Agriculture & Rural Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
According to a PIB backgrounder of May 2026, what share of global jaggery production does India account for?
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Correct answer: A — Over 70%
India accounts for over 70% of global jaggery production, making it the world's largest producer.
By how much did the value of India's jaggery exports increase between 2015-16 and 2024-25, as per PIB (May 2026)?
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Correct answer: D — 106.5%
Jaggery exports increased by 106.5% in value between 2015-16 and 2024-25.
As per the Commerce Ministry, what was the European Union's rank among markets for Indian seafood exports in 2025-26?
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Correct answer: B — Third
The EU emerged as the third-largest market, with 18.94% of total export value (US$1.593 billion).
Consider the following statements about India's seafood exports to the EU (May 2026): 1. India had been omitted from the EU's Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2598 on third countries allowed to export from September 2026. 2. EU Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/905 concerns the use of antimicrobials in animals whose products are exported to the EU. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. India's omission was in Regulation (EU) 2024/2598, and Regulation (EU) 2023/905 requires exported animals and products to be free of antimicrobials used for growth promotion or reserved for humans.
For kharif marketing season 2026-27, which crop got the highest absolute increase in MSP over the previous year?
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Correct answer: C — Sunflower seed
Sunflower seed got the highest increase (₹622 per quintal), followed by cotton (₹557), nigerseed (₹515) and sesamum (₹500).
Under the kharif MSP 2026-27, the expected margin over cost of production is highest for which crop?
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Correct answer: D — Moong
Moong has the highest expected margin (61%), followed by bajra (56%), maize (56%) and tur/arhar (54%).
Consider the following statements about Minimum Support Prices (MSP): 1. Fixing MSP at least at 1.5 times the all-India weighted average cost of production was announced in the Union Budget 2014-15. 2. The MSP of paddy (common) for marketing season 2026-27 is ₹2,441 per quintal. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only 2 is correct. The 1.5-times-cost principle was announced in the Union Budget 2018-19, as the Cabinet release states.
What is the outlay of the Mizoram Ginger Mission launched in May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ₹189.79 crore
The Mizoram Ginger Mission is a ₹189.79-crore convergence-led initiative for ginger cultivation and value-chain development.
Which Union ministry anchors the Mizoram Ginger Mission?
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Correct answer: B — Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region
The mission is anchored by the Ministry of DoNER and converges schemes of the agriculture, rural development and food processing ministries.
For which state did IMD launch a pilot rainfall forecast at 1-km spatial resolution in May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Uttar Pradesh
The High Spatial Resolution Rainfall Forecast for Uttar Pradesh gives 1-km resolution forecasts up to 10 days ahead as a pilot service.
IMD's AI-enabled 'Forecast of Monsoon Advance' (May 2026) is designed to support farmers in how many states?
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Correct answer: A — 16
The product supports farmers across 16 states and more than 3,000 sub-districts through the Agriculture Ministry's dissemination framework.
The Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP) launched in May 2026 is a strategy between India and which organisation?
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Correct answer: A — International Fund for Agricultural Development
The eight-year COSOP for 2026–2033 was launched by the Government of India with IFAD.
Consider the following statements about the India–IFAD partnership: 1. India's partnership with IFAD spans nearly five decades, with 35 rural development projects implemented in India. 2. The COSOP 2026–2033 has three strategic priorities. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The COSOP 2026–2033 has two strategic priorities: rural resilience and knowledge systems for scaling.
At the 5th IGoM on West Asia on 11 May 2026, India's LPG rolling stock was reported to be enough for how many days?
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Correct answer: C — 45 days
India had 45 days of LPG rolling stock; crude oil and natural gas were 60 days each.
Consider the following statements about the 5th IGoM on West Asia (11 May 2026): 1. The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas. 2. The fertiliser stock of 199.65 LMT covered more than half of the assessed Kharif 2026 requirement of 390.54 LMT. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only 2 is correct. The IGoM was chaired by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh; Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri attended as a member.
The SEHAT Mission launched on 11 May 2026 is a joint national mission of which two bodies?
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Correct answer: B — ICAR and ICMR
SEHAT is a joint national mission of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Consider the following statements about the SEHAT Mission: 1. Its priority areas include evaluation of bio-fortified crops and occupational health of agricultural workers. 2. It was launched jointly by the Union Health Minister and the Union Agriculture Minister. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. JP Nadda (Health) and Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Agriculture) launched it; priorities include bio-fortified crops, integrated farming and farmers' occupational health.
The National Jute Board implements the Jute Crop Information System (with tools BHUVAN JUMP and PATSAN) in collaboration with ISRO and which body?
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Correct answer: D — Jute Corporation of India
NJB has implemented JCIS since 2023 with ISRO and the Jute Corporation of India.
In May 2026, Baksa district of Assam made its first-ever export of 20 MT of ODOP honey to which country?
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Correct answer: A — United States of America
The 20 MT consignment of Baksa's ODOP honey was exported to the USA on 9 May 2026.
