1. Which of the following is/ are sustainable agricultural practices?
I. Mixed Cropping
II. Crop Rotation
III. Intercropping
IV. Integrated farming
A. I, II, III and IV
B. II, III and IV
C. I, II and III
D. I, III, and IV
Solution
- Agriculture is a broad term encompassing all aspects of crop production (food and fiber), livestock farming, fisheries, forestry, etc.
- Food and fibre productivity has increased by using new technologies, mechanization, increased use of fertilizers and pesticides, and expansion of irrigation facilities.
- These changes reduced the labour demand to produce the majority of the food and fibre.
- Although these changes have had a positive effect, they also caused some serious environmental and social problems such as erosion of topsoil, depletion, and pollution of groundwater and other water resources, unemployment of farm labourers due to their replacement by farm machinery.
- Given the growing negative consequences of modern agriculture, there is growing demand to promote “sustainable agriculture”.
Key points
Sustainable agriculture:
- Sustainable agriculture is the production of food, fibre, plant, or animal products using farming techniques that protect the environment, public health, human and animal welfare.
- Sustainable agriculture incorporates many environmentally safe agricultural practices,
- It offers innovative and economically viable opportunities for farmers, labourers, consumers, policymakers, and many others in the entire food system.
- Sustainable farming systems are those that are least toxic and least energy-intensive and yet maintain productivity and profitability. E.g. Organic farming.
- Over the long term it aims to:
- Satisfy human food and fibre needs.
- Make the most efficient use of non-renewable resources and on-farm resources.
- Sustain the economic viability of farm operations.
- Enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.
Important Point
Mixed Cropping:
- Mixed cropping, also known as inter-cropping or co-cultivation.
- It is a type of agriculture that involves planting two or more plants simultaneously in the same field.
- In general, the theory is that planting multiple crops at once will allow the crops to work together.
- For example, wheat + gram, or wheat + mustard, or groundnut + sunflower.
- This reduces risk and gives some insurance against the failure of one of the crops.
Crop Rotation:
- Crop rotation is the practice of growing a series of different types of crops in the same area across a sequence of growing seasons.
- It reduces reliance on one set of nutrients, pest and weed pressure, and the probability of developing resistant pests and weeds.
- Rotating crops helps maintain or improve soil health and maintain or increase the productivity of the farm over time.
- Crop rotations can improve soil structure and organic matter, which reduces erosion and increases farm system resilience.
- A diverse crop rotation gives the soil microbes different food sources, which ultimately makes soil healthier.
Intercropping:
- Inter-cropping is growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same field in a definite pattern.
- A few rows of one crop alternate with a few rows of a second crop.
- Example, soybean + maize, or finger millet (bajra) + cowpea (lobia).
- The crops are selected such that their nutrient requirements are different.
- This ensures maximum utilisation of the nutrients supplied and also prevents pests and diseases from spreading to all the plants belonging to one crop in a field.
- This way, both crops can give better returns.
Integrated farming:
- The integrated farming system is a resource management strategy to achieve economic and sustained agricultural production
- It aims at preserving environmental quality and meeting many requirements of farm households.
- Some of the benefits of IFS are:
- IFS improves soil fertility and health.
- reduce the production costs.
- decreases farm input requirements.
- minimize the use of chemical fertilizer.
- enhanced employment generation and pollution-free environment.
Thus, mixed cropping, crop rotation, intercropping and integrated farming are all examples of sustainable agricultural practices.
2. Which of the following is not the objective of sustainable agriculture?
A. Protect the health and safety of farm workers
B. Maximize use of non renewable resources
C. Protect the economic viability of farm operations
D. Produce sufficient high-quality and safe food
Solution
The correct answer is Maximize the use of non-renewable resources.
- Sustainable agriculture is the form of agriculture aimed at meeting the food and fuel needs of the present generation without endangering the resource base for the future generation.
- Sustainable agriculture depends on replenishing the soil while minimizing the use of non-renewable resources such as natural gas which used in converting atmospheric nitrogen into synthetic fertilizers and mineral ores.
- Renewable resources: Resources that have the potential to be replaced over time by natural processes.
- Non-renewable resources: Resources whose stock or reserves is limited or fixed.
Objectives of sustainable agriculture:
- Make the best use of the resources available.
- Minimize the use of non-renewable resources.
- Protect and enhance the environment and natural resources.
- Protect the economic viability of farming operations.
- Provide sufficient financial reward to the farmer to enable continued production and contribute to the well-being of the community.
- Produce sufficient high-quality and safe food.
- Build on available technology, knowledge, and skills in ways that suit local conditions and capacity.
