Economy & Agriculture — Set 11

Correct Answer: B. Marble (accounting for about 90% of India's total marble production)

Rajasthan accounts for approximately 90% of India's total marble production, making it the largest marble-producing state in the country. The Makrana marble from Nagaur district is world-famous and was used to build the Taj Mahal. Other important marble-producing areas include Rajsamand, Udaipur, and Sirohi districts. Rajasthan's marble industry employs hundreds of thousands of workers and earns significant foreign exchange.

Correct Answer: B. Limestone (Rajasthan produces the most limestone in India)

Rajasthan is the leading producer of limestone in India, which is a key raw material for the cement industry. Major limestone deposits are found in Chittorgarh, Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Nagaur districts. This has led to the establishment of numerous large cement plants in Rajasthan, making it one of India's top cement-producing states. The Cement Corporation of India and several private companies operate plants in the state.

Correct Answer: B. Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Bikaner, Jodhpur, and Barmer districts

The Indira Gandhi Canal (Rajasthan Canal) primarily irrigates the northwestern desert districts of Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Barmer. The canal has transformed vast stretches of the Thar Desert into fertile agricultural land. Crops like wheat, cotton, groundnut, and vegetables are now grown in areas that were once pure desert, dramatically improving the lives of farmers in western Rajasthan.

Correct Answer: B. Eastern and southeastern districts (Bharatpur, Alwar, Dausa, Jaipur)

The eastern and southeastern districts of Rajasthan including Bharatpur, Alwar, Dausa, and Jaipur are often called the mustard bowl because they produce the largest quantity of mustard in India. Rajasthan contributes about 46-48% of India's total mustard production. Mustard is the primary rabi crop in this region and plays a crucial role in the rural economy of eastern Rajasthan.

Correct Answer: A. Eastern region (Jaipur, Sikar, Nagaur)

The eastern and central districts of Rajasthan including Jaipur, Nagaur, Barmer, Sikar, and Churu are the largest bajra-producing areas. Bajra is a drought-resistant kharif crop well-suited to Rajasthan's arid and semi-arid climate. India is the world's largest producer of bajra, and Rajasthan contributes the largest share nationally. Bajra is not only an important food grain but also used as fodder for cattle.

Correct Answer: B. Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, and Nagaur

Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, and Nagaur districts in western Rajasthan are the main cumin-producing areas, accounting for the largest share of India's cumin output. Rajasthan and Gujarat together produce about 80-90% of India's cumin. Cumin (jeera) is an important spice crop that fetches high prices in both domestic and international markets, making it a profitable crop for farmers in the arid western districts.

Correct Answer: C. Both A and B along with Sanganer block prints and Kota Doria saree

Several Rajasthani handicraft products have received Geographical Indication (GI) tags recognizing their unique regional identity. These include Blue Pottery of Jaipur, Makrana Marble, Sanganer Hand Block Print, Kota Doria Saree, Bagru Hand Block Print, Pratapgarh Thewa Art, and Kathputli (puppet making). GI tags protect these traditional industries from imitation and help artisans command premium prices in both domestic and international markets.

Correct Answer: B. Persian-origin technique using quartz, not clay, as the primary material

Blue Pottery of Jaipur is unique because it is made using a Persian-origin technique where the primary material is quartz (not clay), along with glass, multani mitti (Fuller's earth), borax, and gum. This unusual composition gives blue pottery its characteristic translucent appearance. The blue colour comes from cobalt oxide. This art was revived in Jaipur in the 1950s by Kripal Singh Shekhawat with the support of Mrinalini Sarabhai.

Correct Answer: B. About 8-10%

Rajasthan contributes approximately 8-10% of India's domestic tourism revenue and is consistently ranked among the top 3 tourist destinations in India. The state attracted over 50 million domestic tourists and about 1.5 million foreign tourists in recent years. Heritage tourism, wildlife tourism, and cultural tourism (including camel safaris and desert festivals) are the major drivers. Tourism is the third-largest industry in Rajasthan after agriculture and mining.

Correct Answer: B. Cement industry (as a retarder) and for soil amendment in agriculture

Rajasthan accounts for nearly 80% of India's gypsum production, primarily from Nagaur, Bikaner, and Barmer districts. Gypsum is used as a retarder in cement manufacturing to control the setting time of cement. It is also used to improve soil quality in alkaline soils in agriculture, to make plaster of Paris, and in the gypsum board construction industry. This makes gypsum strategically important for both construction and agriculture sectors.