Why are cotton farmers opting for other crops?

1. Reduced global demand for cotton.
2. Increased cost of cultivation.
3. Erratic rainfall due to climate change.
4. All of the above.

Name the inferior substitute for jute which can withstand drought conditions and be cultivated in non-traditional areas.

1. Testa
2. Mesta
3. Cesta
4. Jesta

Which process softens the outer bark of jute facilitating the easy extraction of the fibre?

1. Jetting
2. Retting
3. Metting
4. Netting

Assertion (A): Loamy soils are most suitable for jute production.

Reason (R): The clay particles of loam help to hold the plant nutrients preventing them from getting washed away by water.

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.
3. A is true but R is false.
4. A is false but R is true.