Red Book – Agriculture Book for UPSC CSE Preparation

Agriculture is a crucial part of the UPSC Civil Services Examination, both for the Prelims and the Mains stages. Every year, UPSC asks several questions, on both stages. However, many aspirants struggle to find a comprehensive and organized agriculture book for UPSC preparation. ForumIAS’s Red Book – Agriculture book for UPSC aims to bridge this gap by providing a comprehensive and well-structured guide tailored specifically for UPSC aspirants.

Challenges Faced by Students with Existing Resources: 

Scattered Information: Agriculture is a multidisciplinary subject, and existing resources often present information in a scattered manner, making it difficult for students to connect the dots and develop a holistic understanding.

Outdated Content: The field of agriculture is constantly evolving, with new technologies, policies, and practices emerging regularly. Many existing resources fail to keep up with these changes, leaving students with outdated information.

Lack of Exam-Oriented Approach: While general agriculture books are available, they often lack the specific focus and orientation required for UPSC examination preparation. It leaves students unsure of what to prioritize and how to approach the subject.

Inadequate Coverage: Some resources may cover certain aspects of agriculture extensively while neglecting others, resulting in gaps in students’ knowledge and understanding.

Out of balance: Not all agriculture books are created equal. Some might be too theoretical or lack the specific focus on UPSC exam requirements, making it difficult to target relevant topics from UPSC exam point of view.

How the Red Book – Agriculture Book for UPSC Addresses these Challenges?

Comprehensive and Well-Structured Content: The Agriculture Red Book is designed to cover all UPSC syllabus topics in a systematic and organized manner. It will ensure that students develop a comprehensive understanding of the subject.

Up-to-Date Information: The book is regularly updated to incorporate the latest developments, policies, and practices in the field of agriculture, ensuring that students have access to the most current and relevant information.

Exam-Oriented Approach: The content is specifically tailored to the UPSC Civil Services Examination, with a focus on important topics, concepts, and the expected question patterns. This approach helps students prioritize their preparation and develop effective strategies for the exam.

Comprehensive Coverage: The Agriculture Red Book leaves no stone unturned, covering all essential aspects of agriculture, from traditional farming practices to modern technologies, ensuring that students have a well-rounded knowledge base.

Concise and Comprehensive Explanations: The book presents complex concepts and theories in a concise and easy-to-understand manner, making it accessible to students from diverse educational backgrounds.

Practice with PYQs: Inclusion of Previous Year Questions (PYQs) allows you to test your knowledge and strategize for the exam format. 

Visual Aids: Charts, diagrams, and infographics enhance understanding and retention of key information. 

By addressing the challenges faced by students and providing a comprehensive, up-to-date, and exam-oriented resource, the Agriculture Red Book aims to become the go-to guide for UPSC aspirants preparing for the agriculture section. With its well-structured content, concise explanations, and ample practice opportunities, this book equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

