UPSC IFS 2018 Question Paper for Agriculture Paper - I

I.F.S. EXAM-(M) 2018
F.SFP-A-gRC

AGRICULTURE
Paper - I

Time Allowed: Three Hours Maximum Marks : 200

Question Paper Specific Instructions

Please read each of the following instructions carefully before attempting
questions:

There are EIGHT questions in all, out of which FIVE are to be attempted.

Questions no. 1 and 5 are compulsory. Out of the remaining SIX questions, THREE are to
be attempted selecting at least ONE question from each of the two Sections A and B.

Attempts of questions shall be counted in sequential order. Unless struck off, attempt of a
question shall be counted even if attempted partly. Any page or portion of the page left
blank in the Question-cum-Answer Booklet must be clearly struck off.

All questions carry equal marks. The number of marks carried by a question/part is
indicated against it.

Answers must be written in ENGLISH only.

FSP-P-A-4120 1

SECTION A

Ql. Answer the following in about 150 words each: 8x5=40
Enlist the agroclimatic zones of India and give their important cropping
patterns. 8
What is rainfed farming ? Discuss the technologies for stabilizing
agriculture production in rainfed areas. 8
Maintenance of soil health needs regular recycling of lignocellulolytic
materials to the soil. Justify. 8
What is multiple cropping? Give its significance in increasing the crop
production. 8
Discuss the effect of environmental factors on crop distribution and
production. 8
Q2. Answer the following in about 200 words each: 10x4=40
Discuss how the agroforestry system helps in improving the livelihood of
rural people. /0
Mention the principles of weed management and give their merits and
demerits. /0
Define runoff, give factors affecting it and explain soil loss equation
during water erosion. /0
Highlight the effects of environmental pollution on living beings. /0
Q3. Answer the following in about 200 words each: 10x4=40
Justify the importance of forms of nutrients, their concentrations and
ratios to other nutrients in soil for their uptake and crop growth. /0
Discuss how contingent crop planning helps in dryland agriculture. /0
Explain green-house effect and sources of their emission. /0
Describe aquatic weeds and their control management. /0
Q4. Answer the following in about 200 words each: 10x4=40
Discuss the major constraints in pulse production in India. /0
What is propagation ? Give advantages of micro-propagation with
reference to plantation plants. /0
What is soil genesis ? Discuss the role of factors of soil formation. /0
What soil and water conservation practices are required to be adopted
under hilly regions? /0

FSI-P-A-4720 2

SECTION B

Q5. Answer the following in about 150 words each: 8x5=40

Define and explain consumptive use of water, evapotranspiration and
water use efficiency. 8

Discuss the significance of advance farm planning for optimum use of
resources. 8

What is agricultural cooperative farming ? In what way is cooperative
farming helpful to small and marginal farmers? 8

(d) Describe agricultural price policy and instruments of price policy. 8

Discuss the role of farmers' participation in identifying needs of the area
for planning and development. 8

Q6. Answer the following in about 200 words each: 10x4=40

What are drip and sprinkler irrigation? Give their merits and demerits. 10

How does the principle of opportunity cost help farmers to decide what
to grow ? 10

Explain marketing of farm products and marketing functions. 10

What is programme planning? Explain its evaluation. 10

Q7. Answer the following in about 200 words each: 10x4=40

How is drainage important? Explain its types. 10

What is farm budgeting ? How is it important to farmers? 10

Give different approaches to study marketing and problems in
marketing of agricultural produce. 10

How do self-help groups help to provide economic empowerment to rural
women? 10

FS!-P-,4472,C 3

Q8. Answer the following in about 200 words each: 10x4=40

What is selective mechanization and progress of farm mechanization ?
Explain advantages and disadvantages of farm mechanization. /0

How is indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) useful to formulate the
future programmes? /0

Specify the criteria for time of irrigation. /0

Discuss the importance of farm management and its scope, with
characteristics. /0

FS/-P-.4472C