UPSC Prelims 2021 · Question 51 of 97

UPSC Prelims 2021 question on Permaculture Farming

How is the 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 possibly 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.

  1. 1 and 3
  2. 1, 2 and 4
  3. 4 only
  4. 2 and 3
Show answer

Answer: B. 1, 2 and 4

Verdict

Correct statements: 1, 2 and 4 → Option (b).

Analysis

Permaculture is, amongst others, an approach to land management that adopts arrangements observed in flourishing natural ecosystems. It includes a set of design principles derived using whole systems thinking. It uses these principles in fields such as regenerative agriculture, rewilding, and community resilience.

Statement by statement

Statement 1 – CORRECT: Permaculture discourages monoculture and serves to open up the possibility of growing a wide range of food grains, fruits and vegetables and thereby expanding the food basket; thus permaculture also contributes to community health. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Statement 2 – CORRECT: Application of permaculture methods and introducing permaculture techniques like swales, natural mulching, rainfall harvesting, legume cultivation, have a clear role in improving soil properties, increasing soil organic matter content and reducing soil salinity. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Statement 3 – INCORRECT: Due to its focus on water conservation and region specific crops, it is very much suitable for arid and semi arid regions. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Statement 4 – CORRECT: Mulch is a material placed on the soil surface to maintain moisture, reduce weed growth, mitigate soil erosion and improve soil conditions. Mulching can help to improve crop yield and optimise water use which is an essential component of permaculture. Hence, statement 4 is correct.

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