Question : Comprehension:
Read the following passage and answer the questions given after it.
The total area sown under Rabi crops has increased by 3.25%, from 697.98 lakh hectares in 2021–22 to 720.68 lakh hectares in 2022–23. This is 22.71 lakh hectares more this year compared to the corresponding period of 2021–22. Comparing with the normal sown area (average of the last five years), the increase is to the tune of 13.71%, from 633.80 to 720.68 lakh hectares. The increase in area is across all crops, the highest being rice. Out of the 22.71 lakh hectare increase in all Rabi crops, the increase in rice area is 11.20 lakh hectares, up from 35.05 lakh hectares in 2021–22 to 46.25 lakh hectares in 2022–23. However, this is lower than the normal sown area of 47.71 lakh hectares. The maximum increase in area under rice is in the states of Telangana and West Bengal.
Area under oilseeds increased by 7.31% from 102.36 lakh hectares during 2021–22 to 109.84 lakh hectares this year. The increase in area under oilseeds at the rate of 7.31% is more than double the rate of increase of 3.25% in all crops together. Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh accounted for major expansion in the area of oilseeds.
Rapeseed and mustard contributed the maximum in increasing oilseed area during this Rabi season. Mustard area increased by 6.77 lakh hectares from 91.25 lakh hectares in 2021–22 to 98.02 lakh hectares in 2022–23. Thus, out of the 7.49 lakh hectares increase in area under oilseeds, rapeseed and mustard alone accounted for 6.44 lakh hectares.
Pulse production is being focused on making the country self-sufficient in these commodities. The area under pulses increased by 0.56 lakh hectares from 167.31 to 167.86 lakh hectares. Mung beans and lentils accounted for the increase in the area under pulses.
The United Nations General Assembly has declared the year 2023 as the International Year of Millets, and India is at the forefront of celebrating the event in a big way. In order to create awareness about the benefits of millets as a superfood and to meet its growing demand around the world, the government is promoting millet production through the NFSM-Nutri Cereals component of the National Food Security Mission programme in 212 districts in 14 states. Coarse cum nutri-cereals saw an increase of 2.08 lakh hectares in area under cultivation from 51.42 lakh hectares in 2021–22 to 53.49 lakh hectares in 2022–23.
Question:
On which of the following crops is the Indian government especially focussing this year?
Option 1: rice
Option 2: oilseeds
Option 3: pulses
Option 4: millets
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Correct Answer: millets
Solution : The fourth option is the correct choice.
The Indian government is specifically focusing on millets this year. This is evident from the passage, which mentions that the United Nations General Assembly has declared the year 2023 as the International Year of Millets, and the Indian Government is promoting millet production to create awareness about the benefits of millets as a superfood.
Therefore, the correct answer is millets.
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