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Q48 (IAS/2016) Economy › Agriculture & Rural Economy › Agricultural support schemes Official Key

With reference to Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion', which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. This initiative aims to demonstrate the improved production and post-harvest technologies, and to demonstrate value addition techniques, in an integrated manner, with cluster approach. 2. Poor, small, marginal and tribal farmers have larger stake in this scheme. 3. An important objective of the scheme is to encourage farmers of commercial crops to shift to millet cultivation by offering them free kits of critical inputs of nutrients and microirrigation equipment. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: C
Explanation

The correct answer is option C (statements 1 and 2 only).

INSIMP (Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion) provides farmers with input support and services in the form of free certified seed minikits, training, and incentive for hybrid seed production.[1] This aligns with statement 1's description of demonstrating improved production and post-harvest technologies in an integrated manner with a cluster approach. Statement 2 is also correct as millets are traditionally grown by resource-poor farmers in rainfed areas, making poor, small, marginal and tribal farmers the primary beneficiaries of this scheme.

However, statement 3 is incorrect. The scheme does not specifically aim to encourage commercial crop farmers to shift to millet cultivation by offering free kits of nutrients and micro-irrigation equipment. The scheme's focus is on supporting existing millet farmers with seed minikits, training, and production incentives, rather than converting commercial crop farmers to millet cultivation through nutrient and irrigation equipment packages.

Sources
  1. [1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12188307/
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Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. With reference to Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion', which of the following statements is/are corr…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 3.3/10 · 3.3/10

Fair but tricky. Statements 1 and 2 use standard 'bureaucratic positive' language (integrated, pro-poor) which are usually correct in UPSC. Statement 3 is the 'Devil in the Detail'—specifically the claim of 'free micro-irrigation equipment'. Government schemes offer subsidies for hardware, rarely free kits. This is a logic check on fiscal prudence, not just a memory check.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Does the Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion aim to demonstrate improved production and post-harvest technologies and value-addition techniques in an integrated manner using a cluster approach?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 12: Supply Chain and Food Processing Industry > Objectives: > p. 370
Presence: 5/5
“• Enhancing value realisation of TOP farmers by targeted interventions to strengthen TOP production clusters and their FPOs, and linking/connecting them with the market.• Price stabilisation for producers and consumers by proper production planning in the TOP clusters and introduction of dual use varieties.• Reduction in post-harvest losses by creation of farm gate infrastructure, development of suitable agro-logistics, and creation of appropriate storage capacity linking consumption centres.• Increase in food processing capacities and value addition in TOP value chain with firm linkages with production clusters.• Setting up of a market intelligence network to collect and collate real time data on demand and supply and price of TOP crops.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly mentions strengthening production clusters and linking them with markets — aligns with a cluster approach.
  • Specifically refers to reducing post-harvest losses via farm-gate infrastructure and developing agro-logistics — matches post-harvest technology aims.
  • Calls for increasing food processing capacities and value addition in the value chain linked to production clusters.
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 10: Agriculture - Part I > 10.7 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) > p. 311
Presence: 4/5
“Agricultural Research (ICAR) has established a large network of over 700 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) across the country with an aim to conduct technology assessment and refinement, knowledge dissemination and provide critical input support for the farmers with a multidisciplinary approach. KVKs provide various types of farm support to the agricultural sector: • They play a vital role in conducting on farm testing to demonstrate location specific agricultural technologies. KVKs conduct demonstrations to prove the potential of various crops at farmers' fields.• They also conduct need-based training programmes for the benefit of farmers, farm women and rural youths.• KVKs are creating awareness about improved agricultural technologies through large number of extension programmes.• Critical and quality inputs like seeds, planting materials, organic products, biofertilizers and livestock, piglet and poultry strains are produced by the KVKs and made available to the farmers.”
Why this source?
  • Describes KVKs conducting on-farm testing and demonstrations of location-specific agricultural technologies — supports the 'demonstrate improved production technologies' element.
  • Highlights extension, training and dissemination functions that enable demonstration at farmers' fields.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > RAINFED AREA DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (RADP) > p. 53
Presence: 4/5
“Ministry of Agriculture has initiated farming system and farmer centric interventions under a new scheme 'Rainfed Area Development Programme' to look into the specific needs of the rainfed areas for improving the quality of life of farmers, especially small and marginal farmers by offering a complete package of activities to maximise the farm returns for their food and livelihood security. Under this progrmame an end to end approach covering production, on farm management, storage, marketing, value addition are being contemplated to assure appropriate returns to the farmers from the rainfed areas. During 2011–2012, an amount of INR 250 crore has been allocated for RADP for adoption of holistic agriculture development through integrated farming system in 10 identified states across the country on pilot basis.”
Why this source?
  • Describes an end-to-end integrated approach covering production, storage, marketing and value addition — supports the 'integrated manner' claim.
  • Shows precedent of schemes aiming for integrated interventions across the production-to-value-add chain.
Statement 2
Does the Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion primarily target or give larger stakes/benefits to poor, small, marginal and tribal farmers?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Envisioning a New Socio-Economic Order > b) Rural Development Programmes > p. 120
Strength: 4/5
“Poverty levels were also much higher among specific social groups such as small and marginal farmers, landless labourers and depressed classes in resource poor regions without irrigation and with poor soil, etc. A whole range of rural development programmes was introduced by the government to tackle rural poverty. These included Community Development Programmes, reviving local institutions like Panchayati Raj, and targeted programmes aimed at specific groups such as small and marginal farmers. The thrust was on providing additional sources of income to the rural households to augment their earnings from agriculture. Two major programmes are explained in greater detail below.”
Why relevant

