UPSC Prelims 2012 · Question 47 of 98
UPSC Prelims 2012 question on Rainfed Crops
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2012
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectGeography
- TopicAgriculture Geography
- DifficultyHard
- TypeStatement
Consider the following crops of India:
1. Groundnut
2. Sesamum
3. Pearl millet
Which of the above is/are predominantly rainfed crop/crops?
Show answer
Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3
Verdict
Correct Answer: 1, 2 and 3
Analysis
Rainfed crops are mainly grown with rainfall rather than assured irrigation.
What are Rainfed Crops?
Rainfed crops are plants grown in areas where there is no artificial irrigation (like pumps, canals, or borewells). Their entire lifecycle depends on the timing and quantity of the monsoon or seasonal rains.
Why they DON'T need much water:
Drought Tolerance: Most rainfed crops have deep root systems or physiological traits that allow them to survive long dry spells.
Low Water Footprint: Unlike "thirsty" crops like sugarcane or rice, these crops need very little "blue water" (withdrawn from the ground or rivers).
Resource Efficiency: They are often "C4 plants" (like millets), which are highly efficient at photosynthesis even when water is scarce.
Groundnut, sesamum and pearl millet are all commonly grown in rainfed and semi-arid regions of India.
Statement by statement
1. Groundnut — Correct
Groundnut is largely grown as a kharif crop under rainfed conditions.
Though some rabi groundnut is irrigated, its major cultivation depends on monsoon rainfall, especially in states like Gujarat, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh.
2. Sesamum — Correct
Sesamum, or til, is a drought-tolerant oilseed crop.
It can grow in areas with low soil moisture and erratic rainfall, making it a typical rainfed crop.
3. Pearl Millet — Correct
Pearl millet, or bajra, is one of the most drought-resistant cereal crops.
It grows well in poor soils and low-rainfall regions, especially in Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Haryana.
Extra UPSC info
* Rainfed agriculture depends mainly on monsoon rainfall, not assured irrigation.
* Millets, pulses and oilseeds are largely grown in rainfed areas.
* Rice, wheat and sugarcane generally require higher irrigation support.
* Rainfed areas contribute significantly to India’s pulses, oilseeds and coarse cereals.
* Millets are promoted as climate-resilient and water-efficient crops.
* Pearl millet is especially suited to arid and semi-arid regions.
How to crack it
Groundnut, sesamum and pearl millet are all predominantly rainfed crops, so the correct answer is 1, 2 and 3.