Agriculture: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Indian Economy)

Explanation

The Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) is the price set by the government that mills are legally required to pay farmers for the sugarcane they purchase. It is mandated under the Sugarcane Control Order, 1966 published under the Essential Commodities Act (ECA), 1955. The FRP is announced by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), and it serves as a benchmark price for sugar mills to pay farmers. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) announces the decision following the Commission on Agricultural Costs and Prices’ (CACP) recommendation.

Explanation

Agricultural markets in India are primarily regulated under the APMC Acts, which are state-level legislations. These acts establish regulated markets (mandis) where farmers are required to sell their produce through licensed traders to ensure fair prices and reduce exploitation. The central government provides guidelines, but states have the authority over agricultural marketing as agriculture is a state subject under the Constitution. Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

Essential Commodities Act, 1955: This act is aimed at controlling the production, supply, and distribution of essential commodities to prevent hoarding and black marketing. It does not regulate agricultural markets directly but empowers the government to regulate the prices and stock limits of certain agricultural products in times of scarcity. Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937: This act deals with the grading and quality control of agricultural products through standards like AGMARK. It focuses on quality assurance rather than the regulation of markets or the sale process. Food Products Order, 1956 and Meat and Food Products Order, 1973: These orders are related to the quality control and standardization of food products and meat, ensuring they meet safety and hygiene standards. They do not regulate the agricultural markets directly.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme was launched in 1996-97. Its goal was to provide Central Loan Assistance (CLA) to the states, rather than directly to poor farmers. The programme aimed to help states complete their major irrigation projects that were in the advanced stages of development. Its primary objective was to speed up the completion of ongoing irrigation projects.

Statement 2 is correct: The Command Area Development (CAD) programme was launched in 1974-75. Its aim was to close the gap between the irrigation potential and the actual use of major and medium irrigation schemes. The ultimate goal of the programme is to deliver irrigation water to the fields. The plan involves creating field channels, land contouring, and a rotational water supply. These measures are designed to improve water use efficiency in agriculture. In 2004, the programme was restructured into the Command Area Development and Water Management Program.

Explanation

This is because the replacement of wooden ploughs (a less durable, less efficient tool) with steel ploughs (which are more durable, efficient, and require less labor for maintenance and use) leads to increased productivity per unit of capital, i.e., the plough itself. This represents a shift towards more capital-in-tensive technology. This is capital-augmenting rather than labor-augmenting progress because the improvement is in the capital itself (the plough), making it more productive, rather than increasing the labor force or improving labor productivity directly.

Explanation

The main aim of the Seed Village Concept is to involve farmers in the production of quality seeds through training, ensuring that these seeds are accessible to others at the right time and at affordable prices. This approach empowers farmers to contribute to seed production, meeting local demand and ensuring that both they and neighboring farmers have access to high-quality seeds.

Option (b) is correct: A village is referred to as a ‘seed village’ if a trained group of farmers produces seeds for a variety of crops and provides for the requirements of themselves, their fellow villagers, and villagers in nearby villages at an affordable price. Thus this option best captures the main objective of the Seed Village Concept, which focuses on training farmers to produce high-quality seeds for local use, ensuring accessibility and affordability.