UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 12
In the context of India, which of the following is/are considered to be practice(s) of eco-friendly agriculture?
- Crop diversification
- Legume intensification
- Tensiometer use
- Vertical farming
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Correct Option: A (1, 2 and 3 only)
Explanation: Diversification, legumes and soil-moisture-based irrigation improve environmental outcomes. In this exam’s classification, vertical farming was not counted as inherently eco-friendly because intensive electricity and material inputs can offset its water/land gains.
Statement / Pair / Item-wise Analysis:
1. Correct - Crop diversification reduces monoculture vulnerability and may improve soil health.
2. Correct - Legumes support biological nitrogen fixation and reduce synthetic-N demand.
3. Correct - Tensiometers monitor soil moisture tension, helping prevent over-irrigation.
4. Incorrect - Vertical farming is not automatically sustainable; artificial lighting and climate control can consume much energy.
Option-wise Analysis:
A. Correct-includes all and only valid statements/items 1, 2, 3.
B. Incorrect-omits correct item 1 (Crop diversification reduces monoculture vulnerability and may improve soil health); omits correct item 2 (Legumes support biological nitrogen fixation and reduce synthetic-N demand).
C. Incorrect-includes incorrect item 4 (Vertical farming is not automatically sustainable; artificial lighting and climate control can consume much energy); omits correct item 1 (Crop diversification reduces monoculture vulnerability and may improve soil health); omits correct item 2 (Legumes support biological nitrogen fixation and reduce synthetic-N demand); omits correct item 3 (Tensiometers monitor soil moisture tension, helping prevent over-irrigation).
D. Incorrect-includes incorrect item 4 (Vertical farming is not automatically sustainable; artificial lighting and climate control can consume much energy).
Review note: Vertical farming can be sustainable with efficient design and renewable energy; excluding item 4 is a contextual, not categorical, judgment.