Agriculture 2021 Paper I 50 marks Discuss

Q3

(a) What do you understand by agroforestry? Discuss various types of agroforestry systems in India with the help of examples. (20 marks) (b) What do you mean by Site-Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM)? Write the steps and recommendations for implementing SSNM in major cereals. (20 marks) (c) Discuss various international conventions and recent global initiatives pertaining to climate change. (10 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

(a) शस्य वानिकी से आप क्या समझते हैं? भारत में शस्य वानिकी की विभिन्न पद्धतियों की उदाहरण सहित विवेचना कीजिए। (20 अंक) (b) साइट-विशिष्ट पोषक-तत्व प्रबंधन (एस० एस० एन० एम०) से आप क्या समझते हैं? मुख्य धान्य फसलों में इसके क्रियान्वयन हेतु विभिन्न चरणों एवं संस्तुतियों को लिखिए। (20 अंक) (c) जलवायु परिवर्तन से संबंधित विभिन्न अंतर्राष्ट्रीय सम्मेलनों एवं अद्यतन वैश्विक पहलों 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 across all three parts. Allocate approximately 40% of time/words to part (a) given its conceptual breadth and 20 marks, 35% to part (b) for its technical procedural content, and 25% to part (c) for its factual convention coverage. Structure with a brief integrative introduction, then address each sub-part sequentially with clear sub-headings, and conclude by linking agroforestry and SSNM as climate-resilient agricultural strategies.

Key points expected

  • Part (a): Define agroforestry as per ICRAF (land-use system integrating trees with crops/animals); classify into agrisilviculture (e.g., poplar-based system in Punjab), silvopastoral (e.g., Prosopis cineraria in Rajasthan), agrosilvopastoral (e.g., home gardens in Kerala/Northeast), and agroforestry with tree boundaries (e.g., Eucalyptus/Acacia nilotica windbreaks)
  • Part (a): Cite specific Indian examples—Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) in arid zones, Shifting cultivation (jhum) in Northeast, Taungya system in Odisha/MP, and recent success stories like Haritha Haram in Telangana
  • Part (b): Define SSNM as need-based nutrient application using 4R principle (Right source, rate, time, place); distinguish from blanket fertilizer recommendations
  • Part (b): Outline implementation steps—yield gap analysis, soil testing/leaf color chart (LCC) for N, Nutrient Expert tool/GIS-based mapping, customized fertilizer formulation; cite rice-wheat system in Indo-Gangetic Plains and maize in Bihar
  • Part (c): Enumerate UNFCCC (1992), Kyoto Protocol (1997), Paris Agreement (2015) with India's NDCs; mention recent initiatives like Glasgow Climate Pact (COP26), Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture, and India's National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) with National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness22%11Precise ICRAF definition of agroforestry; accurate SSNM as site-specific, need-based nutrient management using 4R principles; correct chronology and provisions of UNFCCC, Kyoto, Paris Agreement; distinguishes SSNM from precision farming and organic farmingBasic definition of agroforestry as 'trees + crops' without integration emphasis; SSNM described as 'soil testing' only; mixes up Kyoto and Paris provisions; minor errors in convention datesConfuses agroforestry with social forestry or farm forestry; equates SSNM with general balanced fertilization; conflates Montreal Protocol with climate conventions; significant factual errors
Quantitative reasoning14%7Cites specific yield improvement data under SSNM (e.g., 15-20% N savings in rice via LCC); mentions India's emission reduction targets (45% by 2030, net zero by 2070); quantifies agroforestry carbon sequestration potential (~1.5-3.5 tC/ha/year)General statement that SSNM 'improves efficiency' without numbers; vague reference to India's climate commitments; mentions agroforestry sequesters carbon without figuresNo quantitative data anywhere; incorrect or invented statistics; confuses units (tonnes vs. million tonnes)
Indian context examples24%12For (a): Mehrgarh as ancient agroforestry site, Khejri in Rajasthan, Shifting cultivation in Nagaland/Mizoram, Taungya in Odisha, Haritha Haram; for (b): Rice-wheat system in Punjab/Haryana, Nutrient Expert trials in Bihar; for (c): India's NDCs, National Adaptation Fund for Agriculture (NAFA), State Action PlansGeneric Indian examples without specificity (e.g., 'trees in Punjab'); mentions Indo-Gangetic Plains for SSNM without crop specificity; lists international conventions with minimal India linkageExamples from outside India (e.g., Brazilian agroforestry); no Indian SSNM implementation cited; ignores India's role in climate negotiations entirely
Diagram / process20%10Clear schematic of agroforestry system components (spatial/temporal arrangement); flowchart of SSNM decision-support steps (soil test → yield target → nutrient prescription → application); timeline diagram of climate conventions; well-labeled diagrams enhance answerDescribes agroforestry arrangements textually without visual; lists SSNM steps in bullet points; mentions conventions chronologically without visual aidNo attempt at diagrams where clearly needed; messy or incorrect diagrams; diagrams unrelated to question content
Policy / extension angle20%10Links agroforestry to National Agroforestry Policy 2014, Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF); connects SSNM to Soil Health Card Scheme, PM-PRANAM; integrates climate conventions with India's NAPCC, NMSA, and recent Glasgow commitments; discusses extension through KVKs and digital agricultureMentions one or two policies (e.g., Soil Health Card) without integration; lists conventions without policy linkage; generic reference to government schemesNo policy mention; ignores extension mechanisms; treats parts as isolated academic exercises without governance relevance

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