Agriculture Quiz

Notes:
Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) developed an agriculture waste-based packaging material. It offers a sustainable alternative to plastic foams like Expanded Polystyrene (EPS). Fungi such as Ganoderma lucidum (medicinal mushroom) and Pleurotus ostreatus (edible mushroom) were grown on waste. Five substrates were used: cardboard, sawdust, paper, cocopith, and hay. Ganoderma on cardboard showed higher compressive strength than EPS. India generates over 350 million tonnes of agricultural waste annually. This innovation can help reduce four million tonnes of plastic waste produced in India.

Notes:
Recently, the Maharashtra government declared August 7 will be celebrated every year as “Sustainable Agriculture Day” to honour Bharat Ratna Dr. M. S. Swaminathan. The announcement marks the birth centenary of Dr. Swaminathan, known as the architect of India’s Green Revolution. Dr. Swaminathan’s research boosted wheat and rice productivity, helping India achieve food self-sufficiency and economic growth. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna by the Government of India in 2024. The United Nations recognised him as the father of the economic environment.

Notes:
Statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct: Maharashtra Agriculture Day is observed on July 1 to honor Vasantrao Phulsing Naik, not Dr. M.S. Swaminathan (so statement 3 is incorrect). The day marks his contribution to agriculture and features events for farmer education.

• Statement 1: Correct
• Statement 2: Correct
• Statement 3: Incorrect
• Statement 4: Correct

Notes:
Statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct:

1. The Bori River is indeed a tributary of the Bhima River.
2. It originates in the Balaghat Range.
3. The river supports irrigation in Maharashtra and is vital for local agriculture.

However, statement 4 is incorrect because the Bori River does not flow through the city of Nagpur.

Notes:
The Vena River is a tributary of the Kanhan River in Maharashtra. It is important for local agriculture, ecosystem balance, and biodiversity in Hingna and nearby areas. The Kanhan is itself a tributary of the Wainganga River.

Notes:
Atmaram Raoji Bhat founded the MCCIA in Pune, Maharashtra, in 1934. It is one of India’s oldest trade associations, serving as a key networking and advocacy group for businesses in Maharashtra, predating Indian independence.

Notes:
Recently, the Union Cabinet led by the Prime Minister approved the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana. It is the first scheme focused exclusively on agriculture and allied sectors. The scheme aims to boost productivity, crop diversification, sustainable farming, storage, irrigation, and credit access. It will be implemented through convergence of 36 existing schemes from 11 departments and state-private partnerships. 100 districts will be selected based on low productivity, low cropping intensity, and less credit disbursement.

Notes:
Scientists, policymakers, and activists from India have raised concerns about proposed amendments to Annex I of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The treaty was adopted on 3 November 2001 by the Thirty-First Session of the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. It recognises farmers’ contributions to global crop diversity. It sets up a worldwide system giving farmers, plant breeders, and scientists access to plant genetic materials. It ensures benefit-sharing from the use of these materials.

Notes:
Agriculture sector provide employment to around one fourth labour force in the State. As per the Periodic Labor Force Survey (PLFS) 2022-23, the agriculture sector of Punjab provides employment to 24.64% of workers, as per Usual Principal and Subsidiary Status (UPSS), against 45.76% at the national level. In rural areas, this sector is the main source of livelihood, employing 35.76% of the total rural workers. Proportion of male and female rural workforce employed in this sector was 32.90% and 44.05% respectively.

Notes:
Recently, the National Statistics Office, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, released the “Statistical Report on Value of Output from Agriculture and Allied Sectors (2011–12 to 2023–24)” on its website. The report covers Crop, Livestock, Forestry and Logging, Fishing and Aquaculture data at current and constant prices. Gross Value Added of agriculture rose by 225% from ₹1,502 thousand crore in 2011-12 to ₹4,878 thousand crore in 2023-24. Gross Value of Output grew 54.6% at constant prices from ₹1,908 thousand crore to ₹2,949 thousand crore in this period. Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Telangana, and Haryana contributed 53% of cereals GVO.