Agriculture

NABARD Grade A syllabus for Agriculture & Rural Development is given below.Name of SectionTopics askedAgricultureDefinition, meaning and its branchesAgronomy: Definition, meaning, and scope of agronomy.Classification of field crops.Factors affecting crop productionAgro Climatic ZonesCropping Systems: Definition and types of cropping systems.Problems of dry land - Seed production, seed processing, seed villageMeteorology: weather parameters, crop-weather advisoryPrecision FarmingSystem of Crop IntensificationOrganic farmingSoil and Water ConservationMajor soil typesSoil fertilityFertilizersSoil erosionSoil conservationWatershed managementWater ResourceIrrigation ManagementTypes of irrigationSources of irrigationCrop-water requirementCommand area developmentWater conservation techniquesMicro-irrigationIrrigation pumpsMajor, medium and minor irrigation.Farm and Agri EngineeringFarm Machinery and PowerSources of power on the farm- human, animal, mechanical, electrical, wind, solar and biomass, biofuelsWater harvesting structuresFarm PondsAgro-ProcessingControlled and modified storage, perishable food storage, godowns, bins, and grain silos.Plantation & HorticultureDefinition, meaning, and its branchesAgronomic practices and production technology of various plantation and horticulture cropsPost-harvest management, value, and supply chain management of Plantation and Horticulture crops.Animal HusbandryFarm animals and their role in the Indian economyAnimal husbandry methods in IndiaCommon terms pertaining to different species of livestockUtility classification of breeds of cattle.Introduction to common feeds and fodders, their classification, and utility.Introduction to the poultry industry in India (past, present, and future status)Common terms pertaining to poultry production and managementThe concept of mixed farming and its relevance to socio-economic conditions of farmers in IndiaComplimentary and obligatory nature of livestock and poultry production with that of agricultural farming.FisheriesFisheries resourcesManagement and exploitation - freshwater, brackish water, and marineAquaculture- Inland and marineBiotechnologyPost-harvest technologyImportance of fisheries in IndiaCommon terms pertaining to fish production.ForestryBasic concepts of Forest and ForestryPrinciples of silviculture, forest mensuration, forest management, and forest economicsConcepts of social forestry, agroforestry, joint forest managementForest policy and legislation in India, India State of Forest Report 2015Recent developments under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.Agriculture ExtensionsIts importance and role, methods of evaluation of extension programsRole of Krishi Vigyan Kendra's (KVK) in the dissemination of Agricultural technologies.Ecology and Climate ChangeEcology and its relevance to man, natural resources, sustainable management, and conservationCauses of climate change, GreenHouse Gases (GHG), major GHG emitting countries, climate analysisDistinguish between adaptation and mitigationClimate change impact on agriculture and rural livelihoodsCarbon creditIPCC, UNFCCC, CoP meetingsFunding mechanisms for climate change projectsInitiatives by Govt of India, NAPCC, SAPCC, INDC.Present Scenario of Indian Agriculture and Allied activitiesRecent trendsMajor challenges in agriculture measures to enhanceViability of agriculture Factors of Production in agricultureAgricultural Finance and MarketingImpact of Globalization on Indian Agriculture and issues of Food SecurityConcept and Types of Farm Management.Rural DevelopmentConcept of Rural AreaStructure of the Indian Rural EconomyImportance and role of the rural sector in IndiaEconomic, Social and Demographic Characteristics of the Indian rural economyCauses of Rural Backwardness.Rural population in IndiaOccupational structureFarmers, Agricultural Laborers, Artisans, Handicrafts, Traders, Forest dwellers/tribes and others in rural IndiaTrends of change in rural population and rural workforceProblems and conditions of rural labourIssues and challenges in Hand-loomsPanchayati Raj Institutions – Functions and Working.MGNREGA, NRLM – Aajeevika, Rural Drinking water Programmes, Swachh Bharat, Rural Housing, PURA, and other rural development programs.