Indian Economy & Development – Agriculture & Rural Development
Assam Public Service Commission (APSC)
Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) – Preliminary Examination
General Studies Paper I (Objective, 200 Marks)
Topic: Indian Economy & Development
Sub-Topic: Agriculture & Rural Development
Agriculture & Rural Development – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers & Explanations
Q1. Agriculture in India is primarily dependent on:
A. Tube-well irrigation
B. Canal irrigation
C. Rainfall
D. River water
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Indian agriculture is largely rain-fed, especially in regions without assured irrigation facilities.
Q2. The Green Revolution in India mainly focused on:
A. Pulses and oilseeds
B. Wheat and rice
C. Millets and maize
D. Cotton and jute
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The Green Revolution significantly increased wheat and rice production through HYV seeds, irrigation, and fertilizers.
Q3. Which sector employs the largest proportion of India’s rural population?
A. Manufacturing
B. Services
C. Agriculture
D. Mining
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Agriculture remains the largest source of livelihood in rural India.
Q4. Subsistence farming is characterized by:
A. Large surplus production
B. Production for export
C. Farming for self-consumption
D. Capital-intensive farming
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Subsistence farming aims to meet the basic needs of the farmer’s family.
Q5. Which crop is known as a commercial crop?
A. Rice
B. Wheat
C. Sugarcane
D. Maize
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Sugarcane is grown mainly for sale and industrial use, making it a commercial crop.
Q6. Multiple cropping refers to:
A. Growing the same crop repeatedly
B. Growing two or more crops in a year on the same land
C. Crop rotation
D. Mixed farming
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Multiple cropping increases cropping intensity and land productivity.
Q7. Which irrigation method conserves maximum water?
A. Canal irrigation
B. Flood irrigation
C. Drip irrigation
D. Tank irrigation
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Drip irrigation delivers water directly to plant roots, minimizing wastage.
Q8. Rural development primarily aims at:
A. Urban expansion
B. Industrial concentration
C. Improving quality of rural life
D. Increasing exports
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Rural development focuses on livelihood, infrastructure, education, health, and poverty reduction.
Q9. Which institution plays a key role in rural credit and development?
A. RBI
B. SIDBI
C. NABARD
D. EXIM Bank
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
NABARD is the apex institution for agricultural and rural development financing.
Q10. Which crop requires high temperature and heavy rainfall?
A. Wheat
B. Rice
C. Barley
D. Gram
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Rice needs warm climate and abundant water, hence grown in monsoon regions.
Q11. The main objective of land reforms in India was to:
A. Increase exports
B. Abolish intermediaries
C. Promote mechanization
D. Encourage plantations
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Land reforms aimed to eliminate zamindari and ensure land ownership to tillers.
Q12. Which farming practice combines crop cultivation with animal rearing?
A. Shifting cultivation
B. Mixed farming
C. Plantation farming
D. Subsistence farming
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Mixed farming diversifies income and reduces agricultural risk.
Q13. Rural unemployment disguised in nature is commonly seen in:
A. Industry
B. Services
C. Agriculture
D. Trade
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Disguised unemployment occurs when more people are engaged than required, common in agriculture.
Q14. Which programme aims at employment generation in rural areas?
A. PM-JDY
B. PMFBY
C. MGNREGA
D. PM-Awas Yojana
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
MGNREGA provides guaranteed wage employment to rural households.
Q15. Cash crops are mainly grown for:
A. Household consumption
B. Seed production
C. Market sale
D. Fodder
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Cash crops are produced primarily for commercial purposes.
Q16. Which soil is best suited for cotton cultivation?
A. Alluvial soil
B. Red soil
C. Laterite soil
D. Black soil
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
Black (regur) soil retains moisture and is ideal for cotton.
Q17. Rural infrastructure includes:
A. Defence services
B. Banking, roads, irrigation
C. Stock markets
D. Airports only
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Rural infrastructure supports agriculture, connectivity, and financial inclusion.
Q18. The main source of rural non-farm employment is:
A. IT services
B. Manufacturing and services
C. Defence
D. Space research
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Rural non-farm sector includes small industries, trade, transport, and services.
Q19. Which cropping season depends on the southwest monsoon?
A. Rabi
B. Zaid
C. Kharif
D. Winter
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Kharif crops are sown with the onset of monsoon rains.
Q20. Agricultural productivity refers to:
A. Total land area
B. Output per unit of input
C. Total number of farmers
D. Cost of production
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Productivity measures efficiency of land, labour, and capital.
Q21. Which programme provides crop insurance to farmers?
A. PM-JDY
B. PMFBY
C. MGNREGA
D. PMGSY
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
PMFBY protects farmers against crop loss due to natural calamities.
Q22. The White Revolution is associated with:
A. Fisheries
B. Milk production
C. Poultry
D. Wool
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The White Revolution increased milk production, making India a leading producer.
Q23. Which factor limits agricultural growth in India?
A. Large workforce
B. Small landholdings
C. Fertile soil
D. Long coastline
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Fragmented and small landholdings reduce economies of scale.
Q24. Sustainable agriculture emphasizes:
A. High chemical use
B. Short-term output
C. Environmental protection
D. Export promotion
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Sustainable agriculture balances productivity with environmental conservation.
Q25. Which crop is grown mainly in dry regions?
A. Rice
B. Sugarcane
C. Bajra
D. Jute
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Bajra (pearl millet) is drought-resistant and suited for arid regions.
Q26. Rural poverty reduction is closely linked with:
A. Defence spending
B. Agricultural growth
C. Space research
D. Urbanization
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Agricultural growth raises income and employment in rural areas.
Q27. Which institution provides short-term credit to farmers?
A. Cooperative banks
B. SEBI
C. EXIM Bank
D. IRDAI
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Cooperative banks meet short-term and seasonal credit needs of farmers.
Q28. The main aim of watershed development is to:
A. Increase exports
B. Conserve soil and water
C. Build highways
D. Promote urban housing
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Watershed development improves water availability and land productivity.
Q29. Which farming method involves shifting from one plot to another?
A. Plantation farming
B. Mixed farming
C. Shifting cultivation
D. Intensive farming
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Shifting cultivation involves clearing and abandoning land cyclically.
Q30. Agriculture & rural development primarily aim at:
A. Industrial profits
B. Export growth only
C. Rural welfare and food security
D. Urban employment
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The core objectives are food security, employment, income generation, and rural welfare.
✅ APSC Prelims Smart Tip
For Agriculture & Rural Development, focus on:
- Cropping seasons & farming types
- Irrigation & productivity
- Rural employment schemes
- Institutional support & credit
- Sustainable agriculture concepts
-
Agriculture MCQs for APSC
-
Rural development questions prelims
-
Cropping seasons irrigation MCQs
-
NABARD rural credit MCQs
-
MGNREGA PMFBY MCQs
-
Indian agriculture economy GS Paper I
-
Sustainable agriculture MCQs APSC