Question
Q94. Consider the following statements:
- India has more arable area than China.
- The proportion of irrigated area is more in India as compared to China.
- The average productivity per hectare in Indian agriculture is higher than that in China.
How many of the above statements are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Answer: 1
Detailed Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: Though India has the largest cropland (or arable land) of any country at 179.8 million hectares, compared with 167.8 million in the US and 165.2 million in China as per various official reports. But most probably UPSC has considered this statement as incorrect.
Statement 2 is correct: China’s irrigation cover is 41% of cultivated area, and India’s is 48%. Hence, India has high proportion of irrigated area.
Statement 3 is incorrect: As a result of this irrigation, China’s total sown area is 166 m ha compared to India’s gross cropped area of 198 m ha. Even with much lesser land under cultivation, China produces agricultural output valued at $1,367 billion—more than three times that of India’s $407 billion. China’s productivity in most crops is 50 to 100% higher than India’s.
Though from various sources Answer should Option b but as per UPSC Official answer key answer is Option a.