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Monoculture carries great risks. A single disease or pest can wipe out swathes of the world’s food production, an alarming prospect given that its growing and wealthier population will eat 70% more by 2050. The risks are magnified by the changing climate. As the planet warms and monsoon rains intensify, farmlands in Asia will flood. North America will suffer more intense droughts, and crop diseases will spread to new latitudes.
​Q. Which of the following is the most logical, rational and crucial message given by the passage?
  • a)
    Preserving crop genetic diversity is an insurance against the effects of climate change.
  • b)
    Despite great risks, monoculture is the only way to ensure food security in the world.
  • c)
    More and more genetically modified crops only can save the world from impending shortages of food.
  • d)
    Asia and North America will be worst sufferers from climate change and the consequent shortage of food.
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Monoculture carries great risks. A single disease or pest can wipe out...
Monoculture, the cultivation of a single crop or plant species over large areas, indeed carries considerable risks. While it allows for efficient production and uniformity, it also creates vulnerability to various threats, such as diseases, pests, and environmental changes. A single disease or pest can quickly spread and devastate large portions of a monoculture crop, leading to significant economic losses and potential food insecurity. Here are a few reasons why monoculture carries great risks:

1. Disease and Pest Susceptibility: Monocultures lack genetic diversity, making them more susceptible to diseases and pests. When a single crop dominates an area, it creates an ideal environment for pathogens and pests to proliferate. If a particular disease or pest evolves to effectively attack the monoculture crop, it can rapidly spread and cause severe damage.

2. Lack of Natural Defenses: Genetic diversity in plant species promotes natural resistance to diseases and pests. In monocultures, where only one crop variety is grown, the lack of genetic variation diminishes the chance of having natural defenses against specific pathogens or pests. This increases the risk of a devastating outbreak that can quickly spread across vast areas.

3. Increased Chemical Dependency: To protect monoculture crops from diseases and pests, farmers often resort to increased use of pesticides and herbicides. This reliance on chemical inputs not only poses risks to human health and the environment but can also lead to the development of pesticide-resistant pests and diseases. Consequently, it becomes even more challenging to control outbreaks effectively.

4. Environmental Impacts: Monoculture systems often require intensive land use, leading to deforestation, habitat destruction, and loss of biodiversity. These practices disrupt the natural balance and can have long-term ecological consequences. Additionally, monocultures typically rely on large amounts of water, fertilizers, and energy inputs, contributing to environmental degradation and resource depletion.

5. Economic Vulnerability: When a single crop dominates a region's agriculture, a disease or pest outbreak can have severe economic repercussions. Farmers heavily relying on a single crop may face significant financial losses if their entire harvest is affected. This can lead to bankruptcy, unemployment, and socio-economic instability in farming communities.

