Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk

---

📍 The Question

Consider the following statements:

1. India has more arable area than China.
2. The proportion of irrigated area is more in India as compared to China.
3. The average productivity per hectare in Indian agriculture is higher than that in China.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

Correct Answer: (b) Only two

---

🎯 Theme of the Question

Economic Geography | Agriculture | India–China Comparison | Productivity & Irrigation

This question tests comparative agricultural geography, combining land availability, irrigation coverage, and productivity.

---

🧠 Classroom Explanation

Let us examine each statement carefully with facts.

---

🔹 Statement 1: India has more arable area than China. ✅

• India’s arable land: ~156 million hectares
• China’s arable land: ~120 million hectares
• Despite China’s larger total area, much of it is:
  • Mountainous
  • Desert (Gobi, Taklamakan)
• India has a larger proportion of cultivable plains

✔️ Statement 1 is correct

---

🔹 Statement 2: The proportion of irrigated area is more in India than in China. ✅

• India: ~48% of cultivated area irrigated
• China: ~41% of cultivated area irrigated
• India has:
  • Extensive canal irrigation
  • Large groundwater usage

✔️ Statement 2 is correct

---

🔹 Statement 3: Average productivity per hectare in India is higher than China. ❌

• China’s agricultural productivity is significantly higher due to:
  • Higher R&D investment
  • Greater mechanisation
  • Higher fertilizer use
• Fertilizer consumption (approx.):
  • China: ~500 kg/ha
  • India: ~160 kg/ha
• Average foodgrain yields:
  • China: ~6300 kg/ha
  • India: ~3500 kg/ha

✘ Statement 3 is incorrect

---

📊 Final Assessment

Statement	Status
India has more arable land	✅ Correct
Higher irrigated proportion in India	✅ Correct
Higher productivity in India	❌ Incorrect

👉 Only two statements are correct

---

❌ UPSC Elimination Logic

• UPSC traps aspirants by mixing:
  • Land quantity with land productivity
• More land ≠ more output
• Productivity depends on:
  • Technology
  • Inputs
  • Efficiency

---

🧩 Memory Hook

“India has more land and water — China extracts more grain.”

---

🧠 Prelims Strategy Insight

For comparative agriculture questions:

• Separate area, irrigation, and yield
• China generally wins on productivity
• India often leads in extent

---

🧭 IAS Monk Whisper

In agriculture, efficiency feeds nations more than acreage.