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Subject: Crop-specific details

  • India Secures Three New Codex Standards for Spices

    Why in News?

    The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) adopted global standards for Large Cardamom, Coriander, and Vanilla at its 49th Session (CAC49) in Geneva. India also became Co-Chair of a new Electronic Working Group (EWG) on risk analysis for new food products.

    Key Highlights

    • Three Codex Standards Adopted: Large Cardamom, Coriander, and Vanilla.
    • Codex Commission: Jointly established by FAO and WHO to develop international food safety and quality standards.
    • India’s Role:
      • Hosts the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH).
      • Spices Board India serves as the Secretariat of CCSCH.
    • Significance:
      • Harmonised global quality standards for spices.
      • Improves market access, fair trade, and export competitiveness.
    • Large Cardamom: Indigenous to the North-Eastern Himalayan region of India.
    • New Leadership Role: India accepted as Co-Chair of the Electronic Working Group (EWG) on risk analysis for new food products.

    Prelims Facts

    • Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC):
      • Established in 1963 by FAO and WHO.
      • Develops science-based international food standards.
      • Protects consumer health and promotes fair practices in food trade.
    • Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH): Hosted by India. Secretariat: Spices Board India.

    [2022] With reference to the “Tea Board” in India, consider the following statements:
    1. The Tea Board is a statutory body.
    2. It is a regulatory body attached to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
    3. The Tea Board’s Head Office is situated in Bengaluru.
    4. The Board has overseas office at Dubai and Moscow.
    Which of the statements given above are correct?

    [A] 1 and 3

    [B] 2 and 4

    [C] 3 and 4

    [D] 1 and 4

  • ICAR Foundation Day 2026

    Why in News?

    The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) celebrated its 98th Foundation Day (16 July 2026), highlighting its achievements in climate resilient agriculture, biofortified crops and technology dissemination.

    Key Highlights

    • Established: 16 July 1928
    • India’s apex organization for agricultural research, education and extension under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
    • During 2025-26, ICAR developed 386 improved varieties across 44 crops: 94% are climate resilient and 29 varieties are biofortified.
    • Released: 43 improved crop varieties, 17 agricultural technologies and 14 publications
    • New technologies include:
      • Climate resilient and salinity/alkalinity tolerant rice varieties
      • Export-oriented mango production technology
      • India’s first indigenous African Swine Fever (ASF) vaccine
      • Digital Swine Disease Atlas
      • Affordable cassava harvester for smallholders.
    • 72 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed with 51 industry partners for commercialization of ICAR technologies.
    • 18 international MoUs signed to strengthen global agricultural cooperation.
    • ICAR technologies reached: Nearly 1 crore farmers directly. Over 5 crore farmers through media and social media.

    Economic Impact

    • Agriculture, horticulture, livestock and fisheries generated an additional economic value of about ₹1.70 lakh crore in 2025-26.
    • Agricultural research alone contributed an estimated ₹55,000 crore.

    About ICAR

    • Full Form: Indian Council of Agricultural Research
    • Established: 16 July 1928
    • Headquarters: New Delhi
    • Parent Department: Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE)
    • Parent Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare
    • Coordinates: Agricultural research, Agricultural education and Extension services through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)
    • Played a major role in: Green Revolution, Food and nutritional security, Development of improved crop varieties, Livestock, fisheries and horticulture research, and Climate resilient agriculture

    [2021] In the context of India’s preparation for climate-smart agriculture, consider the following statements:
    1. The ‘Climate-Smart village’ approach in India is a part of a project led by the climate change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research programme.
    2. The project of CCAFS is carried out under consultative group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) headquartered in France.
    3. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR’s research centres.
    Which of the statements given above are correct?

    [A] 1 and 2 only

    [B] 2 and 3 only

    [C] 1 and 3 only

    [D] 1,2 and 3

  • Kisan Sarathi Platform

    Why in News?

    The Government highlighted Kisan Sarathi, India’s integrated digital agro-advisory platform, for strengthening agricultural extension services through technology, multilingual support, and expert-based advisories.

    What is Kisan Sarathi?

    • Launched in July 2021.
    • India’s largest integrated digital agro-advisory platform.
    • Joint initiative of Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) and Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
    • Implemented by Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute (IASRI) and Digital India Corporation

    Key Features

    • Provides real-time, multilingual, location-specific advisories.
    • Two-way communication through Interactive Information Dissemination System (IIDS).
    • Offers: Weather forecasts, Mandi prices, Crop advisories, Government scheme information, and Expert consultations
    • Covers: Crops, Livestock, Poultry, Fisheries, and Allied sectors

    [2020] In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment agriculture?

