How to start preparation for AHO, OPSC, Odisha!!!

 How to start preparation for Assistant Horticulture Officer Recruitment -2023, Class-II, Group-A, OPSC-Odisha!!!

OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Notification for a total 33 number of posts is 2023 Out and the Registration will be from 15 Nov 2023 to 15 Dec 2023. The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) is conducting the Assistant Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2023. A total of 33 vacancies are to be filled for the Assistant Horticulture Officer post under the A & FE Dept. The candidates can check the details of the application process, exam dates, eligibility, syllabus & exam pattern in the previous-blog.

In this blog an elaborated discussion will be carried out on preparation strategy, problem-solving capacity, reading effectively, and memorizing the concepts and MCQs will be done.

Syllabus: The following syllabus has been set by OPSC for AHO-2023 Examination.

Topics	Syllabus
Plant Propagation & Nursery Management	Importance of plant propagation, sexual & asexual method of plant propagation, advantages, disadvantages, detail about grafting, layering, budding, cutting, tissue culture, propagation through specialized plant part, incompatibility, polyembryony, apomixes, pat1henocarpy, rootstocks, anatomical studies on rooting, scion, graft union, use of PGR, propagation method of horticultural crops, plant propagating structure, media preparation, nursery act, registration, insect pest & disease control of nursery plants, Hi-tech nurseries.
Fruit Crops	Importance of fruits classification of fruits, area, production, export, marketing, storage, fruit growing zones of fruit crops, agro-climatic zones & suitable fruits for tropical, subtropical & wasteland areas, soil, climate, varieties planting, cultural practices, irrigation, nutrition, weed management plant protection, harvesting, yield, storage, processing, Physiological disorders, insect, pest, diseases management, Post-harvest technology, training, pruning, unfruitfulness of fruits of important fruit crops such as mango, Banana, citrus fruits, Pine-apple, Guava, Citrus, Papaya, Sapota, Bael, Ber, Jackfruit, Pomegranate, Litchi, Jamun, Custard apple, aonla etc.
Plantation Crops	Importance, scope, area, production, marketing, processing & cultivation practices of important plantation crops like coconut, areca nut, Oil palm, Palmyrah palm, Cocoa, coffee, tea, rubber, date palm in relation to soil, climate, varieties, plant protection, soil & water management, processing packaging, grading, value addition.
Vegetable Crops	Area, production, importance, productivity, export, value addition, off season cultivation, greenhouse cultivation, organic fanning, seed production, certification, value addition, storage of vegetable & cultivation of important, tropical, subtropical, temperate, under-exploited, perennial vegetable crops in relation to soil, climate, varieties, hybrid, seed rate, spacing, fertilizer dose, physiological disorders, plant protection, harvesting storage, processing, important varieties, vegetable garden etc.
Spices, Condiments & Medicinal Plants	History scope, area, production, marketing, export, value addition, processing, storage of important spices, condiments & medicinal plants. Cultivation practices of important spices, condiments and medicinal plants with relation to soil, climate, variety, spacing, fertilizers, plant protection, harvesting & marketing, processing etc. Uses of important spices, condiments & medicinal plants.
Ornamental Horticulture	History, definition, scope, importance, marketing, export, aesthetic value, Horticulture industry, industrial importance, open cultivation, protected cultivation, packaging, marketing, storage of important commercial flowers, Ornamental trees, climbers, shrubs, herbs, loose flowers, foliage plants, house plants, orchids, cut flowers, different types of garden, parks, gardens features, Bonsai, terrace garden, flower arrangement, bio aesthetic planting, landscape architecture, commercial cultivation of important cut flower crops, lawn & its maintenance, protected cultivation of important flowers & foliage plants.
Related Subjects	Precision farming, protected cultivation, drip and sprinkler irrigation, Fe1tigation, post-harvesting technology of horticultural crops, nutrient management, INM, important insect, pest and diseases of horticultural crops, water management, soil management, use of PGR, organic fanning and certification, leaf analysis, genetic Engineering, bio-control, different cropping pattern, crop rotation, farming system research, weed management, water management, soil management, seed production, organic fanning, protected cultivation, respiration, transpiration, photosynthesis, biotic & abiotic stress management, dormancy, growth and development, horticulture entrepreneurship.
Agro- Meteorology	Agro-climate zones of India & Odisha, Agro-ecology for horticultural crops, Weather & climate, Weather parameters and crop environment, Weather forecasting, Climate change, vulnerability and risks, Climate resilience and climate smart practices.
Soil & Nutrition	Soil of Odisha, problematic soils and their management, essential plant nutrients, crop growth, manures and fertilisers, integrated nutrient management for horticultural crop, nutrient use efficiency.
Water Management	Water resources of Odisha, Irrigation development, Soil plant water relation, Water requirement and irrigation efficiencies, Irrigation scheduling, methods & irrigation, micro irrigation & water use efficiencies, Irrigation water quality, stress management.
Weed Management	Weeds competition & allelopathy, crop weed association, weed prevention eradication and control, integrated weed management, herbicides and their uses selectivity and environmental impacts.
Dry Land Farming	Rained and dry land horticulture, drought management, Contingent planning, soil moisture conservation, water harvesting & recycling, watershed management, conservation farming/ horticulture.
Integrated Farming System	Farming system and horticulture, Integrated farming system models (horticultural based), farm machineries & equipment for horticulture, tillage & tillage implements.
Seed Technology	Seed quality, seed dormancy, seed production certification storage etc.
Economics	Cost of cultivation of horticultural crops, Entrepreneurship in horticulture, Agribusiness management, marketing.
Statistics	Basic statistical principles, data collection compilation & presentation.
Plant Protection	IPM, biological control, important insect pests, diseases and nematodes of horticultural crops.

