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Crops And Natural Resources Of Jk MCQs
High-yield multiple choice questions asked in previous years (UPSC, SSC CGL, JKSSB, RRB & State PSCs).
High-Yield Concept Capsule & Key Facts
📌 High-frequency agriculture, soils and mineral wealth questions in JKSSB and JKPSC exams.
Agro-Climatic Zones & Major Food and Cash Crops
- • Agro-Climatic Zones: J&K is broadly divided into 3 zones: (1) Subtropical Jammu Plains (Paddy, Wheat, Bajra, Mustard), (2) Intermediate Shivalik/Pir Panjal Hills (Maize, Pulses), and (3) Temperate Kashmir Valley (Rice, Apple, Saffron, Walnuts, Cherries).
- • Staple Food Crops: Rice (paddy) is the staple food of Kashmir cultivated along the Jhelum floodplains; Wheat and Maize are prominent in Jammu and hill districts.
- • High-Value Temperate Crops: Cherries, Pears, Peaches, Plums, Apricots, and Saffron. J&K produces over 90% of India's temperate cherries.
- • Major Kharif vs Rabi Crops: Kharif (Sown June, harvested Sep-Oct): Rice, Maize, Bajra. Rabi (Sown Oct-Nov, harvested April-May): Wheat, Barley, Mustard, Peas.
Forestry, Mineral Reserves & Hydrocarbon Wealth
- • Forest Cover: J&K has ~20,000 sq km of forest cover (~48% of geographic area of the UT). Dominated by Himalayan conifers: Deodar (Cedrus deodara - prized timber), Kail (Pinus wallichiana), Chir Pine, Fir, and Spruce.
- • Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP): Guchhi (wild morel mushrooms - Morchella esculenta) found in Doda, Kishtwar, and Kupwara; one of the costliest culinary mushrooms in the world.
- • Mineral Wealth: Limestone (Anantnag, Pulwama, Bandipora - cement manufacturing), Gypsum (Baramulla, Doda), Bauxite (Udhampur, Reasi), Marble (Kupwara), Sapphire (Padder, Kishtwar - famous royal blue velvety Padder Sapphires).
- • Lithium Reserves (2023): Inferred reserves of 5.9 million tonnes identified in Salal-Haimana (Reasi district).
| Resource / Crop | Classification / Type | Primary District Reserves | Significance / Economic Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Padder Sapphire | Precious Gemstone | Padder Valley (Kishtwar) | World-renowned cornflower-blue velvety sapphires |
| Lithium Reserve | Critical Strategic Metal | Salal-Haimana (Reasi) | 5.9 million tonnes inferred reserve (GSI 2023) |
| Guchhi (Morel Mushroom) | Forest Produce (NTFP) | Doda, Kishtwar, Kupwara | Expensive wild edible culinary export ($300+/kg) |
| Limestone | Industrial Mineral | Pulwama, Anantnag, Khrew | Feeds cement factories across J&K |
| Deodar (Cedrus deodara) | Coniferous Timber | Chenab Valley & Pir Panjal | High-durability wood for railway sleepers & boats |
| Kashmir Willow | Agro-Forestry (Wood) | Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam | Cricket bat manufacturing hub (export quality) |
Showing 15 Practice Questions
Q1JKSSB FAA 2022Easy
Which valley in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir is internationally renowned for producing rare and priceless cornflower-blue velvety sapphires?
Q2JKSSB VLW 2023Easy
Which wild culinary mushroom harvested from the coniferous forests of Doda, Kishtwar, and Kupwara is considered one of the costliest in the world?
Q3JKSSB Sub-Inspector 2022Easy
The world-famous cricket bat manufacturing industry in Kashmir (concentrated in Anantnag and Pulwama) utilizes wood derived from:
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Q4JKSSB Patwari 2024Easy
Which is the staple food grain crop cultivated extensively in the irrigated alluvial plains of the Kashmir valley during the Kharif season?
Q5Current Affairs & J&K GK 2023Easy
In which district of Jammu & Kashmir did the Geological Survey of India (GSI) establish 5.9 million tonnes of inferred lithium resources in 2023?
Q6JKSSB Junior AssistantMedium
Which tree species, renowned as the strongest and most durable timber for railway sleepers, bridges, and houseboats in J&K, dominates the temperate conifer forests?
Q7JKSSB FAA 2021Medium
Extensive deposits of high-grade limestone, providing the vital raw material for cement factories at Khrew and Wuyan, are located in:
Q8JKSSB Assistant CompilerEasy
What is the primary food crop grown by farmers in the hilly, rainfed terrains of Rajouri, Poonch, and Doda during the Kharif season?
Q9JKPSC KAS PrelimsMedium
Which district in Jammu and Kashmir is the largest producer of walnuts in India?
Q10JKSSB Naib TehsildarHard
Gypsum deposits used in plaster of Paris, wallboards, and fertilizer are primarily quarried from which district of J&K?
Q11JKSSB Sub-InspectorEasy
Which aromatic cash crop, harvested in autumn and grown in the Karewa highlands, is botanically known as 'Crocus sativus'?
Q12Current Affairs & GK 2022-2023Easy
The 'Aroma Mission' (Purple Revolution), launched by CSIR-IIIM Jammu, has transformed farmer livelihoods through commercial cultivation of which crop?
Q13JKSSB Forest GuardMedium
Which variety of silk, renowned for its superior tensile strength and luster, is produced in J&K via mulberry sericulture?
Q14JKPSC KAS PrelimsHard
Marble deposits of fine white and green serpentine varieties are found in which district of Kashmir?
Q15JKSSB VLW 2023Easy
Which agro-climatic zone of Jammu division is primarily characterized by wheat-paddy rotation and canal irrigation from the Ranbir Canal?
Frequently Asked Questions (Crops And Natural Resources Of Jk)
Q: Which place in Jammu & Kashmir is globally famous for its royal cornflower-blue sapphires?
The high-altitude mines of Padder in Kishtwar district (at an altitude of over 4,300 metres) are internationally famed for the rare and highly priced 'Padder Sapphire', renowned for its unique cornflower-blue velvety luster.
Q: What is 'Guchhi' and why is it commercially significant in J&K?
Guchhi is a wild morel mushroom (Morchella esculenta) that grows naturally in temperate coniferous forest floors of Kishtwar, Doda, and Kupwara. Because it cannot be commercially farmed and must be hand-collected from forests, it fetches astronomical prices in international gourmet markets.
Q: Which wood grown in Kashmir is globally renowned for manufacturing premium cricket bats?
Kashmir Willow (Salix alba var. caerulea), grown extensively along wetlands and riverbanks in Pulwama, Anantnag, and Budgam, is globally acclaimed alongside English Willow for producing international-grade cricket bats.
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