UPSC Prelims 2014 · Question 34 of 100
UPSC Prelims 2014 question on Seed Replacement Rate
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2014
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectGeography
- TopicAgriculture Geography
- DifficultyHard
- TypeStatement
In the context of food and nutritional security of India, enhancing the 'Seed Replacement Rates' of various crops helps in achieving the food production targets of the future. But what is/are the constraint/constraints in its wider/greater implementation?
1. There is no National Seeds Policy in place.
2. There is no participation of private sector seed companies in the supply of quality seeds of vegetables and planting materials of horticultural crops.
3. There is a demand-supply gap regarding quality seeds in case of low value and high volume crops.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Show answer
Answer: B. 3 only
Verdict
The answer is 3 only. The real constraint on raising seed replacement rates is the demand and supply gap in quality seed for low value, high volume crops.
Analysis
Statement 1 is INCORRECT. India has had a National Seeds Policy since 2002, so the claim that none is in place fails on fact. Statement 2 is INCORRECT. Private seed companies participate very actively in vegetable seed and horticultural planting material, which is in fact the segment where private involvement is strongest. Statement 3 is CORRECT. For low value, high volume crops such as cereals and pulses, the commercial incentive to supply certified seed is weak while the volume required is very large, which is precisely where the gap opens.
Source
Economic Times reporting on the seed and fertiliser sector.
How to crack it
Two of the three statements are absolute negatives, there is no policy and there is no private participation, and absolute negatives about a large country are almost always false. Test each against one counter example and both fall, leaving statement 3 alone. Reach for this negation test whenever a constraints question offers statements beginning with there is no.