Free Guidance for Agriculture Optional - IFoS

Aravalli

Friends, I am an Agriculture graduate and since my attempts are over , i am willing to help anyone who is preparing for IFoS with this optional. My plan is to daily give 1-2 questions subject wise systematically so that subject is prepared well before time and it would be meaningful for the exam.

My Overall way of Plan:

Paper 1 - March - June
Paper 2 - August - October

Strategy for Paper 1: I am going to follow the order given as below
Envt Science - 7 days
Forestry - 7 days
Dryland - 7 days
Irrigation - 7 days
Weed Mgmt - 7 days
Crop Science - 7 days ............ with this Agronomy is completed.

Soil Science - 15 days
Agriculture Economics - 15 days
Agriculture Extension - 15 days


Paper 2 will be done similarly after prelims examination.

Though sometimes i may be irregular due to some other occupation, but one can definitely prepare all alone by following the above given order and come out with flying colurs. Wish you All the Best and Good Luck. Thanks.

Aravalli

1. Why are Agroecosystems losing diversity? Give characteristics of cropland ecosystem.
2. Modernisation of Agriculture and Environmental Pollution.

Source : Internet or ICAR Handbook of Agriculture

cedricrahul

Why don't you start a personal blog as well. That would be better and would help coming batches too for years.
Here mods are often pain in a$$ and your valuable informations might get lost.
you can keep posting the same blog posts here as well meanwhile it gets famous.

fairytale

Some of the reasons for agroecosystems losing diversity are

A. Increasing mono-cropping systems like wheat and rice without any judicious crop rotation, as compared tpo earlier when cereals were separated by cultivation of leguminous crops
B. Heavy use of insecticides, herbicides and pesticides are eliminating even the flora and fauna which keeps a check on the harmful pests for crops.
C. Use of Genetically modified crops , results in suppression of natural variation.
D. Wrong selection of crops, like sugarcane, rice and wheat in areas of low rainfall where millet, maize may be a right crop combination.


Am i on right path ?

rkr06

@fairytale bhai tu ias ban gaya..yahi answer chahiye tha upsc ko...

rkr06

@Aravalli bhai kam dhandha khoj.. help kar ke kuch na mile hai iss duniya me..

Aravalli

@fairytale Yes , you are right and it is a very good answer. .......Just add few more terms like overexploitation, habitat destruction , excessive use of agrochemicals, indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers, declining crop rotation , growing uniform varieties in large areas, use of HYV Seeds, mechanization, chemical pesticides killing both targeted pests as well as beneficial insects like pollinators,honey bees etc ...... and of course effect of Climate Change.

But you will also get good marks!!

Aravalli

Envt. Science - 24 - 31 March , 2016

1. Bring out the possible impacts of climate change on Indian agriculture. What are the possible mitigation options?
2. Enlist important greenhouse gases. How can agriculture affect Climate change ? Describe the importance of carbon sequestration.

Source : Internet or ICAR Handbook of Agriculture

Aravalli

@lalsalaam12 Brother if you have tnau & ICAR notes, that is enough to clear this exam. Just bookmark or tick all relevant areas according to syllabus and previous year paper and revise it well. About subject completion it all depends upon your speed and interest. For the time being ,you focus upon ese, later go for ifos mains and do it as you have desired. Wish you All the Best and Good Luck !!

Aravalli

@lalsalaam12 for few areas ICAR Handbook is very good like environment, climate change topics, irrigation, farm management, agri extension , little bit soil science, IPM , entomology, seed technology etc. So ,you can refer it when need arises and that too for selective topics.....But the biggest merit of handbook is that it explains agriculture science in a very layman language which is very easy, lucid, precise and easy to understand.

rembrandt

I have attended IFS interview this time...Agri score is 79+45...studied only for a week..I could somewhat manage paper 1 with my civils optional geography but paper 2 seems to be very tough..your guidance would be much appreciated..