Question

Which of the following is not a cash crop?
A. Cotton
B. Jute
C. Rice
D. Tobacco

Answer 1

Hint: A crop is a plant or animal or their products that is grown and harvested for economic profit. It may be either the harvested part or the complete harvest. The crops are grown and harvested as food material for humans or may serve as fodder for livestock. The crops can be of agricultural type or aquaculture type. They are generally grown to gain profit in terms of economic benefit.

Complete answer:
Crops are materials which are used as food, fodder and other uses and are of either plant or animal origin. The crops are cultivated in large quantities and harvested extensively for profit as well as consumption on a large scale. Majority of the crops, on the basis of their use are grouped into food crops, fodder crops, fibre crops, oil crops, ornamental crops and industrial crops.
Food crops are the cereals, fruits, vegetables or other such materials that are consumed as food. Fodder crops are the crops that are used as manures for animals while fibre crops are such materials that are used to derive fibres for fabrics. The oil crops are the crops that are used to get oils such as sunflower oil, soybean oil, rape seed oil etc. The other types of crops are ornamental crops such as flowers and industrial crops are the crops that are used in the industry either as raw material or complete material.
The crops are grown either as food or to gain profit after selling it. The agricultural crops that are grown to sell in order to gain profit are called cash crops. Cash crops are also known as profit crops. These types of crops are not utilized by the producer to sustain his family but it is grown in order to gain extra benefit. These crops are grown for earning revenues. The important cash crops are tea, coffee, sugarcane etc.
Jute is an important fibre crop and are used to extract fine fibres that are used as fabrics and in other such uses. India is a major contributor in jute production and it is a type of kharif crop. Tobacco is grown in some geographical areas of India and is mainly grown during the Rabi season under the after rain conditions.
Cotton is cultivated to attain the seed-hair fibres of the plant and is an important cash crop grown in India. It is produced to gain economic benefit and is generally used to form fabrics or cloths. It is a cash crop because it is produced only with the purpose of selling.
In India, rice is grown as one of the staple food crops in most major areas. It is grown as a main crop and is sown in the monsoon months as a kharif crop. It requires heavy rainfall, high temperature and humidity. It is an important cereal crop grown mainly as food for consumption. It grows well in hot and humid conditions and requires ample water.

Therefore, option (C) is the correct option among the others.


Note: An agricultural crop that is grown predominantly for cash benefits are known as cash crops. The cash crops are sold in the market to procure cash and revenues. These types of crops cannot be utilized by the producers but when sold in the market provides economic benefit. The important cash crops grown in India are cotton, tea and coffee. Rice is one of the most important crops grown in India and cultivated in areas with heavy rainfall.