Question

Which of the following vegetables is leading in total area and production in India?

• A. Tomato
• B. Brinjal
• C. Potato
• D. Chilli

Hint:

Leading Vegetables in India:
- Highest Area and Production: Potato ($>50\text{ million tonnes}$).
- Second in Production: Onion ($>25\text{--}30\text{ million tonnes}$).
- Third in Production: Tomato ($>20\text{ million tonnes}$).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept:
Horticultural statistics published by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) provide annual estimates of area, production, and productivity of major vegetable crops in India.
Among the solanaceous and tuber crops, one prominent vegetable consistently occupies the largest acreage and contributes the highest total volume to the national vegetable basket.
Understanding national production rankings helps identify key crops supporting domestic food security, cold storage industries, and rural economies.
Comparing national acreage and output data allows precise identification of India's leading vegetable crop.

Step 1: Analyzing National Vegetable Production Data:
In India, total vegetable production exceeds 200 million metric tonnes annually.
The major vegetables contributing to the total output include Potato, Onion, Tomato, Brinjal, Cabbage, and Cauliflower.

Step 2: Evaluating Individual Crop Contributions:
- Potato (Solanum tuberosum): Accounts for over 2.2 million hectares of cultivated area and produces over 53--56 million metric tonnes annually, ranking first in both acreage and total volume among all vegetables in India.
- Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum): Ranks second or third in production (around 20--21 million tonnes from about 0.84 million hectares).
- Brinjal (Solanum melongena): Produces approximately 12--13 million tonnes from around 0.73 million hectares.
- Chilli (Capsicum annuum): Occupies a significant area as a spice/condiment vegetable, but its total tonnage is much lower compared to tuber vegetables.

Step 3: Evaluating Area and Production Metrics:
Potato holds the highest total acreage among vegetables, surpassing tomato and brinjal combined, and produces more than double the volume of any other vegetable in the country.

Step 4: Final Answer:
Hence, Potato is the vegetable leading in both total area and production in India, corresponding to option (C).