UPSC Prelims 2023 · Question 47 of 97
UPSC Prelims 2023 question on MSP Niger Seeds
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2023
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectIndian Economy
- TopicAgriculture Economy
- DifficultyHard
- TypeStatement
Consider the following statements:
1. The Government of India provides Minimum Support Price for niger (Guizotia abyssinica) seeds.
2. Niger is cultivated as a Kharif crop.
3. Some tribal people in India use niger seed oil for cooking.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Show answer
Answer: C. All three
Verdict
All three statements are correct → Option (c) All three.
Statement by statement
Statement 1 – CORRECT: Niger (Guizotia abyssinica) is one of the 14 kharif crops for which the Centre releases a minimum support price (MSP) every year. This lesser known oilseed commands one of the highest MSPs, fixed on the basis of the cost of production and market demand.
Statement 2 – CORRECT: Niger is cultivated as a Kharif crop. In 1985-86, niger was cultivated on around 0.6 million hectares. In 2020-21, the cultivated area shrunk by 80 per cent to a little over 0.1 million ha, the lowest among the 14 kharif crops with MSP.
Statement 3 – CORRECT: The tribal population uses niger seed oil for cooking, the press cake post oil-extraction as livestock feed, and also consumes the seeds as a condiment. Niger seed oil has medicinal properties, which is the reason for its commercial demand by the cosmetics, perfumeries and other allied industries.