3. Which of the following State of India has banned chemical fertilizer for sustainable agriculture?
A. Sikkim
B. Arnachal Pradesh
C. Andhra Pradesh
D. Goa
Solution
According to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) of India “Organic products are grown under a system of agriculture without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides with an environmentally and socially responsible approach.
Key points
Sustainable agriculture:
- This is a method of farming that works at grass root level preserving the reproductive and regenerative capacity of the soil, good plant nutrition, and sound soil management, produces nutritious food rich in vitality that has resistance to diseases.
- Sikkim was the first state to declare the objective of making the entire state fully organic by 2015.
- To this end, the Government of Sikkim launched a major Organic Mission in 2010, engaged service providers and companies, and initiated organic certification of the state‟s entire 60,000 ha of land area.
- The sale of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has been completely banned and subsidy on chemical pesticides and fertilizers was completely withdrawn in the state in May 2003.
Thus, Sikkim has banned chemical fertilizer for sustainable agriculture in India.
4. Which of the following is NOT a goal of sustainable agriculture?
A. Minimising labour and effort
B. Minimising input of chemicals
C. Maximising economic value
D. Maximising environmental health
Solution
The correct answer is Minimising Labour and effort
Key Points
- Minimising labour and effort is not a primary goal of sustainable agriculture.
- While reducing labour may increase convenience for farmers, this is not a specific or core goal of sustainable agriculture.
- Sustainable agriculture focuses on ecological and economic sustainability, which may sometimes require more labour-intensive practices, like crop rotation, organic farming, or integrated pest management.
- The primary goals of sustainable agriculture revolve around ensuring the long-term productivity of agricultural systems while safeguarding environmental health, economic viability, and social equity.
Additional Information
- Sustainable agriculture is the farming approach of the future.
- It signifies the ability of a farm to produce food perpetually, without causing severe or irreversible harm to the ecosystem.
- It’s a holistic approach to farming that considers the environmental, social, and economic aspects of the agricultural industry.
- Sustainable agriculture can increase the profitability of farms by reducing the dependency on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which are often expensive.
- Environmental Preservation: This approach encourages the use of practices that reduce the impact on the environment, thus playing a significant role in preserving our ecosystems.
- Sustainable farming can enhance the quality of life for farmers and the community by promoting healthier working conditions and strengthening local economies.
- It can help to increase the production of food and fibre to meet the growing needs of the global population.
5. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture consists of which of the following sub-mission?
A. Animal husbandry
B. Health Management
C. Cooperative agriculture
D. Soil Health Management
Solution
The correct answer is Soil Health Management.
- Sustainable Agriculture consists of Soil Health Management as one of the sub-missions.
Additional Information
- National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA):
- It is one of the major missions of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). Change in agricultural practices also plays a crucial role in the mitigation of climate change effects. This mission tries to comprehensively revamp the agricultural practices so that the desired objectives of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC’s) can be achieved.
- Major Programmes of NMSA
- Rainfed Area Development (RAD)
- Develops an area-based approach for the development and conservation of natural resources along with farming systems.
- It is a combination of various aspects of agriculture such as crops, fishery, livestock, horticulture, forestry and other agro-based activities which will act as a source of generating revenue.
- Implement practices that will regulate soil nutrient based on soil health card, development of farming lands.
- Using an approach that is cluster-based, with an area of 100 hectares or more
- Develop new property resources which would be common, like a bank for grains, fodder, shredders for biomass, combined marketing initiative.
- On-Farm Water Management (OFWM)
- The primary focus is optimum utilisation of water by promoting advanced on-farm water conservation equipment and technologies.
- Emphasize efficient harvesting and management of rainwater.
- Water conservation on the farm itself by digging farm ponds utilising funds from the MGNREGA mission.
- Soil Health Management
- Promote sustainable practices which preserve the health of soil based on a specific location and the type of crops that could be grown in those locations by taking the help of various techniques like management of residue, organic farming
- By making new maps with details on soil fertility and linking them with macro-management and micromanagement of nutrients, optimum land use, right utilisation of fertilisers and reducing degradation & erosion of soil.
- Use of thematic maps generated with the help of Geographical Information System (GIS) technology and the databases created on soil and land with the help of scientific surveys.
- State Government, Soil and land Use Survey of India (SLUSI), National Centre of Organic Farming (NCOF), Central Fertilizer Quality Control and Training Institute (CFQC&TI).
- Climate Change and Sustainable Agriculture: Monitoring, Modeling and Networking (CCSAMMN)
- Create and disseminate knowledge and updated information on climate change.
- Support pilot blocks for spreading rainfed technologies and co-ordinate with other schemes or missions like MGNREGS, NFSM, RKVY, IWMP, Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Program (AIBP), NMAET.
