FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION FOR RECRUITMENT
TO POSTS IN BPS-17 UNDER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, 2008
AGRICULTURE
TIME ALLOWED:
(PART-I) 30 MINUTES MAXIMUM MARKS:20
(PART-II) 2 HOURS & 30 MINUTES MAXIMUM MARKS:80
NOTE: (i) First attempt PART-I (MCQ) on separate Answer Sheet which shall be taken back after 30 minutes.
(ii) Overwriting/cutting of the options/answers will not be given credit.
PART – I (MCQ) (COMPULSORY)
Q.1. Select the best option/answer and fill in the appropriate box on the Answer Sheet. (20)
(i) The share of livestock in agricultural growth has jumped from 25.3% in 1996 to ____ in 2006:
(a) 35% (b) 45% (c) 49.6% (d) None of these
(ii) Of the total forest area of Pakistan, commercial forests cover:
(a) 16% (b) 20% (c) 33% (d) None of these
(iii) To decrease water loss during transmission, a mega project for lining of water courses and canals was launched in 2004-05 with a cost of Rs. ____:
(a) 66 billion (b) 75 billion (c) 150 billion (d) None of these
(iv) A condition when there is excessive produce in the market which lowers down price is called:
(a) Perfect market (b) Imperfect market (c) Market glut (d) None of these
(v) Total amount allocated by Government for agriculture credit disbursement is Rs. _____ :
(a) 160 billion (b) 180 billion (c) 280 billion (d) None of these
(vi) The estimated production of sugarcane for the year 2006-07 is ____ million tons:
(a) 44.8% (b) 54.8% (c) 64.8% (d) None of these
(vii) Increased vigour growth of a hybrid over parents is called:
(a) Heterosis (b) Heterozygous (c) Hybridization (d) None of these
(viii) Cropping methods in which the second crop is started amidst the first crop before it has been harvested is called:
(a) Relay Cropping (b) Multiple Cropping (c) Double Cropping (d) None of these
(ix) Time factor of cold days needed by certain plants to produce a bud:
(a) Vernalization (b) Dormancy (c) Bloom factor (d) None of these
(x) A natural dropping of leaves, flowers and other plant parts is called:
(a) Abscission (b) Fall (c) Abortive (d) None of these
(xi) ICRISAT is located in:
(a) China (b) India (c) Mexico (d) None of these
(xii) Mites are the arthropods in class:
(a) Insecta (b) Diplopoda (c) Chordata (d) None of these
(xiii) Flax is:
(a) Ornamental plant (b) Oil producing plant (c) Fiber producing plant (d) None of these
(xiv) Plants having flowers of only one sex are:
(a) Dioecious (b) Monoecious (c) Monogamy (d) None of these
(xv) Area which can be economically irrigated by an irrigation system is called:
(a) Command area (b) Catchment area (c) (d) None of these
(xvi) A group of plants having identical genetic makeup from a single parent is called:
(a) (b) Race (c) Tribe (d) None of these
(xvii) C.E.C. stands for:
(a) Cation exchange capacity (b) Calcium exchange capacity (c) Carbon enriched compounds (d) None of these
(xviii) Break down of nitrate and nitrite by bacteria in an anaerobic condition is called:
(a) Denitrification (b) Mineralization (c) Immobilization (d) None of these
(xix) Best rootstock of citrus in Punjab is:
(a) Jatti khatti (b) Rough lemon (c) Sour orange (d) None of these
(xx) The expectation of occurance of a particular event is called: (a) Probability (b) Replication (c) Convergence (d) None of the above
PART – II
NOTE:
(i) PART-II is to be attempted on the separate Answer Book.
(ii) Attempt ONLY FOUR questions from PART-II. All questions carry EQUAL marks.
(iii) Extra attempt of any question or any part of the attempted question will not be considered.
Q No. 2. Pakistan ranks as one of those countries that have the highest proportion of irrigated cropped areas in the world, but water is becoming a limiting factor for different crops in different seasons. What measures have been taken by the Government of Pakistan under President’s vision of Pakistan program to solve the problems of water scarcity? (20)
Q No. 3. How can an efficient sustainable agricultural system ensure your food security and safety? Can you forecast the ability of this system to contribute to the economic development and poverty alleviation in Pakistan? (20)
Q. No. 4. government of Punjab in government of Pakistan is emphasising and the valuable role of livestock in bringing about revolution in dairy products. What is your opinion on this statement in the present scenario of scientific zeal being pursued in the agricultural and animal sciences Universities? Also elaborate by suggesting some mans on the shortcomings in achieving this goal. (20)
Q. No. 5. Year 2007 is seventh year of 21st Century. An array of challenges was identified regarding improving farm production and incomes at the beginning of the century. Can you discuss those challenges and how has Pakistan been able to cope with? (20)
Q. No. 6. Land degradation has become a serious threat to the environment and economic sustainability in various parts of the world. Industrial development is also necessary to bring Pakistan at par with other countries in the region and it should not depend solely on agricultural products for prosperity. How can you present case of Land degradation due to industrial development Land reforms agricultural operation in Pakistan? Also discuss the remedies a possible causes of Land degradation. (20)
Q. No. 7. (a) Importance of Agricultural Marketing and Research in Pakistan cannot be ignored, despite all efforts to stabilise the markets of agricultural products; there are still many gaps in efficient and substantial system for prices of these products. Discuss in detail the present system and ways of its improvement in future keeping in view globalisation and WTO. (10)
(b) What are surplus export agricultural commodities in Pakistan? What are prospects of sustainable international market access for these commodities? Discuss Government policies in enhancement of their production and export facilities. (10)
Q. No. 8. Describe the impact of environmental changes on the physiology of plants in general and vegetables and fruits in particular. What are important biotechnological techniques to cater need of for breeding resistant plants against this changes? (20)