Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : 10×5=50

(a) Write down the constraints of fruit processing industry in India. 10

(b) Describe mentha cultivation with reference to varieties, soil and climate, nutrient management and process

Question

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : 10×5=50

(a) Write down the constraints of fruit processing industry in India. 10

(b) Describe mentha cultivation with reference to varieties, soil and climate, nutrient management and processing. 10

(c) Enlist the role of auxins in agriculture, with suitable examples. 10

(d) Briefly discuss Integrated Pest Management in cotton. 10

(e) Briefly discuss the micronutrient deficiencies observed in children and women in India along with the diseases associated with them. 10

UPSC Answer Check · Accepted Answer

India’s agricultural sector faces multifaceted challenges ranging from post-harvest losses to nutritional security. Addressing these requires a holistic approach to processing infrastructure, horticultural cultivation, plant physiology, pest management, and public health.

Constraints of Fruit Processing Industry
The fruit processing industry in India is hindered by several structural and logistical constraints. First, raw material availability is highly seasonal, leading to price volatility and supply gaps during off-seasons. Second, the high perishability of fruits results in significant post-harvest losses, exacerbated by inadequate cold chain infrastructure from farm to factory. Third, small and fragmented landholdings often lead to inconsistent fruit quality and size, making standardization difficult for industrial processing. Fourth, there is a lack of dedicated processing-grade varieties that are bred specifically for long shelf life and uniformity rather than fresh market appeal. Additionally, high energy costs for refrigeration and processing, coupled with limited export competitiveness due to stringent Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) barriers in global markets, further constrain growth.

Mentha Cultivation
Mentha cultivation involves specific agronomic practices. Key varieties include Mentha arvensis, M. piperita, and M. spicata, with popular Indian cultivars like Kosi and Saksham. The crop thrives in well-drained sandy loam soils with a pH of 6.5–7.5. It prefers a subtropical climate with moderate temperatures and 100–150 cm of well-distributed rainfall. Nutrient management emphasizes nitrogen application to promote vegetative growth, alongside balanced phosphorus and potassium. Processing primarily involves steam distillation of the leaves to extract essential oils, such as menthol and menthone, which are used in the pharmaceutical, food, and fragrance industries.

Role of Auxins in Agriculture
Auxins play diverse roles in agricultural practices. They are crucial for root initiation in vegetative propagation; Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) is commonly used to induce rooting in cuttings of plants like grapes and roses. Auxins maintain apical dominance, which can be manipulated to control plant architecture. In fruit production, Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) is used to induce parthenocarpy in tomatoes, producing seedless fruits. Synthetic auxins like 2,4-D are widely used as herbicides for weed control, particularly against broad-leaved weeds in cereal crops. Furthermore, auxins are employed for fruit thinning to improve fruit size and quality, and to prevent pre-harvest fruit drop in crops like apples and citrus.

Integrated Pest Management in Cotton
IPM in cotton integrates multiple control strategies to manage pests sustainably. Cultural methods include crop rotation with non-host crops and the use of trap crops; for instance, castor is used as a trap crop for Spodoptera litura, while marigold attracts Helicoverpa armigera. Biological control utilizes natural enemies such as Trichogramma wasps, Chrysoperla larvae, and the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Host plant resistance is achieved through the cultivation of Bt cotton, which expresses Cry proteins toxic to Helicoverpa armigera and pink bollworm, a primary pest. Chemical control is employed only as a last resort, using selective pesticides when pest populations exceed Economic Threshold Levels (ETLs). Broad-spectrum systemic insecticides like neonicotinoids are used judiciously to avoid resistance and protect beneficial insects.

Micronutrient Deficiencies
Micronutrient deficiencies significantly impact the health of children and women in India. Iron deficiency leads to Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA), prevalent among pregnant women and young children, causing fatigue and impaired cognitive development. Iodine deficiency results in goitre and cretinism, affecting thyroid function and intellectual disability. Zinc deficiency contributes to stunting, impaired immune function, and increased susceptibility to infections. Vitamin A deficiency causes night blindness and xerophthalmia, leading to blindness if untreated. Folate deficiency is associated with neural tube defects in newborns. Data from NFHS-5 highlights the persistence of these issues, necessitating continued focus on interventions like the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) to improve nutritional outcomes.

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 (a) Write down the constraints of fruit processing industry in…

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