1. Question: What gross agricultural credit target did the government set for FY 2024–25, and what portion is allocated for allied activities?
Options:
(A) ₹10 lakh crore total, with ₹1 lakh crore for allied sectors.
(B) ₹27.5 lakh crore total, with ₹4.20 lakh crore specifically for allied sectors (dairy, poultry, fisheries).
(C) ₹5 lakh crore, none for allied.
(D) No fixed target; loans are unlimited.
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: For 2024–25, the Government set a record ₹27.5 lakh crore Gross Lending Credit (GLC) target. Of this, ₹4.20 lakh crore is earmarked for allied sectors (dairy, poultry, sheep/goat, piggery, fisheries, etc.).
2. Question: By December 2024, approximately how much agricultural credit had been disbursed in 2024–25, and what percentage of the annual target did this represent?
Options:
(A) ₹5 lakh crore, 20% of target.
(B) ₹19.28 lakh crore, about 70% of target.
(C) ₹25 lakh crore, 100%.
(D) None; lending was paused.
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: By Dec 31, 2024, about ₹19.28 lakh crore had been disbursed in agricultural credit, which is roughly 70% of the ₹27.5 lakh crore target for 2024–25.
3. Question: Which statement about agricultural commodity exports in recent policy is correct?
Options:
(A) The Spices Board’s SPICED scheme (2024) aims to boost spice exports and improve cardamom productivity.
(B) The government banned all spice exports.
(C) Only tea can be exported now.
(D) There is no scheme for spices.
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: The SPICED scheme (2024) is designed to boost exports of spices and value-added spice products, and improve cardamom productivity with a ₹422.3 crore outlay. Options (B), (C), and (D) are incorrect.
4. Question: In 2024–25, what steps did the government take to improve cooperative societies and farmer support?
Options:
(A) Ignored cooperatives completely.
(B) Recognized over 35,293 PACS as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSK), providing them as centers for farm inputs.
(C) Banned cooperatives from selling fertilizer.
(D) Converted PACS into private companies.
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: The Economic Survey 2024–25 noted that 35,293 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) have been designated as PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras, serving as distribution points for fertilizers and other inputs.
5. Question: Which statement accurately reflects India’s stance on agricultural subsidies as of 2025?
Options:
(A) The fertilizer subsidy scheme is being phased out.
(B) The government continues fertilizer subsidies (e.g., urea) with high budgetary support, and even plans for indigenous fertilizer production.
(C) Only organic farming is subsidized now.
(D) All subsidies were replaced by direct cash transfers.
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: India continues to provide substantial fertilizer subsidies. The urea subsidy has been extended, and the government plans to ramp up domestic fertilizer production to reduce import dependence. Options (A), (C), and (D) are not correct.
6. Question: What recent development involved agroforestry or related forest resources?
Options:
(A) The launch of a new National Agroforestry Policy paper in 2024 discussing trees outside forests (e.g., agroforestry enhancement).
(B) Planting only rubber trees in Himalayas.
(C) Banning shade-grown coffee.
(D) No noteworthy developments reported.
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: In 2024, ICAR-Central Agroforestry Institute and NCCF released policy papers highlighting agroforestry’s role in sustainable development and recommending stronger policies for trees outside forests.
7. Question: What is India’s target for oilseed production under the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO) by 2030–31?
Options:
(A) Maintain at current levels.
(B) Increase to 69 million tonnes (from ~39 MT in 2022–23).
(C) Reduce production to force imports.
(D) Only focus on rice.
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: The Agriculture Minister noted a plan to raise oilseeds output from 39 MT (2022–23) to 69 MT by 2030–31. This includes expanding area and yield (29→33 mha, yield from 1353 to 2112 kg/ha).
8. Question: Which of the following statements is true regarding millets policy?
Options:
(A) The government abolished all millet research.
(B) A Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Millet-based Products (PLISMBP) was launched (2022–27) with ₹800 crore to promote millet value addition.
(C) Millets have been banned.
(D) Only imports of millets are allowed.
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: India launched a PLISMBP for millet-based food products (FY22–27) with an ₹800 crore outlay to promote value-added millet products.
9. Question: How did Karnataka’s monsoon in 2024 affect agriculture, according to reports?
Options:
(A) Year-round heavy rains doubled all crop yields.
(B) Excess rainfall occurred in short bursts, causing runoff and limited beneficial soaking.
(C) No rain fell, causing drought.
(D) The monsoon was declared the wettest in a century, flooding all farms.
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: Karnataka received normal-to-excess rainfall in 2024, but most rain came in short intense spells, leading to runoff and only marginal benefit to crops.
10. Question: Which of the following reflects India’s stance on agricultural biotechnology in recent developments?
Options:
(A) The government has approved multiple research institutes and projects on gene editing for crops like rice.
(B) A new high-yield disease-resistant wheat variety (HD 3386) was approved in 2024.
(C) All GMO research has been banned.
(D) No attention is paid to biofortification or molecular breeding.
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: In 2024, the Seed Committee approved HD 3386 wheat (yellow & leaf rust resistant, biofortified). Options (A) and (D) are too general; (C) is false since biotech R&D continues in India.
11. Question: Regarding fertilizer innovation, which statement is correct?
Options:
(A) IFFCO is not developing any new products.
(B) IFFCO received approval to launch liquid nano fertilizers of zinc and copper.
(C) There is no role for micronutrients in Indian agriculture.
(D) Only traditional farmyard manure is promoted.
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: IFFCO was granted permission to market nano liquid zinc and copper fertilizers to address micronutrient deficiencies.
12. Question: Which recent scheme is aimed at enhancing crop residue management and promoting organic fertilizers?
Options:
(A) PM-PRANAM, which incentivizes states to market organic fertilizers from biogas plants (branded "Bharat") and introduce sulphur-coated urea.
(B) Operation Flood 3.
(C) A ban on all fertilizers.
(D) A tractor subsidy.
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: PM-PRANAM (2023) incentivizes states to promote organic fertilizers from biogas plants and plans sulphur-coated urea, tackling crop residue and soil health.
13. Question: What action was taken to support sugarcane growers for the 2023–24 season?
Options:
(A) The FRP of sugarcane was increased by ₹10 to ₹315/quintal.
(B) Farmers were told to switch to cotton.
(C) Sugarcane farming was prohibited.
(D) There was no change.
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: The FRP for sugarcane was raised from ₹305 to ₹315 per quintal for 2023–24 (~3.3% increase), ensuring better returns for farmers. Options (B), (C), and (D) are false.
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