UPSC Mains 2016 Agriculture Optional Paper I questions

23 questions from the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2016. Official UPSC paper (PDF) · All Agriculture Optional PYQs

1. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Integrated Nutrient Management (INM)

2. Farming system vs Mixed farming

   10 marks

3. Decoy crop vs Trap crop

   10 marks

4. List out the criteria for essentiality of nutrients. Differentiate between essential, beneficial and functional elements in plant nutrition. How are these nutrient elements absorbed by the plants?

   20 marks

5. Differentiate between soil fertility and soil productivity. What is meant by the organic matter content of good agricultural soil? Compare it with that of forest soil. Suggest ways to maintain soil organic matter content and improve crop productivity.

   20 marks

6. What do you mean by the terms remote sensing and GIS? What are their applications in agriculture and forestry?

7. Write a brief note on the importance of pulses for sustainable future. Describe the international pulse year with its main objectives and strategies to enhance the production and availability of pulses.

   20 marks

8. Describe the package of practices for raising a short duration pigeon pea. Discuss good agricultural practices (GAP) and their implications.

   20 marks

9. Explain the critical period of crop-weed competition with suitable examples.

   10 marks

10. Discuss the global initiatives and international conventions on climate change. What does NICRA stand for? What are the initiatives taken by the Indian Government in this regard?

    20 marks

11. What methods are employed for propagation of forest plants?

    20 marks

12. List out the factors affecting efficacy of herbicides.

    10 marks

13. Protected agriculture

    10 marks

14. Farm planning and Farm management

    10 marks

15. Differentiate between rainfed and irrigated agriculture. List out the major problems of rainfed agriculture. Describe the various soil moisture conservation measures to boost crop production in rainfed farming.

    20 marks

16. Discuss the various methods of evaluation of extension programmes. Discuss the significance of Self-Help Groups for rural development, with successful examples.

    20 marks

17. Describe the concept of market intelligence and explain the various problems in agricultural marketing system in India.

    10 marks

18. Define agricultural extension, Differentiate between extension education and formal education. Discuss its importance in agricultural development.

    20 marks

19. Explain various soil conservation methéds and integrated watershed management approach. What is soil erosion? Discuss the methods of managing soil erosion.

    20 marks

20. What are the important principles of farm management?

    10 marks

21. Discuss the mechanism of fixation of minimum support prices of agricultural products.

    10 marks

22. Discuss the significance of quality of irrigation water and rain-water harvesting for crop productivity. Describe how irrigation is scheduled in the critical stage of crop growth.

    20 marks

23. Explain how industrial effluents affect soil and water pollution. What measures can be taken to reduce this impact?

    20 marks