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# UPSC Mains Daily Answer Writing - 28 September (GS 1)
- URL: https://www.upscprep.com/upsc-mains-daily-answer-writing-28-september-gs-1/
- Published: 2023-09-28T04:30:21.000Z
- Updated: 2023-09-28T04:30:20.000Z
- Author: UPSCprep.com
- Tags: UPSC Mains Daily Answer Writing

## Questions

1. **From being net importer in 1960s, India emerged as a net food exporter to the world. Provide reasons. (15)**
2. **Does urbanization lead to more segregation and/or marginalization of the poor in Indian metropolises? (15)**

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### Model Solutions

**1\. From being net importer in 1960s, India emerged as a net food exporter to the world. Provide reasons. (15)**

**Model structure** 
**Introduction:**

- In the 1960s, droughts caused acute food shortages in India, leading to heavy reliance on wheat imports, especially under the PL 480 agreement with the United States.
- In the year FY 2022 the agricultural exports amounted to USD 43.37 billion, registering an increase of 6.04% over the exports of USD 40.90 billion during the corresponding period of the previous financial year i.e. April 2021 to January 2022.

**Main Body:**  
India's transition from being a net food importer in the 1960s to a net food exporter in subsequent decades is a remarkable story of agricultural transformation.

- Several factors contributed to this turnaround:  
  - **Green Revolution (1960s-1970s):**  
    - Reason: The Green Revolution, initiated in the late 1960s, introduced high-yielding varieties of seeds, especially for wheat and rice. Coupled with better irrigation facilities, using fertilisers and pesticides, and improved farming practices, this significantly increased food grain production.
    - Data: India's wheat production rose from 12.3 million tonnes in 1965 to 20.1 million in 1970 to about 55 million tonnes by 1990.
  - **Expansion of Cultivated Land:**  
    - Reason: There was an expansion in the net sown area, and multiple cropping practices were promoted, leading to a rise in total food grain production.
    - Data: The net sown area in India increased from 118.75 million hectares in 1950-51 to about 140.1 million hectares in 2000-01.
  - **Diversification into High-Value Crops:**  
    - Reason: Farmers diversified into high-value crops like fruits, vegetables, and spices, which have a significant demand in international markets.
    - Data: India became one of the world's largest producers of fruits, with a production of over 90 million tonnes by the early 2000s.
  - **Policy Support:**  
    - Reason: The government implemented Minimum Support Prices (MSP) to ensure farmers get a fair price for their produce. This provided an incentive for farmers to produce more.
    - Data: The number of crops under MSP increased over the years, with the government consistently raising the MSP for various crops.
  - **Investment in Agricultural Infrastructure:**  
    - Reason: Investments were made in irrigation projects, storage facilities, and rural roads, reducing post-harvest losses and ensuring better market connectivity.
    - Data: By the end of the 20th century, irrigated land constituted about 40% of the total cultivated land, up from around 17% in the early 1950s.
  - **Technological and Research Advancements:**  
    - Reason: Agricultural research institutes, like the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and its affiliate institutions, were pivotal in developing better crop varieties and farming techniques.
    - Data: The number of high-yielding varieties released in India increased significantly, with hundreds of varieties being introduced for major crops by the 1990s.
  - **Export Promotion and Global Market Access:**  
    - Reason: Post-liberalization (after 1991), India's trade policies were revised to promote agricultural exports. Additionally, India's accession to the WTO in 1995 improved global markets' access.
    - Data: India's agricultural exports surged from around USD 5 billion in the early 2000s to over USD 30 billion by 2013-14.
- **Way Forward:**  
  - **Sustainable Farming Practices:**  
    - Adopting eco-friendly and sustainable agricultural practices can ensure long-term soil fertility and reduce dependency on chemical fertilisers.
    - Further Steps Needed: Promotion of organic farming, crop rotation, and agroforestry. Implementing soil health card schemes more rigorously to guide farmers on nutrient management.
  - **Water Management:**  
    - With declining water tables and changing rainfall patterns due to climate change, efficient water management is crucial.
    - Further Steps Needed: Promotion of micro-irrigation techniques like drip and sprinkler irrigation, rainwater harvesting, and revival of traditional water bodies.
  - **Post-Harvest Management:**  
    - To reduce losses after harvest and improve the value chain.
    - Further Steps Needed: Modern storage facilities, cold chains, and efficient transportation systems are established. Implementing and scaling up initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana can be pivotal.
  - **Diversification of Crops:**  
    - To reduce dependency on a few staple crops and improve soil health.
    - Further Steps Needed: Promote the cultivation of millets, pulses, and oilseeds through better MSPs and procurement mechanisms.
  - Skill Development and Technology:  
    - Equip farmers with the latest technological knowledge and skills.
    - Further Steps Needed: Organize farmer training programs, workshops, and exposure visits. Promote the use of digital platforms and mobile apps for real-time agricultural advisories.
  - **Infrastructure Development:**  
    - Ensuring better connectivity between farms and markets.
    - Further Steps Needed: Enhance rural infrastructure, especially roads, to reduce transportation costs and losses. Establish more farmer markets to ensure better price realisation.
  - **Research and Development:**  
    - Continuous R&D is essential to tackle emerging challenges like pest attacks, climate change, etc.
    - Further Steps Needed: Strengthen agricultural universities and research institutions. Focus on developing climate-resilient crop varieties.
  - **Credit and Insurance:**  
    - Ensure farmers can access institutional credit and are protected against unforeseen losses.
    - Further Steps Needed: Expand the coverage of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (crop insurance scheme). Facilitate easier credit access through cooperative societies and rural banks.
  - **Market Reforms:**  
    - Ensure farmers get a better price for their produce.
    - Further Steps Needed: Implementing reforms allowing farmers to sell their produce anywhere in the country, facilitating contract farming, and promoting farmer producer organisations (FPOs).  
**Conclusion:**
- Technological advancements, policy interventions, and a shift towards high-value crops transformed India's agricultural landscape. From facing severe food shortages in the 1960s to becoming a significant player in the global agricultural market, India's journey showcases the potential of sustained efforts in enhancing agricultural productivity and market access.

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**2\. Does urbanization lead to more segregation and/or marginalization of the poor in Indian metropolises? (15)**

**Core demand-** Discuss both positive and negative impacts of urbanization on poor

**Model Structure** 
**Introduction**

- Data based-
- Urban population- 31.1% in 2011 as per Census 2011
- By 2035, the percentage of population in India at mid-year residing in urban area will be 43.2% - UN Report

**Main Body** 
**Urbanisation lead to more segregation and/or marginalisation (Arguments in favor)**

- Socio-economic exclusion  
  - Informal employment
  - Lack of Social Safety Nets
- Caste segregation
- Social discrimination
- Political exclusion
- Vulnerable condition of Migrants
- Impact on families- Joint Families changing into Nuclear Families, majorly due to migration and changing economic ties

**Urbanisation lead to more segregation and/or marginalisation (Arguments against)**

- Urban anonymity to prevent caste based violence
- Meritocracy and achievement based society for eg: MNCs, IITs etc
- Better economic avenues
- Access to quality Education and other services
- Social Mobility

**Government initiates/ Way forward-**

- PM Aawas Yojana to build affordable houses with the main aim of improving socio-Cultural status of poor and reducing urbanisation of poverty.
- Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM)
- Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
- Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY)
- Smart Cities
- AMRUT

**Conclusion**

- On the lines of question- Urbanization will continue as per many data/reports. We need to focus on providing better socio-economic opportunities to urban poor.

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