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Agriculture & Food Security

RBI Grade B · General Awareness

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Core Concept

Read this first — the foundation of the topic

→India's Agricultural Scenario

India is an agricultural economy with about 50% population dependent on farming. Agriculture contributes around 17-18% to GDP but employs nearly 50% of the workforce. This shows low productivity per worker compared to other sectors

→Types of Farming

Subsistence Farming - Growing crops for own consumption 2. Commercial Farming - Growing crops for sale in market 3. Intensive Farming - High input of capital and labor per unit area 4. Extensive Farming - Large area with low input per unit Crop Seasons in India: 1.

Kharif - Sown in June-July, harvested in October (Rice, Cotton, Sugarcane) 2. Rabi - Sown in November-December, harvested in April (Wheat, Barley, Peas) 3. Zaid - Summer crops grown with irrigation (Fodder, Watermelon) Food Security Components: 1. Availability - Sufficient food production 2.

Accessibility - People can afford food 3. Utilization - Proper nutrition absorption 4. Stability - Consistent access over time Government Initiatives: Public Distribution System (PDS) provides subsidized food grains. National Food Security Act 2013 covers 75% rural and 50% urban population.

Minimum Support Price (MSP) ensures farmers get fair prices.

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Exam Patterns

What examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs

SSC CGL frequently asks about crop seasons, government schemes, and food security measures. Questions often test knowledge of specific years, acts, and percentage coverage of schemes. Shortcut Trick - Remember Crop Seasons: 'KHARIF = RAIN CROPS' (monsoon dependent) 'RABI = WINTER CROPS' (cool weather) 'ZAID = SUMMER CROPS' (irrigation needed)

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Worked Example

Solve this step-by-step before moving on

1

Step 1

Calculate earnings at market price Market earnings = 50 × 1800 = Rs. 90,000

2

Step 2

Calculate earnings at MSP MSP earnings = 50 × 2000 = Rs. 1,00,000

3

Step 3

Find the benefit Benefit = 1,00,000 - 90,000 = Rs. 10,000 The farmer benefits by Rs. 10,000 through MSP support. Common Mistake: Students confuse Kharif and Rabi seasons. Remember: Kharif crops need lots of water (monsoon), while Rabi crops grow in winter with less water requirement. Many also forget that Food Security has four dimensions, not just availability.

🔑 Key Points

Agriculture employs 50% of India's workforce but contributes only 17-18% to GDP
Kharif crops are monsoon-dependent, Rabi crops are winter crops, Zaid are summer crops
Food Security has four dimensions: Availability, Accessibility, Utilization, Stability
National Food Security Act 2013 covers 75% rural and 50% urban population
Public Distribution System (PDS) provides subsidized food grains to poor families
Minimum Support Price (MSP) ensures farmers get fair prices for their produce
Green Revolution increased food grain production through HYV seeds and fertilizers
Buffer stock is maintained by FCI to ensure food security during emergencies

📌 Exam Facts

National Food Security Act was passed in 2013
Food Security Act covers 75% rural and 50% urban population
Agriculture contributes approximately 17-18% to India's GDP
About 50% of India's workforce is employed in agriculture sector
Food Corporation of India (FCI) was established in 1965
Kharif crops are harvested in October-November
Rabi crops are sown in November-December and harvested in April
Public Distribution System operates through 5.5 lakh Fair Price Shops

🚀 60-Second Revision

Remember: Kharif = Rain crops (Rice, Cotton), Rabi = Winter crops (Wheat, Barley)
Formula: Food Security = Availability + Accessibility + Utilization + Stability
Key Act: National Food Security Act 2013 covers 75% rural, 50% urban population
Trap: Don't confuse crop seasons - Kharif needs monsoon, Rabi needs cool weather
Remember: Agriculture employs 50% workforce but contributes only 17-18% GDP
MSP ensures farmers get minimum guaranteed price even when market rates fall
FCI maintains buffer stock and operates PDS through Fair Price Shops

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