Which body facilitated the first export of honey from Baksa, Assam, in May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — APEDA
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the export; MPEDA handles marine products.
The Ministry of Cooperation held its second Regional Conference on Cooperative Reforms in Aizawl on 8 May 2026. Where was the first conference in this series held?
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Correct answer: B — Jaipur
The first regional conference under this initiative was held in Jaipur; Aizawl hosted the second, the first ever in Mizoram.
Which pest prompted the formation of an expert task force for litchi crops in Bihar in May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Litchi stink bug
The task force was set up to study damage to litchi crops caused by the litchi stink bug.
Who chairs the expert task force on the litchi stink bug set up in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Director, ICAR-National Research Centre on Litchi, Muzaffarpur
The Director of the National Research Centre on Litchi, Muzaffarpur, was appointed chairperson; the issue was raised at CISH, Lucknow.
What is the outlay of the Mission for Cotton Productivity approved by the Cabinet in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — ₹5,659.22 crore
The Cabinet approved ₹5,659.22 crore for the Mission for Cotton Productivity.
What is the implementation period of the Mission for Cotton Productivity?
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Correct answer: A — 2026–27 to 2030–31
The mission covers 2026–27 to 2030–31.
The Mission for Cotton Productivity is aligned with the Government's '5F' vision. What does 5F stand for?
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Correct answer: C — Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign
The 5F vision is Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign.
What Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane was approved for sugar season 2026–27?
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Correct answer: D — ₹365 per quintal
The FRP for 2026–27 is ₹365 per quintal at a basic recovery rate of 10.25%; ₹338.3 applies where recovery is below 9.5%.
The FRP of sugarcane is determined on the basis of recommendations of which body?
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Correct answer: A — Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP)
The FRP is determined on the basis of CACP's recommendations after consultation with State Governments and other stakeholders.
In May 2026 the Centre approved MSP procurement of 9,023 tonnes of sunflower under the Price Support Scheme in which state?
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Correct answer: C — Karnataka
The sunflower procurement was approved for Karnataka for Rabi 2026; the gram limit was raised for Maharashtra.
To what level was the maximum procurement limit of gram in Maharashtra for Rabi 2025-26 raised in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 8,19,882 tonnes
The maximum procurement limit of gram in Maharashtra was raised to 8,19,882 metric tonnes.
As on 1 May 2026, the total area sown under summer crops in India was about:
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Correct answer: C — 81.60 lakh hectares
Summer crops covered 81.60 lakh hectares as on 1 May 2026, against 79.00 lakh hectares in the same period of 2025.
Which crop group recorded the largest increase in summer sowing area over the corresponding period of 2025, as on 1 May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Shree Anna cum coarse cereals
Shree Anna cum coarse cereals rose by 1.77 lakh hectares, ahead of oilseeds (+1.47) and pulses (+0.73); rice fell by 1.36 lakh hectares.
What is the processing capacity of the dairy plant in Kargil whose foundation stone was laid on 1 May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 10,000 litres per day
The ₹25-crore Kargil dairy plant will have a capacity of 10,000 litres per day; a separate 50,000-litre plant is planned in Leh.
As stated by the Cooperation Minister in May 2026, India's milk production rose from 146 million tonnes in 2014–15 to about how much?
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Correct answer: A — 248 million tonnes
India's milk production increased by 70%, from 146 million tonnes in 2014–15 to 248 million tonnes.
According to the Agriculture Ministry's clarification of April 2026, the 2025–26 wheat crop was sown on an estimated area of:
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Correct answer: A — 33.4 million hectares
The wheat crop was sown on an estimated 33.4 million hectares, with an additional 0.6 million hectares over the previous year.
Consider the following statements about the 2025–26 wheat crop as per the Agriculture Ministry: 1. A major pest outbreak reduced yields in several states. 2. Unusually high temperatures in February exposed the crop to heat stress. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: no incidence of major pests or diseases was reported. Statement 2 is correct.
The North Zone Agriculture Conference of the Union Agriculture Ministry was held on 24 April 2026 in:
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Correct answer: C — Lucknow
The conference was held in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, with Shivraj Singh Chouhan and CM Yogi Adityanath.
Bihar's first-ever structured pulse procurement, reported in April 2026, involves procurement of which pulse by NCCF?
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Correct answer: D — Masoor (lentil)
NCCF initiated organised procurement of masoor (lentil) in Bihar for the first time, with a target of 32,000 MT.
Bihar's first structured pulse procurement in April 2026 was launched under which mission?
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Correct answer: A — Atmanirbhar Pulses Mission
The ministry described it as Bihar's first-ever structured pulse procurement initiative under the Atmanirbhar Pulses Mission.
In April 2026 the Centre approved MSP procurement of five crops in Odisha. Which crop accounted for the largest approved MSP value?
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Correct answer: C — Urad
Urad: 1,19,387 tonnes worth ₹931.21 crore, against moong at ₹302.42 crore, out of a total exceeding ₹1,428.31 crore.
