ANSWER KEY
Here’s a complete answer key for your Farming Based Livelihood System
(UAGRON-102) end-term paper from ICAR-IARI.
✅ Section 1: True or False (1 x 10 = 10 marks)
Q Statement Answer
Traditional livelihood systems are considered an
A True
effective natural way to conserve resources.
Rainfed farming refers to farming that relies entirely
B False
on irrigation.
The livelihoods protection threshold only covers
C True
basic food energy needs.
Specialized farming reduces risk and provides
D False
balanced income.
Access Livelihoods Consulting India primarily
E False
focuses on urban markets.
Large-scale farming reduces per unit cost of
F True
production.
Intensive cultivation focuses on bringing more land
G False
under farming to increase output.
Quick response systems are part of disaster risk
H True
reduction strategies in India.
Silvopastoral systems involve integrating crops with
I False
trees.
Agroforestry creates microclimates that help protect
J True
crops from extreme weather conditions.
✅ Section 2: Fill in the blanks (1 x 10 = 10 marks)
No. Question Answer
Precision agriculture tools include modern
i Precision
technology such as GPS and drones.
ANSWER KEY 1
In commercial farming, the primary focus is
ii Commercial
on the cultivation of crops for sale.
Organic farming uses natural fertilizers
iii Natural
instead of synthetic.
The Soil Health Card Scheme provides
iv Soil fertility
farmers with information about soil fertility.
The economic model that emphasizes
v reusing, recycling, and regenerating Circular
resources is called a circular economy.
Organic farming eliminates the use of
vi synthetic chemicals and focuses on natural Organic
inputs like compost and manure.
In the green economy, sustainable practices
vii are used to adapt agriculture to climate Sustainable
change.
The process of converting livestock manure
viii Waste-to-energy
into biogas is an example of waste-to-energy.
Farmer Producer Organizations are
organizations that help farmers collectively Farmer Producer
ix
market their produce and reduce post-harvest Organizations (FPOs)
losses.
Digital tools like blockchain technology are
x used to ensure traceability in food supply Blockchain
chains.
✅marks)
Section 5: Write differences (Any 4 x 2.5 = 10
Here’s one-line differences for each pair (expand in exam):
1. Rural vs Urban livelihood: Rural depends on natural resources (agriculture),
urban on services/jobs.
2. Traditional vs Modern farming: Traditional uses local inputs and
knowledge; modern uses mechanization, chemicals.
3. Shifting vs Permanent cultivation: Shifting rotates land use; permanent
uses fixed land repeatedly.
4. Irrigated vs Rainfed farming: Irrigated depends on artificial water; rainfed
relies on rainfall.
ANSWER KEY 2
5. Subsistence vs Commercialized farming: Subsistence is for family use;
commercial is for market.
6. Circular vs Green economy: Circular focuses on resource recycling; green
on eco-friendly economic practices.
✅ Section 6: Short Notes (Any 4 x 2.5 = 10 marks)
1. Livelihood and components: Includes assets (natural, human, social,
financial, physical), activities, outcomes.
2. Farming system for sustainability: Integrates crops, livestock, aquaculture
for resource efficiency.
3. Value Chain in agriculture: The journey of farm produce from production to
market with added value at each stage.
4. Role of NABARD: Funds rural credit, supports infrastructure, promotes
SHGs and agri-development.
5. ALS approaches: Integrated, participatory, gender-sensitive, resource-
conserving models.
6. Multiple cropping: Growing two or more crops in same field in one season
for income and land productivity.
✅marks)
Section 7: Detailed Questions (Any 5 x 10 = 50
Summarized pointers for each:
7.1 Types of enterprises:
Crop production, dairy, poultry, fisheries, agroforestry.
Provide income diversity, reduce risk, enhance rural livelihood.
7.2 Risk and success factors:
Risks: climate, market price, pest, landholding.
Success: access to credit, technology, training, market linkage.
7.3 Govt. schemes:
PM-KISAN, MGNREGA, PMFBY, E-NAM, Soil Health Card, KCC.
ANSWER KEY 3
Enable financial support, market access, risk insurance.
7.4 ALS framework:
Components: natural capital, human capital, financial etc.
Approaches: participatory, integrated, resilience-based.
7.5 Status of agriculture:
~45% people depend on agri.
Main income: crop sale, dairy, wage labor, non-farm rural jobs.
7.6 Key components of farming system:
Land, labor, capital, inputs (seeds, water), technology, enterprise
combination (crop + dairy + fish).
7.7 Role in 21st century:
Enhances sustainability, food security, rural employment.
Supports inclusive growth, reduces poverty, boosts GDP.
Let me know if you'd like a printable answer sheet, or diagrams and flowcharts
to support the long answers.
Absolutely! Let's address everything systematically:
🔍 Explanation of Statements
1. Rainfed farming refers to farming that relies entirely on irrigation.
❌ Incorrect
Explanation: Rainfed farming relies entirely on rainfall for water, not on
irrigation systems.
It is practiced in areas with limited or no irrigation facilities.
Rainfed farming is risk-prone due to unpredictable rainfall and climate
variability.
