GS3 PYQ (Mains Answer Writing): Agriculture and Technology | Science & Technology for UPSC CSE PDF Download

How is science interwoven deeply with our lives? What are the striking changes in agriculture triggered off by the science-based technologies? (UPSC GS3 Mains)

The modern lifestyle has been heavily impacted by technology due to impact of Fourth industrial revolution characterized by artificial learning, Internet of Things, Cloud Computing and Robotics. From education to employment and from farm to industries, Science and technology has impacted the day to day lifestyle in some way or other.
Impact of Science on our lives 

• Education: There has been a surge in scientific advancement in form of scientific learning, demonstration based on 3D technologies. 
• Use of technology to demonstrate different theories and e-learning has been developed under shadow of science. 
• Health: Development of science goes hands in hand with development of healthcare sector. Evolution in healthcare sector in India from e-medicines to e-consultancy is due to development of science. 
• Entertainment: Technology has transformed recreational activities characterized by 3-D effects in movies to VFX technology which has provided a new dimension to cinematography. 
• E-market place: Development of science has brought the marketplace to doorsteps. It is the result of development of e-commerce websites which has done so. 
• Further, online Bill payments and e-banking services have made lives comfortable by bringing these facilities to home. 
• Social Connectivity: Changed nature of social connectivity has brought the world together. 
• The interaction of people around the globe has increased due to social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. 
• Now, every regional problem is discussed as global problem while every global problem is treated as regional problem. Striking Changes triggered by Science based technology in agriculture. 
• Soil testing labs have increased the productivity of soil by indicating nutrient abundance and deficiency. 
• Precision irrigation technologies such as drip irrigation have reduced the consumption of water in one hand while checking land degradation on the other. Fertilizers of different kinds be it organic or inorganic, if used optimally has increased agricultural productivity. 
• Farm mechanization due to use of tractors, harvesters, thrashers e.t.c. has decreased dependence on manual labourers and increased farm productivity. 
• Processing facilities and storage facilities has increased the value of agricultural produce as well as their shelf life. 
• Use of nuclear radiation in controlled environment in treating agriculture produce has been possible due to development of science. 
• Irradiation is very effective in treating agricultural produce to enhance its shelf life. It leads to effective elimination of harmful bacteria and insects/pests. 
• Emergence of E-marketing due to development of technology has largely impacted re-distribution of agriculture produce across a region. 
• It has provided farmers better options to sell their produce anywhere with their choice. 
• Agriculture Education can be accessed by farmers at door step due to emergence and spread of internet technology across the rural hinterland. 
• Development of innovative methods of farming practices such as LED farming, vertical farming, controlled environment agriculture, soil solarization technology and fertigation methods have given an impetus to agriculture development. 
• Genetic engineering and hybrid technology in agriculture has done a miracle to make India self sufficient in food while genetic engineering can solve our future problems also. 

Conclusion
The cohesive nature of science and development has resulted in rapid pace of economic development across the globe. It has also improved the living conditions of people and helped in enriching social capital.
Development and pace of agricultural growth rate has been interlinked and is experienced across the globe. India must put its effort to link different sectors of economy with emerging technologies to attain its sustainable development goals. It will also help India to achieve doubling the farmer’s income by 2022 coupled with attaining $5 trillion economy target by 2024.