Q7
(a) Explain the term 'conjunctive use of water'. Suggest the management practices to improve poor quality irrigation water with reference to salinity hazards. (20 marks) (b) Enunciate the reasons for waterlogging and describe various management strategies to mitigate waterlogging. (20 marks) (c) Why is farm planning necessary? Brief the limitations of farm planning. (10 marks)
हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें
(a) 'जल के संयुक्त उपयोग' पद की व्याख्या कीजिए। लवणता-संबंधी खतरों के संदर्भ में खराब गुणवत्ता वाले सिंचाई जल को सुधारने के लिए प्रबंधन क्रियाओं को सुझाइए। (20 अंक) (b) जलभराव के कारणों को स्पष्ट कीजिए तथा जलभराव को कम करने के लिए विभिन्न प्रबंधन रणनीतियों का वर्णन कीजिए। (20 अंक) (c) प्रक्षेत्र नियोजन क्यों आवश्यक है? प्रक्षेत्र नियोजन की सीमाओं को संक्षेप में बताइए। (10 अंक)
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. Allocate approximately 40% of time/words to part (a) given its 20 marks, 40% to part (b), and 20% to part (c). Structure: brief introduction defining conjunctive use → body addressing each sub-part sequentially with integrated examples → conclusion emphasizing integrated water resource management. For (a), cover surface-groundwater synergy and salinity management; for (b), analyze hydrogeological and anthropogenic causes with drainage solutions; for (c), justify necessity before listing constraints.
Key points expected
- Part (a): Definition of conjunctive use as coordinated development of surface and groundwater resources; salinity hazard parameters (EC, SAR, RSC); management practices including blending, cyclic use, leaching requirement, mulching, and salt-tolerant crops
- Part (a): Specific amelioration techniques for saline/sodic water: gypsum application, organic amendments, drip irrigation with saline water, and drainage provision
- Part (b): Natural causes of waterlogging (high water table, impermeable layers, heavy rainfall, river flooding) and anthropogenic causes (seepage from canals, inadequate drainage, over-irrigation)
- Part (b): Management strategies: preventive (lining canals, optimal irrigation scheduling) and curative (surface drainage, subsurface drainage including tile drains and bio-drainage, vertical drainage through tubewells)
- Part (c): Farm planning necessity: resource optimization, risk minimization, sustainable intensification, and alignment with agro-climatic conditions; limitations including small landholdings, fragmented plots, market uncertainties, and resource constraints
- Integration: Linkage between conjunctive use and waterlogging prevention; connection between farm planning and efficient water management at farm level
Evaluation rubric
| Dimension | Weight | Max marks | Excellent | Average | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concept correctness | 25% | 12.5 | Precisely defines conjunctive use with technical accuracy (surface-groundwater coordination, not merely alternate use); correctly distinguishes saline vs. sodic water hazards using EC/SAR/RSC thresholds; accurately identifies perched water tables vs. regional waterlogging; farm planning defined as systematic allocation of resources across space and time | Basic definition of conjunctive use without technical depth; conflates salinity and sodicity; lists waterlogging causes superficially; farm planning described as mere crop planning without resource integration | Misdefines conjunctive use as any water use; confuses waterlogging with flooding; farm planning equated with budgeting or omitted entirely |
| Quantitative reasoning | 15% | 7.5 | Cites leaching requirement formula (LR = ECiw/(ECe max - ECiw)); provides drainage coefficient values (1-3 mm/day for crops); mentions critical water table depths (1.5-2.0m for most crops); indicates blending ratios for saline water use | Mentions water quality classes without specific thresholds; qualitative reference to drainage needs without coefficients; general statement on water table depth without crop-specific values | No quantitative parameters; vague references to 'high salinity' or 'deep water table' without benchmarks |
| Indian context examples | 20% | 10 | For (a): Gujarat's Sardar Sarovar conjunctive use project; Rajasthan's Indira Gandhi Canal blending practices; Haryana's saline groundwater use in cotton-wheat systems. For (b): Punjab's waterlogging in SWAC (South-Western Agricultural Zone); Kuttanad's below-sea-level farming with dual drainage; UP's Ramganga command waterlogging. For (c): WTO-compatible farm planning in Punjab; crop diversification push in Haryana | Generic reference to Indo-Gangetic Plain waterlogging; mentions Gujarat or Rajasthan without specificity; farm planning examples limited to crop rotation mentions | No Indian examples; uses international case studies exclusively or remains entirely theoretical |
| Diagram / process | 20% | 10 | Sketches conjunctive use schematic showing surface-canal, groundwater tubewell, and mixing zone; draws waterlogging cross-section showing perched water table, impermeable layer, and drainage outlet; illustrates farm layout plan with contour bunding and water harvesting structures; labels essential for all diagrams | Mentions diagrams without drawing; describes processes textually without visual representation; incomplete labeling of schematic elements | No diagrams or sketches; purely descriptive answer without spatial representation of water flows or farm layout |
| Policy / extension angle | 20% | 10 | Links to PMKSY (Per Drop More Crop) for conjunctive use; cites Command Area Development & Water Management (CADWM) programme; references MGNREGA for farm pond construction; mentions State Agricultural Universities' role in drainage extension; addresses WTO Amber Box constraints on farm planning subsidies; suggests Farmer Producer Organizations for collective drainage investment | Generic reference to government schemes without specificity; mentions 'extension services' without institutional details; policy discussion limited to naming PMKSY without elaboration | No policy or extension linkage; purely technical answer without governance or implementation framework |
Practice this exact question
Write your answer, then get a detailed evaluation from our AI trained on UPSC's answer-writing standards. Free first evaluation — no signup needed to start.
Evaluate my answer →More from Agriculture 2025 Paper I
- Q1 Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: (a) Classify natural resources. Discuss the natural resource management with refere…
- Q2 (a) Enumerate the impact of climate change with reference to agricultural production. Present the opinion of public on climate change. (20…
- Q3 (a) List out the cereal- and millet-based cropping systems practised in India based on soil type and irrigation availability. (20 marks) (b…
- Q4 (a) Explain the productive, protective, ameliorative, recreational, educational and developmental functions of Indian forests. (20 marks) (…
- Q5 Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: (a) Explain saltation, surface creep and suspension with reference to wind erosion.…
- Q6 (a) Enumerate the harmful effects of herbicide residues in soil. Discuss the remedial measures to overcome the above problem. (20 marks) (b…
- Q7 (a) Explain the term 'conjunctive use of water'. Suggest the management practices to improve poor quality irrigation water with reference t…
- Q8 (a) Differentiate between partial and complete farm budget. Highlight the steps adopted while preparing farm planning and budgeting. (20 ma…