Previous Year Question

Niger is also known as ramtil. Its scientific name is Guizotia abyssinica. It is an oilseed crop cultivated mainly in rain-fed and tribal areas.

Statement 1 is correct.

Niger is one of the mandated crops for which the Union Government announces a Minimum Support Price. It is included among the Kharif oilseeds covered by the MSP system.

The Government generally announces MSPs for 22 mandated crops:

• 14 Kharif crops.

• 6 Rabi crops.

• 2 other commercial crops—jute and copra.

A Fair and Remunerative Price is separately fixed for sugarcane.

MSP seeks to protect farmers against a sharp fall in prices and provide a price signal for production decisions. Announcement of MSP and actual government procurement are different: an announced MSP does not necessarily imply unlimited procurement of the crop in every State.

Statement 2 is correct.

Niger is cultivated as a Kharif crop and is generally sown with the arrival of the monsoon. It can grow under rain-fed conditions, on relatively poor soils and with limited agricultural inputs.

It is cultivated particularly in tribal and hilly regions of central and eastern India, including parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra and Jharkhand.

Statement 3 is correct.

Niger seeds may contain approximately 30–40% oil. Several tribal communities use Niger seed oil for cooking.

Other uses include:

• Extraction of edible oil.

• Use of the residual oil cake as livestock feed or organic manure.

• Consumption of seeds in chutneys and local food preparations.

• Certain traditional and industrial applications.

Its low input requirement and ability to tolerate relatively adverse conditions make Niger important for livelihood and nutritional security in some rain-fed tribal regions.