Question

What is the prime and traditional occupation for the people of Tamil Nadu?
A. Industries
B. Mining
C. Agriculture
D. None of these

Answer 1

Hint: The primary occupation of any state depends on the geographical features of the place. To understand what is likely to be the primary occupation in Tamil Nadu, one needs to look at what natural advantages the state has. Alternatively, it can also easily be found by seeing which sector employs the most number of people.

Complete Answer:
India provides opportunities for various kinds of occupation to the people living in it. Agriculture, animal husbandry and similar occupations have always been strong. Along with it, there is ample scope of industries of various kinds, extraction of raw materials, handloom, and various tertiary occupations. For the state of Tamil Nadu, we need to keep in mind that it has large tracts of fertile land and a high rate of precipitation. Knowing that, let us take a look at the various options-

A. Industries in Tamil Nadu is well developed. The main ones being paper, sugar, cement, automobile and fertilizer industries. But it is not the traditional or primary occupation of the state, so the option is incorrect.

B. Mining industry in Tamil Nadu is also well developed. But is not the primary occupation. It is also not the traditional occupation since it is a fairly recently developed sector in the state. Thus it is not the correct option.

C. Tamil Nadu's primary occupation is agriculture. Agriculture in the state is very well developed and has been practiced for years on a large scale. The total cultivated area in the State was 56.10 million hectares in 2007-08. Therefore, it is the prime and traditional occupation of most people in Tamil Nadu.

D. Since Agriculture is the primary occupation of the state, this option is incorrect.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C.

Note: The principal food crops of Tamil Nadu are paddy, millets and pulses. Cash crops include sugarcane, cotton, sunflower, coconut, cashew, chillies, gingelly and groundnut.
Mining industry in Tamil Nadu has often been involved in controversies. The sand mining industry is riddled with illegal loopholes. Recently, deposits of radioactive monazite was being carried out illegally as well. Though agriculture has been the primary occupation of Tamil Nadu for years, the service sector industry is rapidly growing in recent years. Tamil Nadu has been ranked as the first most economically free state in India.