Agriculture 2025 Paper I 50 marks 150 words Compulsory Explain

Q5

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: (a) Explain saltation, surface creep and suspension with reference to wind erosion. (10 marks) (b) Discuss the sensitive stages for drought and high temperature in cereals and pulses. (10 marks) (c) 'Pre-harvest scarcity and post-harvest glut'—elucidate with suitable examples, and give any two valid reasons behind such situation under Indian context. (10 marks) (d) Explain the term 'market intelligence'. Briefly point out the role of market intelligence and how it is useful to the Government, traders, farmers, consumers and researchers. (10 marks) (e) Explain 'Farmer FIRST'. Briefly discuss the objectives of 'Farmer FIRST'. (10 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

निम्नलिखित में से प्रत्येक प्रश्न का उत्तर लगभग 150 शब्दों में दीजिए : (a) वायु क्षरण के संदर्भ में उछाल (साल्टेशन), पृष्ठीय सर्पण (सरफेस क्रीप) और निलंबन (सस्पेंशन) की व्याख्या कीजिए। (10 अंक) (b) अनाज और दलहनों में सूखा और उच्च तापमान के प्रति संवेदनशील अवस्थाओं का वर्णन कीजिए। (10 अंक) (c) 'फसल-पूर्व कमी और कटाई-उपरांत प्रचुरता' को उपयुक्त उदाहरणों के साथ स्पष्ट कीजिए, तथा भारतीय संदर्भ के अंतर्गत ऐसी स्थिति के पीछे कोई दो वैध कारण बताइए। (10 अंक) (d) 'बाजार बुद्धिमत्ता' पद की व्याख्या कीजिए। संक्षेप में बाजार बुद्धिमत्ता की भूमिका पर प्रकाश डालिए और बताइए कि यह सरकार, व्यापारियों, किसानों, उपभोक्ताओं और शोधकर्ताओं के लिए कैसे उपयोगी है। (10 अंक) (e) 'किसान प्रथम (फार्मर फर्स्ट)' को समझाइए। 'फार्मर फर्स्ट' के उद्देश्यों का संक्षेप में वर्णन 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

This multi-part question requires explaining technical concepts across five distinct areas. Allocate approximately 30 words per sub-part (150 words total), spending roughly 2 minutes per part. Begin each sub-part with a direct definition, follow with mechanistic/process explanation, and conclude with specific Indian examples or stakeholder implications. For (a) and (b), prioritize accuracy of technical mechanisms; for (c), emphasize the paradox with real commodity examples; for (d) and (e), focus on multi-stakeholder utility and policy relevance.

Key points expected

  • (a) Wind erosion: saltation (0.1-0.5mm particles, 30-50% transport), surface creep (0.5-2mm, 5-25%), suspension (<0.1mm, long-distance); mention Thar Desert/ Rajasthan context
  • (b) Cereals: drought-sensitive at booting/anthesis (wheat, rice); pulses: flowering/pod-filling (gram, arhar); high temperature stress at meiosis/pollen development
  • (c) Pre-harvest scarcity (price spike) vs post-harvest glut (price crash): examples like onion 2019, tomato 2023, potato; reasons: perishability, lack of storage, speculative hoarding, MSP procurement delays
  • (d) Market intelligence: real-time price, demand-supply, trade data; AGMARKNET, eNAM, ITC e-Choupal; utility for price stabilization, export-import policy, farmer selling decisions
  • (e) Farmer FIRST (Farmers, Innovations, Research, Science and Technology): ICAR 2016 paradigm shift; objectives: farmer-centric research, participatory technology development, innovation diffusion, income enhancement

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness25%12.5Precise definitions across all five parts: correct particle size ranges for erosion mechanisms, accurate crop growth stages for stress sensitivity, clear distinction between scarcity/glut phases, proper definition of market intelligence and Farmer FIRST acronymBroadly correct definitions with minor errors in particle sizes, growth stages, or conflates related concepts; Farmer FIRST objectives listed without specificityFundamental errors: confuses saltation with suspension, wrong growth stages, describes market intelligence as mere information without analytical dimension
Quantitative reasoning15%7.5Includes specific percentages for wind erosion transport modes (saltation ~50-70%, creep ~5-25%, suspension ~3-40%), mentions temperature thresholds (>35°C for wheat sterility), price fluctuation magnitudesVague quantitative sense ('majority', 'high temperature') without specific figures; mentions particle size categories without transport percentagesNo quantitative dimension; purely qualitative descriptions missing all numerical aspects of erosion mechanics and stress physiology
Indian context examples20%10Specific Indian examples: Rajasthan/Gujarat for wind erosion; wheat in NWPZ, rice in eastern India for drought; onion/tomato/potato price crises; AGMARKNET/eNAM/ITC e-Choupal; ICAR Farmer FIRST implementation in select KVKsGeneric Indian references without specificity (mentions 'desert areas', 'vegetable crops') or outdated examples; Farmer FIRST mentioned without institutional anchorNo Indian examples; uses only foreign illustrations or entirely theoretical treatment; fails to connect market intelligence to Indian agricultural marketing system
Diagram / process20%10Clear process description: sequential particle movement in wind erosion, stage-wise crop development with stress timing, seasonal price curve visualization through text, information flow in market intelligence system, participatory research cycle in Farmer FIRSTStatic descriptions without process flow; mentions stages without establishing sequence or causal relationships between phasesNo process understanding; fragmented points without logical connection; fails to explain how pre-harvest scarcity transforms to post-harvest glut
Policy / extension angle20%10Explicit policy linkages: windbreak/shelterbelt programmes, PMFBY for drought, buffer stock/price stabilization fund, market intelligence for MSP timing, Farmer FIRST for technology transfer reform and doubling farmers' incomeBrief mention of government schemes without integration; lists Farmer FIRST objectives without connecting to extension system reformNo policy or extension dimension; purely academic treatment ignoring governance, institutional mechanisms, or farmer welfare implications

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