Agriculture Exam

Over the past 8 years, the dairy sector in India has witnessed remarkable growth, solidifying its position as the largest agricultural commodity in the country. India has maintained its global leadership in milk production, contributing around 23% of the world’s total milk output. From 2014-15 to 2021-22, milk production in India increased by an impressive 51.05%, reaching 221.06 million tonnes. This translates to an annual growth rate of approximately 6.1%, which is significantly higher than the global average of 1.2% per annum. The sector directly supports over 8 crore farmers, playing a crucial role in rural livelihoods and food security. Additionally, per capita milk availability has risen to 444 grams per day, surpassing the global average of 394 grams. These trends highlight the dairy sector’s consistent expansion, driven by improved animal health services, better breeding practices, and robust government support through schemes and infrastructure development.

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To prepare effectively for the NABARD Grade A exam, especially the Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) section, it’s essential to build a strong foundation in both static and current ARD topics. Start with NCERT books (Class 9–12) for basics, and then move on to standard reference books like R.K. Sharma or IGNOU materials for detailed concepts. Focus on government schemes (especially those by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), current affairs, and reports like Economic Survey, Union Budget, and Kurukshetra magazine. Regularly revise key topics such as soil science, agronomy, animal husbandry, climate change, and rural development programs.

As for the C4S Courses, they are gaining popularity for their NABARD-focused test series, offering well-structured mock tests with detailed explanations. Many aspirants find their question quality close to the actual exam, particularly in ARD, ESI, and GA. 

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Climate forecasting phenomena such as La Niña and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) play a crucial role in agricultural planning in India by providing early insights into potential weather patterns that significantly influence the Indian monsoon. La Niña, characterized by cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, generally strengthens the southwest monsoon, leading to above-normal rainfall in India. This can benefit rain-fed agriculture, increase water availability for irrigation, and improve crop yields, especially for staples like rice, pulses, and sugarcane. On the other hand, the Indian Ocean Dipole—a phenomenon marked by differences in sea surface temperatures between the western and eastern Indian Ocean—also affects monsoon intensity. A positive IOD typically enhances monsoon rains, while a negative IOD can suppress them. By monitoring these patterns in advance, policymakers and farmers can make informed decisions about crop selection, sowing dates, irrigation planning, and risk mitigation. For example, in anticipation of a weak monsoon due to a negative IOD or El Niño, drought-resistant crops may be preferred, and contingency plans like water conservation measures can be activated. Thus, climate forecasts enable proactive agricultural planning, minimizing losses and enhancing food security.

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Dryland farming, which refers to agricultural practices in regions with annual rainfall less than 750 mm, is vital for food and livelihood security in arid and semi-arid zones of India. However, it faces several major challenges. The primary issue is erratic and scanty rainfall, which leads to frequent droughts and crop failures. Soil erosion, moisture stress, and low organic matter content further reduce productivity. Additionally, the lack of irrigation infrastructure, credit access, and technological adoption hampers efficient farming. The region often lacks resilient crop varieties and timely weather forecasts, making decision-making difficult for farmers.

To overcome these constraints, several techniques are employed in dryland farming. In-situ moisture conservation methods like contour plowing, ridge and furrow systems, and mulching help retain soil moisture. Rainwater harvesting through farm ponds and percolation tanks is promoted for supplemental irrigation. Cultivation of drought-resistant and short-duration crops such as millets, pulses, and oilseeds is widely practiced. Techniques like intercropping, agroforestry, and conservation tillage improve land productivity and resilience. Furthermore, integrated nutrient management (INM) and soil health cards are used to optimize input use. For ICAR exams, understanding the agro-ecological classification, contingency crop planning, and watershed management approaches is crucial, as these form the basis of sustainable dryland agriculture.

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Under the Centre’s ‘Nutri-Cereals’ campaign, the Indian government has undertaken a comprehensive initiative to promote millets, recognizing their nutritional benefits and environmental resilience. In 2018, millets were rebranded as ‘nutri-cereals’ to highlight their health advantages and were integrated into the Poshan Abhiyaan to combat malnutrition. To bolster production, the government launched the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) focusing on millets, providing farmers with quality seeds, inputs, and training. Additionally, millets have been included in the Public Distribution System (PDS) to enhance accessibility and ensure a stable market for producers. The declaration of 2023 as the International Year of Millets by the United Nations, following India’s proposal, further amplified global awareness. This led to coordinated efforts across various ministries and states to promote millets through awareness campaigns, value-added product development, and support for startups. These multifaceted strategies aim to increase millet consumption, support farmers, and address nutritional security.

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