Question

Which one of the following would be the best strategy for ecology-friendly sustainable development in Indian agriculture?
1. Improved farm implements and machinery, use of potent insecticides to minimise post-harves grain losses and monoculture cropping practices.
2. Mixed cropping and use of organic manures, nitrogen-fixing plants and pest-resistant crop varieties.
3. Wide use of high-yielding crop varieties, better and more frequency of aerial sprays of inorganic fertilisers and pesticides.
4. Expansion of cultivable land, increased use of super phosphate, urea and effective bioacids.

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : Mixed cropping and use of organic manures, nitrogen-fixing plants and pest-resistant crop varieties.

The correct answer is Mixed cropping and use of organic manures, nitrogen-fixing plants and pest-resistant crop varieties.

• Mixed cropping and the use of organic manures, nitrogen-fixing plants, and pest-resistant crop varieties is the best strategy for ecology-friendly sustainable development in Indian agriculture.
• Mixed cropping is the practice of growing two or more crops on the same piece of land.
• Mixed cropping was once seen to be a primitive practice by some scholars, but it is now widely regarded as a more efficient manner of utilizing land.
• Mixed farming decreases risk and provides some protection in the event that one of the crops fails.
• Mixed cropping will help to utilize the soil properly.
• The regular recycling of organic wastes in the soil is the most efficient method of maintaining optimum levels of soil organic matter.

• Mustard and Gram can be grown alongside wheat as a mixed crop.
• Groundnut can be grown alongside sunflower as a mixed crop.
• Cotton can be grown together with Moong bean as a mixed crop.
• Barley is a good choice for a mixed crop with chickpeas.