Agriculture 2021 Paper I 50 marks Explain

Q6

(a) Define soil erosion and its different forms. Explain agronomic and mechanical measures to reduce the adverse effects of soil erosion in crop production. (20 marks) (b) What is irrigation potential of India and how can it be increased through rain-water harvesting? (20 marks) (c) Discuss cooperative marketing with successful case studies. (10 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

(a) मृदाक्षरण एवं इसके विभिन्न रूपों को परिभाषित कीजिए। फसलोत्पादन में मृदाक्षरण के प्रतिकूल प्रभावों को कम करने हेतु शस्य एवं यांत्रिक उपायों का वर्णन कीजिए। (20 अंक) (b) भारत की सिंचाई क्षमता क्या है एवं वर्षा-जल संचयन के द्वारा इसको कैसे बढ़ाया जा सकता है? (20 अंक) (c) सफल कैस अध्ययन के द्वारा सहकारी विपणन की विवेचना कीजिए। (10 अंक)

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Directive word: Explain

This question asks you to explain. 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 'explain' demands conceptual clarity with cause-effect linkages across all three parts. Allocate approximately 40% of word budget to part (a) given its 20 marks and technical depth, 35% to part (b) for data integration, and 25% to part (c) for concise case study presentation. Structure as: brief integrated introduction → three distinct sections with clear sub-headings → synthesizing conclusion on sustainable agriculture.

Key points expected

  • Part (a): Precise definition of soil erosion (geological vs. accelerated) with classification into water (sheet, rill, gully, splash), wind, and tillage erosion; agronomic measures (contour farming, strip cropping, mulching, cover crops, crop rotation) and mechanical measures (terracing, bunding, gully plugging, check dams) with their specific applicability conditions
  • Part (b): Current irrigation potential statistics (net vs. gross, surface vs. groundwater); gap between created and utilized potential; rainwater harvesting techniques (farm ponds, percolation tanks, recharge structures, rooftop harvesting) and their role in bridging the gap
  • Part (c): Cooperative marketing concept distinguishing it from cooperative farming; structural components (processing, storage, credit linkage); successful case studies such as AMUL (Gujarat), Karnataka Milk Federation, or Maharashtra's Warana cooperative
  • Integration point: Link between soil conservation and water harvesting for sustainable intensification
  • Critical analysis: Limitations of mechanical measures in smallholder contexts and cooperative marketing challenges in fragmented landholdings

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness25%12.5For (a), distinguishes geological from accelerated erosion and correctly categorizes water erosion forms with their distinguishing features; for (b), accurately defines irrigation potential (net created, gross created, utilized) and distinguishes between surface and groundwater components; for (c), clearly differentiates cooperative marketing from cooperative farming and identifies its three-tier structureProvides basic definitions for all parts but conflates some erosion types (e.g., rill vs. gully) or confuses irrigation potential with actual irrigated area; cooperative marketing description lacks structural specificityIncorrect or vague definitions; treats soil erosion synonymously with land degradation; fails to distinguish irrigation potential from irrigation intensity; describes cooperative farming instead of marketing
Quantitative reasoning15%7.5For (b), cites current irrigation potential figures (~140 mha gross created, ~68 mha utilized), groundwater-surface water ratio, and quantifies rainwater harvesting potential (e.g., 20-30% groundwater table rise in successful watersheds); for (a), quantifies soil loss tolerance levels (5-12 t/ha/yr) or erosion rates across regionsMentions approximate irrigation potential figures without precision; provides general statements on water scarcity without quantitative backing; lacks specific data on rainwater harvesting impactNo quantitative data or significantly incorrect figures; makes unsupported claims about irrigation coverage or erosion rates
Indian context examples20%10For (a), region-specific measures: bench terracing in NE hills, contour bunding in Deccan plateau, windbreaks in Rajasthan; for (b), state-wise irrigation potential utilization (Punjab vs. Bihar gaps) and specific RWH success stories (Ralegan Siddhi, Sukhomajri, Tamil Nadu farm ponds); for (c), detailed AMUL or Warana cooperative analysis with membership and turnover figuresGeneric Indian examples without regional specificity; mentions well-known cases (AMUL) without operational details; limited connection between measures and agro-ecological zonesNo Indian examples or inappropriate foreign case studies; fails to contextualize any measure to Indian conditions
Diagram / process20%10For (a), illustrates gully development stages or terracing cross-section; for (b), sketches watershed-based RWH system or groundwater recharge process; for (c), diagrams cooperative marketing channel showing flow from producer to consumer through cooperative tiers; all diagrams properly labeled with directional arrowsAttempts at least one relevant diagram with partial labeling; describes processes verbally where diagrams would be more effective; diagrams lack scale or directional flow indicatorsNo diagrams despite clear visual requirements; or incorrect/unrelated diagrams; purely textual description of spatial processes
Policy / extension angle20%10For (a), links to PMKSY (Watershed Development Component), Soil Health Card Scheme, and MGNREGA for mechanical works; for (b), connects to Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Atal Bhujal Yojana, and state RWH mandates (Tamil Nadu compulsory RWH); for (c), references NCDC, SFAC, and recent amendments to MSCS Act 2000; identifies extension delivery challenges and participatory approachesMentions some relevant schemes without integration; lists policies without explaining their relevance to specific measures; limited analysis of implementation gapsNo policy references or completely outdated schemes; ignores institutional and extension dimensions entirely

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