Union  Secretary, DAHD, Govt. of India visited DUVASU, Mathura

Consider the following statements about the Rashtriya Gokul Mission:

I. It is important for the upliftment of rural poor as majority of low producing indigenous animals are with small and marginal farmers and landless labourers.
II. It was initiated to promote indigenous cattle and buffalo rearing and conservation in a scientific and holistic manner.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. A. I only
2. B. II only
3. C. Both I and II
4. D. Neither I nor II

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.

1. A. 1 only
2. B. 2 and 3 only
3. C. 1 and 2 only
4. D. 1, 2 and 3

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:

1. A. 1, 2 and 5 only
2. B. 1, 3, and 4 and 5 only
3. C. 2, 3 and 6 only
4. D. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

Consider the following:

1. Areca nut
2. Barley
3. Coffee
4. Finger millet
5. Groundnut
6. Sesamum
7. Turmeric

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affair, has announced the Minimum Support Price for which of the above?

1. A. 1, 2, 3 and 7 only
2. B. 2, 4, 5 and 6 only
3. C. 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 only
4. D. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

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?

1. A. 1 and 2 Only
2. B. 2 and 3 Only
3. C. 1 and 3 Only
4. D. 1, 2 and 3

With reference to the history of India, the terms “kulyavapa” and “dronavapa” denote

1. A. measurement of land
2. B. coins of different monetary value
3. C. classification of urban land
4. D. religious rituals

In the context of food and nutritional security of India, enhancing the ‘Seed Replacement Rates’ of various crops helps in achieving the food production targets of the future. But what is/are the constraint/ constraints in its wider / greater implementation?
1. There is no National Seeds Policy in place.
2. There is no participation of private sector seed companies in the supply of quality vegetable seeds of vegetables and planting materials of horticultural crops.
3. There is a demand-supply gap regarding quality seeds in case of low value and high volume crops.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. A. 1 and 2
2. B. 3 only
3. C. 2 and 3
4. D. None

With reference to land reforms in independent India, which one of the following statements is correct?

1. A. The ceiling laws were aimed at family holdings and not individual holdings.
2. B. The major aim of land reforms was providing agricultural land to all the landless.
3. C. It resulted in cultivation of cash crops as a predominant form of cultivation.
4. D. Land reforms permitted no exemptions to the ceiling limits.

Which one of the following is the correct description of "100 Million Farmers"?

1. A. It is a platform for accelerating the transition towards food and water systems that are net-zero (carbon), nature-positive and that aims to increase farmer resilience.
2. B. It is an international alliance and a network of individuals and farming organisations interested in supporting and strengthening the development of the organic animal husbandry.
3. C. It is a digital platform fully integrated with service providers and built on blockchain that lets buyers, sellers and third parties trade fertilizers quickly and securely.
4. D. It is a platform with the mission of encouraging the farmers to form Farmer Product Organisations or Agribusiness Consortiums, thus facilitating the access to global open markets to sell their products.

Consider the following statements:
1. India has more arable area than China.
2. The proportion of irrigated area is more in India as compared to China.
3. The average productivity per hectare in Indian agriculture is higher than that in China.

How many of the above statements are correct?

1. A. Only one
2. B. Only two
3. C. All three
4. D. None

Does tribal development in India centre around two axes, those of displacement and of rehabilitation? Give your opinion.

Why is maritime security vital to protect India’s sea trade? Discuss maritime and coastal security challenges and the way forward.

Achieving sustainable growth with emphasis on environmental protection could come into conflict with poor people’s needs in a country like India – Comment.

How do you account for the growing fast food industries given that there are increased health concerns in modern society? Illustrate your answer with the Indian experience.

Discuss the distribution and density of population in the Ganga River Basin with special reference to land, soil and water resources.

"In contemporary development models, decision-making and problem-solving responsibilities are not located close to the source of information and execution defeating the objectives of development." Critically evaluate.

With reference to the Goat Semen Freezing Facility mentioned in the article, which of the following best describes its primary role?

1. A. Providing advanced diagnostic services for goat diseases.
2. B. Enhancing genetic improvement and conservation of superior goat germplasm.
3. C. Developing new feed formulations for increased goat milk production.
4. D. Facilitating the export of goat meat products to international markets.

The 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, under which a tree plantation drive was conducted during the Secretary's visit, is highlighted in the article as symbolizing:

1. A. Promotion of indigenous cattle breeds.
2. B. Dedication towards ecological conservation alongside agricultural development.
3. C. Efforts to increase fodder production for livestock.
4. D. Strengthening international collaborations in veterinary science.

According to the Secretary of DAHD, strengthening veterinary infrastructure across the country critically needs focus on which of the following aspects? 1. Modern clinical facilities 2. Diagnostic laboratories 3. Advanced breeding systems 4. Technology-enabled animal health services Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. A. 1 and 2 only
2. B. 2, 3 and 4 only
3. C. 1, 3 and 4 only
4. D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

"Advanced breeding systems and technology-enabled animal health services play a pivotal role in supporting livestock productivity, disease control, rural prosperity, and ensuring food and nutritional security." In light of this statement, discuss the significance of technological interventions in India's animal husbandry sector and the challenges in their widespread adoption.

Introduce the role of technology in animal husbandry, elaborate on its significance for productivity, disease control, and socio-economic benefits, and then analyze the challenges in implementation and adoption across the country.

The Secretary of DAHD emphasized the critical need for strengthening veterinary infrastructure and urged the research community to focus on practical, field-oriented solutions. Examine how a robust veterinary infrastructure and farmer-centric research can contribute to inclusive growth and sustainable development in India's rural economy.

Define robust veterinary infrastructure and farmer-centric research, explain their direct and indirect contributions to inclusive growth and sustainable development, and conclude with policy implications for the rural economy.