Which of the following crops was NOT among the five approved for central procurement in Odisha in April 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Paddy
The five approved crops were moong, urad, groundnut, sunflower and mustard.
After the approval of 20 April 2026, what is the total quantity of wheat (excluding wheat products) permitted for export?
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Correct answer: D — 50 LMT
With the latest additional 25 LMT, a total of 50 LMT of wheat and 10 LMT of wheat products have been permitted.
According to the Second Advance Estimates of March 2026, India's wheat production for 2025–26 is estimated at:
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Correct answer: A — 1,202 LMT
The Second Advance Estimates released on 10 March 2026 put wheat production for 2025–26 at 1,202 LMT.
According to FAOSTAT 2024, as cited in a PIB backgrounder of April 2026, what is India's world rank in coconut production?
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Correct answer: D — Second
India ranks second in the world in coconut production as per FAOSTAT 2024.
India's horticultural production in 2024-25, as per the PIB backgrounder, was about:
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Correct answer: B — 370.74 million tonnes
Horticultural production rose from 277.35 MT in 2013-14 to 370.74 MT in 2024-25; 217.80 MT is vegetables alone.
Consider the following statements based on the PIB backgrounder on high-value crops (April 2026): 1. Nearly 90% of India's approximately 150 million agarwood trees are in the North Eastern states. 2. Horticulture accounts for more than half of the gross value of output of the agricultural crops sub-sector. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. About 90% of the ~150 million agarwood trees are in the North East, but horticulture's share of the crops sub-sector GVO is about 37%.
Under which scheme did the Centre approve procurement of 20 LMT of potatoes in Uttar Pradesh in April 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Market Intervention Scheme
The potato procurement was approved under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for 2025-26.
Consider the following pairs from the Agriculture Ministry's approvals of 18 April 2026: 1. Uttar Pradesh – Potato procurement of 20 LMT 2. Andhra Pradesh – Tur procurement extended till 15 May 2026 3. Karnataka – Chana procurement limit raised to 1,13,250 MT How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
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Correct answer: A — Only one
Only pair 1 is correct. The chana limit of 1,13,250 MT was for Andhra Pradesh, and the tur extension to 15 May 2026 was for Karnataka.
The Brackishwater Aquaculture Cluster reviewed by the Fisheries Secretary in April 2026 is located at:
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Correct answer: D — Bhimavaram
The review was of the PMMSY Brackishwater Aquaculture Cluster at Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh.
The Bhimavaram aquaculture cluster reviewed in April 2026 was notified under which scheme?
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Correct answer: D — Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
The cluster is notified under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
According to Dr. M.L. Jat at the NAAS session of April 2026, India's annual fertilizer consumption is nearly:
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Correct answer: D — 33 million tonnes
Dr. Jat said India consumes nearly 33 million tonnes of fertilizers annually, a significant share of it imported.
Consider the following statements about Dr. M.L. Jat, as described in the April 2026 PIB release: 1. He is Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education and Director General of ICAR. 2. He is President of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct as per the Ministry of Agriculture release.
The national-level agricultural fair 'Unnat Krishi Mahotsav' concluded on 13 April 2026 in which district?
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Correct answer: D — Raisen
The Mahotsav concluded in Raisen, Madhya Pradesh.
At the close of the Unnat Krishi Mahotsav, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced a task force to implement which roadmap?
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Correct answer: B — Seed-to-market roadmap
Chouhan said a task force will be constituted to implement the 'seed-to-market' roadmap.
Which department issued the D.O. letter of 9 January 2026 asking States to align their crop bonus policies to promote pulses, oilseeds and millets?
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Correct answer: C — Department of Expenditure
The letter was issued by the Secretary, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.
Consider the following statements about the Department of Expenditure's January 2026 letter to States: 1. It was a binding directive requiring States to withdraw bonuses on wheat and paddy. 2. It asked States to align their bonus policies to promote pulses, oilseeds and millets. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: the Ministry said the letter was an advisory and not a directive. Statement 2 is correct.
The agricultural roadmap released by Shivraj Singh Chouhan at Raisen on 12 April 2026 covers which four districts?
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Correct answer: B — Sehore, Raisen, Vidisha, Dewas
The roadmap covers Sehore, Raisen, Vidisha and Dewas.
Consider the following statements made at the Advanced Agriculture Festival, Raisen, on 12 April 2026: 1. Seed villages will be established in every block. 2. The roadmap was released on the opening day of the festival. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the roadmap was released on the second day of the festival.
What is the approximate tentative budgetary requirement for Nutrient Based Subsidy on P&K fertilisers for Kharif 2026, as approved on 8 April 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ₹41,533.81 crore
The Cabinet put the Kharif 2026 requirement at about ₹41,533.81 crore, around ₹4,317 crore more than Kharif 2025's ₹37,216.15 crore.
Since when has subsidy on phosphatic and potassic fertilisers been governed by the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme?
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Correct answer: B — 1 April 2010
The Cabinet release says subsidy on P&K fertilisers has been governed by the NBS scheme with effect from 1 April 2010.