Agriculture 2022 Paper I 50 marks 150 words Compulsory Describe

Q1

Describe the following in about 150 words each: (a) What is "Geographic Information System" (GIS) ? Discuss its elements and prospects in agriculture. (10 marks) (b) What is "precision farming" ? Write its different aspects for resource conservation. (10 marks) (c) Describe various methods for propagation of forest plants. (10 marks) (d) Discuss selection criteria of successful bioagent and bio-herbicides. State at least two examples of biocontrol of weeds. (10 marks) (e) How to enhance nitrogen use efficiency in transplanted rice ? (10 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

निम्नलिखित प्रत्येक का लगभग 150 शब्दों में वर्णन कीजिए : (a) "भौगोलिक सूचना प्रणाली" (जी.आई.एस.) क्या है ? इसके तत्त्वों एवं इसकी कृषि में संभावनाओं की विवेचना करें । (10 अंक) (b) "परिशुद्ध खेती" क्या है ? संसाधन संरक्षण हेतु इसके विभिन्न पहलुओं को लिखें । (10 अंक) (c) वानिकी पौधों के प्रवर्धन की विभिन्न विधियों का वर्णन करें । (10 अंक) (d) जैव कारकों एवं जैव खरपतवार नाशियों के सफल चयन मापदण्डों की विवेचना करें । खरपतवारों के जैव नियंत्रण के कम से कम दो उदाहरणों का उल्लेख करें । (10 अंक) (e) रोपित धान में नत्रजन उपयोग दक्षता को कैसे बढ़ाया जा सकता है ? (10 अंक)

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Directive word: Describe

This question asks you to describe. 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 'describe' demands clear, structured exposition of concepts with appropriate elaboration. Allocate approximately 30 words to each sub-part (150 words total), spending roughly equal time per part since all carry 10 marks. Structure each part with: brief definition (1 sentence), core elements/methods/aspects (2-3 sentences), and specific examples or prospects (1-2 sentences). No conclusion needed; maximize content density within word limits.

Key points expected

  • (a) GIS: Definition as computer-based system for spatial data capture, storage, analysis; elements include hardware, software, data, personnel, methods; prospects in agriculture—crop suitability mapping, precision input application, disease forecasting, watershed management
  • (b) Precision farming: Site-specific crop management using GPS, remote sensing, VRT; resource conservation aspects—variable rate fertilizer/pesticide application, automated irrigation, yield mapping, soil zoning, reduced environmental footprint
  • (c) Forest propagation: Sexual methods—seed collection, pretreatment, nursery sowing; asexual/vegetative methods—cuttings (softwood, hardwood), layering (air, ground), grafting (whip, tongue, cleft), budding (T, patch), micropropagation/tissue culture
  • (d) Bioagent selection criteria: host specificity, environmental tolerance, mass production feasibility, genetic stability, non-toxicity to non-targets; bio-herbicide examples—Colletotrichum gloeosporioides for Lantana camara, Phytophthora palmivora for Morrenia odorata (milkweed vine)
  • (e) NUE in transplanted rice: Use of Leaf Color Chart (LCC) for need-based N application, split N application (basal + 2-3 splits), use of neem-coated urea, placement of N in reduced zone, use of slow-release fertilizers, selection of high NUE varieties like IR64, aerobic rice systems

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness25%12.5Accurately defines GIS with five elements; precision farming linked to GPS/VRT; forest propagation distinguishes sexual vs. asexual with correct technical terms; bioagent criteria include host specificity and mass production feasibility; NUE measures cite LCC, split application, and neem-coated urea correctlyBasic definitions correct but elements incomplete (e.g., GIS missing personnel/methods); precision farming equated only with mechanization; propagation methods confused or incomplete; bioagent criteria generic without specificity; NUE limited to general fertilizer managementFundamental errors—GIS confused with GPS, precision farming misunderstood as organic farming, propagation methods misclassified, bioagents conflated with biofertilizers, NUE solutions irrelevant to transplanted rice context
Quantitative reasoning15%7.5Mentions specific metrics where applicable—LCC critical value of 4 for rice N application, 25-30% N savings through precision farming, 20-40% reduction in N inputs through site-specific management; tissue culture multiplication rates (1:10^6)Vague quantitative references like 'reduced fertilizer use' or 'higher efficiency' without numbers; mentions split application timing without N rates or savings percentagesNo quantitative dimension; purely descriptive without any numerical benchmarks, rates, or efficiency metrics relevant to agricultural applications
Indian context examples20%10Cites Indian applications—Bhuvan/ISRO remote sensing for GIS in agriculture; precision farming in Karnataka (coffee), Punjab (wheat-rice); ICFRE protocols for forest propagation; Lantana biocontrol in India; LCC developed by IRRI-India adoption; mentions ICAR, SAUs, or state-specific success storiesGeneric references to 'Indian agriculture' or 'government schemes' without specific institutions, states, or programs; mentions MGNREGA or National Agroforestry Policy without linking to question specificsNo Indian examples; entirely foreign case studies (US precision farming, Australian biocontrol) or complete absence of contextual application to Indian agricultural conditions
Diagram / process20%10Describes diagram-worthy processes clearly—GIS workflow (data input → storage → analysis → output); precision farming cycle; step-wise propagation method (grafting/budding sequence); bioagent screening protocol; LCC-based N management decision flow; mentions 'as shown in figure' even if not drawnLists steps sequentially but without clear process logic; mentions components without workflow; propagation methods as bullet points without procedural sequenceNo process description; random fact listing without logical flow; no indication of how components interact or sequence of operations in any sub-part
Policy / extension angle20%10Links to National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA), PMKSY for precision water use; mentions KVKs for LCC dissemination; Forest Rights Act for community propagation; biocontrol regulation by CIB&RC; emphasizes farmer participatory approachesMentions government 'support' or 'schemes' generically; references Digital India or Smart Agriculture Mission without specific linkage to question content; vague on extension mechanismsNo policy or extension dimension; purely technical description without implementation pathway, institutional support, or farmer adoption challenges; ignores scalability and transfer of technology aspects

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