Indian Economy MCQs

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In India, approvals for GM crops for environmental release and commercial cultivation are handled through the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The Ministry of Agriculture and ICAR are involved in agricultural research and policy, but they do not give the final approval for cultivation.

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The Global seed vault is located at Svalbard, Norway. The seeds are stored here from across the globe to make sure seeds of plants are there in case of an emergency.

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Strip cropping involves planting crops in alternating strips along the contours of land. This method reduces soil erosion by establishing barriers that slow water flow and trap sediment. The practice is used on sloped land and with crops like wheat, hay, and corn. Strip cropping helps decrease soil loss by 65 to 75 percent compared to open field planting. It stabilizes soil and improves water infiltration.

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The Philippines imported about 5.4 million metric tons of rice in 2023/2024. This quantity was the highest among all countries in that year. China imported around 2 million metric tons in the same period. Indonesia and Saudi Arabia imported significantly less. The Philippines became the top global rice importer for that marketing year.

Notes:
India produced over 17 million tonnes of millets in 2022. The main millet-growing states in India are Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh. India accounts for around 40% of global millet production. The country promoted 2023 as the International Year of Millets. Major millets grown in India include jowar, bajra, and ragi.

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Soybeans contribute over 90% of total U.S. oilseed production value. In the 2022/2023 marketing year, the total value of the U.S. soybean crop was $60.7 billion. Other U.S. oilseeds include peanuts, sunflower, canola, and flaxseed, which together account for less than 10% of total production value. The United States is consistently the second-leading global soybean producer.

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H5N1 is a subtype of avian influenza first detected in 1996. It has caused documented human infections since 1997. The virus primarily affects birds but has spread to humans through direct contact with infected poultry. H5N1 has a high human case fatality rate, with nearly 50% of about 900 reported cases worldwide resulting in death as of 2023. Human-to-human transmission is rare.

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Indian major carps like catla, rohu, and mrigal contributed 70-87% of inland freshwater aquaculture production in India as per government and industry data for the period 2019-20. Inland fisheries account for around 62-65% of total fish production in the country and Indian major carps are the predominant species cultured in these waters.

Notes:
According to the India State of Forest Report 2023, India’s tree cover outside recorded forest areas is 3.41% of the country’s geographical area. Tree cover refers to patches of trees covering an area of one hectare or more outside government-notified forests. The report states total tree cover at 95,748 sq km in 2023, marking an increase over the 2021 estimation.

Notes:
Punjab recorded the highest per hectare fertilizer consumption among Indian states in 2023-24 at 247.61 kg per hectare. Punjab’s farming is characterized by intensive cultivation of rice and wheat. The national average fertilizer consumption per hectare for India in the same period was 139.81 kg. Punjab’s irrigation infrastructure supports its intensive agriculture and fertilizer use.