Agriculture 2022 Paper II 50 marks Describe

Q8

(a) Enlist the seed spices grown in India. Briefly discuss the cultivation and post-harvest management practices for coriander and cumin. 20 (b) Describe the various methods of pest control with appropriate examples. 20 (c) What is food security? Why is it essential? Describe the current food security system in India. 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

(क) भारत में उगाए जाने वाले बीजीय मसालों (सीड स्पाइसेस) की सूची बनाइए। धनिया और जीरा की खेती करने तथा कटाई-उपरांत प्रबंधन पद्धतियों का संक्षिप्त विवरण दीजिए। 20 (ख) पीड़क नियंत्रण की विभिन्न विधियों का उपयुक्त उदाहरणों सहित वर्णन कीजिए। 20 (ग) खाद्य सुरक्षा से क्या अभिप्राय है? यह क्यों आवश्यक है? भारत में वर्तमान खाद्य सुरक्षा प्रणाली का वर्णन कीजिए। 10

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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 detailed, systematic exposition of facts and processes. Allocate approximately 40% of word budget to part (a) given its 20 marks, covering seed spice enumeration plus cultivation and post-harvest practices for coriander and cumin; 40% to part (b) for comprehensive pest control methods with examples; and 20% to part (c) for food security definition, rationale, and current system. Structure with brief introduction, detailed part-wise treatment, and integrated conclusion linking seed spice production to food security.

Key points expected

  • Part (a): Comprehensive list of Indian seed spices (coriander, cumin, fennel, fenugreek, ajwain, nigella, mustard, poppy, aniseed, dill, etc.) with major producing states
  • Part (a): Cultivation practices for coriander (varieties like CS-4, sowing time, spacing, irrigation, nutrient management) and cumin (varieties like GC-4, climate requirements, sowing methods, weed management)
  • Part (a): Post-harvest management for coriander and cumin including harvesting indicators, threshing, drying, grading, packaging, storage conditions, and value addition
  • Part (b): Classification of pest control methods: cultural, physical/mechanical, biological, chemical, and integrated pest management (IPM) with specific examples for each
  • Part (b): Biological control examples (Trichogramma for sugarcane, Bacillus thuringiensis for cotton, neem-based products) and chemical control with pesticide categories and resistance management
  • Part (c): Definition of food security (FAO four pillars: availability, accessibility, utilization, stability) and its essentiality for nutritional security, economic stability, and national sovereignty
  • Part (c): Current food security system in India: NFSA 2013, Targeted PDS, PMGKAY, buffer stock operations through FCI, MSP procurement, and recent initiatives like One Nation One Ration Card

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness25%12.5Scientifically accurate botanical classification of seed spices (Apiaceae, Brassicaceae, etc.); precise agro-climatic requirements for coriander (cool season) and cumin (arid/semi-arid); correct pest control terminology distinguishing between biocontrol agents and biopesticides; accurate FAO food security definition with all four pillars explicitly namedBasic correct identification of spices and general cultivation steps; generic pest control listing without scientific precision; food security defined broadly without pillar specificity or conflating with nutritional securityMajor botanical errors (e.g., confusing seed spices with fruit spices); incorrect climate/soil requirements; conflation of pest control methods (e.g., calling chemical methods biological); food security equated only to food production or PDS alone
Quantitative reasoning15%7.5Specific data points: India produces ~70% of global spices; Rajasthan/Gujarat share in cumin (~90%); seed rate (10-12 kg/ha coriander, 8-10 kg/ha cumin); recovery percentages in post-harvest; NFSA coverage (81.35 crore beneficiaries); buffer stock norms (21.4 MT wheat, 13.6 MT rice); PMGKAY grain allocation figuresApproximate production rankings without precise figures; general yield ranges; rough beneficiary estimates for food security programs without specific policy numbersNo quantitative data or significantly incorrect figures (e.g., wrong seed rates by factor of 2, incorrect global production shares); missing all numerical dimensions of food security coverage
Indian context examples20%10State-specific cultivation zones: coriander in Andhra Pradesh (Guntur), Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan; cumin in Gujarat (Banaskantha, Patan), Rajasthan (Jodhpur, Nagaur); ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research (Kozhikode) varieties; pest examples specific to Indian conditions (Helicoverpa armigera in chickpea, Pectinophora gossypiella in cotton); state-level PDS variations and AAY/PHH categorization under NFSAGeneric mention of Rajasthan/Gujarat without district specificity; common pest names without scientific nomenclature; general PDS description without scheme-specific details or state variationsNo Indian examples or inappropriate foreign examples dominating; complete absence of state-wise distribution or regional agro-ecological specificity; generic global food security discussion without Indian policy context
Diagram / process20%10Clear flow diagram of post-harvest operations for coriander/cumin (harvesting → threshing → drying → cleaning → grading → packaging → storage); IPM decision flowchart or pest control method classification diagram; food security system schematic showing production → procurement → storage → distribution → consumption linkages; well-labelled diagrams with stages and quality parametersSimple list format presented as flow without visual structure; basic pest control triangle or food security pyramid mentioned but not elaborated; textual description of processes without diagrammatic representationNo diagrams or process descriptions; completely missing visual representation where expected for post-harvest chain and IPM framework; disorganized presentation of sequential operations
Policy / extension angle20%10Integration of spice board policies (Spices Board of India, export promotion); National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) and NFSM-Spices; IPM promotion through CIPMCs; NFSA 2013 legal entitlement framework; FCI's role in buffer stocking; PMGKAY as pandemic response; Antyodaya Anna Yojana targeting; suggestions for seed spice farmer welfare and food security strengthening through diversificationMention of PDS and MSP without integration with seed spice sector; generic reference to 'government schemes' without specific mission names or legal frameworks; food security discussion limited to distribution without production-side policiesNo policy dimension; complete absence of institutional mechanisms (Spices Board, FCI, NABARD); food security treated purely as academic concept without current system description; no forward-looking suggestions or extension recommendations

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