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.
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 2 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Why the answer is (c)
• INSIMP (2011–12), launched under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, promoted millets through demonstrations of improved production and post-harvest technologies and value addition in an integrated, cluster-based manner (statement 1).
• Millets are grown mainly by poor, small, marginal and tribal farmers in rain-fed areas, who therefore have the larger stake (statement 2).
• Statement 3 is wrong: the scheme did not aim to shift commercial-crop farmers to millets with free input kits; it supported existing millet growers.
• Hence 1 and 2 only, option (c).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Statement 2 is also correct: small and tribal farmers are the main stakeholders.
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- Statement 3 is wrong: no free kits to shift commercial farmers.
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
- Statement 3 is wrong.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2016, held on 7 August 2016. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.