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UPSC Prelims 2011 · Agriculture · Farm Money
India has experienced persistent and high food inflation in the recent past. What could be the reasons? Which of the statements given above are correct?
- Due to a gradual switchover to the cultivation of commercial crops, the area under the cultivation of food grains has steadily decreased in the last five years by about 30%.
- As a consequence of increasing incomes, the consumption patterns of the people have undergone a significant change.
- The food supply chain has structural constraints.
- (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
Changing diets and supply-chain constraints drove food inflation.
Statement by statement
1. ✗ WRONG Food grain area did not fall by anything close to 30%.
2. ✓ CORRECT Rising incomes shifted demand to protein, fruit, vegetables and milk.
3. ✓ CORRECT Weak storage, cold chains and mandis cause supply bottlenecks.
Why the others are wrong
(a) Accepts the 30% fall.
(c) Accepts the 30% fall.
(d) Accepts the 30% fall.
The trap
An exact figure like 30% is often the fabricated part.
🔒 Food inflation: protein shift, supply chain gaps, weather shocks.