UPSC Prelims 2021 · GS Paper I
Question 51: Economy and Social Development
How is permaculture farming different from conventional chemical farming?
- 1.Permaculture farming discourages monocultural practices but in conventional chemical farming, monoculture practices are predominant.
- 2.Conventional chemical farming can cause increase in soil salinity but the occurrence of such phenomenon is not observed in permaculture farming.
- 3.Conventional chemical farming is easily possible in semi-arid regions but permaculture farming is not so easily possible in such regions.
- 4.Practice of mulching is very important in permaculture farming but not necessarily so in conventional chemical farming.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
Permaculture designs farms to mimic natural ecosystems, using mixed cropping and perennial plants rather than a single crop, so it discourages monoculture, which conventional chemical farming favours. Heavy irrigation and chemical fertiliser use in conventional farming can raise soil salinity, while permaculture's soil building avoids it. Mulching to hold moisture and feed the soil is central to permaculture. Statement 3 reverses the position: permaculture's water-saving methods suit dry regions.
- 1. Permaculture favours diverse planting; conventional chemical farming is largely monocultural.
- 2. Intensive irrigation and chemical inputs can raise soil salinity; permaculture avoids this.
- 3. Permaculture's water-conserving methods make it suited to semi-arid regions.
- 4. Mulching is central to permaculture but not essential in conventional farming.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (c) and (d) go: each of them leaves 1 out.
What you needed to know: Permaculture favours diverse planting; conventional chemical farming is largely monocultural.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (a) goes: it leaves 2 out.
What you needed to know: Intensive irrigation and chemical inputs can raise soil salinity; permaculture avoids this.
Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statements 3 or 4.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: statement 3 is false and it omits statements 2 and 4.
- (b) Right: statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct.
- (c) Wrong: it omits statements 1 and 2, which are also correct.
- (d) Wrong: statement 3 is false and it omits statements 1 and 4.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2021, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.