UPSC Prelims 2023 Question:

Q) Consider the following statements:

1. India has more arable area than China.
2. The proportion of irrigated area is more in India as compared to China.
3. The average productivity per hectare in Indian agriculture is higher than that in China.
   
   

How many of the above statements are correct?

Learn more about the Arable Land in India and its productivity potential.

Explanation:

Arable land is land ploughed or tilled regularly. India has the most arable land in the world followed by the United States, Russia, China and Brazil.

India and the United States account for roughly 22% of the world's arable land.

• China has a larger total area of arable land compared to India. According to the World Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), this is due to China's vast territory. Despite having significant mountainous and desert areas, China's extensive landmass allows it to have a substantial amount of arable land. As of 2021, the World Bank data indicates that China had approximately 120 million hectares of arable land, while India had about 170 million hectares devoted specifically to cropland, showing that while India has a larger area of cropland, China's overall arable land area is extensive due to its broader agricultural practices including meadows and pastures. So, statement 1 is not correct.
• India has a higher proportion of irrigated land than China. China’s irrigation cover is 41% of the cultivated area, and India’s is 48%. So, statement 2 is correct.
• However, the average productivity per hectare is higher in China i.e., 4.7 tonnes per hectare compared to India’s 2.7. So, statement 3 is not correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (1) is the correct answer.

Subject: Geography | World Social and Economic Geography

Tags: Conceptual