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
World’s first GM rubber sapling planted in Assam
Contents1 What is the News? 2 About GM Rubber Crop: 3 How was GM Rubber developed? 4 What was the need of GM Rubber? 5 Significance of GM Rubber: What is the News? Rubber Board has planted the world’s first genetically modified (GM) rubber at its Sarutari research farm in Guwahati, Assam. About GM Rubber Crop: GM Rubber Crop has been developed at the… Continue reading World’s first GM rubber sapling planted in Assam
Bt Cotton adoption in Punjab has resulted in net economic, environmental benefits: Study
Context: Bt cotton’s positive and negative impacts, a recent study titled ‘Long-term impact of Bt cotton: An empirical evidence from North India’ has said its adoption in Punjab in the past over a decade has resulted in net economic and environmental benefits. Bt Cotton in India Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) cotton has been commercially grown in India for the past 19 years. The Genetic… Continue reading Bt Cotton adoption in Punjab has resulted in net economic, environmental benefits: Study
Cabinet amends Essential Commodities Act, approves ordinance to ease barrier-free trade
News: Cabinet has approved three separate ordinances to push agriculture marketing and commodities trade reforms in the country. Facts: Amendments to Essential Commodities Act(1955): Aim: To deregulate the commodities such as cereals, edible oils, oilseeds, pulses, onions and potatoes. Any limits under ECA over these commodities will be imposed only in exceptional circumstances such as… Continue reading Cabinet amends Essential Commodities Act, approves ordinance to ease barrier-free trade
Agriculture minister joins G-20 meet over
News:Union Agriculture Minister participated in an virtual meeting of G-20 Agriculture Ministers which was organised by the Saudi Presidency Facts: The meeting sought to address the issue of Covid-19 impacts on food security, safety and nutrition. Highlights of the meet: No export restrictions or high taxes on food and agricultural products purchased by the World… Continue reading Agriculture minister joins G-20 meet over
Integrated Project for Source Sustainability and Climate Resilient Rain-Fed Agriculture
News:The Government of India, Himachal Pradesh and World Bank has signed a US$80 million loan agreement to implement Integrated Project for Source Sustainability and Climate Resilient Rain-Fed Agriculture in Himachal Pradesh. Facts: About the Project: Aim:To improve water management practices and increase agricultural productivity in selected Gram Panchayats in Himachal Pradesh. Additional information: Other World… Continue reading Integrated Project for Source Sustainability and Climate Resilient Rain-Fed Agriculture
Budget 2020: Govt unveils 16-point action plan to revive agricultural sector
News:Union Finance minister has proposed 16 action points focusing on doubling Farmers income, Horticulture sector, Food storage, Animal Husbandry and Blue economy. Facts: About 16 point Action Plan:The key highlight of the 16-point action plan includes: Help 20 lakh farmers setup standalone solar pumps under PM-KUSUM scheme. Artificial insemination to be increased to 70% from… Continue reading Budget 2020: Govt unveils 16-point action plan to revive agricultural sector
Hydroponics
Hydroponics comes from two Greek words ‘hydro’ meaning water and ‘ponos’ meaning labor. Hydroponics is the technique of growing plants without soil by using water solvent which consists of mineral nutrients. It can include an aggregate substrate, or growing media, such as vermiculite, coconut coir, or perlite. Hydroponic production systems are used by small farmers,… Continue reading Hydroponics
CMs’ panel mulls move to tie State farm reforms to funds
The Central government had set up a high powered committee of seven chief ministers led by Maharashtra’s CM as its convenor.The panel has discussed various measures to transform Indian agriculture and raise farmers’ income. The panel has said since agriculture is a State subject,all the States must be brought on board for time-bound reforms in… Continue reading CMs’ panel mulls move to tie State farm reforms to funds
Budget Briefs:Agriculture
Finance Minister has said that the government will invest widely in agriculture infrastructure and support private entrepreneurship for value addition in farm sector. The government has also proposed a Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana(PMMSY) to establish a robust fisheries management framework and check gaps in the value chain. The government has proposed to increase budget… Continue reading Budget Briefs:Agriculture
First Ever India International Cooperatives Trade Fair (IICTF)
Government has announced the first ever ‘India International Cooperatives Trade Fair’(IICTF) which will be held in New Delhi. The fair is being conducted with the support of Network for Development of Agricultural Cooperatives(NEDAC),ministries,four state governments and several apex levels Indian cooperative organizations. The Trade Fair is aimed at promoting cooperative to cooperative trade within India… Continue reading First Ever India International Cooperatives Trade Fair (IICTF)
APEDA Organizes buyers-sellers meet
Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in association with North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation(NERAMAC) has organised the International Buyers-Sellers Meet in Imphal,Manipur. APEDA chairman said that India’s total agricultural product exports is valued at 38 billion USD for the financial year 2017-18 out of which 50% is contributed through APEDA’s products.… Continue reading APEDA Organizes buyers-sellers meet
UGC bans distance learning degree programmes in agriculture
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has prohibited imparting distance degree programmes in agriculture.The decision was taken by the UGC on the ground that a degree programme in agriculture is technical in nature as it requires practicals or laboratory courses. As per UGC Open and Distance Learning Regulations,2017 professional programmes such as medicine,engineering,architecture,nursing,dental, pharmacy and physiotherapy… Continue reading UGC bans distance learning degree programmes in agriculture
Govt cautions against fraudulent websites for KUSUM scheme registration
Ministry of Renewable Energy(MNRE) has cautioned the public against fraudulent websites that are conducting registrations under the Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM) Scheme. Recently,MNRE has formulated the KUSUM Scheme.The scheme aims to promote the use of solar power among farmers.The power distribution companies and state nodal agencies would implement this scheme. The scheme… Continue reading Govt cautions against fraudulent websites for KUSUM scheme registration
Is crop insurance scheme losing steam?
Is crop insurance scheme losing steam? News: According to a reply to an RTI application, more than 84 lakh farmers (around 15% of the total farmers) insured in the first year of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna in 2016-17, withdrew themselves from the scheme in 2017-18 Important Facts: About Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna… Continue reading Is crop insurance scheme losing steam?
7 PM Daily Editorials Brief – March 16, 2018 (Farmers march to Mumbai is a reflection of India’s agrarian crisis)
Read In-depth analysis of all the Editorials here Source : The march on Mumbai Analysis : Farmers march to Mumbai is a reflection of India’s agrarian crisis
7 PM Daily Editorials Brief – February 27, 2018 (Agrarian distress and Challenges: an overview)
Read In-depth analysis of all the Editorials here Source : Stemming the tide of agrarian distress Analysis :Agrarian distress and Challenges: an overview
7 PM Daily Editorials Brief – January 31, 2018 (New Roman law doctrine for tobacco industry in India)
Read In-depth analysis of all the Editorials here Source : With Roman law precept, India steps to stub out tobacco industry rights Analysis : New Roman law doctrine for tobacco industry in India
7 PM Daily Editorials Brief – January 4, 2018 (Food Processing: A Game Changer)
Read In-depth analysis of all the Editorials here Source : Corporatisation of food Analysis : Food Processing: A Game Changer
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.
