) None of the above
    Correct Answer: (B) 3 only
11. [2010] Consider the following statements:
    1. The Union Government fixes the Statutory Minimum Price of sugarcane for each sugar season
    2. Sugar and sugarcane are essential commodities under the Essential Commodities Act
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 only
    • (c) Both 1 and 2
    • (d) Neither 1 nor 2
    Correct Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2
12. [2009] Consider the following statements :
    1. The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices recommends the Minimum Support Prices for 32 crops.
    2. The Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has launched the National Food Security Mission.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 only
    • (c) Both 1 and 2
    • (d) Neither 1 nor 2
    Correct Answer: (D) Neither 1 nor 2