    1. Fixing Minimum Support Price for agricultural produce of all corps
    2. Computerisation 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 government

    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

  • Consider the following statements

    Consider the following statements:
    1. Maize can be used for the production of starch.
    2. Oil extracted from maize can be a feedstock for biodiesel.
    3. Alcoholic beverages can be produced by using maize.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • Consider the following pairs

    Consider the following pairs:
    Region : Well-known for the production of
    1. Kinnaur : Arecanut
    2. Mewat : Mango
    3. Coromondal : Soyabean
    Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

  • Empowering India’s Annadatas

    Why in the news?

    The Government of India highlighted major achievements and reforms in the agriculture sector over the past 12 years, focusing on farmer welfare, productivity, infrastructure, digital agriculture, and allied sectors.

    Growth in the Agriculture Sector

    • Agriculture and allied sector GVA increased from:
      • ₹20.9 lakh crore (2014-15)
      • to ₹48.7 lakh crore (2023-24).
    • Sector contributes:
      • About 18% of total Gross Value Added (GVA).

    Foodgrain Production

    • Total foodgrain production increased from:
      • 265.05 million tonnes (2013-14)
      • to 357.73 million tonnes (2024-25).

    Major Crops

    • Rice production: 150.18 million tonnes in 2024-25.
    • Wheat production: 117.94 million tonnes.
    • Maize production: 43.40 million tonnes.

    Oilseeds

    • Production reached: 42.99 million tonnes in 2024-25.

    Important Agricultural Schemes

    Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)

    • Provides: ₹6,000 annual income support through DBT.
    • Beneficiaries: Over 9.44 crore farmer families.

    Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

    • Crop insurance scheme covering: Entire crop cycle.
    • Claims disbursed: ₹1.96 lakh crore till December 2025.

    MSP Reforms

    • MSP fixed at: Minimum 1.5 times cost of production since 2018-19.
    • MSP announced for: 22 mandated crops.

    Kisan Credit Card (KCC)

    • Operative accounts: Increased to 7.81 crore in 2024-25.

    Sustainable Agriculture

    Irrigation

    • Irrigation coverage increased from: 49.3% to 55% of gross cropped area.

    Soil Health Card Scheme

    • Nearly: 26 crore soil health cards issued.

    Organic Farming

    • Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana promotes organic farming.
    • 18.84 lakh hectares covered under PKVY.

    Natural Farming

    • National Mission on Natural Farming covered:
      • 9 lakh hectares
      • 19 lakh farmers.

    Renewable Energy in Agriculture

    PM KUSUM

    • Promotes solar pumps and solarisation of agriculture.
    • Benefited: Over 21.77 lakh farmers.

    Cooperatives and FPOs

    Ministry of Cooperation

    • Established in: 2021.

    Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)

    • 10,000 FPOs registered by February 2026.

    Digital Agriculture

    Digital Agriculture Mission

    • Farmer IDs created: 7.63 crore.
    • Crop plots digitized: 23.5 crore.

    Namo Drone Didi

    • Promotes drone usage by women SHGs.
    • Approved outlay: ₹1,261 crore.

    National Pest Surveillance System

    • Covers:
      • 66 crops and 432 pest species.

    Allied Sector Achievements

    Dairy

    • India remains: World’s largest milk producer.
    • Milk production: Increased to 247.87 million tonnes in 2024-25.

    Fisheries

    • Fish production: Increased from 9.58 MT to 19.78 MT.

    Beekeeping

    • Honey exports increased by: 240%.

    Ethanol Blending Programme

    • Ethanol blending reached: 20% in ESY 2025-26.

    [2016] With reference to ‘Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana’, consider the following statements:
    1. Under this scheme, farmers will have to pay a uniform premium of two percent for any crop they cultivate in any season of the year.
    2. This scheme covers post-harvest losses arising out of cyclones and unseasonal rains.
    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

  • In India, during the last decade the total cultivated land for which one of the following crops has remained more or less stagnant

    In India, during the last decade the total cultivated land for which one of the following crops has remained more or less stagnant?

  • Following are the characteristics of an area in India

    Following are the characteristics of an area in India:
    1. Hot and humid climate
    2. Annual rainfall 200 cm
    3. Hill slopes up to an altitude of 1100 metres
    4. Annual range of temperature 15°C to 30°C Which one among the following crops are you most likely to find in the area described above?

  • Though coffee and tea both are cultivated on hill slopes, there is some difference between them regarding their cultivation. In this context, consider the following statements

    Though coffee and tea both are cultivated on hill slopes, there is some difference between them regarding their cultivation. In this context, consider the following statements:
    1. Coffee plant requires a hot and humid climate of tropical areas whereas tea can be cultivated in both tropical and subtropical areas.
    2. Coffee, is propagated by seeds but tea is propagated by stem cuttings only.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • The lower Gangetic plain is characterized by a humid climate with high temperature throughout the year. Which one among the following pairs of crops is most suitable for this region

    The lower Gangetic plain is characterized by a humid climate with high temperature throughout the year. Which one among the following pairs of crops is most suitable for this region?