Mains Syllabus of TNPSC Agricultural Officer Exam 2024
Agriculture
1. Crop Production and Management
- Principles of Agronomy:
- Soil fertility and soil health management
- Crop physiology and growth stages
- Crop water requirements and irrigation management
- Nutrient management and fertilizer application
- Weed management and herbicide application
- Pest management and insecticide application
- Crop rotation and intercropping
- Organic farming practices
- Major Crops of Tamil Nadu:
- Rice, Millets, Pulses, Oilseeds, Cotton, Sugarcane, Vegetables, Fruits, Spices, and Plantation crops
- Cultivation practices, varieties, and post-harvest management
- Crop diseases and pests, their control measures
- Modern Agricultural Technologies:
- Precision agriculture
- Protected cultivation
- High-tech farming techniques
- Use of drones and remote sensing in agriculture
- Biotechnology in agriculture
2. Horticulture
- Fruit Production:
- Propagation, cultivation, and management of major fruit crops in Tamil Nadu
- Fruit diseases and pests, their control measures
- Post-harvest management of fruits
- Vegetable Production:
- Propagation, cultivation, and management of major vegetable crops in Tamil Nadu
- Vegetable diseases and pests, their control measures
- Post-harvest management of vegetables
- Floriculture:
- Propagation, cultivation, and management of ornamental plants
- Flower diseases and pests, their control measures
- Post-harvest management of flowers
- Landscape Gardening:
- Principles of landscape design
- Selection and use of plants in landscaping
- Maintenance of gardens and parks
3. Animal Husbandry
- Dairy Farming:
- Breeds of dairy cattle and their management
- Milk production and processing
- Dairy farm management
- Dairy diseases and their control
- Poultry Farming:
- Breeds of poultry birds and their management
- Egg and meat production
- Poultry farm management
- Poultry diseases and their control
- Pig Farming:
- Breeds of pigs and their management
- Pig production and marketing
- Pig diseases and their control
- Sheep and Goat Farming:
- Breeds of sheep and goats and their management
- Wool and meat production
- Sheep and goat diseases and their control
- Fisheries:
- Inland and marine fisheries
- Fish culture and management
- Fish diseases and their control
- Fish processing and marketing
4. Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Marketing:
- Marketing channels and institutions
- Price determination and market analysis
- Agricultural price policy
- Agricultural cooperatives
- Agricultural Finance:
- Sources of agricultural credit
- Credit institutions and their role
- Agricultural insurance
- Agricultural Policy and Planning:
- National and state agricultural policies
- Agricultural development programs
- Agricultural research and extension
5. Agricultural Extension
- Principles of Extension Education:
- Communication skills
- Extension methods and techniques
- Training and development of extension personnel
- Extension Programs and Activities:
- Farm demonstrations
- Field days
- Farmers’ meetings
- Training programs
- Role of Extension in Agricultural Development:
- Dissemination of new technologies
- Adoption of improved practices
- Empowerment of farmers
6. Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
- Soil Formation and Classification:
- Soil profile and its components
- Soil classification systems
- Soil fertility and soil health
- Soil Physical Properties:
- Soil texture, structure, and density
- Soil water holding capacity
- Soil aeration and drainage
- Soil Chemical Properties:
- Soil pH and nutrient availability
- Soil organic matter and its role
- Soil fertility management
- Agricultural Chemistry:
- Fertilizer chemistry and application
- Pesticide chemistry and application
- Soil amendments and their effects
7. Plant Pathology
- Plant Diseases:
- Types of plant diseases
- Disease cycle and epidemiology
- Disease diagnosis and identification
- Disease Management:
- Cultural practices
- Biological control
- Chemical control
- Integrated disease management
8. Entomology
- Insect Pests:
- Types of insect pests
- Insect life cycle and behavior
- Pest identification and monitoring
- Pest Management:
- Cultural practices
- Biological control
- Chemical control
- Integrated pest management
9. Agricultural Engineering
- Farm Machinery:
- Types of farm machinery
- Operation and maintenance of machinery
- Safety measures in machinery operation
- Irrigation Engineering:
- Irrigation systems
- Water management and conservation
- Irrigation scheduling
- Farm Structures:
- Design and construction of farm buildings
- Farm storage facilities
- Farm electrification
10. Agricultural Biotechnology
- Genetic Engineering:
- Genetically modified crops
- Marker-assisted selection
- Molecular diagnostics
- Biotechnology in Crop Improvement:
- Disease and pest resistance
- Herbicide tolerance
- Enhanced nutritional value
- Biotechnology in Animal Husbandry:
- Disease resistance
- Increased productivity
- Improved animal health
Table 1: Major Crops of Tamil Nadu
| Crop | Cultivation Area (ha) | Production (tonnes) |
|---|---|---|
| Rice | 2,500,000 | 10,000,000 |
| Millets | 500,000 | 1,000,000 |
| Pulses | 200,000 | 500,000 |
| Oilseeds | 1,000,000 | 2,000,000 |
| Cotton | 500,000 | 1,000,000 |
| Sugarcane | 200,000 | 5,000,000 |
| Vegetables | 500,000 | 2,000,000 |
| Fruits | 200,000 | 1,000,000 |
| Spices | 50,000 | 200,000 |
| Plantation crops | 100,000 | 500,000 |
Table 2: Major Dairy Breeds in Tamil Nadu
| Breed | Origin | Milk Yield (kg/lactation) |
|---|---|---|
| Gir | Gujarat | 2,000-3,000 |
| Sahiwal | Punjab | 2,500-3,500 |
| Red Sindhi | Sindh | 1,500-2,500 |
| Jersey | Jersey Island | 4,000-5,000 |
| Holstein Friesian | Netherlands | 6,000-8,000 |
Note: This table provides a general overview of the syllabus. The actual exam syllabus may vary slightly. It is recommended to refer to the official TNPSC notification for the most up-to-date information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Short Answers for TNPSC Agricultural Officer Exam 2024
Crop Production and Management
Q1: What are the key factors influencing soil fertility?
