Agriculture Current Affairs Updates For UPSC IAS Mains 2024 Examination
On this page you will find articles that falls under subject Agriculture for UPSC IAS Mains 2024 examination
Significance of factors of Technology for agriculture- Producing more from less
Source: The post on significance of factors of Technology for agriculture has been created on the article “Producing more from less: How Indian agriculture has grown with limited ‘factors of production’” published in “Indian Express” on 28th November 2023. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper3- Economic development- agriculture News: This article discusses how technology has transformed… Continue reading Significance of factors of Technology for agriculture- Producing more from less
On Opium Cultivation in India – Uncertain future in a sea of poppies
Source: This post on Opium Cultivation in India has been created based on the article “Uncertain future in a sea of poppies” published in The Hindu on 18th November 2023. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Agriculture – Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country; Food processing and related industries in India. News:… Continue reading On Opium Cultivation in India – Uncertain future in a sea of poppies
On the Issues with NFSA – The National Food Security Act has been starved of key support
Source: This post on the Issues with NFSA has been created based on the article “The National Food Security Act has been starved of key support” published in Live Mint on 17th November 2023. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Agriculture – Public Distribution System – objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; Issues of food security. GS… Continue reading On the Issues with NFSA – The National Food Security Act has been starved of key support
No appetite for food safety
Source: The post is based on the article “No appetite for food safety – States must enhance safety mechanisms” published in Business Standard on 6th November 2023. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Agriculture – Food security & Food processing and related industries in India – scope and significance. News: The article discusses how food… Continue reading No appetite for food safety
Farmer Producers’ Organisations: Engines of agri-innovation in UP
Source: The post is based on the article “’Farmer Producers’ Organisations: Engines of agri-innovation in UP” published in “Indian express” on 20th October 2023. Syllabus: GS3- Agriculture- marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers. News: The article discusses how Farmer Producers’ Organisations (FPOs) in Uttar Pradesh (UP)… Continue reading Farmer Producers’ Organisations: Engines of agri-innovation in UP
Ashok Gulati writes: How India can minimise climate risk in agriculture
Source: The post is based on the article “Ashok Gulati writes: How India can minimise climate risk in agriculture” published in “Indian express” on 16th October 2023. Syllabus: GS3- Agriculture- different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage; food security. News: The article discusses India’s progress in food security and its water usage in agriculture.… Continue reading Ashok Gulati writes: How India can minimise climate risk in agriculture
The world needs to stop taking water for granted
Source: The post is based on the article “The world needs to stop taking water for granted” published in “The Hindu” on 16th October 2023. Syllabus: GS3- Agriculture- different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage; food security. News: The article discusses the importance of water for food production, especially with climate change causing extreme… Continue reading The world needs to stop taking water for granted
He was a farmers’ scientist – on contribution of M.S. Swaminathan
Source: The post is based on the article “He Was A Farmers’ Scientist” published in The Times of India on 7th October 2023. Syllabus: GS 3 – Agriculture Relevance: About M.S. Swaminathan’s contribution in agriculture News: M.S. Swaminathan, a respected agricultural scientist from India, recently passed away. Who was M.S. Swaminathan? Read Here: Swaminathan walked ahead of… Continue reading He was a farmers’ scientist – on contribution of M.S. Swaminathan
A plan for the winter crop
Source: This post is created based on the article ‘A plan for the winter crop’, published in The Indian Express on 3rd October, 2023. Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3, Agriculture News: The Indian monsoon’s deficit has led to variations in crop cultivation. Now the issue at hand is the government approach towards balancing the price… Continue reading A plan for the winter crop
The Data Maze- An overhaul of the statistical system is urgent
Source: The post is based on the article “The Data Maze- It undermines economic policymaking. An overhaul of the statistical system is urgent” published in The Times of India on 27th September 2023. Syllabus: GS3- Agriculture- Marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints. News: The article discusses concerns about unreliable agricultural data in… Continue reading The Data Maze- An overhaul of the statistical system is urgent
Where has India’s record wheat and rice output gone?
Source– The post is based on the article “Where has India’s record wheat and rice output gone? ” published in the “mint” on 19th September 2023. Syllabus: GS3- Agriculture Relevance- Agriculture pricing and marketing News– The article explains the recent policy steps taken by the government for wheat and rice procurement and marketing and their… Continue reading Where has India’s record wheat and rice output gone?
Export bans and stocking limits: are they working?
