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UPSC Prelims 2026 · Environment · Warming World
Which among the following is/are the objective(s) of the Rainfed Area Development (RAD) initiative under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)?
- Encouraging monoculture in rainfed areas
- Increasing rice cultivation in irrigated regions
- Enhancing productivity and minimising climatic risks through Integrated Farming Systems (IFS)
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2
- (c) 2 and 3
- (d) 3 only
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (d) 3 only
RAD promotes Integrated Farming Systems in rainfed areas.
Statement by statement
1. ✗ NO RAD does the opposite — it promotes diversified, integrated farming to spread risk.
2. ✗ NO RAD is for rainfed areas, not irrigated rice.
3. ✓ YES RAD combines crops, livestock, fisheries, horticulture and forestry on a farm to raise income and cut climate risk.
The idea
About half of India’s sown area has no irrigation and depends on the monsoon. One failed rain can wipe out a single crop. The answer is not to bet on one crop: an integrated farming system combines crops with livestock, fish, fruit trees and fodder, so if one fails the others still give income.
Rain fails → Single-crop farmer loses everything → Integrated farm: crop fails but cattle, trees and fish still earn → Farm waste from one part feeds another → Risk falls, income is steadier
The trap
Both wrong statements contradict the words “rainfed” and “sustainable”.
Also know
Rainfed areas grow most of India’s millets, pulses and oilseeds. The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture is one of the eight missions of the climate action plan. Its other parts include soil health management and on-farm water management.
🔒 NMSA (NAPCC mission): RAD, Soil Health Card, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana.