Question

The principal cereal crop of India is:

• A. Wheat
• B. Rice
• C. Sorghum
• D. Maize

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Rice

The correct option is B

Explanation of the correct option:

1. Rice is a Kharif crop.
2. India is the world's second-largest producer of rice and the largest exporter of rice in the world.
3. It covers one-third of the total cultivated area of India.
4. It provides food to more than half of the Indian population.
5. Rice is produced in almost all states.
6. It is the principal cereal crop in India compared to wheat, maize, and sorghum.

Explanation of the incorrect options:

Option A:

1. Wheat is an important carbohydrate source.
2. It is the world's leading source of plant-based protein in human nutrition, with a protein content of around 13%, which is relatively high compared to other major grains.

Option C:

1. Sorghum is used for food, feed, and the manufacture of alcoholic beverages.
2. It is drought tolerant and heat tolerant and is especially important in arid regions.

Option D:

1. Maize or corn is an important cereal crop in the world.
2. It is a source of nutrition as well as phytochemical compounds.

Final answer: The principal cereal crop of India is rice.