Agriculture 2021 Paper I 50 marks Discuss

Q2

(a) What is greenhouse effect? Write in detail about various greenhouse gases and their impact on crop production. (20 marks) (b) What is the role of new agricultural technologies and market policies in crop diversification? Discuss in detail. (20 marks) (c) Discuss the activity and selectivity of herbicides. (10 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

(a) हरित-गृह प्रभाव क्या है? विभिन्न प्रकार की हरित-गृह गैसों के बारे में एवं फसल उत्पादन पर इनके प्रभावों के बारे में विस्तार से लिखिए। (20 अंक) (b) फसल विविधीकरण में नई कृषि तकनीकों एवं बाजार नीतियों की भूमिका क्या है? विस्तारपूर्वक वर्णन कीजिए। (20 अंक) (c) शाकनाशियों की गतिविधि एवं चयनात्मकता का वर्णन कीजिए। (10 अंक)

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Directive word: Discuss

This question asks you to discuss. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The directive 'discuss' demands a comprehensive, analytical treatment with balanced coverage across all three sub-parts. Allocate approximately 40% of word budget to part (a) given its 20 marks, 40% to part (b) for its equal weightage, and 20% to part (c). Structure as: brief introduction defining greenhouse effect → detailed body covering GHG impacts on crops, technology-policy nexus in diversification, and herbicide mechanisms → conclusion synthesizing sustainable intensification challenges.

Key points expected

  • Part (a): Scientific definition of greenhouse effect, major GHGs (CO2, CH4, N2O, O3, CFCs) with their GWP values, and specific impacts on photosynthesis, respiration, phenology, heat stress, and yield reduction in major crops
  • Part (a): Quantitative data on temperature rise projections for India (e.g., 1.5-2°C by 2050) and crop-specific vulnerability indices
  • Part (b): New agricultural technologies (precision farming, GM crops, protected cultivation, IoT, drought-resistant varieties) as drivers of diversification
  • Part (b): Market policies (MSP reforms, e-NAM, FPOs, export-import policies, crop insurance) and their incentive/disincentive effects on diversification decisions
  • Part (b): Indian examples like shift from paddy-wheat to horticulture/oilseeds in Punjab-Haryana, or millet promotion under NFSM
  • Part (c): Herbicide activity modes (contact vs. systemic, selective vs. non-selective) and selectivity mechanisms (morphological, physiological, biochemical)
  • Part (c): Specific herbicide examples relevant to Indian agriculture (2,4-D, glyphosate, atrazine, pendimethalin) with crop-weed specificity

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness22%11Precise scientific definitions for all three parts: radiative forcing mechanism in (a), accurate distinction between diversification and intensification in (b), correct classification of herbicide modes of action in (c); no conceptual conflation between greenhouse effect and ozone depletionGenerally correct definitions with minor inaccuracies; may confuse selectivity mechanisms or conflate diversification with crop rotation; vague on radiative forcing specificsFundamental errors like treating greenhouse effect as ozone layer depletion, confusing herbicide activity with insecticide modes, or equating diversification with simply increasing crop varieties
Quantitative reasoning16%8Specific data for (a): GWP values (CO2=1, CH4=25, N2O=298), atmospheric concentration trends, yield reduction percentages (e.g., 6% per °C rise for wheat); for (c): dosage rates, application timings; integrates IPCC AR6 or ICAR projectionsSome quantitative mentions without precision; round figures without units; missing comparative GWP data or yield impact percentagesNo quantitative data whatsoever; purely descriptive treatment where numbers are expected; incorrect orders of magnitude
Indian context examples22%11Rich, specific Indian evidence: for (a) IARI studies on heat stress in wheat, Karnataka grape farmers' climate adaptation; for (b) Punjab's crop diversification program, Odisha's millet mission, Telangana's Rythu Bandhu; for (c) herbicide resistance in Phalaris minor in rice-wheat beltGeneric Indian references without specificity; mentions 'Indian farmers' or 'government schemes' without naming; limited geographic spread of examplesExclusively foreign examples (Midwest US, European farms); or no examples at all; complete absence of Indian agricultural context
Diagram / process20%10Clear, labeled diagram for (a) showing greenhouse effect mechanism with incoming/outgoing radiation; flowchart for (b) on technology-policy-crop choice linkages; or schematic for (c) on herbicide uptake-translocation pathways; all diagrams integrated with textOne relevant diagram present but poorly labeled or not explicitly referenced; OR textual description of processes without visual aid where expectedNo diagrams where essential for explanation; or irrelevant diagrams; messy, unlabeled sketches that confuse rather than clarify
Policy / extension angle20%10Critical analysis in (b) of how policies like PM-KISAN, National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture, and state-level diversification schemes create enabling/disabling environments; in (a) mentions climate-resilient agriculture under NAPCC; in (c) discusses herbicide-resistant weed management extension protocolsLists policies without analytical linkage to diversification outcomes; mentions extension services generically without specificity on implementation challengesComplete absence of policy dimension in (b); no mention of government schemes, institutional support, or extension relevance across any part

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