- Rainfed Area Development (RAD)
6. ‘Golden Revolution’ is related to ________.
A. Precious minerals
B. Pulses
C. Jute
D. Horticulture and Honey
Solution
The correct answer is Horticulture and Honey.
Key Points
- The Golden Revolution is related to Horticulture and Honey.
- It started in 1991 and lasted till 2003.
- Father of Golden Revolution: Nirpakh Tutaj.
- The Golden Fibre Revolution is related to Jute Production.
Additional Information
| Revolution | Relation |
| Brown Revolution | Leather, Cocoa |
| Green Revolution | Agriculture Production |
| Grey Revolution | Fertilizers |
| Pink Revolution | Onions, Prawn |
| Red Revolution | Meat, Tomato Production |
| Round Revolution | Potato Production |
| Silver Fibre Revolution | Cotton Production |
| Silver Revolution | Egg Production |
| White Revolution | Dairy, Milk Production |
| Yellow Revolution | Oil Seed Production |
| Blue Revolution | Fish Production |
| Black Revolution | Petroleum Production |
7. The Golden Revolution in Indian agricultural sector is related with:
A. minerals
B. coconut production
C. horticulture
D. cashew cultivation
Solution
The correct answer is horticulture.
Key Points
- The Golden Revolution in the Indian agricultural sector is related to horticulture.
- The Golden Revolution is related to Horticulture and Honey.
- It started in 1991 and lasted till 2003.
- Father of Golden Revolution: Nirpakh Tutaj.
Additional Information
| Revolution | Related Products |
| Yellow Revolution | Oil seed production |
| White Revolution | Milk production |
| Golden Fiber Revolution | Jute production |
| Green Revolution | Food grain |
| Silver Revolution | Egg production |
| Fiber Revolution | Production Cotton |
8. _______ is the primary sector of the Indian economy.
A. Banking
B. Information and Technology
C. Agriculture
D. Judiciary
Solution
The correct option is 3 i.e. Agriculture.
- Agriculture, Mining, Fishing, Forestry, and Dairy are some examples of the primary sector of the Indian economy.
- These are called so because it forms the base for all other products.
- Manufacturing, Gas, Electricity, Construction, and Water supply are some secondary sectors
- It contributes around 29.6 % of the Indian GDP.
- Goods transported by trucks or trains, banking, insurance, and finance come under the tertiary sector.
9. Match List – I with List – II and select the correct answer from the code given below the lists.
| List – I (Revolution) | List – II (Related with) | ||
| A. | Golden Revolution | 1. | Oil seed production |
| B. | Grey Revolution | 2. | Horticulture and Honey |
| C. | Yellow Revolution | 3. | Petroleum production |
| D. | Black Revolution | 4. | Fertilizers |
A. A – 2, B – 4, C – 1, D – 3
B. A – 2, B – 3, C – 4, D – 1
C. A – 1, B – 2, C – 3, D – 4
D. A – 4, B – 2, C – 1, D – 3
Solution
The correct answer is A – 2, B – 4, C – 1, D – 3.
Key Points
Golden Revolution
- The Golden Revolution is related to Horticulture and Honey.
- It started in 1991 and lasted till 2003.
- Father of Golden Revolution in India: Nirpakh Tutaj.
- The Golden Fibre Revolution is related to Jute Production.
Grey Revolution
- Grey revolution is related to increased fertilizer production.
- It is associated with the mal effects of the green revolution in which excessive chemical fertilizers were used.
Yellow Revolution
- Yellow revolution is related to Oil seeds like mustard, groundnut sesame, etc.
- Sam Pitroda is credited for the Yellow revolution.
- It also resulted in a sudden increase in the production of edible oil due to the production of Hybrid oil seeds.
- The Yellow revolution started in the year 1986-87.
Black Revolution
- The Black revolution relates to Self-dependence on petroleum/ crude oil.
- The Black revolution aims to increase petroleum production by accelerating the production of biodiesel by increasing ethanol production.
10. Which of the following states is a leading producer of natural rubber?
A. Andhra Pradesh
B. Madhya Pradesh
C. Kerala
D. Maharashtra
Solution
The correct answer is Kerala.
Key Points
- The Top Rice Producing state is West Bengal.
- The Top Wheat Producing state is Uttar Pradesh.
- India is the second-largest producer of Wheat after China.
- The leading Maize producer is Karnataka.
Additional Information
- The top Millets Producing state is Rajasthan.
- The top Pulses producer is Madhya Pradesh.
- Cotton (Kharif) Producer states are Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha.
- Assam, Darjeeling (West Bengal) are the main producer of Tea.
