10 MCQs: Test Your Knowledge on the 2024-25 Parliamentary Standing Committee Report on Agriculture

Test your understanding of the key findings and recommendations of the 2024-25 Parliamentary Standing Committee Report on Agriculture with these 10 multiple-choice questions. Challenge yourself and learn more about crucial issues facing Indian agriculture.

1. What is one of the key recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee (PSC) on Agriculture regarding MSP?

(a) Increase MSP to 2.5 times the cost of production
(b) Provide a legal guarantee on MSP
(c) Abolish MSP entirely
(d) Fix MSP only for cereals

Answer: (b) Provide a legal guarantee on MSP

Explanation:
The PSC has recommended providing a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP), developing a roadmap for its implementation, and ensuring government financing to make the transition smooth.

2. What financial assistance enhancement under the PM-KISAN scheme has the PSC recommended?

(a) Increase from ₹6,000 to ₹12,000 annually
(b) Provide a one-time bonus of ₹10,000
(c) Discontinue the PM-KISAN scheme
(d) Extend benefits only to land-owning farmers

Answer: (a) Increase from ₹6,000 to ₹12,000 annually

Explanation:
The PSC recommended doubling the financial assistance under PM-KISAN from ₹6,000 to ₹12,000 per year and extending the benefits to tenant farmers and farm laborers.

3. According to the PSC, what is a proposed measure to prevent stubble burning?

(a) Penalize farmers for stubble burning
(b) Provide compensation to farmers for crop residue management
(c) Ban the use of combine harvesters
(d) Introduce stricter air pollution laws

Answer: (b) Provide compensation to farmers for crop residue management

Explanation:
The PSC has recommended compensating farmers for managing and disposing of crop residue to prevent stubble burning and proposed a bonus of ₹2,000 per acre with cost-sharing between the Centre and the state.

4. What significant organizational change did the PSC recommend for the Ministry of Agriculture?

(a) Merge the Ministry of Agriculture with the Ministry of Rural Development
(b) Rename the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
(c) Establish a separate ministry for farm laborers
(d) Abolish the Ministry of Agriculture

Answer: (b) Rename the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Explanation:
The PSC proposed renaming the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to the Department of Agriculture, Farmers, and Farm Labourers Welfare to reflect the welfare of agricultural laborers.

5. Which of the following recommendations was made by the PSC for debt relief among farmers?

(a) Introducing a debt waiver scheme
(b) Encouraging farmers to take more loans
(c) Abolishing all forms of agricultural credit
(d) Increasing interest rates on agricultural loans

Answer: (a) Introducing a debt waiver scheme

Explanation:
The PSC recommended a debt waiver scheme to reduce distress and suicides among farmers and farm laborers, along with monitoring the rising dependence on loans.

6. What is the proposed model for universal crop insurance recommended by the PSC?

(a) Based on the PM-KISAN scheme
(b) Similar to the PM-JAY health insurance scheme
(c) Derived from international farming practices
(d) Integrated with the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana

Answer: (b) Similar to the PM-JAY health insurance scheme

Explanation:
The PSC recommended universal mandatory crop insurance for small farmers with up to 2 acres, modeled after the PM-JAY health insurance scheme.

7. Under the PSC's purview, which Ministry is NOT under its jurisdiction?

(a) Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying
(b) Ministry of Food Processing Industries
(c) Ministry of Cooperation
(d) Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change

Answer: (d) Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change

Explanation:
The PSC oversees the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, and Ministry of Cooperation but not the Ministry of Environment.

Significance of the Recommendations

8. Why is a legally binding MSP considered crucial for farmers?

(a) To increase exports of agricultural produce
(b) To ensure financial stability and reduce farmer suicides
(c) To promote corporate investments in agriculture
(d) To eliminate the role of middlemen in agriculture markets

Answer: (b) To ensure financial stability and reduce farmer suicides

Explanation:
A legally binding MSP provides financial stability, mitigates market volatility, and reduces the burden of debt, thus preventing farmer suicides.

UPSC PYQ-Based MCQs

9. Consider the following statements regarding MSP:

1. The procurement at MSP is unlimited for all cereals, pulses, and oil-seeds.
2. MSP is always fixed at a level to ensure it is above market prices.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:
Procurement at MSP is not unlimited, and MSP is not always fixed above market prices. These are subject to conditions and market fluctuations.