UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 3 : Questions on neural networks and technological interventions in empowering women farmers in India (Week 94)

QUESTION 1

Explain the structure and functioning of artificial neural networks. Discuss their significance in the advancement of artificial intelligence.

QUESTION 2

Discuss the role of technological interventions in empowering women farmers in India. How do these technologies address challenges faced by women in agriculture, and what impact do they have on agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods?

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: Explain the structure and functioning of artificial neural networks. Discuss their significance in the advancement of artificial intelligence.

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— Neural networks, also known as artificial neural networks (ANNs), are a technique for training computers to process data. They are a subset of machine learning (ML) that mimics how the human brain functions.

— The origins of ANN may be traced back to the late 1950s, when psychologist Frank Rosenblatt developed an AI software called perceptron, which was essentially one of the first ANNs. The invention was motivated by the way neurones process information. Neurones are nerve cells that send and receive information, enabling humans to move their muscles, breathe, communicate, eat, and think, among other things.

Body:

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

How do neural networks work?

— Neural networks are just the extension of perceptrons. A typical neural network has three layers of artificial neurons which are called nodes.

— First, there is an inner layer that receives data. Then there is an inner or hidden layer that receives input from the input layer and further processes it.

— Finally, there is the output layer, which displays the results of all data processing by the neural network.

— Each node in this network, like those in the human brain, is connected to others and has its own weight and threshold. “If the output of any individual node exceeds the given threshold value, that node is activated and sends data to the next tier of the network. Otherwise, no data is transmitted to the next layer of the network,” according to an explanation provided by IBM on their website.

Significance of neural networks

— Neural networks enable AI systems to make judgements with minimal human intervention. This occurs because these networks can learn and simulate complicated links between input and output data.

— Neural networks assist AI applications in recognising similarities and differences in requests and taking appropriate responses.

— Neural networks require a large amount of data to train for a given purpose, such as data classification or prediction. Once a neural network has been fine-tuned for accuracy, it can be an extremely useful tool in computer science and AI.

Conclusion:

— Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) have grown in prominence in recent years and are used in a variety of applications, including image classification, sentiment analysis, speech recognition, and safety-critical applications like autonomous driving. However, they have disadvantages, such as a lack of explainability and resilience, which raises safety and security issues about their use.

(Source: What are neural networks and why are they significant? by Alind Chauhan)

Points to Ponder

What is machine learning?

What are perceptrons?

Related Previous Year Questions

Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does AI help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of AI in healthcare? (2023)

Describe the context and salient features of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. (2024)

QUESTION 2: Discuss the role of technological interventions in empowering women farmers in India. How do these technologies address challenges faced by women in agriculture, and what impact do they have on agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods?

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— In India, agriculture employs around 80% of rural women. Empowering and mainstreaming rural women’s labour in agriculture can result in a paradigm shift towards economic progress.

— It will improve food and nutrition security while reducing poverty and hunger. It’s a win-win plan for meeting the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

— National statistics show that India’s agri-food systems, which include agriculture, livestock rearing, agroforestry, and fisheries, rely substantially on women’s paid and unpaid labour. Women’s productivity, however, is hampered by institutions that limit their time, impose limitations on productive resources, restrict access to inputs and scientific information, and impair their decision-making abilities.

Body:

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

Challenges faced by women involved in agriculture

— Women have typically been allocated time-consuming and physically hard tasks such as manual weeding, threshing, de-hulling, and pulverising.

— Because of the rising presence of large purchasers and export traders in these harbours, small-scale female sellers have been suppressed as auctioneers and fish vendors.

— Women are frequently assigned activities that are labour-intensive, low-paying, and invisible. According to evidence, the majority of technological innovations in the sector have concentrated solely on improving men’s job efficiency and production.

Measures taken by the Government for upliftment of women in the agriculture

— The Centrally Sponsored Scheme Support to States Extension Programme for Extension Reforms addresses gender concerns in agriculture by guaranteeing that at least 30% of resources are allocated to projects and activities for women farmers and extension officials.

— Under the Sub Mission on Seed and Planting Material (SMSP), training is offered through the Scheme Seed Village Programme and Quality Control Arrangement of Seeds, both of which assist women farmers equally. State governments are also encouraged to provide appropriate funding to female farmers.

— The National Food Security Mission (NFSM), which is being implemented in 28 states, has allocated 30% of the funds to women farmers.

— Under the National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP), 30% of the budget is set aside for women beneficiaries/farmers.

— The National Horticulture Mission organises women into Self Help Groups and provides farm inputs, technological and extended support to help them become self-sufficient.

Conclusion:

— India is celebrating and remembering the progressive 75th anniversary of its independence with the ‘Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ and promoting the mission of empowering women as “Empowered Women- Empowered Nation”.

— In India, changes are being pushed for the holistic development of women, enabling socioeconomic and health security. Since independence, various government flagship projects and programmes have been launched to promote rural women’s status in society by establishing economic possibilities and engaging them in paid jobs.

(Source: Technologies that give women a say on farms, http://www.niti.gov.in, pib.gov.in)

Points to Ponder

Initiatives for women empowerment in agriculture and allied sectors

Read about National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm, National Food Security Mission, and Sub Mission on Seed and Planting Material

Related Previous Year Questions

What are the salient features of the National Food Security Act, 2013? How has the Food Security Bill helped in eliminating hunger and malnutrition in India? (2021)

How does e-Technology help farmers in production and marketing of agricultural produce? Explain it. (2023)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 92)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 93)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 92)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 93)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 93)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 92)

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