UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 3 : Questions on Agriculture and pink bollworm (Week 69)

General points on the structure of the answers

Introduction

— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.

— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.

Body

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.

— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.

QUESTION 1: Analyse the impact of the pink bollworm infestation on cotton farmers in India. What measures have been proposed or implemented to address the infestation?

Introduction:

— The pink bollworm (PBW), known among farmers as gulabi sundhi, damages the cotton crop by burrowing its larvae into the cotton bolls which results in the lint being cut and stained, making it unfit for use.

— The PBW first appeared in North India during the 2017-18 season, in a few locations of Haryana and Punjab, primarily cultivating Bt cotton. By 2021, the pest began to cause considerable damage in several districts in Punjab.

— The Punjab Agricultural Department reported that around 54 per cent of the area under cotton production experienced varying degrees of PBW infestation in 2021. Since 2021, the frequency of PBW attacks in the three aforementioned states has increased annually.

Body:

Impact of the pink bollworm infestation on cotton

— Flower buds shed after being infested.

— Flower infestation resulted in the creation of rosette flowers.

— Lint formation is reduced, seeds are destroyed, and the lint is weakened.

— Infested bolls open early, allowing saprophytic fungi to develop on them.

— Sowing with seeds reduces germination.

Preventive measures

— There are two primary techniques to prevent PBW outbreaks — both rely on disrupting the insects’ mating process

(i) “Gold Standard” of crop protection: It is environmentally friendly and considered the “gold standard” of crop protection in the West, involving the application of a specific paste to the stems of cotton plants near the shoots. This paste emits synthetic pheromones, which attract male insects. However, because of the extensive availability of these pheromones, the males are unable to locate the female. This disturbs the mating process, reducing the PBW population.

(ii) PBKnot Technology: Thread knots with pheromone dispensers are deliberately put in cotton fields to confuse male moths and keep them from finding females. This dispenser must be linked to cotton plants when they are 45-50 days old.

Conclusion:

— In India, cotton is grown in three distinct agro-ecological zones, viz., Northern (Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan), Central (Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh) and Southern zone (Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka).

— There is a significant lack of awareness and training among farmers about using the aforementioned preventive techniques. Intensive training programs and awareness campaigns are necessary to ensure farmers understand and trust the new technology.

(Source: Scourge of the pink bollworm, and why cotton farmers struggle to deal with it by Anju Agnihotri Chaba, ppqs.gov.in)

Points to Ponder

Economic and environmental consequences of pink bollworm

MSP of cotton

What is the nature of damage caused by the pink bollworm

Related Previous Year Questions

How do subsidies affect the cropping pattern, crop diversity and economy of farmers? What is the significance of crop insurance, minimum support price and food processing for small and marginal farmers? (2017)

What are the major reasons for declining rice and wheat yield in the cropping system? How crop diversification is helpful to stabilise the yield of the crops in the system? (2017)

QUESTION 2: The agriculture sector can be a power source for India’s growth. Discuss.

Introduction:

— Agriculture, together with its linked sectors, is without a doubt the major source of income in India, especially in the vast rural areas. It also makes a substantial contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP).

— Sustainable agriculture, including food security, rural employment, and environmentally friendly methods like soil conservation, sustainable natural resource management, and biodiversity protection, is critical for comprehensive rural development.

Body:

— For agriculture to be an engine of growth and attractive to youth, there is a need to overcome ecological, technological, and institutional challenges; reconnect with allied sectors; and create synergy with rural non-farm sectors.

— Ecological: We must rejuvenate our water and soils while addressing climate change. Irrigation is the key to increased productivity and drought resilience. Currently, only half of India’s total cultivated land is irrigated, primarily with groundwater, whose over-extraction has resulted in significant drops in water levels.

— Irrigation expansion: A combination of groundwater management, rainwater gathering, and micro-irrigation might be beneficial. Agriculture in Gujarat, for example, developed at a rate of 9.6 percent every year between 1999 and 2009, thanks to widespread rainwater gathering via microstructures. Over the course of 10-15 years, Gujarat created 0.5 million microstructures such as check dams, bunds and ponds, resulting in significant production benefits. Rainwater catchments provide surface irrigation while also recharging groundwater.

— Efficiency in water use: It is critical for solutions ranging from drip irrigation to less water-intensive crops. A government review (NMMI, 2014) of 13 states indicated that micro-irrigation (particularly drip) lowered irrigation costs and fertiliser consumption while increasing average fruit and vegetable yields by 48 and 52 per cent, respectively, and farmers’ incomes by 48 per cent. So yet, fewer than 10 per cent of our crop area has been micro irrigated.

— Soil: Waterlogging, soil salinity, chemical contamination, and nutrient depletion are all problems that affect around 37% of our geo-area. Technologically, we must transition from cereal monocultures to crop diversification and agro-ecological farming. This would rejuvenate soils, reduce costs, enhance yields, create jobs, and boost profitability. A variety of food, including chicken, fruits, and vegetables, will cater to changing dietary patterns.

— Technology: It is also critical in combating climate change, particularly heat-resistant crops and the effective implementation of new farming techniques. A 2019 study published in Science indicated that agricultural information delivered by cell phones enhanced yields by 4% and the likelihood of adopting suggested inputs by 22% in India and Sub-Saharan Africa. Drones provide new options for pest control and agricultural monitoring.

— Institutional innovation: Today, 86 per cent of our farmers cultivate two hectares or less, occupying 47 per cent of the operated area. Most farms are too small to tap scale economies, use machines efficiently, or bargain well in markets. Some 75-80 per cent use informal credit. Farm incomes are low and erratic. Higher crop prices and market reforms can benefit smallholders if we first address their production constraints.

Conclusion:

— Group farms allow them to consolidate holdings, invest in irrigation equipment, and reduce labour and input expenses. Group farming produces larger yields than farming alone. Federated arrangements have reinforced group farms, allowed them to implement climate resilience measures, and some have formed farmer-producer groups for commercial purposes.

— Livestock, fisheries, and woods provide significant growth and job opportunities. In 2022-23, fisheries rose by 10%, creating 28 million employment (44% of which were held by women).

— Since the nonfarm sector accounts for 61% of rural income, developing and synergising farm-nonfarm connections in agro-processing, machine tools, eco-tourism, and other areas can boost incomes and create jobs.

(Source: How agriculture can be an engine for growth by Bina Agarwal)

Points to Ponder

What is sustainable agriculture?

What are different cropping patterns?

What are the different pests that attack the growth of cotton?

Related Previous Year Question

Explain various types of revolutions, took place in Agriculture after Independence in India. How have these revolutions helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India? (2017)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 67)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 68)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 68)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 67)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 67)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 68)

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