MSP, APMC & Procurement — Set 4
Indian Agriculture · MSP, APMC और खरीद · Questions 31–40 of 160
What is 'offtake' in the context of PDS and food grain management?
Correct Answer: B. Quantity of grain lifted from FCI by states for distribution
Offtake refers to the quantity of food grains (wheat and rice) lifted from FCI godowns by state governments for distribution under the Public Distribution System. States lift grain against their NFSA entitlements. Higher offtake indicates better utilization of PDS allocations. Poor offtake leads to excess grain accumulation in FCI warehouses.
AGMARKNET is a digital platform related to:
Correct Answer: B. Agricultural market prices and arrivals data
AGMARKNET (Agricultural Marketing Information Network) is a web portal that provides real-time data on agricultural commodity prices and arrivals from mandis across India. It was developed by the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection under the Ministry of Agriculture. Farmers and traders use AGMARKNET to track market prices before deciding where to sell. The portal covers over 7000 markets across the country.
The Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana (BBY) was introduced by which state government?
Correct Answer: B. Madhya Pradesh
Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana (BBY), meaning price difference payment scheme, was introduced by the Madhya Pradesh government in 2017-18. Under this scheme, farmers who sell their produce below MSP receive the price difference directly in their bank accounts. It was piloted for eight Kharif oilseeds and pulses. The scheme inspired PDPS under PM-AASHA at the national level.
FAQ stands for what in the context of MSP procurement?
Correct Answer: B. Fair Average Quality
FAQ stands for Fair Average Quality in agricultural procurement. When FCI or state agencies procure food grains at MSP, the produce must meet FAQ standards for moisture content, broken grains, and foreign matter. Grain below FAQ standards is rejected or procured at a discount. FAQ norms ensure that the public stock is of acceptable quality.
GrAM initiative under e-NAM refers to:
Correct Answer: A. Gramin Agriculture Markets
GrAM stands for Gramin Agriculture Markets, an initiative to link rural haats (village markets) with the e-NAM platform. The government identified 22,000 GrAMs (rural haats) for integration with e-NAM. This helps farmers sell produce closer to their farms without travelling to distant mandis. GrAMs enable price transparency at the village level through digital connections.
Pledge financing allows farmers to:
Correct Answer: A. Get loans against their stored produce
Pledge financing enables farmers to deposit their produce in warehouses and get loans against warehouse receipts without having to immediately sell. This allows farmers to wait for better market prices instead of distress selling immediately after harvest. NABARD and commercial banks provide pledge loans against produce stored in WDRA-registered warehouses. It helps in reducing post-harvest distress.
WDRA stands for which regulatory body?
Correct Answer: A. Warehouse Development and Regulatory Authority
WDRA stands for Warehouse Development and Regulatory Authority, established under the Warehousing (Development and Regulation) Act, 2007. It accredits and regulates warehouses and enables the issuance of negotiable warehouse receipts. These receipts can be used as collateral for bank loans (pledge financing). WDRA promotes scientific storage to reduce post-harvest losses.
FPO in agricultural marketing context stands for:
Correct Answer: B. Farmer Producer Organization
FPO stands for Farmer Producer Organization, which is a collective of farmers formed to improve their bargaining power and market access. The government launched a scheme to create 10,000 FPOs by 2027-28 with financial support of Rs 6865 crore. FPOs can aggregate produce and sell collectively at better prices, access credit, and procure inputs in bulk. They help small farmers overcome individual limitations.
The government's target is to form how many FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations) by 2027-28?
Correct Answer: C. 10000
The correct answer is '10000'. The Central Government launched a central sector scheme to form 10,000 new Farmer Producer Organizations by 2027-28. The scheme was launched in 2020 with a budget of Rs 6865 crore. SFAC, NABARD, and NCDC are the implementation agencies. The goal is to aggregate small farmers' produce to improve market access and reduce input costs.
Strategic reserves of food grains in India are maintained primarily for which purpose?
Correct Answer: B. Welfare schemes and emergency food security
Strategic reserves of food grains are maintained by FCI to meet emergency situations, natural disasters, and festival demands when market prices spike. These reserves are above the normal buffer stock norms. They help the government intervene in the market to protect consumers during extreme price rise. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs periodically reviews and approves the strategic reserve norms.