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Read the following passage and answer the item that follow.
Your answer to this item should be based on the passage only.
Agriculture in India needs to become more sustainable even as small and marginal farmers struggle to build resilience against many threats. First, they remain price-takers and economically vulnerable, beholden to traders who set prices, and with limited opportunities to sell at a time of their choice (due to poor storage). Further, decades of intensive agriculture have added to water stress and declining soil health. Farmers rely on groundwater for more than 60% of irrigation needs. Chemical fertilizers, once a boon to boost soil nutrients, have been applied so intensively (particularly urea) that the long-term health of soils is now of deep concern.
Q. Which among the following is the most logical, rational and critical inference that can be made from the above passage?
  • a)
    Agricultural policies in India have prioritized productivity in place of sustainability
  • b)
    Agricultural policies in India have favoured small and marginal farmers over the bigger farmers
  • c)
    Agricultural policies in India have favoured large farmers over small and medium farmers
  • d)
    Agricultural policies in India leave a lot to be desired
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
Read the following passage and answer the item that follow.Your answe...
The passage focuses on bringing out the lack of sustainable practices in Indian agriculture which are creating several issues. All the examples given above are examples of measures undertaken to boost productivity at the expense of sustainability. Hence A is the correct answer.
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Most Upvoted Answer
Read the following passage and answer the item that follow.Your answe...
Understanding the Inference from the Passage
The passage discusses the challenges faced by small and marginal farmers in India, emphasizing the need for sustainable agricultural practices. The correct inference is that agricultural policies in India have prioritized productivity over sustainability.

Key Points Supporting Option 'A'
- **Economic Vulnerability**: The passage mentions that small farmers are "price-takers" and are economically vulnerable due to their dependence on traders for pricing, indicating a lack of supportive policies for their sustainability.
- **Environmental Concerns**: It highlights the adverse effects of intensive agriculture practices, such as water stress and declining soil health, suggesting that the focus has been on immediate productivity rather than long-term sustainability.
- **Dependence on Groundwater**: The reliance on groundwater for over 60% of irrigation needs indicates that policies have not effectively addressed sustainable water management, further demonstrating a lack of emphasis on sustainable agricultural practices.
- **Chemical Fertilizer Usage**: The excessive application of chemical fertilizers, particularly urea, raises concerns about long-term soil health, pointing to a prioritization of short-term productivity gains over sustainable methods.

Conclusion
Overall, the passage clearly illustrates that while the goal of increased productivity has been met, it has come at the cost of environmental sustainability and the welfare of small farmers. This context solidifies option 'A' as the most logical inference drawn from the information presented.
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Read the following passage and answer the item that follow.Your answer to this item should be based on the passage only.Agriculture in India needs to become more sustainable even as small and marginal farmers struggle to build resilience against many threats. First, they remain price-takers and economically vulnerable, beholden to traders who set prices, and with limited opportunities to sell at a time of their choice (due to poor storage). Further, decades of intensive agriculture have added to water stress and declining soil health. Farmers rely on groundwater for more than 60% of irrigation needs. Chemical fertilizers, once a boon to boost soil nutrients, have been applied so intensively (particularly urea) that the long-term health of soils is now of deep concern.Q. Which among the following is the most logical, rational and critical inference that can be made from the above passage?a) Agricultural policies in India have prioritized productivity in place of sustainabilityb) Agricultural policies in India have favoured small and marginal farmers over the bigger farmersc) Agricultural policies in India have favoured large farmers over small and medium farmersd) Agricultural policies in India leave a lot to be desiredCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
