Microtheme: Farming Techniques —
24 questions asked in Prelims in the past.

1. [2024] Consider the following materials:
   1. Agricultural residues
   2. Corn grain
   3. Wastewater treatment sludge
   4. Wood mill waste
   Which of the above can be used as feedstock for producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel?
   • (a) 1 and 2 only
   • (b) 3 and 4 only
   • (c) 1,2,3 and 4*
   • (d) 1,3 and 4 only
   Correct Answer: (C) 1,2,3 and 4*
2. [2023] Consider the following activities:
   1. Spreading finely ground basalt rock on farmlands extensively
   2. Increasing the alkalinity of oceans by adding lime
   3. Capturing carbon dioxide released by various industries and pumping it into abandoned subterranean mines in the form of carbonated waters
   How many of the above activities are often considered and discussed for carbon capture and sequestration?
   • (a) Only one
   • (b) Only two
   • (c) All three
   • (d) (c) None
   Correct Answer: (C) All three
3. [2023] Which one of the following best describes the concept of ‘Small Farmer Large Field?
   • (a) Resettlement of a large number of people, uprooted from their countries due to war, by giving them a large cultivable land which they cultivate collectively and share the produce
   • (b) (c) Many marginal farmers in an area together make a contract with a corporate body and surrender their land to the corporate body for a fixed term for which the corporate body makes a payment of agreed
   • (c) Many marginal farmers in an area together make a contract with a corporate body and surrender their land to the corporate body for a fixed term for which the corporate body makes a payment of agreed amount to the farmers
   • (d) A company extends loans, technical knowledge and material inputs to a number of small farmers in an area so that they produce the agricultural commodity required by the company for its manufacturing process and commercial production
   Correct Answer: (B) (c) Many marginal farmers in an area together make a contract with a corporate body and surrender their land to the corporate body for a fixed term for which the corporate body makes a payment of agreed
4. [2022] The “Miyawaki method” is well known for the:
   • (a) Promotion of commercial farming in arid and semi-arid areas
   • (b) Development of gardens using genetically modified flora
   • (c) Creation of mini forests in urban areas
   • (d) Harvesting wind energy on coastal areas and on sea surfaces.
   Correct Answer: (C) Creation of mini forests in urban areas
5. [2022] ‘System of Rice Intensification’ of cultivation, in which alternate wetting and drying of rice fields is practised, results in :
   1. Reduced seed requirement
   2. Reduced methane production
   3. Reduced electricity consumption
   Select the correct answer using the code given below:
   • (a) 1 and 2 only
   • (b) 2 and 3 only
   • (c) 1 and 3 only
   • (d) 1, 2 and 3
   Correct Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
6. [2021] In the context of India’s preparation for Climate-Smart Agriculture, consider the following statements:
   1.The ‘Climate-Smart Village’ approach in India is a part of a project led by the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research program.
   2.The project of CCAFS is carried out under the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), headquartered in France.
   3.The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR’s research centers.
   Which of the statements given above are correct?
   • (a) 1 and 2 only
   • (b) 2 and 3 only
   • (c) 1 and 3 only
   • (d) 1, 2, and 3
   Correct Answer: (D) 1, 2, and 3
7. [2021] How is 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 an increase in soil salinity, but this phenomenon is not observed in permaculture farming.
   3.Conventional chemical farming is easily possible in semi-arid regions, but permaculture farming is not so easily possible in such regions.
   4.The 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:
   • (a) 1 and 3
   • (b) 1, 2, and 4
   • (c) 4 only
   • (d) 2 and 3
   Correct Answer: (B) 1, 2, and 4
8. [2020] In the context of India, which of the following is/are considered to be of practice(s) of
   eco-friendly agriculture?
   1. Crop diversification
   2. Legume intensification
   3. Tensiometer use
   4. Vertical farming
   Select the correct answer using the code given below:
   • (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
   • (b) 3 only
   • (c) 4 only
   • (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
   Correct Answer: (A) 1, 2 and 3 only
9. [2020] What is/are the advantage/advantages of zero tillage in agriculture?
