Japonica Rice

Source:  TH Context: Scientists at the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR) have used CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing to enhance phosphate uptake in japonica rice, leading to a 20–40% increase in yield under controlled phosphate use. About Japonica Rice: What is Japonica Rice? Japonica rice is a short-grain, high-starch variety of rice primarily grown in East …

How does nitrogen fertiliser production contribute to global carbon emissions? Explain how plasma-based green fertilisers offer emission reductions.

Topic: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology Q6. How does nitrogen fertiliser production contribute to global carbon emissions? Explain how plasma-based green fertilisers offer emission reductions. (10 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: DTE Why the question: Recent innovations like NitroCapt’s plasma-based green fertiliser have triggered debate on decarbonising fertiliser production, …

Pollination is both a biological service and an economic input. Explain how pollinator decline challenges sustainable agriculture. Analyse the potential and risks of scaling up managed pollination services. Suggest ways to incentivise farmers to adopt pollinator-supportive practices.

Topic: Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, Q5. Pollination is both a biological service and an economic input. Explain how pollinator decline challenges sustainable agriculture. Analyse the potential and risks of scaling up managed pollination services. Suggest ways to incentivise farmers to adopt pollinator-supportive practices. (15 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: …

What is meant by a Micro Green Revolution in agriculture? How does it differ from the original Green Revolution in terms of input use, sustainability, and long-term viability? Examine its feasibility in the Indian context.

Topic: Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country. Q5. What is meant by a Micro Green Revolution in agriculture? How does it differ from the original Green Revolution in terms of input use, sustainability, and long-term viability? Examine its feasibility in the Indian context. (15 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: DTE Why …

How has the prolonged use of GM crops in India contributed to a rebound in pesticide dependence? Analyse the role of pest resistance and monoculture cropping. Propose structural shifts in pest management strategies.

Topic: Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country Q6. How has the prolonged use of GM crops in India contributed to a rebound in pesticide dependence? Analyse the role of pest resistance and monoculture cropping. Propose structural shifts in pest management strategies. (15 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: DTE Why the question …

UPSC Editorial Analysis: Monitoring of Pesticide Residues in Food

General Studies-2; Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.   Introduction The call by Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare for a nationwide strategy to monitor pesticide residues in food is of immense significance in the context of public health and food safety in India. Contamination …

UPSC Editorial Analysis: Optimizing Maize Fodder Production with Water-Soluble Fertilisers

General Studies-3 Topics: Major crops and cropping patterns, irrigation systems, agricultural marketing challenges, and e-technology in farming.   Introduction Water-soluble fertilisers (WSFs) have emerged as a crucial innovation in modern agriculture, significantly improving fertiliser efficiency, maintaining soil health, and enhancing maize fodder yield. Unlike traditional fertilisers, which often result in uneven nutrient distribution and environmental …

Contract Farming

Context: India has transitioned from being an importer to a major exporter of frozen French Fries (FF), with exports exceeding domestic consumption due to contract farming. About Contract Farming: What is Contract Farming? Contract farming involves agreements between farmers and buyers (companies, exporters, etc.) where the farmer commits to producing specific crops in exchange for …

Women Empowerment Through Organic Farming

Anecdote: In West Bengal’s Jhargram district, women like Panchabati Baske have not only embraced organic farming but also defied entrenched patriarchal norms. By cultivating indigenous varieties of paddy through the Aamon farmer producer company, these women have gained economic independence, social recognition, and the confidence to challenge societal stereotypes. From riding bicycles to attending rural …

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 10 December 2024

  UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 10 December 2024 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles   InstaLinks :  Insta Links help you think beyond the  current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. …

Soil

Syllabus: Agriculture Source:  IE  Context: The 10th World Soil Day, themed “Caring for Soils – Measure, Monitor, and Manage,” highlighted soil health’s critical role in food production. Present Status of Soil in India: Factors Impacting Soil: Water Erosion: Heavy rainfall and poor land management practices result in topsoil loss in over 94 million hectares. Wind …

Land Degradation

Syllabus: Environment Source:  IE  Context: Land degradation is undermining Earth’s capacity to sustain humanity, and failure to reverse it will pose challenges for generations to come, a new United Nations report found. What is Land Degradation? Land degradation refers to the decline in the biological, economic, and ecological productivity of land due to unsustainable practices, …

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, …

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 October 2024

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 October 2024 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles   InstaLinks :  Insta Links help you think beyond the  current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. These …

Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)

Source:  IE Context: The Union Government has decided to expand the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) by incorporating advanced agricultural techniques like hydroponics, aquaponics, vertical farming, and precision agriculture. This move aims to modernize horticulture practices, increase productivity, and address requests from various states for updated cost norms and guidelines. About Mission for …

Indian Thali in Global Spotlight for Sustainability

Syllabus: Agriculture, Sustainable development Source:  PIB  Context: The WWF’s 2024 Living Planet Report highlights India’s food practices as a model of sustainability. Remarkably, if the world adopted India’s consumption habits, we would only need 0.84 of an Earth by 2050 to sustain global food production. Key highlights of Global Food System: Biodiversity loss: The food …

Making agri-commodity value chains sustainable

GS Paper 3  Syllabus: Indian Agriculture   Source: TH   Context: The article highlights the challenges associated with making agricultural commodity value chains sustainable. It identifies four dimensions that make mitigating environmental impacts a difficult task     Meaning of agri-commodity value chains:  Agri-commodity value chains refer to the entire process of production, processing, distribution, …