Read the following passage and answer the item that follow.Your answer to this item should be based on the passage only.Agriculture in India needs to become more sustainable even as small and marginal farmers struggle to build resilience against many threats. First, they remain price-takers and economically vulnerable, beholden to traders who set prices, and with limited opportunities to sell at a time of their choice (due to poor storage). Further, decades of intensive agriculture have added to water stress and declining soil health. Farmers rely on groundwater for more than 60% of irrigation needs. Chemical fertilizers, once a boon to boost soil nutrients, have been applied so intensively (particularly urea) that the long-term health of soils is now of deep concern.Q. Which among the following is the most logical, rational and critical inference that can be made from the above passage?a) Agricultural policies in India have prioritized productivity in place of sustainabilityb) Agricultural policies in India have favoured small and marginal farmers over the bigger farmersc) Agricultural policies in India have favoured large farmers over small and medium farmersd) Agricultural policies in India leave a lot to be desiredCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Read the following passage and answer the item that follow.Your answer to this item should be based on the passage only.Agriculture in India needs to become more sustainable even as small and marginal farmers struggle to build resilience against many threats. First, they remain price-takers and economically vulnerable, beholden to traders who set prices, and with limited opportunities to sell at a time of their choice (due to poor storage). Further, decades of intensive agriculture have added to water stress and declining soil health. Farmers rely on groundwater for more than 60% of irrigation needs. Chemical fertilizers, once a boon to boost soil nutrients, have been applied so intensively (particularly urea) that the long-term health of soils is now of deep concern.Q. Which among the following is the most logical, rational and critical inference that can be made from the above passage?a) Agricultural policies in India have prioritized productivity in place of sustainabilityb) Agricultural policies in India have favoured small and marginal farmers over the bigger farmersc) Agricultural policies in India have favoured large farmers over small and medium farmersd) Agricultural policies in India leave a lot to be desiredCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Read the following passage and answer the item that follow.Your answer to this item should be based on the passage only.Agriculture in India needs to become more sustainable even as small and marginal farmers struggle to build resilience against many threats. First, they remain price-takers and economically vulnerable, beholden to traders who set prices, and with limited opportunities to sell at a time of their choice (due to poor storage). Further, decades of intensive agriculture have added to water stress and declining soil health. Farmers rely on groundwater for more than 60% of irrigation needs. Chemical fertilizers, once a boon to boost soil nutrients, have been applied so intensively (particularly urea) that the long-term health of soils is now of deep concern.Q. Which among the following is the most logical, rational and critical inference that can be made from the above passage?a) Agricultural policies in India have prioritized productivity in place of sustainabilityb) Agricultural policies in India have favoured small and marginal farmers over the bigger farmersc) Agricultural policies in India have favoured large farmers over small and medium farmersd) Agricultural policies in India leave a lot to be desiredCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for Read the following passage and answer the item that follow.Your answer to this item should be based on the passage only.Agriculture in India needs to become more sustainable even as small and marginal farmers struggle to build resilience against many threats. First, they remain price-takers and economically vulnerable, beholden to traders who set prices, and with limited opportunities to sell at a time of their choice (due to poor storage). Further, decades of intensive agriculture have added to water stress and declining soil health. Farmers rely on groundwater for more than 60% of irrigation needs. Chemical fertilizers, once a boon to boost soil nutrients, have been applied so intensively (particularly urea) that the long-term health of soils is now of deep concern.Q. Which among the following is the most logical, rational and critical inference that can be made from the above passage?a) Agricultural policies in India have prioritized productivity in place of sustainabilityb) Agricultural policies in India have favoured small and marginal farmers over the bigger farmersc) Agricultural policies in India have favoured large farmers over small and medium farmersd) Agricultural policies in India leave a lot to be desiredCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for UPSC. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for UPSC Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of Read the following passage and answer the item that follow.Your answer to this item should be based on the passage only.Agriculture in India needs to become more sustainable even as small and marginal farmers struggle to build resilience against many threats. First, they remain price-takers and economically vulnerable, beholden to traders who set prices, and with limited opportunities to sell at a time of their choice (due to poor storage). Further, decades of intensive agriculture have added to water stress and declining soil health. Farmers rely on groundwater for more than 60% of irrigation needs. Chemical fertilizers, once a boon to boost soil nutrients, have been applied so intensively (particularly urea) that the long-term health of soils is now of deep concern.Q. Which among the following is the most logical, rational and critical inference that can be made from the above passage?a) Agricultural policies in India have prioritized productivity in place