Consider the following statements:
1. India has more arable area than China.
2. The proportion of irrigated area is more in India as compared to China.
3. The average productivity per hectare in Indian agriculture is higher than that in China.
How many of the above statements are correct?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2023: General Studies (SET - A - Held on 28 May)

Answer 1

The correct answer is Option 1: Only one

Key Points

India has more arable area than China.
- This statement is incorrect.
- China has a larger total area of arable land than India.
- According to the World Bank and FAO statistics available up to 2021, China's arable land is extensive due to its vast territory, despite the presence of many mountainous and desert areas.
The proportion of irrigated area is more in India as compared to China.
- This statement is generally correct.
- India has a high proportion of its agricultural land under irrigation compared to China.
- This is due to extensive investment in irrigation infrastructure in India over the decades, including wells, canals, and tube-wells.
The average productivity per hectare in Indian agriculture is higher than that in China.
- This statement is incorrect.
- China's average agricultural productivity per hectare has been higher than India’s for most crops.
- This is due to China's greater use of agricultural technology, better seeds, mechanization, and more effective use of fertilizers and pesticides.