Question

Read the following text carefully :

The need for eco-friendly agriculture in India

A major highlight of this year’s budget was achieving green growth for a cleaner, greener Earth. Launched under the Green Growth Targets, the PM-PRANAM Scheme is designed as a programme for Restoration, Nourishment and Amelioration of the Earth.

This scheme will incentivise the states and union territories to use alternative fertilisers. Furthermore, the budget also outlined that the Centre will assist the transition of one crore farmers to organic farming, reiterating the long term vision of eco-friendly agriculture.

Emphasis on natural farming techniques and optional chemical usage has strong linkages with the green revolution that aided the large-scale usage of chemical fertilizers in India.

Over the period of time, fertilizer runoff to water bodies and subsequent nutrient overload resulted in eutrophication, massive algal blooms in lakes and rivers and the formation of dead zones. These runoffs also pollute the groundwater resources in the long term.

It also accelerates land degradation and desertification by destroying the natural soil properties.

Thus, the rationale behind the government’s move to include sustainable and natural farming techniques becomes clear. Organic farming will aid in reducing cumulative GHG emissions as chemical fertilizers account for over 77% of agricultural nitrogen oxide emissions in India. Hence, promoting agro-forestry initiatives will boost soil organic carbon and fertility. Trees will also serve as storehouses of sequestered carbon.

On the basis of the given text and common understanding, answer the following questions :

(a) Explain any two problems associated with the usage of chemical fertilizers.

(b) Discuss briefly the economic rationale behind the government’s move to promote organic farming.

(c) State the meaning of green growth.

Hint:

Use the words of the passage: runoff causes eutrophication and soil damage. Organic farming cuts emissions and builds soil carbon. Green growth means growth with minimum environmental damage.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understand the case:
The text is about eco-friendly agriculture, the harm done by chemical fertilizers and the government move to promote organic farming under the PM-PRANAM scheme. We answer the three parts using the words of the text.

Step 2: (a) Problem 1 of chemical fertilizers:
Fertilizer runoff reaches rivers and lakes and causes a nutrient overload. This leads to eutrophication, large algal blooms and dead zones in water bodies.
The text adds that these runoffs also pollute the groundwater in the long run.

Step 3: (a) Problem 2 of chemical fertilizers:
Chemical fertilizers destroy the natural properties of the soil. This speeds up land degradation and desertification, so the land becomes less productive over time.

Step 4: (b) Economic rationale for organic farming:
Chemical fertilizers account for over 77 percent of nitrogen oxide emissions from agriculture in India. Organic farming helps to cut the total greenhouse gas emissions.
Agro-forestry raises soil organic carbon and soil fertility, and trees store carbon. Healthier soil keeps farm output sustainable in the long run, with a smaller environmental cost.

Step 5: (c) Meaning of green growth:
Green growth is economic growth achieved in a way that keeps damage to the environment as small as possible.

Final Answer:
(a) Water pollution with eutrophication, and land degradation. (b) Lower greenhouse gas emissions and better soil fertility. (c) Green growth is growth with minimum harm to the environment.