Agricultural Institutions — Set 5

Correct Answer: B. Development of commercial horticulture including fruit, vegetable, and flower production

National Horticulture Board (NHB) was established in 1984 to support the development of commercial horticulture in India. It provides financial assistance for setting up commercial horticulture projects, post-harvest infrastructure, and market linkage. NHB supports orchards, protected cultivation (poly houses), cold chains, and processing units. It functions under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

Correct Answer: B. Coir Board

The Coir Board was established under the Coir Industry Act, 1953 to promote and develop the coir industry. Coir is the natural fiber extracted from coconut husk. Kerala accounts for about 60% of India's coir production. The Coir Board provides research, marketing, and welfare support to coir workers. India is a major producer and exporter of coir and coir products.

Correct Answer: A. Lucknow

ICAR-CISH (Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture) is located in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. It conducts research on subtropical fruits like mango, guava, amla (Indian gooseberry), bael, and citrus. India is the world's largest mango producer and a major guava producer. CISH develops high-yielding varieties, post-harvest technologies, and orchard management practices for subtropical fruits.

Correct Answer: B. Subsidized loans to state governments for rural infrastructure

NABARD's RIDF (Rural Infrastructure Development Fund) provides subsidized loans to state governments and state-owned corporations for rural infrastructure projects including rural roads, bridges, irrigation, schools, and health centres. RIDF was created in 1995-96. It has disbursed over Rs 3 lakh crore for rural infrastructure projects across India. RIDF interest rates are significantly below market rates, making it attractive for state governments.

Correct Answer: B. Shivaraman Committee

NABARD was established based on the recommendations of the Shivaraman Committee, which was constituted to review the arrangements for institutional credit for agriculture and rural development. The committee submitted its report in 1979 and recommended establishing a single apex development bank for agriculture and rural development. NABARD began operations on July 12, 1982 by taking over functions from RBI and ARDC.

Correct Answer: C. DRR Hyderabad

The Directorate of Rice Research (DRR), now called ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR), located in Hyderabad is the premier institution for rice research in India. DRR developed several high-yielding and hybrid rice varieties. The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines is the global equivalent. IIRR's research has significantly contributed to India's rice production and quality improvement.

Correct Answer: B. Dryland and desert horticulture with date palm, ber, and dry fruits

ICAR-CIAH (Central Institute of Arid Horticulture) at Bikaner, Rajasthan focuses on research on horticulture in arid and semi-arid regions. It conducts research on date palm, ber (Indian jujube), pomegranate, aonla, and vegetables suitable for desert conditions. Rajasthan's arid regions have potential for arid horticulture development. CIAH develops water-efficient production technologies for arid horticulture crops.

Correct Answer: B. Almora

ICAR-VPKAS (Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan) is located in Almora, Uttarakhand. It was formerly known as Vivekananda Laboratory. VPKAS conducts research on agriculture in mid-hill conditions including wheat, pulse, oilseed, and vegetable crops suited to hilly terrain. Its research supports agricultural development in the Himalayan hill regions of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

Correct Answer: C. Anand (Kaira)

The Amul cooperative model was developed in Anand district (also known as Kaira district) in Gujarat. Tribhuvandas Patel formed the Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union in 1946. Verghese Kurien joined in 1949 and built it into the Amul brand. The model was replicated nationally through Operation Flood under NDDB. Amul (Anand Milk Union Limited) became a symbol of India's dairy revolution.

Correct Answer: C. Ministry of Textiles

CCI (Cotton Corporation of India) was established in 1970 and operates under the Ministry of Textiles. It is the designated agency for MSP procurement of cotton under the Price Support Scheme. CCI also handles cotton exports, imports, and trade operations. India is one of the world's largest cotton producers and exporters.