UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative for the practice of Mains answer writing. It covers essential topics of static and dynamic parts of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus covered under various GS papers. This answer-writing practice is designed to help you as a value addition to your UPSC CSE Mains. Attempt today’s answer writing on questions related to topics of GS-3 to check your progress.
Discuss the significance of ISRO’s successful germination of cowpea seeds in space. How can cultivating plants in microgravity environments contribute to sustainable human space exploration?
QUESTION 2
Examine the impact of contract farming on both the agricultural industry and farmers.
General points on the structure of the answers
Introduction
— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.
— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.
Body
— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.
— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.
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— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.
— Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer.
— Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required.
Way forward/ conclusion
— The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction.
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— You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers.
Self Evaluation
— It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers.
THOUGHT PROCESS
You may enrich your answers by some of the following points
QUESTION 1: Discuss the significance of ISRO’s successful germination of cowpea seeds in space. How can cultivating plants in microgravity environments contribute to sustainable human space exploration?
Introduction:
— The lobia (black-eyed pea) seeds that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched into space on December 30 as part of its Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS) sprouted.
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— As mankind embarks on long-duration space missions to colonise celestial worlds such as Mars and the Moon, space-grown plants can provide a sustainable food source. With limited options for restocking supplies, astronauts cannot simply rely on a limited supply of multivitamins during long-term missions.
Body:
What is the problem in growing plants in space?
— The most significant challenge is microgravity, the condition in which people or objects appear to be weightless.
— The lack of gravity prevents plant roots from developing downward, making nutrition delivery problematic. In microgravity, water tends to cling to every surface it touches, therefore when sprayed over the base of a plant, it does not trickle down to the roots, where it would be absorbed.
— Plants grown in space must also be safeguarded against high amounts of radiation, which can damage their DNA and impede growth, as well as from temperature variations, which can reach hundreds of degrees.
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— Light conditions, particularly in the outer Solar System where sunlight is rare, present additional issues. Without light, photosynthesis halts, and plants begin to use more oxygen than they generate.
How are plants being grown in space?
— The space garden aboard the International Space Station, known as ‘Veggie’ or the Vegetable Production System, is the size of the average carry-on bag. It typically holds six plants.
— There are various techniques to grow plants in space. The most popular is hydroponics. Hydroponically grown plants receive water and nutrients through liquid solutions rather than the soil.
— Plants can also be cultivated aeroponically, without the requirement for soil or any other media. This strategy saves 98% of water, 60% of fertiliser, and completely removes the need for pesticides. “Plants grown in aeroponic systems have been shown to absorb more minerals and vitamins, making them healthier and potentially more nutritious,” says the US space agency NASA.
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— Plants can also be grown in space in soil-like media.
Conclusion:
— The ISRO CROPS box is like a mini greenhouse. It has a soil-like medium, lobia, water, sunlight-mimicking lights, and Earth-like air. The only thing different is gravity, at around 0.01 g”, or 1% of the gravitational strength on the Earth’s surface.
— ISRO employed very porous clay with small pellets as the soil-like media. Water was absorbed and retained more effectively due to the porosity. The pellets contained a water-activated slow-release fertiliser designed to supply nutrients to the plant in a regulated manner over time.
— ISRO employed four warm LEDs and four cool LEDs for photosynthesis, with the lights set to be on for 16 hours and off for 8 hours to simulate day and night conditions.
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— Temperatures inside the module were kept between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius, with Earth-like atmospheric conditions maintained. Water was fed into the soil-like material via an electronic valve controlled from Earth.
(Source: How and why are plants grown in space: Takeaways from ISRO’s success by Alind Chauhan)
Points to Ponder
Read about space garden of the International Space Station
What is the need to grow plants in space?
Related Previous Year Question
What is the main task of India’s third moon mission which could not be achieved in its earlier mission? List the countries that have achieved this task. Introduce the subsystems in the spacecraft launched and explain the role of the Virtual Launch Control Centre’ at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre which contributed to the successful launch from Sriharikota. (2023)
QUESTION 2: Examine the importance of contract farming on both the agricultural industry and farmers.
Introduction:
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— Contract farming is defined as contractual arrangements between farmers and companies, whether oral or written, that establish one or more production and/or marketing requirements for agricultural products.
— Contract farming allows all stakeholders, including farmers, contracting corporations, and government agencies, to add value to the existing agricultural production and marketing system by collaborating with one another.
— It has the potential to address the dual challenges of technology adoption and market access that small and marginal farmers confront.
— It also addresses national concerns such as food and nutritional security, agricultural exports, resource efficiency, and system sustainability.
Body:
— Aside from a few small businesses, major corporations like Hindustan Lever, Pepsi Foods, and Mahindra have taken into contract farming for a variety of crops.
— Several agricultural and horticultural crops, including tomatoes, potatoes, onions, chillies, baby corn, wheat, basmati rice, medicinal plants, etc are produced under contractual arrangements. It gave farmers economic security by guaranteeing the price of their produce.
Importance of contract farming
There are numerous advantages of contract farming which include:
— Income is consistent and higher than non-contract farming.
— Market certainty and risk uncertainty are lower;
— Delivery services for inputs and the convenience of obtaining input;
— Loans made available through financial institutions;
— Learning new technologies;
— Greater access to local markets;
— Ensured markets and prices for unconventional crops;
— Mechanisation and transportation services; and
— Guaranteed and set price structures.
Conclusion:
— Under contract farming, the processing capacities are easier than ensuring adequate availability of raw produce for their year-round operation.
— “Contract farming works well, as there is no uncertainty over price or marketing of our produce. We can focus on production and improving crop yield as well as quality,” Alpesh Navinbhai Patel, who cultivates the Santana variety on 180 acres, stated.
(Source: From importing frozen French Fries to now exporting: how contract farming is a win-win for both agri industry, farmers by Harish Damodaran, agriwelfare.gov.in)
Points to Ponder
What is the scope of contract farming?
What are the limitations to contract farming?
What is the future of contract farming in India?
Related Previous Year Questions
What are the main bottlenecks in upstream and downstream process of marketing of agricultural products in India? (2022)
What are the present challenges before crop diversification? How do emerging technologies provide an opportunity for crop diversification? (2021)
Previous Mains Answer Practice
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 87)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 86)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 86)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 87)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 86)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 87)
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