Consider the following statements:
1. The Government of India provides Minimum Support Price for niger (Guizotia abyssinica) seeds.
2. Niger is cultivated as a Kharif crop.
3. Some tribal people in India use niger seed oil for cooking.
How many of the above statements are
correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
The correct answer is (c), all three.
Explanation:
The Government of India does provide Minimum Support Price for niger (Guizotia abyssinica) seeds. The Minimum Support Price (MSP) is the price at which the government buys crops from farmers. It is set by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), which is an advisory body to the government. The MSP for niger seeds is Rs. 5,230 per quintal for the 2022-23 crop year.
Niger is cultivated as a Kharif crop. Kharif crops are those that are sown in the monsoon season (June-September) and harvested in the winter season (October-March). Niger is a short-duration crop that takes about 90-100 days to mature. It is grown in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.
Some tribal people in India do use niger seed oil for cooking. Niger seed oil is a good source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are beneficial for health. It is also a good source of vitamin E. Niger seed oil is used in cooking in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.
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