Source: The post is based on the article “Export bans and stocking limits: are they working?” published in “The Hindu” on 18th September 2023. Syllabus: GS3- Agriculture – issues of buffer stocks and food security News: The article discusses the Indian government’s measures to control rising food inflation, especially in rice and wheat, and how… Continue reading Export bans and stocking limits: are they working?
How Basmati in India is reaping the rewards of research
Source: The post is based on the article “How Basmati in India is reaping the rewards of research” published in Indian Express on 18th September 2023. Syllabus: GS3- Agriculture– Marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints & issues of buffer stocks and food security News: The article discusses the evolution of basmati rice… Continue reading How Basmati in India is reaping the rewards of research
A GM crop decision that cuts the mustard
Source: The post is based on the article “A GM crop decision that cuts the mustard” published in “The Hindu” on 16th September 2023. Syllabus: GS3- agriculture- food security News: The article discusses the importance and benefits of genetically modified (GM) crops, especially GM mustard in India, for improving food production, reducing edible oil imports,… Continue reading A GM crop decision that cuts the mustard
PMMSY: bridging gaps in the fisheries sector
Source: The post is based on the article “PMMSY: bridging gaps in the fisheries sector” published in “The Hindu” on 15th September 2023. Syllabus: GS3- Agriculture- Economy of animal rearing News: The article talks about Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), which has made substantial investments in the Indian fisheries sector over three years. It… Continue reading PMMSY: bridging gaps in the fisheries sector
Why India’s falling cotton production is a worry
Source: The post is based on the article “Why India’s falling cotton production is a worry” published in “The Indian express” on 11th September 2023. Syllabus: GS3- Agriculture- Marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints. News: The article discusses how India’s cotton production grew due to Bt technology, which protects against certain pests.… Continue reading Why India’s falling cotton production is a worry
The impact of food on climate
Source: The post is based on the article “The impact of food on climate” published in Business standard on 4th September 2023. Syllabus: GS3- Agriculture- food crisis & Environment- climate change News: The article talks about how agriculture affects climate change, comparing big industrial farming with small subsistence farming. It focuses on the problems caused… Continue reading The impact of food on climate
Understanding curbs on rice exports
Source– The post is based on the article “Understanding curbs on rice exports” published in “The Hindu” on 31st August 2023. Syllabus: GS 3 – Agriculture News– The Indian government has prohibited the export of white rice, levied a 20% export duty on par-boiled rice till October 15, and permitted the export of Basmati rice… Continue reading Understanding curbs on rice exports
The case for uniform minimum export price for rice, without basmati distinction
Source– The post is based on the article “The case for uniform minimum export price for rice, without basmati distinction” published in “The Indian Express” on 29th August 2023. Syllabus: GS3- Agriculture Relevance: Agriculture pricing and marketing News– The article explains the issues of recent government decisions on restricting the exports of wheat and rice.… Continue reading The case for uniform minimum export price for rice, without basmati distinction
Not Quite Jai Kisan – Exports restrictions
Source– The post is based on the article “Not Quite Jai Kisan” published in “The Times of India” on 28th August 2023. Syllabus: GS3- Agriculture Relevance: Agriculture pricing and marketing News– GOI has tightened restrictions on basmati exports. A minimum price for exports has been fixed at $1,200 per metric tonne. A contract below the… Continue reading Not Quite Jai Kisan – Exports restrictions
Express View on export ban: The onion diktat
Source– The post is based on the article “Express View on export ban: The onion diktat” published in “The Indian Express” on 24th August 2023. Syllabus: GS 3 – Agriculture News– Centre has imposed a 40 per cent export duty on onions. Why is this move not good for farmers? Farmers cultivating onion, potato, and… Continue reading Express View on export ban: The onion diktat
Gene-edited mustard: Less pungent, more useful
Source: The post is based on the article “Gene-edited mustard: Less pungent, more useful” published in The Indian Express on 21st August 2023. Syllabus: GS 3 – Agriculture Relevance: About GTR genes-edited mustard News: Oilseeds provide oil for cooking and protein-rich meals for animals. Rapeseed-mustard is a key Indian oilseed, constituting 42.6% of oil production and 30.3%… Continue reading Gene-edited mustard: Less pungent, more useful
How to make Urea more efficient as a fertiliser, and why that’s needed
Source: The post is based on the article “How to make Urea more efficient as a fertiliser, and why that’s needed” published in “The Indian express” on 14th August 2023. Syllabus: GS3- Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies News: This article discusses the introduction of ‘Urea Gold’ in India, a fertilizer fortified with… Continue reading How to make Urea more efficient as a fertiliser, and why that’s needed
Seeds for growth: How technology can boost Indian agriculture
Source– The post is based on the article “Seeds for growth: How technology can boost Indian agriculture” published in “The Indian Express” on 10th August 2023. Syllabus: GS3- Agriculture. GS1-Economic geography Relevance: Issues related to agricultural inputs News– The article explains the issues related to the seed industry in India and suggests solutions for development… Continue reading Seeds for growth: How technology can boost Indian agriculture
Express View on Centre’s grain policy: Rice and fall
Source: The post is based on the article “Express View on Centre’s grain policy: Rice and fall” published in “The Indian express” on 29th July 2023. Syllabus: GS3- Issues of buffer stocks and food security; News: The Indian government is concerned about potential grain shortages due to possible El Niño effects on crops. It is… Continue reading Express View on Centre’s grain policy: Rice and fall
How to Read Agriculture for UPSC IAS
Agriculture for UPSC IAS is a diverse topic. It is part of the UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-III. Some questions related to Agriculture Technology, Schemes on Agriculture and Farmers are also asked in UPSC Prelims General Studies- Paper-I. Agriculture subject is linked with other subjects like Economy, Environment and Technology. So, students must prepare this subject by understanding each and every aspect of Agriculture and also try to corelate it with other subjects.