This snippet states that governments introduce targeted rural development programmes aimed at specific groups such as small and marginal farmers to augment rural incomes.

How to extend

A student could infer that new crop-focused initiatives (like millet promotion) are plausibly designed as targeted programmes and then check programme documents to see if beneficiaries lists match these groups.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > INTEGRATED RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (IRDP) > p. 19
Strength: 5/5
“The aims of the programme are listed below: • 1. To provide assistance in self-employment opportunities.• 2. To give assistance to a target group of rural poor, belonging to the families below the poverty line, in the form of subsidy. The target group under IRDP includes labourers, artisans, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, sharecroppers, and marginal and small farmers.• 3. To take up measures for livestock and poultry development, fishery, and social forestry in the village.• 4. To promote cottage industries in the village to enhance the per capita income of the targeted group and to raise the standard of living of weaker sections of the rural population.”
Why relevant

IRDP explicitly lists target groups including scheduled tribes, marginal and small farmers as recipients of subsidies and assistance.

How to extend

Use this pattern (designating STs and small/marginal farmers as priority beneficiaries) to look for similar beneficiary lists or subsidy provisions in the millet initiative to test if it prioritises these groups.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > RAINFED AREA DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (RADP) > p. 53
Strength: 5/5
“Ministry of Agriculture has initiated farming system and farmer centric interventions under a new scheme 'Rainfed Area Development Programme' to look into the specific needs of the rainfed areas for improving the quality of life of farmers, especially small and marginal farmers by offering a complete package of activities to maximise the farm returns for their food and livelihood security. Under this progrmame an end to end approach covering production, on farm management, storage, marketing, value addition are being contemplated to assure appropriate returns to the farmers from the rainfed areas. During 2011–2012, an amount of INR 250 crore has been allocated for RADP for adoption of holistic agriculture development through integrated farming system in 10 identified states across the country on pilot basis.”
Why relevant

The Rainfed Area Development Programme is described as aiming to improve quality of life especially for small and marginal farmers with an end-to-end package covering production, storage, marketing and value addition.

How to extend

Since millets are often grown in rainfed/low-input areas, a student could check whether the millet initiative adopts similar end-to-end measures targeted at rainfed smallholders to judge its focus.

INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Planning and Sustainable Development in Indian Context > Target Area Planning > p. 67
Strength: 4/5
“The Small Farmers Development Agency (SFDA) and Marginal Farmers Development Agency (MFDA) which are the examples of target group programme. In the 8th Five Year Plan special area programmes were designed to develop infrastructure in hill areas, north-eastern states, tribal areas and backward areas.”
Why relevant

Mentions target-group programmes like SFDA/MFDA and special area programmes for hill, north-eastern and tribal areas, showing a common policy pattern of designing schemes specifically for marginal and tribal areas.

How to extend

Compare the geographic and institutional targeting (e.g., MFDA/SFDA, tribal area focus) of the millet initiative with these established target-group programme models to infer likely beneficiary emphasis.

