UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Releases Second Advance Estimates of Horticultural Crop Area and Production for 2025–26

Q1. With reference to the Advance Estimates of area and production of horticultural crops in India, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. The Directorate of Economics & Statistics under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare compiles the advance estimates of horticultural crops.
2. The advance estimates of horticultural crops are released exclusively by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
3. The Final Estimates of a particular year are typically released along with the First Advance Estimates of the succeeding year.
4. The estimates are prepared solely on the basis of satellite remote sensing data and do not rely on any inputs from the State Governments and Union Territories.

• A. 1 and 3 only
• B. 2 and 4 only
• C. 1, 3 and 4 only
• D. 2 and 3 only

Q2. With reference to the estimation of horticulture statistics in India, the project 'CHAMAN' refers to which one of the following?

• A. A scheme for cluster-based development of horticulture crops implemented under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture
• B. A coordinated programme that uses remote sensing technology and sample survey methodology to estimate area and production of select horticultural crops
• C. A market intelligence and e-trading portal under APEDA for export of fresh fruits and vegetables from India
• D. A credit-linked capital subsidy programme for setting up cold-chain and post-harvest infrastructure for horticultural produce

Q3. The horticulture sector in India contributes approximately what percentage to the country's agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA)?

• A. About 13%
• B. About 18%
• C. About 25%
• D. About 33%

Q4. With reference to horticultural crops, consider the following crops in which India is often described as the world's largest producer: 1. Banana 2. Mango 3. Orange 4. Okra Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified?

1. Banana
2. Mango
3. Orange
4. Okra

• A. 1 only
• B. 3 only
• C. 2 and 3
• D. 1, 2 and 4

Q5. With reference to India, which one of the following is the apex statutory body established for the overall development of cardamom and the promotion of all other spices?

• A. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
• B. Spices Board
• C. National Horticulture Board
• D. Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development

Q6. With reference to India's position in world production of horticultural crops, consider the following crops: 1. Banana 2. Potato 3. Papaya 4. Cauliflower Which of the above is/are correctly identified as crops in which India ranks first (highest) in the world in production?

1. Banana
2. Potato
3. Papaya
4. Cauliflower

• A. 1 and 3 only
• B. 2 and 4 only
• C. 1, 2 and 3
• D. 1, 3 and 4

Q7. The Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), which covers fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants and plantation crops like coconut, cashew and cocoa, is implemented by which one of the following?

• A. Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
• B. Ministry of Food Processing Industries
• C. Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
• D. Department of Rural Development, Ministry of Rural Development

Q8. The 'Operation Greens' scheme, originally launched in 2018-19 for the TOP (Tomato, Onion, Potato) value chain and later extended to TOTAL (all fruits and vegetables), is implemented by which one of the following Union Ministries?

• A. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
• B. Ministry of Food Processing Industries
• C. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
• D. Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Q9. With reference to the CDP-SURAKSHA platform launched for the horticulture sector, what does the acronym 'SURAKSHA' stand for?

• A. Sustainable Use of Resources for Agricultural Knowledge, Subsidy and Horticulture Advancement
• B. State-Unified Rural Agriculture Knowledge Sharing for Horticulture Assistance
• C. System for Unified Resource Allocation, Knowledge, and Secure Horticulture Assistance
• D. Scheme for Universal Recognition of Approved Krishi and Subsidy Holders in Agriculture

Q10. With reference to the Second Advance Estimates (2nd AE) of Area and Production of Horticultural Crops for 2025-26 released by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, and the related state-wise production pattern of horticultural crops in India, consider the following statements: 1. The 2nd AE of 2025-26 estimates total horticulture production higher than both the Final Estimates of 2024-25 and the 1st AE of 2025-26. 2. Uttar Pradesh is the largest producing State for both mango and potato in India. 3. Andhra Pradesh is the largest producing State for both banana and onion in India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. The 2nd AE of 2025-26 estimates total horticulture production higher than both the Final Estimates of 2024-25 and the 1st AE of 2025-26.
2. Uttar Pradesh is the largest producing State for both mango and potato in India.
3. Andhra Pradesh is the largest producing State for both banana and onion in India.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 2 and 3 only
• C. 1 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. Among the following five horticultural crops — Mango, Banana, Onion, Potato and Tomato — for how many is Maharashtra the largest producing State in India?

• A. Only one
• B. Only two
• C. Only three
• D. Only four