UPSC Mains 2017 GS3 Q4 — Agricultural Revolutions
Explain various types of revolutions, took place in Agriculture after independence in India. How these revolutions have helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India ? (Answer in 150 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- ExplainHow
- Scope keywords
- various types of revolutionsAgricultureafter independence in Indiapoverty alleviationfood security
- Implicit sub-parts
- Categorization of revolutions beyond the Green Revolution (e.g., White, Blue, Yellow, Silver, Golden).
- The causal link between agricultural productivity/surplus and income generation for small and marginal farmers (poverty alleviation).
- The shift from 'ship-to-mouth' existence to nutritional security and buffer stock management (food security).
- Common pitfalls
- Spending 80% of the word limit solely on the Green Revolution while ignoring the Rainbow Revolution concept.
- Failing to differentiate between 'food availability' (stock) and 'food accessibility' (affordability/poverty).
- Neglecting the negative externalities of these revolutions like environmental degradation or income inequality.
- Describing the revolutions chronologically without linking them specifically to the socio-economic outcomes of poverty and hunger.
- Dimensions required
- Historical-EvolutionarySocio-EconomicNutritionalGeographical (regional impacts)
- Marks allocation hint
Spend roughly 60 words (4 marks) identifying and briefly explaining 4-5 key revolutions. Use the remaining 90 words (6 marks) to create two distinct sub-sections: one mapping these revolutions to increased rural incomes/employment (poverty) and the other to calorie/protein availability and price stability (food security).
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