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 10: Agriculture - Part I > 10.8 Farmers Producer Organization (FPO) > p. 311
Strength: 4/5
“• Indian agriculture is dominated by marginal and small farmers, who suffer serious disadvantage in terms of scale, uneconomic lot for marketing and price risk. Small sized farmers are also disadvantaged in terms of bargaining power in various transactions in the input and output markets. These handicaps can be overcome by organizing farmers under some institutional mechanism like the farmers producers organizations (FPOs).• FPOs can be a company, a cooperative society, Trust or any other form of legal entity which provides for sharing of profits/benefits among the farmers. Ownership control is always with the members/farmers and management is through the representatives of the members.”
Why relevant

Notes that Indian agriculture is dominated by marginal and small farmers who face disadvantages and that institutional mechanisms (FPOs) share profits/benefits among members.

How to extend

A student could check whether the millet initiative uses FPOs/producer-group mechanisms or similar institutional arrangements that typically aim to benefit small/marginal farmers.

Statement 3
Does the Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion include as an objective encouraging farmers of commercial crops to shift to millet cultivation by offering free kits of critical nutrient inputs and micro-irrigation equipment?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 4/5
"More schemes like INSIMP (Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion) should be launched nationwide, where farmers would be getting input support and services in the form of free certified seed minikits, training, and incentive for hybrid seed production."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly names INSIMP and describes input support under the scheme (free certified seed minikits, training, incentives).
  • Shows INSIMP provides free seed minikits and training — supporting part of the statement about offering free input kits.
Web source
Presence: 2/5
"Rajiv Gandhi Micro-Irrigation Scheme: to bring 8,500 hectare area will be brought under Drip/ Sprinkler Irrigation System benefitting 14,000 farmers. 80% assistance shall be provided to individual farmer for Micro- irrigation Systems"
Why this source?
  • Describes substantial micro-irrigation assistance in other government schemes (percent assistance for micro-irrigation systems).
  • Passage shows micro-irrigation support exists in separate programs but does not attribute micro-irrigation equipment provision to INSIMP in the available texts.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 11: Irrigation in India > 4. Micro-Irrigation > p. 365
Strength: 5/5
“Benefit of such method includes uniformity of applied water, energy conservation, less risk of nutrient loss, etc. However, this method is not suitable for rectangular/square-shaped agricultural fields. Moreover, it involves high capital cost and requires some form of energy source (electric or diesel) to operate. To conclude, strengths of micro-irrigation include: • Irrigation of additional area with same amount of water (saving of irrigation water from 20 to 48%) • Efficient deployment of other inputs such as energy, fertiliser, labour (energy saving 10 to 17%; labour cost saving - 30 to 40%; fertiliser saving - 11 to 19%) • Increase in crop productivity (20 to 38%) \bullet • Better quality of produce leading to higher realisation of sale price, thereby increasing Ō the income of farmer. • Water-deficient land, cultivable waste land, etc.”
Why relevant

Describes benefits and strong role of micro‑irrigation in saving water, improving input efficiency and increasing farmer income — showing micro‑irrigation is a plausible tool a millet promotion initiative might use.

How to extend

A student could infer that a program aiming to boost millet cultivation might include provision/support for micro‑irrigation kits and then check program documents for such provisions.

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 9: Subsidies > The following are salient features of the National Food Security Act 2013: > p. 297
Strength: 4/5
“drought, fire, cyclone, earthquake affecting the regular supply of food grains or meals to such person under this Act. The Central government, the State government and the local authorities, shall for the purpose of advancing food and nutritional security strive to progressively ensure livelihood security to farmers by way of remunerative prices, access to inputs, credit, irrigation, power, crop insurance etc.”
Why relevant

States governments should ensure farmers' access to inputs, credit and irrigation to advance food and nutritional security — indicating policy precedent for supplying inputs as part of security/production programmes.

How to extend

One could extend this rule to hypothesize that a millet promotion initiative might include free or subsidised input kits and verify against the Initiative's official objectives.

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 15: Budget and Economic Survey > 1. Inclusive Development > p. 446
Strength: 4/5
“• An Agriculture Accelerator Fund will be set-up to encourage agri-startups by young entrepreneurs in rural areas.• An Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Program will be launched to boost availability of diseasefree, quality planting material for high value horticultural crops• Indian Institute of Millet Research, Hyderabad will be supported as the Centre of Excellence for sharing best practices, research and technologies at the international level.• The agriculture credit target has been increased to Rs 20 lakh crore with focus on animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries.• A National Digital Library for children and adolescents will be set-up for facilitating availability of quality books across geographies, languages, genres and levels, and device agnostic accessibility.”
Why relevant

Mentions explicit government support to Indian Institute of Millet Research as Centre of Excellence and other millet‑focused measures — showing official policy emphasis on millets.

How to extend

Given this stated institutional support, a student could reasonably suspect related schemes might include incentives for farmers (inputs/equipment) and then look up scheme details.

