Mains Syllabus of RSMSSB Agriculture Supervisor Exam 2024
Agriculture
1. Agronomy
- Crop Production:
- Principles of crop production
- Crop rotation, intercropping, mixed cropping
- Soil fertility management
- Nutrient management (N, P, K, micronutrients)
- Fertilizer application methods
- Organic farming
- Weed management
- Insect pest management
- Disease management
- Harvesting and post-harvest technology
- Major Crops:
- Cereals (wheat, rice, maize, sorghum, millet)
- Pulses (gram, lentil, pea, mung bean)
- Oilseeds (mustard, groundnut, soybean, sunflower)
- Fiber crops (cotton, jute)
- Horticulture crops (fruits, vegetables, flowers)
- Plantation crops (tea, coffee, rubber)
- Irrigation and Water Management:
- Irrigation methods (surface, sprinkler, drip)
- Water conservation techniques
- Water quality and its impact on crops
- Irrigation scheduling
- Soil Science:
- Soil formation and classification
- Soil physical properties (texture, structure, porosity)
- Soil chemical properties (pH, organic matter, nutrients)
- Soil biological properties (microorganisms)
- Soil degradation and conservation
- Agricultural Machinery:
- Types of agricultural machinery
- Operation and maintenance of farm machinery
- Safety precautions in using farm machinery
2. Horticulture
- Fruit Production:
- Propagation of fruit crops
- Orchard management
- Fruit physiology and development
- Fruit harvesting and post-harvest handling
- Major fruit crops (mango, banana, apple, citrus)
- Vegetable Production:
- Propagation of vegetable crops
- Vegetable cultivation practices
- Vegetable physiology and development
- Vegetable harvesting and post-harvest handling
- Major vegetable crops (tomato, potato, onion, cabbage)
- Floriculture:
- Propagation of flower crops
- Flower cultivation practices
- Flower physiology and development
- Flower harvesting and post-harvest handling
- Major flower crops (rose, jasmine, marigold)
- Landscape Gardening:
- Principles of landscape design
- Landscape construction and maintenance
- Plant selection for landscaping
- Water features and hardscaping
3. Plant Protection
- Principles of Plant Protection:
- Plant diseases and their management
- Insect pests and their management
- Weed control methods
- Integrated pest management (IPM)
- Biopesticides and their application
- Plant Pathology:
- Major plant diseases (fungal, bacterial, viral)
- Disease diagnosis and identification
- Disease control measures (cultural, chemical, biological)
- Entomology:
- Insect morphology and classification
- Insect life cycle and behavior
- Insect pest management (cultural, chemical, biological)
- Insect control methods (insecticides, biopesticides)
- Weed Science:
- Weed identification and classification
- Weed biology and ecology
- Weed control methods (cultural, chemical, biological)
4. Animal Husbandry
- Dairy Farming:
- Breeds of dairy cattle
- Dairy farm management
- Milk production and processing
- Dairy products
- Poultry Farming:
- Breeds of poultry
- Poultry farm management
- Egg and meat production
- Poultry diseases and their management
- Pig Farming:
- Breeds of pigs
- Pig farm management
- Pig production and marketing
- Pig diseases and their management
- Sheep and Goat Farming:
- Breeds of sheep and goats
- Sheep and goat farm management
- Wool and meat production
- Sheep and goat diseases and their management
5. Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Marketing:
- Marketing channels
- Price determination
- Market information systems
- Agricultural cooperatives
- Agricultural Finance:
- Sources of agricultural credit
- Credit institutions
- Loan repayment
- Agricultural insurance
- Agricultural Policy:
- Government policies related to agriculture
- Agricultural subsidies
- Agricultural research and extension
- Farm Management:
- Farm planning and budgeting
- Farm record keeping
- Farm labor management
- Farm machinery management
6. Agricultural Extension
- Extension Methods:
- Farm visits
- Demonstrations
- Training programs
- Mass media
- Extension Communication:
- Principles of communication
- Communication skills
- Extension materials development
- Extension Program Planning:
- Needs assessment
- Program development
- Program implementation
- Program evaluation
7. Agricultural Statistics
- Data Collection and Analysis:
- Sampling methods
- Data analysis techniques
- Statistical software
- Agricultural Indices:
- Crop production indices
- Livestock production indices
- Agricultural price indices
- Agricultural Forecasting:
- Crop yield forecasting
- Livestock production forecasting
- Agricultural price forecasting
8. Organic Farming
- Principles of Organic Farming:
- Soil fertility management
- Crop rotation
- Pest and disease management
- Organic inputs
- Organic Certification:
- Certification standards
- Certification process
- Organic labeling
9. Precision Agriculture
- GPS and GIS in Agriculture:
- Site-specific management
- Variable rate application
- Precision irrigation
- Remote Sensing in Agriculture:
- Crop health monitoring
- Yield prediction
- Soil mapping
- Sensors and Data Acquisition:
- Soil moisture sensors
- Yield monitors
- Weather stations
10. Climate Change and Agriculture
- Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture:
- Temperature rise
- Rainfall variability
- Extreme weather events
- Adaptation Strategies:
- Drought-resistant crops
- Water conservation techniques
- Climate-smart agriculture
- Mitigation Strategies:
- Carbon sequestration
- Reduced tillage
- Organic farming
General Knowledge
- Indian History:
- Ancient India
- Medieval India
- Modern India
- Indian Geography:
- Physical features
- Climate
- Natural resources
- Population
- Indian Polity:
- Constitution of India
- Fundamental rights and duties
- Union government
- State government
- Local government
- Indian Economy:
- Economic development
- Agriculture
- Industry
- Services
- Current Affairs:
- National and international events
- Important personalities
- Major developments in science and technology
- Sports
Reasoning and Aptitude
- Logical Reasoning:
- Analogies
- Classification
- Series
- Coding-decoding
- Blood relations
- Directions
- Puzzles
- Quantitative Aptitude:
- Number systems
- Arithmetic
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Data interpretation
- Verbal Ability:
- Reading comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
- Sentence correction
- Paragraph writing
Tables
Table 1: Major Crops in India
| Crop | Production (Million Tonnes) | Area (Million Hectares) |
|---|---|---|
| Rice | 120 | 44 |
| Wheat | 100 | 30 |
| Maize | 30 | 10 |
| Pulses | 25 | 20 |
| Oilseeds | 35 | 25 |
| Cotton | 6 | 5 |
| Sugarcane | 350 | 5 |
Table 2: Major Dairy Breeds in India
| Breed | Origin | Milk Yield (L/day) |
|---|---|---|
| Sahiwal | Pakistan | 10-15 |
| Gir | Gujarat | 10-15 |
| Red Sindhi | Pakistan | 10-15 |
| Tharparkar | Pakistan | 10-15 |
| Jersey | USA | 20-25 |
| Holstein Friesian | Netherlands | 30-40 |
Table 3: Major Poultry Breeds in India
| Breed | Origin | Egg Production (Eggs/year) |
|---|---|---|
| White Leghorn | USA | 250-300 |
| Rhode Island Red | USA | 200-250 |
| Plymouth Rock | USA | 200-250 |
| Australorp | Australia | 250-300 |
| Isa Brown | France | 280-300 |
Note: This syllabus is for informational purposes only and may be subject to change. Please refer to the official notification released by RSMSSB for the latest syllabus and exam pattern.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Short Answers:
1. What are the different types of irrigation methods?
- Surface irrigation: Water flows over the soil surface, like flooding or furrow irrigation.
- Sprinkler irrigation: Water is sprayed through sprinklers, mimicking rainfall.
- Drip irrigation: Water is delivered directly to plant roots through a network of tubes and emitters.
2. What are the major nutrients required by plants?
- Nitrogen (N): Essential for leaf growth and chlorophyll production.
- Phosphorus (P): Promotes root development and flowering.
- Potassium (K): Helps with water regulation and disease resistance.
3. What is the difference between organic and inorganic fertilizers?
- Organic fertilizers: Derived from natural sources like compost or manure, release nutrients slowly.
- Inorganic fertilizers: Synthetically produced, provide immediate nutrient availability.
4. What are the benefits of crop rotation?
- Improves soil fertility by cycling nutrients.
- Controls pests and diseases by disrupting their life cycles.
- Reduces soil erosion.
5. What are the different types of plant diseases?
- Fungal diseases: Caused by fungi, often characterized by spots, wilting, or rot.
- Bacterial diseases: Caused by bacteria, can lead to leaf blight, cankers, or soft rot.
- Viral diseases: Caused by viruses, often result in stunted growth, mosaic patterns, or leaf distortion.
6. What are the different methods of pest control?
- Cultural control: Using practices like crop rotation or sanitation to reduce pest populations.
- Chemical control: Using pesticides to kill pests.
- Biological control: Using natural predators or parasites to control pests.
7. What are the major breeds of dairy cattle in India?
- Sahiwal: Known for high milk yield and heat tolerance.
- Gir: Known for high milk fat content and heat tolerance.
- Red Sindhi: Known for high milk yield and adaptability to harsh conditions.
8. What are the different types of agricultural loans available?
- Crop loans: For financing crop production expenses.
- Term loans: For purchasing farm machinery or livestock.
- Working capital loans: For meeting short-term operational expenses.
9. What are the key principles of organic farming?
- Soil health: Focus on building healthy soil through composting and natural fertilization.
- Pest and disease management: Emphasizes biological control and preventive measures.
- Sustainable practices: Minimizes environmental impact and promotes biodiversity.
10. What are the benefits of precision agriculture?
- Increased efficiency: Optimizes resource use by applying inputs only where needed.
- Improved yields: Maximizes crop production by addressing specific needs of each field area.
- Reduced environmental impact: Minimizes chemical use and promotes sustainable practices.
Note: These are just a few examples of frequently asked questions. The actual questions may vary depending on the specific syllabus and exam pattern.