Q. Consider the following statements: - India has more arable area than China.
- The proportion of irrigated area is more in India as compared to China.
- The average productivity per hectare in Indian agriculture is higher than that in China.
How many of the above statements are correct? (UPSC Prelims 2023)
Answer:
Only one
Notes: The correct answer is
[A] Only one, according to the official UPSC answer key.
- Statement 1 – Correct: India has the largest arable land area in the world, surpassing both the USA and China. India's arable land is approximately 156 million hectares, while China's is significantly lower at around 119 million hectares. This is because a large portion of China’s vast territory consists of mountains, plateaus, and deserts unsuitable for cultivation.
- Statement 2 – Incorrect: Contrary to common perception, the proportion (percentage) of irrigated land is higher in China than in India. While India has a larger absolute area under irrigation, China has a higher percentage of its total cultivated land covered by irrigation (roughly 52-54% in China vs 48-50% in India), ensuring more stable crop yields.
- Statement 3 – Incorrect: The average productivity per hectare in India is much lower than in China. China is a global leader in agricultural efficiency; for instance, its rice and wheat yields per hectare are nearly double those of India. This is attributed to China's superior seed technology, intensive fertilizer use, and advanced mechanization.
In summary, while India has
more land available for farming (Statement 1), China uses its available land much more
intensively and productively (Statements 2 and 3).