To mitigate the risks associated with monoculture, promoting crop diversity, implementing integrated pest management practices, and adopting sustainable agricultural practices are crucial. Encouraging agroecological approaches that embrace biodiversity, crop rotations, and mixed farming systems can help build resilience against diseases, pests, and environmental challenges.
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Monoculture carries great risks. A single disease or pest can wipe out swathes of the world’s food production, an alarming prospect given that its growing and wealthier population will eat 70% more by 2050. The risks are magnified by the changing climate. As the planet warms and monsoon rains intensify, farmlands in Asia will flood. North America will suffer more intense droughts, and crop diseases will spread to new latitudes.Q. Which of the following is the most logical, rational and crucial message given by the passage?a)Preserving crop genetic diversity is an insurance against the effects of climate change.b)Despite great risks, monoculture is the only way to ensure food security in the world.c)More and more genetically modified crops only can save the world from impending shortages of food.d)Asia and North America will be worst sufferers from climate change and the consequent shortage of food.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2026 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Monoculture carries great risks. A single disease or pest can wipe out swathes of the world’s food production, an alarming prospect given that its growing and wealthier population will eat 70% more by 2050. The risks are magnified by the changing climate. As the planet warms and monsoon rains intensify, farmlands in Asia will flood. North America will suffer more intense droughts, and crop diseases will spread to new latitudes.Q. Which of the following is the most logical, rational and crucial message given by the passage?a)Preserving crop genetic diversity is an insurance against the effects of climate change.b)Despite great risks, monoculture is the only way to ensure food security in the world.c)More and more genetically modified crops only can save the world from impending shortages of food.d)Asia and North America will be worst sufferers from climate change and the consequent shortage of food.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2026 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Monoculture carries great risks. A single disease or pest can wipe out swathes of the world’s food production, an alarming prospect given that its growing and wealthier population will eat 70% more by 2050. The risks are magnified by the changing climate. As the planet warms and monsoon rains intensify, farmlands in Asia will flood. North America will suffer more intense droughts, and crop diseases will spread to new latitudes.Q. Which of the following is the most logical, rational and crucial message given by the passage?a)Preserving crop genetic diversity is an insurance against the effects of climate change.b)Despite great risks, monoculture is the only way to ensure food security in the world.c)More and more genetically modified crops only can save the world from impending shortages of food.d)Asia and North America will be worst sufferers from climate change and the consequent shortage of food.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for Monoculture carries great risks. A single disease or pest can wipe out swathes of the world’s food production, an alarming prospect given that its growing and wealthier population will eat 70% more by 2050. The risks are magnified by the changing climate. As the planet warms and monsoon rains intensify, farmlands in Asia will flood. North America will suffer more intense droughts, and crop diseases will spread to new latitudes.Q. Which of the following is the most logical, rational and crucial message given by the passage?a)Preserving crop genetic diversity is an insurance against the effects of climate change.b)Despite great risks, monoculture is the only way to ensure food security in the world.c)More and more genetically modified crops only can save the world from impending shortages of food.d)Asia and North America will be worst sufferers from climate change and the consequent shortage of food.Correct 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 Monoculture carries great risks. A single disease or pest can wipe out swathes of the world’s food production, an alarming prospect given that its growing and wealthier population will eat 70% more by 2050. The risks are magnified by the changing climate. As the planet warms and monsoon rains intensify, farmlands in Asia will flood. North America will suffer more intense droughts, and crop diseases will spread to new latitudes.Q. Which of the following is the most logical, rational and crucial message given by the passage?a)Preserving crop genetic diversity is an insurance against the effects of climate change.b)Despite great risks, monoculture is the only way to ensure food security in the world.c)More and more genetically modified crops only can save the world from impending shortages of food.d)Asia and North America will be worst sufferers from climate change and the consequent shortage of food.Correct answer is option 'A'. 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Which of the following is the most logical, rational and crucial message given by the passage?a)Preserving crop genetic diversity is an insurance against the effects of climate change.b)Despite great risks, monoculture is the only way to ensure food security in the world.c)More and more genetically modified crops only can save the world from impending shortages of food.d)Asia and North America will be worst sufferers from climate change and the consequent shortage of food.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Monoculture carries great risks. A single disease or pest can wipe out swathes of the world’s food production, an alarming prospect given that its growing and wealthier population will eat 70% more by 2050. The risks are magnified by the changing climate. As the planet warms and monsoon rains intensify, farmlands in Asia will flood. North America will suffer more intense droughts, and crop diseases will spread to new latitudes.Q. Which of the following is the most logical, rational and crucial message given by the passage?a)Preserving crop genetic diversity is an insurance against the effects of climate change.b)Despite great risks, monoculture is the only way to ensure food security in the world.c)More and more genetically modified crops only can save the world from impending shortages of food.d)Asia and North America will be worst sufferers from climate change and the consequent shortage of food.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Monoculture carries great risks. A single disease or pest can wipe out swathes of the world’s food production, an alarming prospect given that its growing and wealthier population will eat 70% more by 2050. The risks are magnified by the changing climate. As the planet warms and monsoon rains intensify, farmlands in Asia will flood. North America will suffer more intense droughts, and crop diseases will spread to new latitudes.Q. Which of the following is the most logical, rational and crucial message given by the passage?a)Preserving crop genetic diversity is an insurance against the effects of climate change.b)Despite great risks, monoculture is the only way to ensure food security in the world.c)More and more genetically modified crops only can save the world from impending shortages of food.d)Asia and North America will be worst sufferers from climate change and the consequent shortage of food.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Monoculture carries great risks. A single disease or pest can wipe out swathes of the world’s food production, an alarming prospect given that its growing and wealthier population will eat 70% more by 2050. The risks are magnified by the changing climate. As the planet warms and monsoon rains intensify, farmlands in Asia will flood. North America will suffer more intense droughts, and crop diseases will spread to new latitudes.Q. Which of the following is the most logical, rational and crucial message given by the passage?a)Preserving crop genetic diversity is an insurance against the effects of climate change.b)Despite great risks, monoculture is the only way to ensure food security in the world.c)More and more genetically modified crops only can save the world from impending shortages of food.d)Asia and North America will be worst sufferers from climate change and the consequent shortage of food.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice UPSC tests.
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