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UPSC Prelims 2021 · Agriculture · Crops and Where They Grow
With reference to ‘palm oil’, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?
- The palm oil tree is native to Southeast Asia.
- The palm oil is a raw material for some industries producing lipstick and perfumes.
- The palm oil can be used to produce biodiesel.
- (a) 1 and 2 Only
- (b) 2 and 3 Only
- (c) 1 and 3 Only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 Only
Cosmetics and biodiesel are real uses; the palm is from West Africa.
Statement by statement
1. ✗ WRONG The oil palm is native to West Africa; Indonesia and Malaysia are now the top growers.
2. ✓ CORRECT Palm oil is used in lipsticks, perfumes, soaps and many cosmetics.
3. ✓ CORRECT Palm oil is a common feedstock for biodiesel.
Why the others are wrong
(a) Accepts a South-East Asian origin.
(c) Accepts a South-East Asian origin.
(d) Accepts a South-East Asian origin.
The trap
Where a crop grows most today is not always where it came from.
🔒 Oil palm: origin West Africa; top producers Indonesia, Malaysia. India: National Mission on Edible Oils–Oil Palm (2021).
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