Solution (a)

Forest and Forest cover

It is important to note that area under actual forest cover is different from area classified as forest. 

Hence statement 1 is correct

Forest is the area which the Government has identified and demarcated for forest growth. The land revenue records are consistent with the Forest definition. 

Hence statement 2 is correct

There may be an increase in Forest without any increase in the actual forest cover. 

Hence statement 3 is correct

Solution (d)

Gross Cropped Area (GCA) is the total area sown once as well as more than once in a particular year. When the crop is sown on a piece of land for twice, the area is counted twice in GCA. 

Hence statement 1 is correct

Net Sown Area is the area sown with crops but is counted only once.

This implies that if we deduct net sown area from gross cropped area; what we find is those areas where crops are cultivated for more than once in a particular agriculture year.

Hence statement 4 is correct

Solution (a)

In mixed farming the land is used for growing food and fodder crops and rearing livestock. It is practiced in Europe, eastern USA, Argentina, southeast Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. 

Hence statement 1 is correct.

Wheat requires moderate temperature and rainfall during growing season and bright sunshine at the time of harvest. It thrives best in well drained loamy soil. Wheat is grown extensively in USA, Canada, Argentina, Russia, Ukraine, Australia and India. In India it is grown in winter.

Hence statement 2 is correct.

Cotton requires high temperature, light rainfall, two hundred and ten frost-free days and bright sunshine for its growth. It grows best on black and alluvial soils. China, USA, India, Pakistan, Brazil and Egypt are the leading producers of cotton. It is one of the main raw materials for the cotton textile industry.

Hence statement 3 is incorrect.

Tea is a beverage crop grown on plantations. This requires cool climate and well distributed high rainfall throughout the year for the growth of its tender leaves. It needs well-drained loamy soils and gentle slopes. Labour in large number is required to pick the leaves. Kenya, India, China, Sri Lanka produce the best quality tea in the world.

Hence statement 4 is incorrect.

Solution (d)

While Malaysia and Indonesia, which dominate the world’s oil palm production, grow the crop in rain-fed conditions, India grows it on irrigated land. Majority of the oil palm is grown on irrigated land In India. This disadvantage sees India having to settle for far lesser yields. 

Hence statement 1 is correct.

Oil palm tree produces edible palm-oil as well as palm kernel-oil. This oil palm is considered as golden palm due to its high yielding capacity. 

Hence statement 2 is correct.

Oil palm doesn’t require much water. It consumes much less water than paddy and sugarcane.

Hence statement 3 is correct

Andhra Pradesh accounts for the bulk of oil palm fruit production in India. Of the two lakh hectares under oil palm cultivation in the country, Andhra Pradesh accounts for 1.5 lakh acres.

Hence statement 4 is correct

Solution (c)

Its cultivation is mainly confined to Karnataka (54%), Kerala (19%) and Tamil Nadu (8%) which form traditional coffee tracts.

Hence statement 1 is correct.

Coffee is a tropical plantation crop. Its seeds are roasted, ground and are used for preparing a beverage. There are three varieties of coffee i.e. arabica, robusta and liberica. India mostly grows superior quality coffee, arabica, which is in great demand in International market.

Hence statement 2 is correct.

Indian coffee, grown mostly in southern states under monsoon rainfall conditions, is also termed as “Indian monsooned coffee”. New fields are also developed in NE states. Karnataka alone accounts for more than two-third of total production of coffee in the country. The two well-known species of coffee grown are the Arabica and Robusta. 

Hence statement 3 is correct

Solution (d)

The plantation has an interface of agriculture and industry.

Hence Statement 1 is correct

It is both capital intensive and labor intensive.

Hence Statement 2 is correct

Tea, coffee, cocoa, rubber, cotton, sugarcane, bananas and pineapples are important plantation crops.

Hence Statement 3 is correct

Solution (c)

Seed Replacement Rate (SSR) or Seed Replacement Ratio is a measure of how much of the total cropped area was sown with certified seeds in comparison to farm saved seeds.

Hence Statement 1 is incorrect

Seed Replacement Rate is directly proportional to productivity.

Hence Statement 2 is correct

Seed Replacement Ratio denotes actual quality seed distributed to farmers

Hence Statement 3 is correct

Solution (d)

• Benefits of mixed cropping include the balance of input and outgo of soil nutrients, the suppression of weeds and insect pests, the resistance of climate extremes (wet, dry, hot, cold), the suppression of plant diseases, the increase in overall productivity, and the management of scarce resources (land) to the fullest degree.

Solution (a)

Cropping intensity refers to the raising of a number of crops from the same field during one agriculture year. This also implies higher productivity per unit of arable land during one agricultural year.

Hence Statement 1 is incorrect

Crop combination refers to the quantum or diversity of crops entering a region in a given period. 

Hence Statement 2 is correct

Solution (d)

Gross command area (GCA) is defined as total area that can be irrigated by a canal system on the perception that unlimited quantity of water is available.

Hence Statement 1 is correct

Intensity of irrigation is defined as the percentage of the irrigation proposed to be irrigated annually. 

Hence Statement 2 is correct