UPSC Prelims 2026 Question:

Which among the following is/are the objective(s) of the Rainfed Area Development (RAD) initiative under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)?

1. Encouraging monoculture in rainfed areas 
2. Increasing rice cultivation in irrigated regions 
3. Enhancing productivity and minimising climatic risks through Integrated Farming Systems (IFS)
   
   

Select the answer using the code given below :

Explanation:  

Rainfed Area Development (RAD) is a component of the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture  (NMSA). It aims to promote sustainable agricultural production in rainfed areas through agro-climatic zone specific Integrated Farming System models. The focus is on diversification, rainwater-use efficiency, soil health  management and climate-resilient agriculture.

• RAD does not encourage monoculture in rainfed areas. Instead, it promotes Integrated Farming Systems  with multi-cropping, inter-cropping, mixed cropping, horticulture, livestock, fishery, agroforestry and  other allied activities. So, statement 1 is not correct. 
• RAD is not aimed at increasing rice cultivation in irrigated regions. Its focus is specifically on rainfed  areas, especially climatically vulnerable dryland regions, and not on expansion of irrigated rice cultivation.  So, statement 2 is not correct. 
• RAD aims to enhance agricultural productivity and minimise climatic risks through Integrated  Farming Systems. The scheme promotes location-specific IFS models developed by ICAR and supports  diversified, risk-resilient agriculture. So, statement 3 is correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (4) is the correct answer.