Question

In the 1920s, a Royal Commission on Agriculture reported:
'The extent of the area available for grazing has gone down tremendously with the
extension of area under cultivation because of increasing population, extension
of irrigation facilities, acquiring the pastures for Government purposes, for
example, defence, industries and agricultural experimental farms. [Now] breeders
find it difficult to raise large herds. Thus their earning have gone down. The
quality of their livestock has deteriorated, dietary standards have fallen and
indebtedness has increased.'

The Report of the Royal Commission of Agriculture in India, $1928$.

(i) When was the Royal Commission Report on agriculture presented in India?

(ii) What was it about?
(iii) What problems did the breeders face?

Answer 1

(i) The Royal Commission Report on agriculture was presented in India in $1928$.
(ii) The Report was about the rapid reduction in the area available for grazing.
This was done to expand cultivation. The report also highlighted the causes which were:
- Increasing population,
- Extension of irrigation facilities,
- Acquiring the pastures for government purposes.
(iii) It became difficult for the breedes to raise large herds. Thus, their earnings went down. The quality of their livestock also deteriorated.