Topper’s Copy

GS3

AGRICULTURE

10 marks

Discuss how advancements in seed technology and public sector institutions contribute to agricultural productivity and farmers’ income in India.

Student’s Answer

Evaluation by SuperKalam

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Score:

6/10

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3
6
10

Demand of the Question

  • Advancements in seed technology and their contribution to agricultural productivity and farmers' income
  • Role of public sector institutions in supporting agricultural productivity and farmers' income
  • Integration/linkage between seed technology and institutional support
  • Impact assessment on both productivity and income dimensions

What you wrote:

Seed innovation and institutional support have become central to improving agricultural productivity and farmers income in India's post-Green Revolution landscape.

Seed innovation and institutional support have become central to improving agricultural productivity and farmers income in India's post-Green Revolution landscape.

Suggestions to improve:

  • Could define seed technology advancements more precisely (e.g., biotechnology, genetic engineering, molecular breeding techniques that have revolutionized crop varieties beyond traditional breeding methods).

What you wrote:

Role of Advancement in seed technology
1. High Yield Varieties (HYVs): Enhanced rice and wheat productivity. Eg Swarna Sub1, HD-2967.
2. Biofortified seeds: Address malnutrition - Iron-rich pearl millet by ICRISAT.
3. Hybrid crops: boosts returns - cotton hybrids improved yield by 50%.
4. Climate-resilient varieties: Draught-tolerant maize (DTM) aids risk reduction.
5. Seed Banks & Genomics: Preserve diversity and accelerate varietal innovation.

Role of Advancement in seed technology
1. High Yield Varieties (HYVs): Enhanced rice and wheat productivity. Eg Swarna Sub1, HD-2967.
2. Biofortified seeds: Address malnutrition - Iron-rich pearl millet by ICRISAT.
3. Hybrid crops: boosts returns - cotton hybrids improved yield by 50%.
4. Climate-resilient varieties: Draught-tolerant maize (DTM) aids risk reduction.
5. Seed Banks & Genomics: Preserve diversity and accelerate varietal innovation.

Suggestions to improve:

  • Could elaborate on income linkages (e.g., biofortified crops like iron-rich bajra (Dhanashakti) not only improve nutrition but fetch 15-20% premium prices in markets)
  • Could include modern biotechnology advances (e.g., GM mustard trials and BT cotton's contribution to reducing pesticide costs by 30-40%, directly boosting farmer incomes)
  • Could mention seed replacement rates and their economic impact

What you wrote:

Contribution of public sector institutions
1. National seeds Corporation (NSC): Ensures certified seed supply and quality control.
2. ICAR & SAUs: Conduct varietal trials and regional adaptation studies.
3. Krishi Vigyan Kendras: Disseminate farmer level seed technologies.
4. Seed village scheme: Encourages local seed entrepreneurship.
5. Public-Private-partnerships: Expand hybrid and foundational seed access.

Contribution of public sector institutions
1. National seeds Corporation (NSC): Ensures certified seed supply and quality control.
2. ICAR & SAUs: Conduct varietal trials and regional adaptation studies.
3. Krishi Vigyan Kendras: Disseminate farmer level seed technologies.
4. Seed village scheme: Encourages local seed entrepreneurship.
5. Public-Private-partnerships: Expand hybrid and foundational seed access.

Suggestions to improve:

  • Could highlight income-focused initiatives (e.g., ICAR's Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) helping farmers get 10-15% better prices through collective bargaining for quality seeds)
  • Could mention institutional success stories (e.g., Punjab Agricultural University's wheat varieties contributing to making Punjab farmers among India's most prosperous)
  • Could discuss seed certification and quality assurance impact on farmer confidence and market access

What you wrote:

Way forward → Promote regional seed hubs, strengthen PPP, ensure climate-resilient breeding, and expand digital seed traceability for equitable farmer access.

Way forward → Promote regional seed hubs, strengthen PPP, ensure climate-resilient breeding, and expand digital seed traceability for equitable farmer access.

Suggestions to improve:

  • Could strengthen by linking to broader policy frameworks (e.g., aligning with National Mission on Seeds and Planting Material to achieve 4% agricultural growth target and doubling farmers' income by leveraging seed technology innovations).

Your answer demonstrates solid understanding of seed technology and institutional roles with good examples. However, the income dimension needs stronger emphasis throughout, and integration between technology and institutions could be better highlighted. Consider quantifying economic impacts more extensively.

Demand of the Question

  • Advancements in seed technology and their contribution to agricultural productivity and farmers' income
  • Role of public sector institutions in supporting agricultural productivity and farmers' income
  • Integration/linkage between seed technology and institutional support
  • Impact assessment on both productivity and income dimensions

What you wrote:

Seed innovation and institutional support have become central to improving agricultural productivity and farmers income in India's post-Green Revolution landscape.

Seed innovation and institutional support have become central to improving agricultural productivity and farmers income in India's post-Green Revolution landscape.

Suggestions to improve:

  • Could define seed technology advancements more precisely (e.g., biotechnology, genetic engineering, molecular breeding techniques that have revolutionized crop varieties beyond traditional breeding methods).

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