Crops like millets, pulses, and oilseeds are commonly grown under
rainfed systems.
2. Access Livelihoods Consulting India primarily focuses on urban markets.
❌ Incorrect
ANSWER KEY 4
Explanation: Access Livelihoods is a social enterprise that works with
rural and tribal communities.
Their focus is on improving rural livelihoods, not urban markets.
They promote Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), women SHGs,
and micro-enterprises.
Their work spans value chain interventions, skill development, and
enterprise promotion.
3. Intensive cultivation focuses on bringing more land under farming to
increase output.
❌ Incorrect
Explanation: Intensive cultivation means increasing productivity per
unit area, not increasing land.
It involves high input use—fertilizers, irrigation, HYV seeds.
The goal is maximum output from the same land.
In contrast, extensive cultivation means bringing more land under use.
4. Silvopastoral systems involve integrating crops with trees.
❌ Incorrect
Explanation: Silvopastoral systems combine trees + pasture/forage +
livestock, not crops.
The main goal is to support livestock rearing with forage grown under
tree cover.
Agri-silviculture involves crops + trees; Silvopasture involves pasture
+ trees.
5. Agroforestry creates microclimates that help protect crops from extreme
weather conditions.
✅ Correct
Explanation: Agroforestry involves growing trees with crops/livestock.
Trees provide shade, windbreaks, and temperature moderation,
creating a microclimate.
This improves crop survival during drought, heat, or frost conditions.
ANSWER KEY 5
Example: Windbreaks reduce evapotranspiration and protect delicate
crops.
🔁 Differences Between Terms (Any 4)
1. Livelihood pattern in rural vs urban areas
Aspect Rural Urban
Main Occupation Agriculture and allied sectors Industry, services, business
Income Source Seasonal, low income Regular salary or wages
Risk Factors Weather-dependent Market/economic dependent
Social Support Community-based networks Formal institutions
2. Traditional vs Modern Farming
Feature Traditional Farming Modern Farming
Input Use Local seeds, manual tools HYV seeds, chemicals, machines
Knowledge Source Indigenous knowledge Scientific, extension services
Environmental Impact Low, eco-friendly Often high, chemical-intensive
Productivity Lower Higher per unit area
3. Shifting Cultivation vs Permanent Cultivation
Feature Shifting Cultivation Permanent Cultivation
Land Use Rotational use, short-term Same land used continuously
Fertility Natural regeneration
Fertilizers, irrigation, and tillage
Management (fallow)
Managed, but may cause soil
Sustainability Degrading with overuse
exhaustion
Regions Practiced Tribal/hilly areas Plains and irrigated regions
4. Irrigated Farming vs Rainfed Farming
Factor Irrigated Farming Rainfed Farming
Water Source Artificial (canals, wells, tubewells) Natural rainfall
ANSWER KEY 6
Reliability More reliable, controlled Unpredictable, climate-dependent
Productivity Generally higher Moderate to low
Crop Examples Paddy, sugarcane, wheat Millets, pulses, groundnut
✍️ Short Notes (Any 4)
1. Livelihood and Its Key Components
Livelihood means the means and activities required for people to live.
Components include:
Natural capital (land, water)
Human capital (skills, education)
Financial capital (savings, credit)
Social capital (networks, relations)
Physical capital (tools, infrastructure)
2. Farming System for Sustainable Production
A sustainable farming system balances productivity with environmental care. It
integrates:
Crop-livestock systems
Agroforestry, organic farming
Soil health, water conservation, biodiversity
Sustainable farming reduces chemical use and ensures long-term food
security.
3. Value Chain in Agriculture
A value chain is the entire process from production to consumption.
Stages include:
Input supply → Production → Processing → Marketing → Consumption
Each step adds value and affects farmer income and consumer price.
Focus is on efficiency, quality, and fair price.
ANSWER KEY 7
4. Role of NABARD in Rural Development
NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development):
Refinances rural credit through cooperatives, RRBs
Supports SHGs, FPOs, rural entrepreneurship
Funds infrastructure (e.g., cold storages, irrigation)
Promotes climate-resilient farming and innovation
📘 Elaborated Long Answer Examples
7.1 Different Types of Enterprises in Agriculture & Importance
Types:
Crop Production: Mainstay, seasonal
Dairy: Regular income, low investment
Poultry: Quick returns, high demand
Fisheries: Profitable in water-rich areas
Agroforestry: Long-term returns, environmental benefits
Horticulture: High value crops (fruits, vegetables, spices)
Importance:
Risk diversification
Year-round income
Better nutrition & employment
Strengthens rural economy
7.3 Government Schemes for Farming-based Livelihoods
PM-KISAN: ₹6000/year for landholding farmers
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY): Crop insurance
e-NAM: Online agri-market platform
National Livelihood Mission (NRLM): Women SHG empowerment
Soil Health Card: Fertility-based nutrient use
ANSWER KEY 8
RKVY (Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana): Infrastructure and innovation
Impact:
Enhanced credit access, technology use
Better market linkages and income
Insurance against climate and market risks
Let me know if you want a PDF version of solved paper, or diagram-based
summaries for long answers.
ANSWER KEY 9