QUESTION 14
GS3
15 marks
What are the major reasons for declining rice and wheat yield in the cropping system? How crop diversification is helpful to stabilise the yield of the crops in the system?
WRITE IN
11 min
250 words
What the examiner wants
Explain why rice–wheat yields are stagnating and how crop diversification stabilises them.
What + HowAnswer exactly what the question asks.
Demand-wise check
- 1Reasons: soil organic carbon loss, micronutrient deficiency (zinc), imbalanced NPK use, groundwater decline, residue burning, herbicide-resistant weeds (Phalaris minor), pests from monoculture, terminal heat stress in wheat, salinity≈65 words
- 2Diversification benefits: legumes fix nitrogen, break pest and weed cycles, improve soil structure, save water (maize, pulses, DSR), spread risk, better incomes≈65 words
- 3Enablers: MSP and procurement for alternatives, market links, Punjab's crop diversification programmes≈65 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
Rice–wheat system contextReasons for declineDiversification benefitsEnablersConclusion
Where marks usually go
- Writing only on Green Revolution history
- Not linking diversification to yield stability
Draw this
- Cycle diagram: monoculture → soil and pest problems → yield fall
Value addition
- CommitteeJohl Committee (1986) urged shifting about 20% of Punjab's rice–wheat area to other crops.Government of Punjab, 1986
- DataPunjab's groundwater extraction exceeds 160% of annual recharge.CGWB Dynamic Ground Water Assessment, 2023
- NormRecommended NPK ratio is 4:2:1, but actual use is heavily skewed to nitrogen.Ministry of Agriculture
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 9 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Aniket Ranjan · AIR 48 · Page 29 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 7 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 11 minutes, then get it checked.