Agricultural Contingency Planning
Agriculture
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
Essential for ensuring food security, protecting farmer livelihoods, and promoting sustainable agriculture in the face of increasing climate variability and extreme weather events. It reflects the government's proactive approach to disaster management in agriculture.
Agricultural contingency planning involves developing proactive, region-specific strategies to mitigate the adverse impacts of climatic shocks, such as droughts or floods, on crop production and livestock, thereby enhancing the resilience of the agricultural sector.
Facts & tables
- District-Specific Plans
- Involves district-specific plans prepared by institutions like ICAR, tailored to local conditions.
- Crop Management
- Focuses on measures like suitable alternative crops, crop diversification, and optimum use of available water resources.
- Water Conservation
- Integrates water conservation and harvesting works, often linked with rural development programs like MGNREGA.
- Livestock Fodder
- Includes advance planning for fodder supply chains and alternative fodder sources to prevent livestock disruptions.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Agricultural Policies & Supply Chains |
| Conceptual area | Welfare Schemes & Social Policies |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) | Prepares district contingency plans |
| Union Agriculture Ministry | Oversees and coordinates implementation |
| Ministry of Rural Development (via MGNREGA) | Implements water conservation works |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Factual recall
Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding
- Proactive strategy for climate shocks (drought, floods).
- District-specific plans by ICAR.
- Measures: alternative crops, diversification, water use efficiency.
- Links with MGNREGA for water conservation.
- Includes fodder management for livestock.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
| 2021 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2020 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2020 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2020 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2016 | Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures |
| 2015 | Factual recall, Conceptual understanding |
| 2014 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
Timeline
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Agricultural Policies & Supply Chains
Conceptual area
-
Welfare Schemes & Social Policies
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2014
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2015
Factual recall, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2016
Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures
-
Prelims 2020
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2020
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2020
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2021
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2023
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
El Nino effect: Centre says 111 districts with ‘poor irrigation facilities’ are a concern
Agricultural contingency planning involves developing district-specific strategies, including alternative crops, water conservation, and fodder management, to proactively mitigate the impacts of climatic shocks like drought on farming and livestock.
See also
Past papers
2014–2023 · 8 questions
In the news
El Nino effect: Centre says 111 districts with ‘poor irrigation facilities’ are a concern
Agricultural contingency planning involves developing district-specific strategies, including alternative crops, water conservation, and fodder management, to proactively mitigate the impacts of climatic shocks like drought on farming and livestock.
Try these PYQs
Consider the following statements:
1. The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme was launched during 1996-97 to provide loan assistance to poor farmers.
2. The Command Area Development Programme was launched in 1974-75 for the development of water-use efficiency.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) was indeed launched during 1996-97, but its objective was to provide central assistance to states to accelerate the pace of irrigation development, not specifically to provide loan assistance to poor farmers. Statement 2 is correct: The Command Area Development Programme (CADP) was launched in 1974-75, its primary focus was on improving the water-use efficiency and agricultural productivity in the command areas of major and medium irrigation projects.
In the context of India’s preparation for Climate-smart Agriculture, consider the following statements:
1. The ‘Climate-Smart Village’ approach in India is a part of a project led by the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research programme.
2. The project of CCAFS is carried out under Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) headquartered in France.
3. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR’s research centres.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Statement 1 is correct. The Climate-Smart Village (CSV) approach is an initiative under the CCAFS program, which focuses on improving climate resilience in agriculture through research and innovation. CCAFS operates in multiple countries, including India, and works on sustainable farming practices, resource efficiency, and climate adaptation strategies in rural areas. Statement 2 is correct. CCAFS is a global research initiative under the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), which is a network of international agricultural research organizations. However, CGIAR’s global headquarters is in Montpellier, France, making the statement factually accurate. Statement 3 is correct. ICRISAT, based in Hyderabad, India, is a major research institute focusing on improving dryland agriculture. It is indeed one of the CGIAR’s 15 global research centers, working on climate resilience, crop improvement, and food security in semi-arid regions.
In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture?
1. Fixing Minimum Support Price for agricultural produce of all crops
2. Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies
3. Social Capital development
4. Free electricity supply to farmers
5. Waiver of agricultural loans by the banking system
6. Setting up of cold storage facilities by the governments
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Public investment in agriculture refers to government expenditures aimed at improving the agricultural sector, including infrastructure development, technological improvements, and providing institutional support. Statement 1 is incorrect: Fixing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a policy decision, not an investment. While it affects the agricultural sector, it is not a direct public investment in terms of capital expenditure. Statement 2 is correct: The computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) is a public investment because it involves government funds directed towards modernizing agricultural credit systems, enhancing efficiency, and accessibility for farmers. Statement 3 is correct: Social Capital development is a public investment in agriculture, as it involves building networks and community-based resources that help farmers improve productivity and access to resources. Statement 4 is incorrect: Free electricity supply is more of a subsidy, not a direct public investment in the form of capital expenditure. Statement 5 is incorrect: Waiver of agricultural loans is a policy measure aimed at alleviating farmer debt but does not qualify as an investment in infrastructure or capital. Statement 6 is correct: The setting up of cold storage facilities by the government is a direct public investment aimed at improving agricultural infrastructure and reducing post-harvest losses. Hence, option C is the correct answer.
