UPSC Prelims 2018 Question:

With reference to the circumstances in Indian agriculture, the concept of "Conservation Agriculture" assumes significance. Which of the following fall under the Conservation Agriculture?

1. Avoiding the monoculture practices
2. Adopting minimum tillage
3. Avoiding the cultivation of plantation crops
4. Using crop residues to cover soil surface
5. Adopting spatial and temporal crop sequencing/crop rotations
   
   

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Explanation:

• • Conservation Agriculture is a farming system that promotes minimum soil disturbance, maintenance of a permanent soil cover, and diversification of plant species. It enhances biodiversity and natural biological processes above and below the ground surface, which contribute to increased water and nutrient use efficiency and to improved and sustained crop production.
    
    
  • Three principles of Conservation Agriculture:
    • Minimum mechanical soil disturbance (i.e. no tillage) through direct seed and/or fertilizer placement. So, point 2 is correct.
    • Permanent soil organic cover (at least 30 percent) with crop residues and/or cover crops. So, point 4 is correct.
    • Species diversification through varied crop sequences/rotations and associations involving at least three different crops. So, point 5 is correct.
      
      

• Avoiding the monoculture practices and avoiding the cultivation of plantation crops doesn’t  fall under the Conservation Agriculture. So, points 1 and 3 are not correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (3) is the correct answer.

Subject: Environment | Sustainable Development