Table of Contents of Red Book

OVERVIEW …..1 – 6
1.1. Important Ministries …..1
1.2. Agriculture Sector …..2
1.3. Allied Sectors: Animal Husbandry, Dairying, and Fisheries Sector …..3
1.4. Food Processing Sector …..3
1.5. General Issues with Agriculture Sector …..3
2. AGRICULTURE INPUTS …..7 – 57
2.1. Labour …..7
2.1.1. Feminization of Agriculture …..9
2.2. Land …..11
2.2.1. Land Reforms in India Post Independence …..11
2.2.2. Bhoodan and Gramdan Movement …..13
2.2.3. Land Use in India …..14
2.2.4. National Land Records Modernization Programme (NLRMP-2008) …..15
2.2.5. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers
(Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 …..15
2.2.6. Model Agriculture Land Leasing Act, 2016 …..16
2.3. Seeds …..16
2.3.1. National Seed Policy, 2002 …..17
2.3.2. National Seed Plan …..18
2.3.3. Draft Seed Bill, 2019 …..18
2.3.4. Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights (PPV&FR) Act, 2001 …..18
2.3.5. Seed Bank/Seed Vault …..19
2.3.6. Seed Village …..19
2.3.7. Green Revolution and Seeds …..19
2.4. Fertilizers …..25
2.4.1. Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) …..26
2.4.2. Urea Subsidy …..27
2.4.3. Other Initiatives …..27
2.4.4. Neem Coated Urea …..27
2.4.5. Soil Health Card …..27
2.4.6. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) …..28
2.5. Pesticides …..30
2.6. Organic Farming …..33
INDEX
2.7. Water …..35
2.7.1. Important Ministries and Departments …..35
2.7.2. Irrigation …..36
2.7.3. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) …..42
2.7.4. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahaabhiyan
(PM KUSUM) …..43
2.7.5. Atal Bhujal Yojana …..43
2.7.6. Miscellaneous …..43
2.8. Farm Mechanization …..48
2.9. Agri-Finance …..50
2.10. Agri-Insurance …..55
3. AGRICULTURAL OUTPUTS …..58 – 85
3.1. Cropping Patterns and Farming Systems …..58
3.1.1. Cropping Patterns …..58
3.1.2. Farming Systems …..59
3.2. Agricultural Soils …..60
3.3. Crops …..64
3.3.1. Classification of Crops …..64
3.4. Major Crops …..66
3.4.1. Foodgrains …..66
3.4.2. Oilseeds …..74
3.4.3. Fibre Crops …..77
3.4.4. Other Crops …..77
3.4.5. Horticultural Crops …..81
3.5. Stubble …..84
4. AGRI-SELLING …..86 – 120
4.1. Agricultural Subsidies and Msp …..86
4.1.1. Agricultural Subsidies …..86
4.1.2. Agriculture Pricing Policies …..89
4.2. Public Distribution System, Buffer Stocks and Food Security …..94
4.2.1. Public Distribution System in India (PDS) …..94
4.2.2. Buffer Stocks …..97
4.2.3. Food Security …..99
4.3. Storage And Transport Of Agricultural Produce …..102
4.3.1. Storage of Produce …..102
4.3.2. Transportation of Produce …..103
4.4. Agricultural Marketing …..104
4.4.1. Agriculture Produce Marketing Committees (APMC) …..104
4.4.2. Integrated Scheme for Agricultural Marketing (ISAM) …..105
4.4.3. e-NAM (Electronic National Agricultural Markets) …..105
4.4.4. Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs) …..108
4.4.5. Farm Laws 2020 …..108
4.4.6. Agri-Exports …..111
4.5. Income Support To Farmers …..112
4.5.1. PM Kisan …..113
4.5.2. PM Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana …..113
4.5.3. Raising Farm Incomes …..114
4.6. Agricultural Price Volatility …..116
4.6.1. Food Inflation …..116
4.6.2. Food Deflation …..120
5. TECHNOLOGY MISSIONS …..121 – 127
5.1. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) …..121
5.2. National Mission on Agriculture Extension And Technology (NMAET) …..123
5.3. National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP) …..124
5.4. National Saffron Mission …..125
5.5. Technology Mission on Oilseeds, Pulses And Maize (TMOP) …..125
5.6. National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) …..125
5.7. National Food Security Mission (NFSM) …..126
5.8. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) …..126
6. E-TECHNOLOGY IN THE AID OF FARMERS …..128 – 136
6.1. National E-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NEGP-A) …..128
6.2. Drone Technology in Agriculture …..130
6.3. Big Data In Agriculture …..131
6.4. Internet of Things (IoT) in Agriculture …..131
6.5. Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture …..132
6.6. Blockchain Technology in Agriculture …..133
6.7. Robotics in Agriculture …..133
6.8. Space Technology in Agriculture …..134
6.9. Advantages and Challenges in the Spread of E-Technology …..135
7. FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES …..137 – 145
7.1. Food Processing Industries …..137
7.2. Supply Chain of the Food Processing Sector …..138
7.3. Potential of FPI in India …..139
7.4. Government Initiatives …..141
7.5. Way Ahead …..145
8. AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT …..146 – 152
8.1. Agriculture Research Spending …..146
8.2. Agriculture Education …..146
8.3. GM Crops …..148
8.4. Nanotechnology in Agriculture …..150
8.5. National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) …..151
8.6. System of Rice Intensification (SRI) …..151
8.7. Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI) …..151
8.8. National Innovation on Climate Reselient Agriculture (NICRA) …..151
8.9. Krishi Kalyan Abhiyaan …..152
8.10. Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) …..152
9. ALLIED SECTORS …..153 – 162
9.1. Animal Husbandry …..153
9.2. Dairy …..157
9.3. Fisheries Sector …..160
9.4. Miscellaneous …..162
10. MISCELLANEOUS …..163 – 168
10.1. Seed Treaty …..163
10.2. Climate Change and Agriculture …..163