Agriculture & Food Management

Model Answer

Introduction
Agriculture in India is crucial for the livelihood of a large part of the population. However, the sector faces numerous challenges such as fragmented land holdings, climate change, labor shortages, and inefficient farming techniques. Technology can play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges and transforming Indian agriculture into a more efficient and sustainable system.

Biotechnology
Advancements in biotechnology, such as genetically engineered crops (e.g., BT Cotton), hybrid seeds, and tissue culture, have made crops more resilient, pest-resistant, and drought-tolerant. These innovations can increase crop yields and improve farmers’ ability to withstand environmental shocks.
Source: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

Precision Agriculture
Technologies like drip irrigation and sprinkler systems can significantly improve water use efficiency, particularly in areas facing groundwater depletion. Real-time weather forecasting, drones, and optical sensors help farmers make informed decisions about irrigation, fertilization, and pest control, leading to better productivity and resource management.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, India

Frontier Technologies
With over 80% of Indian land holdings being marginal, vertical farming and hydroponics are emerging as solutions that reduce land and water usage while enhancing crop quality and yield. Additionally, automated greenhouse systems using LED lighting and climate control can optimize plant growth in limited spaces.
Source: Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA)

Digitized Platforms
Platforms like e-NAM connect farmers directly with consumers, reducing intermediaries and boosting farmer incomes. Mobile apps also provide farmers with timely updates on government schemes, weather, and agricultural inputs, thus improving decision-making and efficiency in farming operations.
Source: National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGPA)

Smart Solutions and Farm Mechanization
Technologies like GPS-enabled tractors, drones, and robotics can alleviate labor shortages, increase productivity, and streamline farming operations. Additionally, cloud seeding technology helps address the issue of erratic rainfall, especially in drought-prone regions.
Source: Ministry of Rural Development, India

Conclusion
For technology to be effective in Indian agriculture, it must be adopted comprehensively by farmers and supported by structural reforms in the sector. By integrating technology with traditional farming practices, India can make agriculture more profitable, sustainable, and resilient to future challenges.

Model Answer

Definition of Urban Agriculture
Urban agriculture involves the cultivation of food and non-food products within urban and peri-urban spaces, which can include activities such as vertical farming, rooftop gardens, aquaponics, and urban beekeeping. Globally, urban agriculture contributes approximately 5-10% of legumes, vegetables, and tubers and up to 20% of all food supply, providing locally grown produce to city residents.

Benefits of Urban Agriculture

1. Health and Nutrition Benefits
   Urban agriculture reduces the supply chain by eliminating intermediaries, which helps maintain food nutrients and reduce food damage during transport. This local supply of fresh produce can reduce reliance on processed foods, potentially lowering the risk of lifestyle diseases related to poor diet. Source: FAO, Urban Agriculture Report 2021.
2. Economic Benefits
   By shortening the distance between farm and consumer, urban agriculture strengthens the resilience of the food supply chain and reduces dependency on factors like oil prices and agricultural imports. It also supports job creation through the establishment of urban farming businesses, providing employment opportunities within local communities. Source: World Bank, Agriculture in Cities Review.
3. Environmental Benefits
   Urban agriculture supports urban biodiversity, improves air quality, and can mitigate the urban heat island effect. It helps reduce carbon emissions by minimizing transportation needs and packaging. Additionally, green spaces in cities can act as carbon sinks and reduce stormwater runoff, particularly through techniques like aquaponics and street landscaping. Source: UN Environment Programme.
4. Waste Management
   Organic waste can be composted for use in urban farms, reducing landfill needs and contributing to sustainable waste management. Source: Global Waste Management Outlook, UNEP.

Challenges of Urban Agriculture

1. Limited Access and High Costs
   Urban farming often requires costly private land or rooftop spaces, making it financially exclusive and limiting broader access. Source: Urban Land Institute Report.
2. Water Demand
   Urban agriculture can strain city water resources since it often relies on potable municipal water, contributing to potential shortages. Source: World Resources Institute.
3. Lack of Recognition
   Many governments lack formal policies supporting urban agriculture, and some view it as a nuisance. For instance, farming on the Yamuna floodplain in India has historically been disregarded in urban planning. Source: Ministry of Urban Development, India.
4. Other Issues
   Urban farms face challenges like radiant heat from surrounding concrete structures, potential chemical contamination, and risks of theft or vandalism. Source: FAO, Challenges in Urban Agriculture.

Urban agriculture holds great promise for sustainable city living, but recognizing its challenges is essential for effective integration into city planning.

Model Answer

Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) are set twice a year based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) and are approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. The CACP considers the following costs when recommending MSPs:

1. A2 Costs: These cover all direct expenses such as seeds, fertilizers, labor, and fuel.
2. A2+FL Costs: This includes A2 plus the imputed value of unpaid family labor.
3. C2 Costs: A more comprehensive cost, which includes A2+FL along with the cost of renting land or the interest foregone on owned land and capital assets.

CACP uses both A2+FL and C2 costs while recommending MSPs, although primarily A2+FL is considered when determining the minimum price for farmers. C2 costs are used to benchmark MSP recommendations to ensure that at least these costs are covered in major producing states.

Challenges with the MSP Regime

1. Limited Reach: Less than 6% of agricultural households benefit directly from MSPs. In 2019-20, three states—Punjab, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh—accounted for 85% of wheat procurement, limiting the MSP’s effectiveness nationwide (Source: Government Reports).
2. Distortion of Cropping Patterns: The MSP system favors crops like rice and wheat, which has led to the neglect of crops such as millets, oilseeds, and vegetables. This is particularly detrimental for rainfed farmers who grow these crops, and it has increased India’s dependence on food imports (Source: Agriculture Surveys).
3. Procurement Challenges: The centralized procurement and storage system add significant overhead costs and result in high grain wastage due to inadequate storage facilities (Source: CAG Reports).
4. Ecological Impact: The MSP regime encourages the excessive use of chemical inputs and monocultures, which harms soil health, reduces groundwater levels, and leads to ecological problems like salinity (Source: Environmental Studies).
5. Fiscal Burden: The food subsidy bill, which accounted for nearly 30% of the central government’s net tax revenue in 2020-21, puts a significant strain on government finances (Source: Budget Reports).

To address these issues, India needs to diversify its procurement system, adopt better area planning, and consider legalizing MSPs to make it more inclusive and sustainable.

Model Answer

Obstacles to Effective Implementation of Conclusive Land Titling in India

Records Maintenance Challenges

• Fact: Many title transfers are unrecorded, leading to undocumented changes in land ownership.

Linguistic Fragmentation

• Fact: Existing land records are maintained in various scripts and languages across different states, complicating land titling processes.

State Fiscal Capacity

• Fact: States may have limited financial resources to support buyers in case of unclear land titles, impacting the implementation of conclusive titling.

Legal System Strain

• Fact: Overburdened courts face additional challenges with disputes arising from unclear land titles, potentially complicating compensation claims.

Lack of Accountability

• Fact: The involvement of non-state officials, such as private individuals as Title Registration Officers, may compromise accountability and increase susceptibility to external influences.

In light of these challenges, India faces a significant task in enhancing its land record management systems before transitioning to a conclusive land titling framework. The country’s ambition to achieve a $5-trillion economy by 2025 underscores the urgency of implementing robust land reforms to leverage the potential of land resources effectively. Political commitment and comprehensive reforms will be essential to overcome these obstacles and realize the transformative benefits of conclusive land titling for India’s economic growth and development.