QUESTION 15
GS3
15 marks
How do subsidies affect the cropping pattern, crop diversity and economy of farmers? What is the significance of crop insurance, minimum support price and food processing for small and marginal farmers?
WRITE IN
11 min
250 words
What the examiner wants
Explain how subsidies shape cropping and farm economics, and the value of insurance, MSP and processing for small farmers.
How + WhatAnswer exactly what the question asks.
Demand-wise check
- 1Effects: free power and fertiliser subsidies favour water-intensive paddy; urea bias skews NPK; MSP-procurement focus on rice and wheat reduces crop diversity; soil and water damage; benefits skewed to large farmers≈50 words
- 2Crop insurance (PMFBY): low premium, protects against yield loss, but claim delays≈50 words
- 3MSP: price floor, but limited reach to small farmers and few crops≈50 words
- 4Food processing: value addition, less wastage, local jobs≈50 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
Subsidy typesEffects on pattern, diversity, farm economySignificance of insurance, MSP, processingConclusion
Where marks usually go
- Only defending subsidies
- Missing one of the three instruments in part two
Draw this
- Table: subsidy → effect on cropping → effect on farmer
Value addition
- CommitteeShanta Kumar Committee (2015) found only about 6% of farmers sell at MSP.HLC on FCI restructuring, 2015
- SchemePMFBY (2016) premiums: 2% kharif, 1.5% rabi, 5% commercial and horticulture crops.Ministry of Agriculture
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Aniket Ranjan · AIR 48 · Page 29 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 7 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 9 ↗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.