UPSC Mains 2020 Agriculture Optional Paper I questions

29 questions from the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2020. Official UPSC paper (PDF) · All Agriculture Optional PYQs

What is tillage? Why zero tillage is getting importance in Indian Agriculture?
10 marks
Describe in-situ and ex-situ management of Paddy Crop residue (Parali) in India.
10 marks
Write different elements of weather affecting crop production with suitable examples.
10 marks
Write the scope and needs of Agroforestry in India.
10 marks
What are the institutional arrangements and mechanism for imparting training for extension workers in India?
10 marks
Differentiate between the followings: 5x4=20 2(ai) welt wa edit
Cooperative Societies and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Dry land farming and Irrigated farming
Enlist and explain the effects of "Farmers (Empowerment and protection) agreement on price assurance and farm service Act-2020" on small and medium farmers in India.
20 marks
Explain El-Nino effect. Give causes and its impact on Indian Agriculture.
10 marks
What are the major causes of low productivity of oilseed and pulse crops in India? Suggest strategies for increasing the production and productivity of oilseed crops in the country.
Describe the causes of increasing threats of Parthenium weed in the country. Write integrated methods of weed management with suitable examples.
20 marks
What is contingent crop planning? How it helps in dry land agriculture?
10 marks
Describe training methods suitable for small and marginal farmers and agriculture labours. Explain the contribution of self-help groups in Agriculture development in India.
20 marks
Define water harvesting along with different methods of water harvesting in India. Write governmental initiatives to promote rain water harvesting.
20 marks
Define water use efficiency and water productivity. List the crops having high and low water use efficiency.
10 marks
Explain the institutional infrastructure of Agricultural marketing in India.
10 marks
Indian farmers usually choose crops and their varieties based on their socio-economic aspects and resources at their disposal. Critically comment.
10 marks
What is diversified system of farming? How it is beneficial to small and marginal farmers in India?
10 marks
What is integrated nutrient management (INM)? Explain the limitations in practice of INM at farmers level in India.
10 marks
What is scheduling of irrigation in crops? What are the important factors considered while deciding irrigation schedules for different regions and crops.
20 marks
Enlist and explain the methods of evaluation of extension programmes. Explain what kind of qualitative changes can be achieved by adopting educational approach in extension programmes.
20 marks
Describe precision agriculture and conservation agriculture.
10 marks
Define crop weed competition. Describe various factors affecting crop weed competition. Explain the factors affecting the efficacy of herbicides.
20 marks
What do you mean by problematic soil? How soil is converted into problematic soil? Explain various methods of reclamation of saline-alkali-soils.
20 marks
What is farm budgeting? Explain different types of farm budgeting.
10 marks
Rice-wheat crop rotation is very common in north Indian Agriculture. Discuss and describe the advantages and disadvantages of this crop rotation according to the principles of crop rotation.
20 marks
Describe the production technology of sugarcane crop on the following heads: (i) Improved varieties (ii) Methods of sowing and seed rate (iii) Fertilizers and irrigation management (iv) Inter culture operations
Describe the principles of soil fertility. Explain the role of biofertilizers in enhancing the soil fertility.
10 marks

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