of sustainabilityb) Agricultural policies in India have favoured small and marginal farmers over the bigger farmersc) Agricultural policies in India have favoured large farmers over small and medium farmersd) Agricultural policies in India leave a lot to be desiredCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Read the following passage and answer the item that follow.Your answer to this item should be based on the passage only.Agriculture in India needs to become more sustainable even as small and marginal farmers struggle to build resilience against many threats. First, they remain price-takers and economically vulnerable, beholden to traders who set prices, and with limited opportunities to sell at a time of their choice (due to poor storage). Further, decades of intensive agriculture have added to water stress and declining soil health. Farmers rely on groundwater for more than 60% of irrigation needs. Chemical fertilizers, once a boon to boost soil nutrients, have been applied so intensively (particularly urea) that the long-term health of soils is now of deep concern.Q. Which among the following is the most logical, rational and critical inference that can be made from the above passage?a) Agricultural policies in India have prioritized productivity in place of sustainabilityb) Agricultural policies in India have favoured small and marginal farmers over the bigger farmersc) Agricultural policies in India have favoured large farmers over small and medium farmersd) Agricultural policies in India leave a lot to be desiredCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Read the following passage and answer the item that follow.Your answer to this item should be based on the passage only.Agriculture in India needs to become more sustainable even as small and marginal farmers struggle to build resilience against many threats. First, they remain price-takers and economically vulnerable, beholden to traders who set prices, and with limited opportunities to sell at a time of their choice (due to poor storage). Further, decades of intensive agriculture have added to water stress and declining soil health. Farmers rely on groundwater for more than 60% of irrigation needs. Chemical fertilizers, once a boon to boost soil nutrients, have been applied so intensively (particularly urea) that the long-term health of soils is now of deep concern.Q. Which among the following is the most logical, rational and critical inference that can be made from the above passage?a) Agricultural policies in India have prioritized productivity in place of sustainabilityb) Agricultural policies in India have favoured small and marginal farmers over the bigger farmersc) Agricultural policies in India have favoured large farmers over small and medium farmersd) Agricultural policies in India leave a lot to be desiredCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Read the following passage and answer the item that follow.Your answer to this item should be based on the passage only.Agriculture in India needs to become more sustainable even as small and marginal farmers struggle to build resilience against many threats. First, they remain price-takers and economically vulnerable, beholden to traders who set prices, and with limited opportunities to sell at a time of their choice (due to poor storage). Further, decades of intensive agriculture have added to water stress and declining soil health. Farmers rely on groundwater for more than 60% of irrigation needs. Chemical fertilizers, once a boon to boost soil nutrients, have been applied so intensively (particularly urea) that the long-term health of soils is now of deep concern.Q. Which among the following is the most logical, rational and critical inference that can be made from the above passage?a) Agricultural policies in India have prioritized productivity in place of sustainabilityb) Agricultural policies in India have favoured small and marginal farmers over the bigger farmersc) Agricultural policies in India have favoured large farmers over small and medium farmersd) Agricultural policies in India leave a lot to be desiredCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Read the following passage and answer the item that follow.Your answer to this item should be based on the passage only.Agriculture in India needs to become more sustainable even as small and marginal farmers struggle to build resilience against many threats. First, they remain price-takers and economically vulnerable, beholden to traders who set prices, and with limited opportunities to sell at a time of their choice (due to poor storage). Further, decades of intensive agriculture have added to water stress and declining soil health. Farmers rely on groundwater for more than 60% of irrigation needs. Chemical fertilizers, once a boon to boost soil nutrients, have been applied so intensively (particularly urea) that the long-term health of soils is now of deep concern.Q. Which among the following is the most logical, rational and critical inference that can be made from the above passage?a) Agricultural policies in India have prioritized productivity in place of sustainabilityb) Agricultural policies in India have favoured small and marginal farmers over the bigger farmersc) Agricultural policies in India have favoured large farmers over small and medium farmersd) Agricultural policies in India leave a lot to be desiredCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice UPSC tests.
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