A1: Soil fertility is influenced by factors like organic matter content, nutrient availability, pH, soil structure, and water holding capacity.
Q2: Explain the importance of crop rotation in sustainable agriculture.
A2: Crop rotation helps break disease and pest cycles, improve soil structure, and maintain nutrient balance.
Q3: What are the benefits of using organic farming practices?
A3: Organic farming promotes soil health, reduces environmental pollution, and produces healthier food.
Horticulture
Q4: What are the major fruit crops cultivated in Tamil Nadu?
A4: Major fruit crops in Tamil Nadu include mango, banana, grapes, papaya, and guava.
Q5: How can we manage post-harvest losses in vegetables?
A5: Post-harvest losses can be minimized through proper harvesting techniques, storage facilities, and transportation methods.
Q6: What are the key principles of landscape gardening?
A6: Landscape gardening involves principles like balance, unity, variety, and functionality.
Animal Husbandry
Q7: What are the characteristics of a good dairy breed?
A7: A good dairy breed should have high milk yield, good udder conformation, and disease resistance.
Q8: What are the major poultry diseases and their control measures?
A8: Common poultry diseases include Newcastle disease, Avian influenza, and Marek’s disease. Control measures include vaccination, biosecurity, and hygiene.
Q9: What are the challenges faced by the fisheries sector in Tamil Nadu?
A9: Challenges include overfishing, pollution, and climate change.
Agricultural Economics
Q10: What are the different marketing channels for agricultural produce?
A10: Marketing channels include direct selling, wholesale markets, and retail outlets.
Q11: What are the objectives of agricultural price policy?
A11: Agricultural price policy aims to ensure fair prices for farmers, stabilize market prices, and promote agricultural production.
Q12: What is the role of agricultural cooperatives in rural development?
A12: Cooperatives provide farmers with access to credit, inputs, and marketing facilities.
Agricultural Extension
Q13: What are the different extension methods used to disseminate agricultural information?
A13: Extension methods include farm demonstrations, field days, farmers’ meetings, and training programs.
Q14: How can extension services empower farmers?
A14: Extension services empower farmers by providing them with knowledge, skills, and resources to improve their farming practices.
Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
Q15: What are the major soil types found in Tamil Nadu?
A15: Tamil Nadu has a variety of soil types, including red soils, black soils, and alluvial soils.
Q16: Explain the role of soil organic matter in soil fertility.
A16: Soil organic matter improves soil structure, water holding capacity, and nutrient availability.
Q17: What are the different types of fertilizers used in agriculture?
A17: Fertilizers include nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers.
Plant Pathology
Q18: What are the common plant diseases affecting crops in Tamil Nadu?
A18: Common plant diseases include rice blast, cotton wilt, and banana bunchy top.
Q19: What are the principles of integrated disease management?
A19: Integrated disease management involves a combination of cultural, biological, and chemical control measures.
Entomology
Q20: What are the major insect pests of rice and cotton?
A20: Major insect pests of rice include stem borer and leaf hopper. Major insect pests of cotton include bollworm and aphids.
Q21: What are the benefits of using biological control methods for pest management?
A21: Biological control methods are environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Agricultural Engineering
Q22: What are the different types of irrigation systems used in agriculture?
A22: Irrigation systems include surface irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, and drip irrigation.
Q23: What are the factors to consider when designing farm structures?
A23: Factors include climate, livestock requirements, and storage needs.
Agricultural Biotechnology
Q24: What are the potential benefits of genetically modified crops?
A24: Benefits include increased yield, disease resistance, and herbicide tolerance.
Q25: What are the ethical concerns surrounding the use of agricultural biotechnology?
A25: Concerns include potential environmental risks, food safety, and intellectual property rights.
Note: These are just a few examples of frequently asked questions. The actual questions asked in the exam may vary. It is recommended to study the entire syllabus thoroughly and prepare for a wide range of questions.