Q.1. Read the passage given below- (7 Marks) 1. Organic farming is a method of farming which primarily aims at cultivating the land and raising crops in such a way, as to keep the soil alive and in good health by use of organic wastes (crop, aquatic, animal and farm waste) and other biological materials along with beneficial microbes to release nutrients to crops for increased sustainable production in an eco-friendly pollution free environment. 2. Organic farming was being practised in India years ago till the British ruled it. In traditional India, agriculture was practised using organic techniques, where the fertilizers, pesticides etc., were obtained from plants and animal products. Organic farming was the backbone of the Indian economy. Ploughing was done by bullocks and cow dung was being used as manure. 3. During the 1950's and 1960's, the ever-increasing population of India and several natural calamities led to severe food crisis. As a result, the government was forced to import food grains from foreign countries. To increase food security, the government had to increase food production. Several hectares of land were brought under cultivation. Hybrid seeds were introduced. Natural and organic fertilizers were replaced by chemical fertilizers and locally made pesticides were replaced by chemical pesticides. As time went by, extensive dependence on chemical farming led to loss of land fertility. Pests are becoming immune requiring the farmers to use stronger and costlier pesticides. Due to increased cost of farming, farmers are falling into the trap of money lenders, who are exploiting them no end and forcing many to commit suicide. Both consumers and farmers are now gradually shifting back to organic farming in India. It is believed by many that organic farming is healthy. Consumers are willing to pay higher prices for the same. Many farmers in India are shifting to organic farming due to the domestic and international demand for organic food. 4. Further, stringent standards for non-organic food in European and US markets have led to rejection of many Indian food consignments in the past. Organic farming, therefore, provides a better alternative to chemical farming. Today, more than 2.5 million hectares of land is under organic farming in India. Further, there are over 15000 certified organic farms in India. India, therefore, is one of the most important suppliers of organic foods to the developed nations. The organic movement has again started in India. Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the following questions by choosing the correct option. I. The aim of the organic farming is to- (A) keep the soil alive. (B) keep the soil costly. (C) keep the soil wet. (D) keep the soil preserved. II. Which of the following is/are used in the organic farming? (A) Non- Organic wastes (B) Only beneficial microbes (C) Biological materials (D) Chemical fertilizers III. Which of the following lists the negative impact of the inorganic farming? 1- Drought. 2- Loss of land fertility. 3- Increasing incidences of pests. 4- Pollution of groundwater. 5- Farmers’ deaths. 6- Food adulteration. (A) 1,3 and 4 (B) 2, 3 and 5 (C) 4, 5 and 6 (D)1, 2 and 5 IV. How can you say that Indian farmers practised organic farming before independence? (A) The farmers used natural fertilisers such as cow dung.(B) They used chemical pesticides. (C) Hybrid seeds were used. (D) They used chemical fertilisers. V. In India, many farmers are committing suicides due to ______ cost of farming and _____ by the moneylenders. (A) decreased, commendations (B) increased, exploitation (C) demanding, extrapolation (D) increases, exploitation VI. Why are consumers willing to pay higher prices for the organic produce? (A) Because they believe that such produce is healthier. (B) Because the organic movement has again started in India. (C) Because they don’t like to use chemical fertilizers. (D) There will be less exploitation of farmers by moneylenders. VII. Choose the option that correctly states the two meanings of ‘stringent’, as used in the passage. I. Lenient II. Strict III. Strange IV. Flexible V. Rigid (A) I and III (B) IV and V (C) III and I (D) II and V
Answers
Answer:
I. The aim of the organic farming is to
A) to keep soil alive
II. Which of the following is/are used in the organic farming?
(C) Biological materials
III. Which of the following lists the negative impact of the inorganic farming?
D)1, 2 and 5 1) 1- Drought.
2)- Loss of land fertility.
5)- Farmers’ deaths
IV. How can you say that Indian farmers practised organic farming before independence?
(A) The farmers used natural fertilisers such as cow dung
V. In India, many farmers are committing suicides due to ______ cost of farming and _____ by the moneylenders.
(B) increased, exploitation
VI. Why are consumers willing to pay higher prices for the organic produce?
(A) Because they believe that such produce is healthier.
VII. Choose the option that correctly states the two meanings of ‘stringent’, as used in the passage
(D) II and V II. Strict
V. Rigid
Explanation:
before answering this type of questions you need to read carefully entire paragraph and you will know, it is not difficult as it seems