Inputs Cropping And Water

Statement 1 (Correct) Micro-irrigation delivers water directly to the plant's root zone, minimizing evaporation and water wastage. This allows for a more targeted application of fertilizers and nutrients, reducing their loss in the soil. Statement 2 (Incorrect) While micro-irrigation is very efficient in water usage, it's not the only option for dryland farming. Other methods like drip irrigation or rainwater harvesting can also be used. Statement 3 (Correct) Micro-irrigation uses less water compared to traditional methods like flood irrigation. This can help conserve groundwater resources and potentially slow down the receding water table in some areas, depending on the specific water management practices employed.

**Statement 1 is incorrect:** The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) was indeed launched during 1996-97, but its objective was to provide central assistance to states to accelerate the pace of irrigation development, not specifically to provide loan assistance to poor farmers. **Statement 2 is correct:** The Command Area Development Programme (CADP) was launched in 1974-75, its primary focus was on improving the water-use efficiency and agricultural productivity in the command areas of major and medium irrigation projects.

* **Statement 1 is correct.** According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other agricultural databases, India does have more arable land than China. As of recent data, India's arable land is approximately 157 million hectares, whereas China's arable land is around 119 million hectares. * **Statement 2 is incorrect.** While India has a substantial amount of irrigated land, China has implemented extensive irrigation projects and has a higher proportion of its arable land irrigated. As a percentage of arable land, China's irrigated land is higher than that of India. * **Statement 3 is also incorrect.** China has a higher average agricultural productivity per hectare compared to India. This is due to several factors, including technological advancements, better infrastructure, and more effective agricultural practices in China.