UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 9)

You can send your queries at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com or join Telegram: The Indian Express UPSC Hub or ask me Live! 

QUESTION 1

Discuss the role of technologies that can help in sustainable farming.

QUESTION 2

How is Central Bank Digital Currency different from cryptocurrency? Discuss the need for introducing an e-rupee.

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.

— Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer.

— Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required.

Way forward/ Conclusion

— The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction.

— You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers.

Self Evaluation

— It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers.

THOUGHT PROCESS

You may enrich your answers by some of the following points

QUESTION 1: Discuss the role of technologies that can help in sustainable farming.

Introduction:

A simple introduction to this answer can revolve around a general statement about sustainable farming.

— Agriculture, with its allied sectors, is the largest livelihood provider in India. It also contributes a significant figure to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

— On the other hand, Sustainable farming is a method that considers the long-term health of the soil, environment and community. It is critical to meet the demands of rising food while protecting natural resources.

(Source: http://www.india.gov.in)

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

Role of Technology in Sustainable Farming

Precision Farming

— It involves sensors, GPS mapping and data to monitor and optimise crop performance.

— It reduces the use of fertilisers and pesticides. It improves yields and water management.

— In India, the adoption depends on various factors such as the availability of technology, agricultural practice and the policies of the government.

Vertical Farming

— In his type of farming, crop cultivation takes place in stacked layers usually under controlled conditions.

— It can increase local food production while reducing water consumption which will be beneficial for Indian urban agriculture.

— This method can reduce the need for pesticides and herbicides. This will also reduce the transportation costs.

Hydroponics

— It allows for efficient water and nutrient use. It reduces the dependence on the traditional agricultural practices.

— It involves growing plants in nutrient-rich water without soil. This approach increases yields and allows for year-round crop production.

Agroforestry

— It is a land-use integrated management system that combines trees and shrubs with crops and livestock to make productive and sustainable farming.

— There are various benefits of this approach including soil conservation, biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration.

Renewable Energy

— These technologies such as solar power and wind power can be used to operate power farming. It will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels.

Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

— It can help to reduce labour costs, and reduce in use of fertilisers and pesticides.

Note: You may cite an example of AI for Agriculture Innovation (AI4AI) which aims to transform the agriculture sector in India by promoting the use of AI and other emerging technologies.

(Source: UPSC Essentials: One word a day- Agroforestry by Manas Srivastava, Precision farming needs to be promoted to get more output with less exploitation of natural resources by Ashok Gulati)

Conclusion:

Your conclusion should be short.

— Farmers can develop sustainable farming systems that promote social, economic, and environmental sustainability by adopting advanced technologies.

— Most of the crops are grown without the use of pesticides, which leads to a positive contribution towards better public health as well over time; hence consumers can expect zero-pesticide produce, which is also healthy, fresh, and sustainable for the planet.

(Source: All you need to know about protected cultivation, or vertical farming)

Points to Ponder

Gaps in adopting sustainable agriculture development

Climate Smart Agriculture

Green Agriculture

Dryland Farming

Related Previous Year Questions

How can the ‘Digital India’ programme help farmers to improve farm productivity and income? What steps has the Government taken in this regard? (2015)

QUESTION 2: How is Central Bank Digital Currency different from cryptocurrency? Discuss the need for introducing e-rupee.

Introduction:

A simple introduction to this answer can revolve around a general statement about the digital currency launched by Reserve Bank of India and how is is different from cryptocurrencies.

— Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) is a digital legal tender issued by the RBI. It is the same as the fiat currency and is exchangeable one-to-one with the fiat currency. Only its form is different — it is not paper (or polymer) like physical cash.

— It is a fungible legal tender, for which holders need not have a bank account. CBDC will appear as a ‘liability’ (currency in circulation) on the RBI’s balance sheet.

— The CBDCs are backed by the RBI, and the e-rupee is not comparable to private virtual currencies like Bitcoin. The cryptocurrencies are not commodities or claims on commodities as they have no intrinsic value; claims that they are akin to gold seem opportunistic.

— The cryptocurrencies are not backed by the Central Banks and there is no issuer, they do not represent any person’s debt or liabilities.

(Source: How the e-rupee will work by George Mathew)

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

Need for e-rupee

— To reduce the operational costs in managing physical cash and bring efficiency in payment systems.

— To boost innovations in cross-border payments.

— To quell concerns over money laundering, terror financing and tax evasion with private cryptocurrencies.

Benefits

— CBDC has the potential to provide significant benefits such as reduced dependency on cash, higher seigniorage due to lower transaction costs, and reduced settlement risk.

— According to the RBI, it will reduce the cost of printing, transporting, storing and distributing currency.

CBDC can also enable more real-time and cost-effective globalization of payment systems.

— It will also enhance settlement efficiency and spur innovation in cross-border payments and offer the public the same uses as any private virtual currency without the risks associated with it.

— The digital rupee based on transparent and efficient technology will provide customers with continuous access to the payment system, whether wholesale or retail.

(Source: How the e-rupee will work by George Mathew)

Conclusion:

Your conclusion should be short.

— Central banks around the globe have been studying and working on digital versions of their currencies for retail use to avoid leaving digital payments to the private sector amid an accelerating decline in cash.

— The introduction of CBDC would also possibly lead to a more robust, efficient, trusted, regulated and legal tender-based payments option.

(Source: CBDC, the ‘digital rupee’ that RBI could introduce this year, and how it will help)

Points to Ponder

How can an individual use the e-rupee?

How is this different from other wallets?

Limitations in the adoption of CBDC

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 7)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 8)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 7)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 8)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 7)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 8)

Post your inputs and answers to points to ponder in the comment box below and engage with other aspirants too. All the best!

The UPSC Essentials Indian Express is now on Telegram- Indian Express UPSC Hub. Click here to join our YouTube channel and stay updated with the latest updates.