Aspirant Academy

Economy

Model Answer Frameworks

Agriculture: Production, Water Resources, Irrigation, Animal Husbandry, Farmer Welfare Schemes

Paper I · Unit 2 Section 10 of 14 0 PYQs 40 min
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Model Answer Frameworks

5-Mark Answer Template (50 words)

Question: What is the significance of the ERCP (Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project) for Rajasthan?

Model Answer:

ERCP links Parbati, Kalisindh, and Chambal rivers to address eastern Rajasthan's drinking water crisis. Declared a National Project in 2023, it will supply drinking water to 17 districts and 3.25 crore people, create 2,51,000 hectares of new irrigation potential, and resolve groundwater over-exploitation in 80% of the state's blocks.

Word budget: Context/definition (12) + National Project fact (8) + Drinking water data (10) + Irrigation data (10) + Groundwater link (10) = ~50 words

Question: Write a short note on Rajasthan's position in animal husbandry.

Model Answer:

Rajasthan ranks #1 in wool production (47.98% of India's output, 2022-23) and #2 in milk (14.44% national share). It holds 84.43% of India's camels and 10.60% of total national livestock. Livestock GVA reached ₹1.98 lakh crore (2024-25), exceeding the crop sector — with milk alone contributing 80.17% of livestock GVO.

Word budget: Wool rank (10) + Milk rank (8) + Camel/livestock (10) + GVA milestone (12) + Milk GVO share (10) = ~50 words

10-Mark Answer Template (150 words)

Question: Discuss the water scarcity challenges in Rajasthan and evaluate government initiatives to address them. (10 marks, ~150 words)

Model Answer:

Introduction: Rajasthan holds 10.4% of India's land but receives only 1.16% of its surface water — a structural water-scarcity state.

Key Points:

  1. Groundwater crisis: Over 80% of Rajasthan's groundwater blocks are over-exploited (CGWB 2024). Annual recharge is far below extraction, driving water tables down by 1-3 metres annually in districts like Jaipur, Sikar, and Nagaur.

  2. Fluoride contamination: Groundwater exceeds WHO's 1.5 mg/litre fluoride limit in 29 of 33 districts, causing fluorosis. Agricultural irrigation with contaminated water degrades soil quality.

  3. ERCP response: Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal project (National Project, 2023) will serve 17 districts, 3.25 crore people with drinking water and 2,51,000 ha new irrigation — reducing borewell dependence.

  4. Micro-irrigation: PMKSY covered 91,196 ha under drip and sprinkler in 2024-25, cutting water use 30-50% per unit area.

Conclusion: ERCP addresses root cause; Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan (4,200+ villages) and JJM (59.61 lakh connections) bridge the gap while long-term structural solutions mature.

Word budget: Introduction (20) + Point 1 (30) + Point 2 (25) + Point 3 (30) + Point 4 (20) + Conclusion (25) = ~150 words

Question: "Rajasthan's animal husbandry sector has emerged as a pillar of rural economy." Critically evaluate this statement with reference to national rankings, GVA data, and structural challenges. (10 marks)

Model Answer:

Introduction: Animal husbandry contributes ₹1.98 lakh crore to Rajasthan's GSVA (2024-25), surpassing crop agriculture — a structural transformation.

Key Points:

  1. National rankings confirm strength: Rajasthan ranks #1 in wool (47.98% national production), #2 in milk (14.44%), and holds 84.43% of India's camels, making it the dominant pastoral state.

  2. GVA milestone: Livestock GVA exceeding crop GVA is unprecedented. Milk constitutes 80.17% of livestock GVO, driven by RCDF (Saras brand) cooperative expansion and rising procurement prices — 21 district milk unions serve Rajasthan farmers.

  3. Breed strength and research: CSWRI (Avikanagar, Tonk) for wool improvement; NRCE (Bikaner) for camel research; indigenous dairy breeds — Rathi, Tharparkar — are competitive performers under arid conditions.

  4. Structural challenges: Camel population fell 68% (2003–2019: 6.74 lakh to 2.13 lakh) due to reduced utility. Foot-and-mouth disease, drought impacts on fodder, and declining grazing commons threaten livestock productivity.

Conclusion: While national rankings and GVA data validate the sector's pillar status, reversing camel decline and building fodder resilience remain unaddressed vulnerabilities for Rajasthan's pastoral economy.