With reference to ‘Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion’, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. This initiative aims to demonstrate the improved production and post-harvest technologies and to demonstrate value addition techniques, in an integrated manner, with a cluster approach.
2. Poor, small, marginal and tribal farmers have a larger stake in this scheme.
3. An important objective of the scheme is to encourage farmers of commercial crops to shift to millet cultivation by offering them free kits of critical inputs of nutrients and micro-irrigation equipment.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Statement 1 is correct. The Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion aims to demonstrate improved production and post-harvest technologies in an integrated manner with a cluster approach. Statement 2 is also correct. Millets are mainly grown in regions of low annual rainfall and poor arid soil. It is inadequate, small, marginal and tribal farmers, who cannot afford costly irrigation practices, depend on the cultivation of millets. Hence these farmers benefit from the scheme and have a larger stake in this scheme. Statement 3 is not correct. There is no such provision to encourage commercial crop farmers to shift to millet cultivation.
What are the advantages of fertigation in agriculture?
1. Controlling the alkalinity of irrigation water is possible.
2. Efficient application of Rock Phosphate and all other phosphatic fertilizers is possible.
3. Increased availability of nutrients to plants is possible.
4. Reduction in the leaching of chemical nutrients is possible.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Statement 1 is correct: Fertigation is a method of delivering fertilizers to crops through an irrigation system. It involves the precise application of water-soluble or liquid fertilizers directly to the root zone of plants during the irrigation process. This technique allows for the controlled release of nutrients, ensuring that plants receive the right amount at the right time.
Fertigation allows for the control of the pH of the irrigation water, which can be adjusted to the optimal level for nutrient absorption by the plants. Statement 2 is incorrect: While fertigation does allow for the efficient application of many types of fertilizers, rock phosphate is not water-soluble and therefore cannot be applied efficiently through fertigation. Statement 3 is correct: Because fertigation delivers nutrients directly to the root zone of plants, it increases the availability of nutrients to the plants. Statement 4 is correct: Fertigation allows for the precise application of nutrients, which reduces the risk of nutrient leaching. Therefore, options 1, 3, and 4 are correct.
Show 3 more PYQs
Consider the following statements:
1. 36% of India’s districts are classified as “overexploited” or critical” by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA).
2. CGWA was formed under the Environment (Protection) Act.
3. India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect: As per the report National Compilation on Dynamic Groundwater Resources of India, 2017 of CGWA, out of the total 6881 assessment units (Blocks/Mandals/ Talukas) in the country, 1186 units in various States (17%) have been categorized as Over-Exploited, 313 units (5%) as Critical, and 972 units (14%) as Semi-Critical. Statement 2 is correct: The CGWA was established in 1997 under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate and manage groundwater resources. Statement 3 is correct: India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world. This is due to the country's heavy reliance on agriculture, which is predominantly rain-fed. Therefore, the correct answer is B. 2 and 3 only.
Programme/ Project Ministry
1. Drought-Prone Area Programme: Ministry of Agriculture
2. Desert Development Programme: Ministry of Environment and Forests
3. National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas: Ministry of Rural Development
Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Pair 1 is not correct: The drought prone area programme comes under Ministry of Rural Development. This programme aims to mitigate the impacts of droughts on crop production, livestock, land and water resources. Pair 2 is not correct: The Desert Development Programme comes under Ministry of Rural Development. The basic objective of the Desert Development Programme is to minimise negative effect of drought and control desertification. Pair 3 is not correct: The national watershed project for rainfed areas implemented by Ministry of Agriculture is an umbrella scheme under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana.
Consider the following statements :
Statement-I : According to the United Nation's 'World Water Development Report, 2022', India extracts more than a quarter of the world's groundwater withdrawal each year.
Statement-II :India needs to extract more than a quarter of the world's groundwater each year to satisfy the drinking water and sanitation needs of almost 18% of world's population living in its territory.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
* Statement 1 is correct. According to the United Nations World Water Development Report 2022, with an estimated 251 km3 annual withdrawal from an estimated 20 million wells and tube wells, India is the world's greatest groundwater user. This accounts for more than a quarter of the total groundwater extracted internationally. * Statement 2 is incorrect. India uses about 89% of this groundwater for irrigation. Major share of total groundwater extracted by India is utilised for irrigation purposes and not for drinking and sanitation purposes.