Question

Read the given statement followed by two courses of action numbered I and II. You have to assume everything in the statement to be true and based on the information given in the statement, decide which of the suggested courses of action logically follow(s) from the statement.
Statement:
The price of onions is on the rise in India due to the lower production of onions.
Courses of Action:
I. The government should give a minimum support price for onions to motivate farmers to crop them.
II. The government should mandate onion cropping for all farmers.

• A. Only II follows
• B. Only I follows
• C. Both I and II follow
• D. Neither I nor II follows

Hint:

In Statement and Courses of Action questions, look for solutions that address the root cause of the problem. Be wary of actions that use extreme words like 'mandate', 'ban', 'all', or 'only', as they are often impractical or too harsh.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question presents a problem (rising onion prices due to low production) and two potential solutions (courses of action). We need to determine which course of action is a logical and practical step to address the problem.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
A logical course of action should aim to solve or mitigate the problem described in the statement. It should be practical and should not lead to other significant problems. We need to evaluate each course of action against these criteria.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Analysis of the Statement:
The root cause of the problem is identified as "lower production of onions". Therefore, a logical solution should address this root cause.
Analysis of Course of Action I:
"The government should give a minimum support price (MSP) for onions to motivate farmers to crop them."
An MSP guarantees farmers a minimum price for their produce, protecting them from price volatility and ensuring profitability. This financial incentive directly motivates farmers to cultivate a particular crop. By encouraging more farmers to grow onions, production would likely increase in the subsequent seasons, addressing the root cause of the problem. This is a practical and logical long-term solution. Thus, Course of Action I follows.
Analysis of Course of Action II:
"The government should mandate onion cropping for all farmers."
The word "mandate" implies compulsion, and "for all farmers" is an extreme measure. Forcing every farmer to grow onions is impractical for several reasons: not all soil types are suitable for onions, farmers may lack the necessary expertise, and it would disrupt the production of other essential crops, potentially causing other shortages. This course of action is too drastic, impractical, and infringes on the farmers' autonomy. Thus, Course of Action II does not follow.
Step 4: Final Answer:
Only the first course of action provides a logical and practical solution to the problem.