UPSC CSE Mains Exam 2022 Agriculture Optional Paper 1

 

UPSC CSE Mains Exam 2022 Agriculture Optional Paper 1

SECTION A

Q1. Describe the following in about 150 words each: 10×5=50

Q1.(a) What is “Geographic Information System” (GIS)? Discuss its elements and prospects in agriculture. (10 Marks)

Q1.(b) What is “precision farming”? Write its different aspects for resource conservation. (10 Marks)

Q1.(c) Describe various methods for propagation of forest plants. (10 Marks)

Q1.(d) Discuss selection criteria of successful bioagent and bio-herbicides. State at least two examples of biocontrol of weeds. (10 Marks)

Q1.(e) How to enhance nitrogen use efficiency in transplanted rice? (10 Marks)

Q2.(a) Write the various factors responsible for soil pollution. How organic and natural farming can play role in minimizing soil pollution? (20 Marks)

Q2.(b) What is the significance of Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) and System of Rice Intensification (SRI)? Describe the package of practices for direct seeded rice. (20 Marks)

Q2.(c) Discuss various steps for long term conservation of forest flora and fauna. (10 Marks)

Q3.(a) How soil acidity affects crop production? Elaborate the remedial procedures of soil acidity. (20 Marks)

Q3.(b) Classify various natural resources. Discuss the steps for long term conservation of natural resources. (20 Marks)

Q3.(c) Describe the importance of millets in Indian Agriculture. (10 Marks)

Q4.(a) Discuss about the types of herbicide resistance in weeds with specific example in Indian perspective. Discuss the management practices dealing with herbicide resistance in weeds. (20 Marks)

Q4.(b) Why do we consider soil structure an important soil property for crop production? How is soil structure changed by various factors? (20 Marks)

Q4.(c) Describe various components of agroforestry and state the benefits of agroforestry also. (10 Marks)

SECTION B

Q5. Discuss the followings in about 150 words each: 10×5=50

Q5.(a) Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Farmers Producers Organizations (FPOs) (10 Marks)

Q5.(b) Kisan Credit Card and Soil Health Card (10 Marks)

Q5.(c) Contour bunding and Graded bunding (10 Marks)

Q5.(d) Rain water harvesting and Watershed Management (10 Marks)

Q5.(e) Cooperative Societies and Non Government Organizations (NGOs) (10 Marks)

Q6.(a) What are the target groups in Agricultural Extension? What role KVKs can play to reach such target groups? (20 Marks)

Q6.(b) Narrate various components of contingent crop planning in dry land agriculture. (20 Marks)

Q6.(c) Enlist the problems of agricultural marketing in India and also describe the role of market intelligence in addressing these problems. (10 Marks)

Q7.(a) Discuss about Micro-Irrigation Systems and their advantages in Indian Agriculture. (20 Marks)

Q7.(b) Describe the procedure of making successful farm plan. Write the characteristics of good farm planning. (20 Marks)

Q7.(c) Explain about Participatory Rural Appraisal technique for farmers’ need identification. (10 Marks)

Q8.(a) Discuss the various parameters of quality of irrigation water. Write irrigation scheduling for pulses cultivation in arid and semi-arid regions. (20 Marks)

Q8.(b) Discuss the relevance of Integrated Nutrient Management in sustainable agriculture. Describe various types of biofertilizers. (20 Marks)

Q8.(c) Describe the importance of crop insurance for small and marginal farmers in India. Write the role of insurance companies for crop insurance. (10 Marks)