Environment and Ecology
2020
Sustainable Development
Agriculture and Environment

In the context of India, which of the following is/are considered to be practice(s) of eco-friendly agriculture?

  1. Crop diversification
  2. Legume intensification
  3. Tensiometer use
  4. Vertical farming Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A.1, 2 and 3 only
D.1, 2, 3 and 4
C.4 only
B.3 only

Correct Answer: Option D

All the given options represent practices of eco-friendly agriculture.

Crop diversification: This involves adding new crops or cropping systems to agricultural production, which helps in utilizing resources efficiently and reducing reliance on single crops, thus promoting ecological balance.

Legume Intensification: Legumes fix atmospheric nitrogen, improving soil fertility naturally. They also release high-quality organic matter, facilitating soil nutrient circulation and water retention, which are all beneficial for sustainable agriculture.

Tensiometer Use: A tensiometer measures the matric water potential in the soil, aiding in irrigation scheduling. This helps farmers determine when to water, preventing over-watering and conserving water resources, leading to eco-friendly water management.

Vertical Farming: This involves growing crops in vertically stacked layers, often using controlled environments and soilless techniques like hydroponics. It optimizes plant growth while minimizing land usage and resource consumption, making it an eco-friendly approach.

Therefore, 1, 2, 3, and 4 are all practices of eco-friendly agriculture. Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.