Question

The highest yield of cotton per hectare is in the state of ___
a)Gujarat
b)Haryana
c)Punjab
d)Tamil Nadu

Answer 1

Hint: Cotton is a fiber crop that grows in tropical and subtropical regions. India, China and the United States are the world's top cotton producing countries.

Complete answer: Due to availability of cheap labour, traditionally skilled labour and areas that are rich in black soil,India is one of the leading producers of cotton in the world. Let us look at the options given to us
Option A- Gujarat has the highest production of cotton in the country. 15.9 lakh hectares of land is under cotton production in Gujarat.
Option B-Haryana , according to 2015-2016 data, has the seventh highest production of cotton in the country. Around 4.5 lakh hectares of land is under cotton cultivation. Haryana grows more Bt-cotton than indigenous varieties of cotton.
Option C-Punjab has around 9.7 lakh hectares of land under cotton cultivation and the government is trying to expand the land under cotton cultivation. It is an important kharif crop in Punjab.
Option D-Tamil Nadu is the highest yielding state with a yield of cotton per hectare is 728kg per hectare. Tamil Nadu has a higher yield of cotton despite having a lower area under cotton cultivation. Here it is grown as both a kharif crop and rabi crop.

Therefore the correct answer is option (D).

Note: Cotton grows well in soil of the Deccan Plateau. Cotton cultivation requires higher temperature, irrigation or rainfall and at least 210 frost free days. Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka are other cotton producing states.