Q1. With reference to rice cultivation in India, consider the following statements:
- The predominance of summer-sown rice makes its production largely independent of the southwest monsoon because rice cultivation is primarily irrigation-dependent.
- El Niño refers to periodic warming of the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean and can influence the Indian summer monsoon.
- A decline in the area under summer-sown rice does not necessarily result in an equivalent decline in India’s total annual rice production, as yield and other production factors also matter.
- Lower reservoir levels have no significant bearing on the area under winter-sown rice, as the winter crop is cultivated independently of water availability from reservoirs.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 2, 3 and 4 only
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: Summer-sown rice is substantially dependent on the southwest monsoon; it is not largely independent of rainfall.
- Statement 2 is Correct: El Niño involves warming of the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean and is often associated with weaker Indian monsoon rainfall.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Production is influenced by area, yield, weather, irrigation and other factors; hence, a decline in area need not cause an equivalent production decline.
- Statement 4 is Incorrect: Lower reservoir levels can reduce water availability and consequently affect the area under winter-sown rice.
