With reference to the circumstances in Indian agriculture, the concept of “Conservation Agriculture” assume significance. Which of the following fall under the Conservation Agriculture?
- Avoiding monoculture practices
- Adopting minimum tillage
- Avoiding the cultivation of plantation crops
- Using crop residues to cover soil surface
- Adopting spatial and temporal crop sequencing/crop rotations
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2018 Prelims]
(a) 1, 3 and 4
(b) 2, 3, 4 and 5
(c) 2, 4 and 5
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 5
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
- Conservation agriculture is an agricultural production approach that aims to achieve high and sustained production levels while conserving the environment and ensuring acceptable profits.
- This approach involves utilizing soils for crop production, while minimizing soil disturbance and maintaining crop residues on the soil surface to reduce environmental damage.
- There are three main principles of conservation agriculture:
- minimum tillage and soil disturbance,
- permanent soil cover with crop residues and live mulches, and
- crop rotation and intercropping.