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Millets /Jowar (Sorghum bicolor) > p. 27
Strength: 3/5
“Sorghum is considered as drought hardy crop and hence rated as an important component of dry land agriculture. Te cultivation of sorghum is confned to areas where annual rainfall is ranging from 40 to 100 cm per annum. Te main areas of millets concentration are Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat (Fig. 12.8). It is an important Rabi (winter) crop in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka. In Tamil Nadu sorghum is grown through out the year, i.e. in kharif (summer season), rabi (winter season) and Zaid (spring season).”
Why relevant

Notes millets (sorghum) are drought‑hardy and concentrated in dry regions, implying that targeted irrigation or inputs could be relevant levers to expand millet area or replace commercial crops.

How to extend

Using this agronomic pattern, a student could argue that micro‑irrigation and nutrient kits would be logical components to encourage shifts and then seek confirmation in programme text.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 10: Spatial Organisation of Agriculture > 10. The Deccan Interior > p. 39
Strength: 3/5
“This is essentially a dry-farming area where millets, pulses, oilseeds, groundnut, coffee, tea, cardamom, and spices are the main crops. The area under millets and bajra can be devoted to pulses. Development of horticulture, poultry, and dairy-farming can help the farmers in the augmentation of their income.”
Why relevant

Describes the Deccan interior as a dry‑farming area where millets coexist with other crops and notes that development of other enterprises can augment farmer income — suggesting crop‑shift incentives are contextually plausible.

How to extend

A student might extend this to hypothesise that offering inputs/equipment could make millet adoption more attractive in such dry regions and then verify program objectives.

Pattern takeaway: UPSC constructs scheme questions by mixing 'Generic Good' (Statements 1 & 2) with 'Specific Exaggeration' (Statement 3). If a statement claims the government is giving expensive capital assets (like irrigation systems) for *free* to *commercial* farmers to induce a shift, be highly skeptical. It defies fiscal logic.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Trap (Statement 3). While based on a real scheme (INSIMP), the specific operational guideline regarding 'free micro-irrigation' was the eliminator.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Dryland Farming & Nutritional Security (GS-3 Agriculture).
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Millet Basket': Jowar (Sorghum), Bajra (Pearl Millet), Ragi (Finger Millet). Know the 'Shree Anna' initiative. Compare: NFSM-Coarse Cereals vs INSIMP. Key Institutes: IIMR Hyderabad. Key nutrients: Ragi (Calcium), Bajra (Iron).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When reading scheme guidelines, categorize benefits into: 1. Knowledge (Training/Demonstration), 2. Consumables (Seeds/Fertilizer - often free/minikits), 3. Assets (Machinery/Irrigation - usually subsidized, not free). UPSC swaps these categories to create traps.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Cluster approach in agricultural schemes
💡 The insight

The statement hinges on using a cluster approach; several references define and describe agriculture-based cluster strategies and schemes based on clusters.

High-yield for UPSC: cluster-based models feature in questions on agri-infrastructure, value chains and rural development. Understanding the rationale, benefits and scheme examples helps answer policy, economy and GS3 questions. Prepare by comparing cluster approaches (Mega Food Parks, production clusters) and their objectives and outcomes.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 10: Agriculture - Part I > 10.11 Agriculture Based Clusters > p. 319
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 13: Food Processing Industry in India > MEGA FOOD PARK SCHEME > p. 412
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 12: Supply Chain and Food Processing Industry > Objectives: > p. 370
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 On-farm demonstration & extension (KVKs)
💡 The insight

Demonstration of improved production technologies is commonly delivered via extension mechanisms like KVKs, cited in the references.

Important for prelims and mains: KVKs and extension systems are recurrent topics under agriculture and rural development. Master their roles, functions and linkage to technology adoption; use scheme examples and case studies to answer application-based questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 10: Agriculture - Part I > 10.7 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) > p. 311
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 12: Supply Chain and Food Processing Industry > Objectives: > p. 370
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Integrated value chain: production to post-harvest & value-addition
💡 The insight

The statement asserts an integrated approach (production, post-harvest, value addition); references describe end-to-end approaches and measures to reduce post-harvest losses and boost processing.

Core for GS3 and ethics-case questions: linking production, storage, logistics and processing explains policy choices for food security and farmer incomes. Study examples of integrated schemes, interventions to reduce post-harvest loss, and linkages to market/processing.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > RAINFED AREA DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (RADP) > p. 53
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 12: Supply Chain and Food Processing Industry > Objectives: > p. 370
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Targeted rural development programmes (IRDP / SFDA / MFDA)
💡 The insight

Several references describe programmes specifically designed to give assistance/subsidy to targeted rural poor groups including small, marginal farmers and scheduled tribes.

