ICAR – Indian Council of Agricultural Research

Source:  NIE Context: The 97th Foundation Day of ICAR was celebrated in New Delhi, where Union Agriculture Minister addressed scientists and farmers. About ICAR – Indian Council of Agricultural Research: What is ICAR? The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is an autonomous apex body under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, responsible for …

What are the major barriers preventing rural youth from taking up agriculture? Assess the consequences of this for global food systems. Suggest policy measures to make agriculture more attractive and viable for youth.

Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment Q5. What are the major barriers preventing rural youth from taking up agriculture? Assess the consequences of this for global food systems. Suggest policy measures to make agriculture more attractive and viable for youth. (15 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: …

Examine the role of adaptive farming measures in mitigating the impact of climate change on staple crop yields. What are the limitations of such approaches, and how can India’s agricultural policy evolve?

Topic: Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country Q5. Examine the role of adaptive farming measures in mitigating the impact of climate change on staple crop yields. What are the limitations of such approaches, and how can India’s agricultural policy evolve? (15 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: TH Why the question: For …

Analyse how India’s ethanol blending programme is altering cropping patterns. Examine the consequences for small and marginal farmers.

Topic: Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country Q5. Analyse how India’s ethanol blending programme is altering cropping patterns. Examine the consequences for small and marginal farmers. (10 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: DTE Why the question: India’s ethanol blending programme has rapidly expanded in recent years, triggering significant changes in cropping …

“India’s rising import bill in pulses and edible oils reflects a deeper crisis in crop diversification and farm income sustainability”. Evaluate the underlying structural factors contributing to this crisis. Discuss the major policy deficiencies that have aggravated the situation. Suggest sustainable solutions.

Topic: Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country Q5. “India’s rising import bill in pulses and edible oils reflects a deeper crisis in crop diversification and farm income sustainability”. Evaluate the underlying structural factors contributing to this crisis. Discuss the major policy deficiencies that have aggravated the situation. Suggest sustainable solutions. (15 …

Why is dependence on a few major crops problematic for global agricultural systems? Analyse the role of policy and market forces in driving this trend.

Topic: Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country Q6. Why is dependence on a few major crops problematic for global agricultural systems? Analyse the role of policy and market forces in driving this trend. (10 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: DTE Why the question: The FAO’s 2025 report highlights a concerning global …

Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

Source:  DTE Context: The 20th meeting of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA-20) has commenced in Rome, where global leaders will discuss strategies for conserving plant and forest genetic resources and release two major global reports. About Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA): What it is: A permanent …

Green Revolution

Syllabus: Agriculture Source:  DTE  Context: The term ‘Green Revolution’, coined 57 years ago, transformed global agriculture and secured India’s food self-sufficiency. What is the Green Revolution? A scientific and policy-driven agricultural movement launched in the 1960s to increase food production through High-Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds, mechanization, and chemical inputs. Coined by: William S. Gaud in …

UPSC Editorial Analysis: Demand for Legalising MSP

General Studies-3; Topic: 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;    Introduction The renewed farmers’ agitation at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana, has reignited the debate on the necessity of a legal guarantee for Minimum …

The Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty

Source:  IE Context: The Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty was launched at the G20 Summit 2024 in Rio de Janeiro under Brazil’s presidency. It aims to address the urgent global challenges of hunger and poverty exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disparities, conflicts, and climate change. About Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty: Launch: …

Agrivoltaic farming

Source:   News on Air Context: The Seventh Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) concluded in New Delhi, highlighting sustainable energy and agrivoltaic farming a practice that combines agriculture with solar energy generation on the same land. About Agrivoltaic Farming: Definition: Agrivoltaic farming is the simultaneous use of land for agriculture and solar energy generation, …

Odisha’s Transformation in Food Security

Content for Mains Enrichment   Source: TH Context: The article discusses Odisha’s successful transformation in addressing food security and climate resilience, offering a potential model for other regions facing the challenges of the global climate crisis.   Odisha’s journey:  Agricultural Transformation: Over the past two decades, Odisha has shifted from importing rice to becoming a …

Global Report on the Food Crises (GRFC) 2023 and Global Parliamentary Pact

GS Paper 2  Syllabus: Government policies and interventions   Source: TH  Context: The Global Report on the Food Crises (GRFC) 2023 released recently estimated that between 691 million and 783 million people in the world suffered from hunger in 2022 ( showing levels far higher than pre-pandemic 2019)   Read the description of GRFC: Here   What …

India’s push for millets

GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Indian Agriculture/ Nutritional Security   Source: Indian Express Direction: Millet and its promotion is an important part of the government’s agenda and therefore becomes important for UPSC exams   Context: At India’s led initiative for the UN’s International Year of Millets 2023, India has called “Covid, conflict, and climate” the world’s …