AIR 277 · CSE 2024 · GS3 · 57 pages

Srajit Kumar: GS3 answer copy

12 answers by Srajit Kumar, as written in the test. Each question opens a page with how other toppers answered it.

The questions

  1. Q3What is peri-urban agriculture? Discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with it. 4. Despite being one of the largest agricultural producers, India faces challenges in achieving self-sufficiency in pulses and oilseeds. Analyze the reasons and suggest measures to address these challenges.
  2. Q5Biomanufacturing and biofoundry are key to a green economy in India. Discuss their potential and the challenges associated with them.
  3. Q6Recently, India tested its first Reusable Launch Vehicle - Pushpak. Explain the principles behind RLV and its benefits for India's space commerce.
  4. Q7How can the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) help in reducing greenhouse gas emissions? Discuss the potential and challenges associated with its implementation in India. 8. Should heatwaves be declared a disaster under the National Disaster Management Act, 2005? Critically examine. 9. Discuss how a joint doctrine for cybersecurity would help in securing the fourth domain of warfare.
  5. Q10Border Security Force's jurisdiction has been increased to a uniform 50 km from borders on Pakistan and Bangladesh borders. Discuss the necessity of this move and the potential issues arising out of it.
  6. Q1212.
  7. Q13Discuss the implications of legalising Minimum Support Price (MSP) for agricultural crops in India. Suggest measures to make the current MSP procurement system more effective.
  8. Q1414.
  9. Q15Discuss the role of nanotechnology in enhancing food security and agricultural productivity. (b) Explain the potential applications of Quantum Dots in various sectors. (c) Examine the role and effectiveness of 'Protected Areas' in the preservation of biodiversity in India. Discuss the challenges involved.
  10. Q18India is home to 12 out of 15 most polluted cities of South Asia, with large amount of PM2.5 & PM10 and Ozone pollution.
  11. Q1919 & 20
  12. QWhat is the status of India's fiscal deficit? Discuss the factors responsible for it, its potential consequences, and suggest measures for fiscal consolidation. Also, examine the potential of capital investment in the Indian economy and the challenges faced in this regard.

The answers

Question 3 · 358 words written

What is peri-urban agriculture? Discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with it. 4. Despite being one of the largest agricultural producers, India faces challenges in achieving self-sufficiency in pulses and oilseeds. Analyze the reasons and suggest measures to address these challenges.

Opening · a definition

None written.

Body · points

3. Peri-urban agriculture

Peri-urban agriculture refers to agriculture just on the outskirts of cities.

Diagram
[ ( Urban cities ) ] ( ( Peri-urban area ) )

I. Opportunities for peri-urban agriculture

  1. Readymade market in cities for fresh & organic food produce.
  2. Logistic support is good, since food transport over short distance.
  3. Commercial farming: can be taken up due to proximity to customers.
  4. Increase farmer's income: by high value horticulture crops.
  5. Rationalised use of fertilisers, pesticides.
  6. Utilize expertise from cities, and modern techniques.
  7. Easy credit availability: due to banks & financial institutions.

II. Challenges

  1. Lack of expertise: in farmers to grow organic crops.
  2. Small land holding size: reduces the incentives for commercial farming. ↳ Agriculture Census 2015-16: 84% of land holdings are less than 1.08 ha.
  3. Climate change and Urban heat island effect: makes crops prone to failure.
  4. Lack of demand from smaller Tier-3 cities reduces the incentives.

Organic farming would help double farmers income, making food more healthy & safe for people.

4. Self-sufficiency in pulses and oilseeds

Agriculture sector in India is centered around rice-wheat. Out of 328 m.t. produce, almost 83% is rice & wheat in 2023-24.

I. Challenges for self-sufficiency in pulses & oilseeds

  1. Rice-wheat agriculture due to high MSP & subsidies.
  2. Lack of awareness in farmers about other high value crops.
  3. Lack of productivity: due to less research in oilseeds & pulses.
  4. Prone to losses: due to crop failures.
  5. Lack of formal credit access for non-rice & wheat crops.
  6. Lack of food processing industry: only 6% of perishable goods are processed.
  7. Open procurement of rice & wheat makes it safer option.
  8. Competition from imports ↳ India is largest importer of both pulses & oil seeds.

II. Measures to address

  1. Provide training, credit & investment infrastructure to farmers.
  2. Reduce subsidies on fertiliser & irrigation to disincentivise rice & wheat.
  3. Increase MSP on pulses & oilseeds.
  4. Pulses to be part of PDS to improve nutritional security.
  5. Focus on research & development to increase productivity.

Close · a way forward

India should focus on higher value crops to reduce import burden & ensure no "Hidden Hunger" in population.