High-yield concept for UPSC: many questions ask which schemes target which groups. Understanding target-group schemes (IRDP, SFDA, MFDA) helps answer questions on policy focus, equity and poverty alleviation. Prepare by mapping major rural schemes to their target beneficiaries and objectives; useful in mains answers and scheme-comparison MCQs.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > INTEGRATED RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (IRDP) > p. 19
  • INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Planning and Sustainable Development in Indian Context > Target Area Planning > p. 67
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Disadvantages of small and marginal farmers and institutional remedies
💡 The insight

References highlight the structural disadvantages of small/marginal farmers (limited risk-taking, low productivity) and propose institutional responses like Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs).

Crucial for GS papers and essays: links agrarian structure to policy measures. Questions often require analysis of constraints faced by smallholders and institutional/policy solutions (FPOs, cooperatives). Study by linking problems to specific institutional instruments and examples.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > Landless Labourers > p. 65
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 10: Agriculture - Part I > 10.8 Farmers Producer Organization (FPO) > p. 311
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Rainfed/tribal/backward-area focus in agricultural programmes (RADP & special area planning)
💡 The insight

Evidence shows programmes aiming at rainfed, tribal and backward areas to improve livelihoods of small and marginal farmers through end-to-end support (production, storage, marketing).

Important for questions on regional disparities, sustainable agriculture and inclusive policymaking. Knowing scheme features for rainfed and tribal areas helps answer questions on targeted interventions and rural development strategy; prepare by comparing objectives and components of such schemes.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > RAINFED AREA DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (RADP) > p. 53
  • INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Planning and Sustainable Development in Indian Context > Target Area Planning > p. 67
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Millets — types, nutritional role and cropping patterns
💡 The insight

The statement concerns a millet-promotion initiative; several references describe millets' classification, nutritional value and where they are grown.

Millets feature in questions on food and nutritional security, cropping patterns and dryland agriculture. Mastering millet types, regional distribution and nutritional significance helps answer questions on crop diversification, nutrition-sensitive agriculture and state/regional cropping strategies. Prepare by consolidating taxonomy, state-wise maps and links to nutrition/food security policy.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Millets /Jowar (Sorghum bicolor) > p. 26
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Millets /Jowar (Sorghum bicolor) > p. 27
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 25: Agriculture > Millets > p. 353
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

Ragi (Finger Millet) has the highest Calcium content (approx. 344mg/100g) among all cereals, while Bajra (Pearl Millet) is rich in Iron. UPSC loves asking which crop is richest in a specific nutrient.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

The 'Fiscal Prudence' Hack: Look at Statement 3—'free kits of... microirrigation equipment'. Micro-irrigation (drip/sprinkler) is expensive infrastructure. Governments provide *subsidies* (e.g., 50-80% under PMKSY), never 'free kits' like they do for seeds. Also, targeting 'commercial crop farmers' to shift is rare; schemes usually target fallow/waste land or existing subsistence farmers. Eliminate 3 based on fiscal improbability.

🔗 Mains Connection

Mains GS-3 (Environment + Economy): Millets are 'Climate-Smart Crops' (Low water footprint, often C4 plants with high photosynthetic efficiency). Use this to argue for Millets in answers about Climate Resilient Agriculture and solving the Water Crisis in regions like Marathwada.

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

CAPF · 2025 · Q7 Relevance score: -0.97

Which of the following statements with regard to the 'National Manufacturing Mission' is/are correct? 1. It covers small, medium and large industries. 2. It will support cleantech manufacturing. 3. It will facilitate promotion of employment opportunities in labour-intensive sectors. Select the answer using the code given below.

IAS · 2017 · Q23 Relevance score: -0.99

Which of the following are the objectives of 'National Nutrition Mission' ? 1. To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers. 2. To reduce the incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women. 3. To promote the consumption of millets, coarse cereals and unpolished rice. 4. To promote the consumption of poultry eggs. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

IAS · 2021 · Q24 Relevance score: -1.36

With reference to WaterCredit', consider the following statements : 1. It puts microfinance tools to work in the water and sanitation sector. 2. It is a global initiative launched under the aegis of the World Health Organization and the World Bank. 3. It aims to enable the poor people to meet their water needs without depending on subsidies. Which of the statements given above are correct?