In this article, we will see the trend analysis of Agriculture for UPSC, overview of the Syllabus and preparation strategies for the same.
Agriculture- UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-III
2021 – 3
2022 – 4
2023 – 3
Trend analysis of the Agriculture for UPSC:
| Subject | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Agriculture- UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-III | 4 questions | 4 questions | 4 questions | 4 questions | 3 questions |
Overview of the Syllabus of Agriculture: UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-III
| Subject | Syllabus |
| Agriculture | · Major Crops – Cropping Patterns in various parts of the country, – Different Types of Irrigation and Irrigation Systems; Storage, Transport and Marketing of Agricultural Produce and Issues and Related Constraints; E-technology in the aid of farmers. · Issues related to Direct and Indirect Farm Subsidies and Minimum Support Prices; Public Distribution System – Objectives, Functioning, Limitations, Revamping; Issues of Buffer Stocks and Food Security; Technology Missions; Economics of Animal-Rearing. · Food Processing and Related Industries in India- Scope’ and Significance, Location, Upstream and Downstream Requirements, Supply Chain Management. · Land Reforms in India. |
Preparation Strategies for Agriculture for UPSC:
- Read the syllabus and highlight each point: You must read the syllabus of Agriculture twice or thrice. You can highlight each point and start your preparation accordingly.
- Read NCERT of Geography: You can start with NCERT books of Geography from Class VI to X. The topics like, cropping and its pattern in India, Land Reforms can be read from here. This will give you basic idea about it. For irrigation, you can read Environment notes of Shankar IAS.
- Make your own notes topic and subtopic wise: the best way to prepare Agriculture for UPSC is to prepare your own notes topics wise. You can take help of standard books, newspaper, current affairs magazines, internet etc. Preparing comprehensive notes will be great.
- Read newspaper: You must one newspaper on a daily basis. Newspaper’s articles cover Agriculture for UPSC topic in detail. Topics like Minimum Support Price, Food Processing, Food Security, e-Technology to aid farmers are given in newspaper with proper solutions and conclusion. This will give you a good lead to write good answers. You can take them down in your notes and keep revising it.
- Read Current affairs magazine: Topics which you miss by chance in newspaper or just to cover each issue in details, you should read current affairs magazine. It is easy to revise them again and again. By referring this, you can update your notes.
- Refer Yojana and Kurukshetra: These magazines sometimes cover farmers issues in details. Welfare schemes for farmers, e-technology, food security, changing cropping patters in India etc. Get covered in these magazines. Kurukshetra mostly cover issues related to Agriculture. You can read them once and take down important points in your notes.
- Update notes: By reading multiple current affairs sources and taking down important points from the, can make your notes more comprehensive. If you will keep updating you notes, at the end you just need to go through your notes and revise them multiple times rather than referring multiple sources.
- Refer past year question papers and write answer on them: You can write answers on past years’ questions. Initial one-two answers you can write by referring multiple sources, and later on, you must try to write them by your own.
- Write answers on practice questions: You should also practice daily answer writing for Mains. Writing answers on practice questions will help you.
- Revise: Revision is the key to success for every exam. And when it comes to UPSC, you don’t have other options except to revise. Revision will help you to prepare a blueprint in your mind of each topic you have prepared.