 Tentative questions from different parts of the syllabus:

Name of the Subject	Number of Marks	Time Duration
Plant propagation and nursery management	20	3 Hours
Fruit crops	20
Plantation crops	20
Vegetable Crops	20
Spices, Condiments, Medicinal plants	20
Ornamental Horticulture	20
Related subjects	30
Agro-Meteorology	05
Soil and Nutrition	05
Water Management	05
Weed Management	05
Dry-land Farming	05
Integrated Farming System	05
Seed Technology	05
Economics	05
Statistics	05
Plant Protection	05
Total	200 Marks

 Examination Pattern

The exam is conducted in offline mode. It consists of a written exam. The questions are objective type and the total time duration for the exam is 03 hours each. The questions consist of Horticulture Science and Animal Science. The total no. of questions is 200, and each question carries a 01 mark.

Paper	Subjects	No. of Questions	Marks
Written Exam	Horticulture Agriculture	200	200

***Note: There is a negative marking. 0.25 marks from the total allotted marks to each question get deducted for the wrong answer.

Viva Voce: The candidates who qualify for the written exam will be called for the viva voce test. This test is of 25 marks. The merit list will be prepared on the basis of a written exam and viva voce test.

Examination Preparation

As for the examination, 120 questions will be from the different aspects of Horticulture, 1^st give more emphasis to this part, which will increase your chances in the competitions. Along with this, to get a good rank as well as score follow the General agriculture books. The book link is attached below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T00QIrG49N0&t=3s&ab_channel=Agriculture2u

Preparing for competitive exams requires a comprehensive approach. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you prepare effectively:

We have already understood the Exam Format and get idea regarding the books, if not gather study material, then collect all relevant study material such as textbooks, reference books, online resources, and previous years’ question papers available on the website (We will also provide the previous years’ question papers in our website). Ensure that your study material covers the entire syllabus.

Create a Study Plan: Develop a study plan that allocates sufficient time to each subject or topic based on its weightage in the exam. Break down your study sessions into manageable chunks, and include regular revisions.

Conceptual Understanding: Focus on understanding the concepts rather than rote memorization. Use various learning aids such as diagrams, charts, mnemonics, and practical examples to grasp the concepts effectively.

Practice MCQs: Solve a large number of MCQs from different sources to familiarize yourself with the exam pattern and improve your speed and accuracy (We have MCQs on our site you can practice them by clicking the link MCQs). Pay attention to the explanation provided for each question to understand the underlying concepts.

Mock Tests: Take mock tests regularly to simulate exam conditions and assess your preparation level (We will introduce it shortly- April 2024 free of cost, Show your interest by mailing us at subhrajyoti.agro@gmail.com). Analyze your performance in these tests to identify your strengths and weaknesses.

Revision: Schedule regular revision sessions to reinforce your learning and ensure retention of information. Focus on areas where you feel less confident and revise them thoroughly.

Viva Preparation: For the viva section, prepare concise notes covering important topics and concepts (We will arrange viva test for qualified candidates after the announcement of written result). Practice answering questions orally to improve your articulation and confidence. Additionally, anticipate potential questions based on the syllabus and practice answering them effectively.

Other aspects that can boost your study

Stay Healthy: Maintain a healthy lifestyle during your preparation period. Get adequate sleep, exercise regularly, and eat a balanced diet to keep your mind and body in optimal condition.

Stay Positive: Maintain a positive attitude throughout your preparation journey. Stay motivated and believe in your abilities to succeed in the exam.

Seek Help When Needed: If you encounter difficulties understanding certain topics, don’t hesitate to seek help from teachers, mentors, or fellow students (contact us for online lectures on a particular topic free of cost @ subhrajyoti.agro@gmail.com). Joining study groups or online forums can also provide additional support and resources.

Time Management: Develop effective time management skills to ensure that you cover the entire syllabus within the stipulated time frame. Allocate more time to challenging subjects while ensuring that you devote sufficient time to revision and practice.

By following these steps and maintaining consistency in your preparation, you can enhance your chances of performing well in competitive exams with MCQs and viva.

All the best for your future exams and plans….