UPSC Prelims 2014 · GS Paper I
Question 94: Economy and Social Development
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.
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
The Seed Replacement Rate is the share of area sown with certified or quality seed in place of farm-saved seed. Statement 1 is false because India has had a National Seeds Policy since 2002. Statement 2 is false because private seed companies are active in vegetable and horticultural seed. The real constraint is the demand-supply gap in quality seed of low-value, high-volume crops such as cereals and pulses, where seed is bulky and margins are thin. Only statement 3 is correct.
- 1. A National Seeds Policy has existed since 2002.
- 2. Private companies supply vegetable and horticultural seed.
- 3. Quality seed for low-value, high-volume crops falls short of demand.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong. Both statements 1 and 2 are false.
- (b) Right. A demand-supply gap in quality seed of low-value, high-volume crops is the constraint.
- (c) Wrong. Statement 2 is false because private companies do supply vegetable seeds.
- (d) Wrong. Statement 3 is a genuine constraint.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2014, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.