A state in India has the following characteristics:

Its northern part is arid and semiarid.

Its central part produces cotton.

Cultivation of cash crops is predominant over food crops.

Which one of the following states has all of the above characteristics? (UPSC Prelims 2011)

Question

The correct answer is Gujarat. This state perfectly matches all three geographic and agricultural criteria provided in the description.

Arid and Semi-Arid North (Characteristic 1): The northern part of Gujarat consists of the Rann of Kutch and the districts bordering Rajasthan (like Banaskantha). This region is characterized by low rainfall, salty desert terrain, and a dry climate, making it classic arid and semi-arid territory.
Cotton Production in the Center (Characteristic 2): Central Gujarat and the Saurashtra region are part of the \"Black Soil\" (Regur) belt. This soil is ideal for cotton cultivation because of its moisture-retention capacity. Gujarat is consistently one of the leading producers of cotton in India.
Predominance of Cash Crops (Characteristic 3): Unlike states like Uttar Pradesh or Punjab that focus heavily on food grains (Wheat and Rice), Gujarat\'s economy is driven by high-value cash crops. This includes Cotton, Groundnut, Tobacco, and Cumin (Jeera). The area under these commercial crops significantly outweighs the area dedicated to subsistence food crops.

GKToday Admin · Accepted Answer

Gujarat The correct answer is Gujarat. This state perfectly matches all three geographic and agricultural criteria provided in the description.

Arid and Semi-Arid North (Characteristic 1): The northern part of Gujarat consists of the Rann of Kutch and the districts bordering Rajasthan (like Banaskantha). This region is characterized by low rainfall, salty desert terrain, and a dry climate, making it classic arid and semi-arid territory.
Cotton Production in the Center (Characteristic 2): Central Gujarat and the Saurashtra region are part of the \"Black Soil\" (Regur) belt. This soil is ideal for cotton cultivation because of its moisture-retention capacity. Gujarat is consistently one of the leading producers of cotton in India.
Predominance of Cash Crops (Characteristic 3): Unlike states like Uttar Pradesh or Punjab that focus heavily on food grains (Wheat and Rice), Gujarat\'s economy is driven by high-value cash crops. This includes Cotton, Groundnut, Tobacco, and Cumin (Jeera). The area under these commercial crops significantly outweighs the area dedicated to subsistence food crops.

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