   1. Sowing of wheat is possible without burning the residue of previous crop.
   2. Without the need for nursery of rice saplings, direct planting of paddy seeds in the wet
   soil is possible.
   3 Carbon sequestration in the soil is possible.
   Select the correct answer using the code given below:
   • (a) 1 and 2 only
   • (b) 2 and 3 only
   • (c) 3 only
   • (d) 1, 2 and 3
   Correct Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
10. [2020] What are the advantages of fertigation in agriculture?
    1. Controlling the alkalinity of irrigation water is possible.
    2. Efficient application of Rock Phosphate and all other phosphatic fertilizers is possible.
    3. Increased availability of nutrients to plants is possible.
    4. Reduction in the leaching of chemical nutrients is possible.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
    • (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
    • (b) 1, 2 and 4 only
    • (c) 1, 3 and 4 only
    • (d) 2, 3 and 4 only
    Correct Answer: (C) 1, 3 and 4 only
11. [2020] What is the use of biochar in farming?
    1. ‘Biochar can be used as a part of the growing medium in vertical farming.
    2. When biochar is a part of the growing medium, it promotes the growth of nitrogenfixing microorganisms.
    3. When biochar is a part of the growing- medium, it enables the growing medium/to retain water for longer time.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    • (a) 1 and 2 only
    • (b) 2 only
    • (c) 1 and 3 only
    • (d) 1, 2 and 3
    Correct Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
12. [2018] With reference to the circumstances in Indian agriculture, the concept of “Conservation Agriculture” assumes significance. Which of the following fall under the Conservation Agriculture ?
    1. Avoiding the monoculture practices
    2. Adopting minimum tillage
    3. Avoiding the cultivation of plantation crops
    4. Using crop residues to cover soil surface
    5. Adopting spatial and temporal rop sequencing/crop rotations.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below :
    • (a) 1, 3 and 4
    • (b) 2, 3, 4 and 5
    • (c) 2, 4 and 5
    • (d) 1, 2, 3 and 5
    Correct Answer: (C) 2, 4 and 5
13. [2018] With reference to organic farming in India, consider the following statements:
    1. The National Programme for Organic Production’ (NPOP) is operated under the guidelines and directions of the Union Ministry of Rural Development.
    2. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority’ (APEDA) functions as the Secretariat for the implementation of NPOP.
    3. Sikkim has become India’s first fully organic State.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    • (a) 1 and 2 only
    • (b) 2 and 3 only
    • (c) 3 only
    • (d) 1, 2 and 3
    Correct Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only
14. [2017] Which of the following practices can help in water conservation in agriculture ?
    1. Reduced or zero tillage of the land
    2. Applying gypsum before irrigating the field
    3. Allowing crop residue to remain in the field
    Select the correct answer using the code given below :
    • (a) 1 and 2 only
    • (b) 3 only
    • (c) 1 and 3 only
    • (d) 1, 2 and 3
    Correct Answer: (C) 1 and 3 only
15. [2016] The FAO accords the status of ‘Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS)’ to
    traditional agricultural systems. What is the overall goal of this initiative?
    1. To provide modern technology, training in modern farming methods and financial support to
    local communities of identified GIAHS so as to greatly enhance their agricultural productivity.
    2. To identify and safeguard eco-friendly traditional farm practices and their associated
    landscapes, agricultural biodiversity and knowledge systems of the local communities
    3. The provide Geographical Indication status to all the varieties of agricultural produce in such
    identifies GIAHS
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    • (a) 1 and 3 only
    • (b) 2 only
    • (c) 2 and 3 only
    • (d) 1, 2 and 3
    Correct Answer: (B) 2 only
16. [2016] Which of the following is/are the advantage/advantages of practicing drip irrigation?
    1. Reduction in weed
    2. Reduction in soil salinity
    3. Reduction’ in-soil erosion
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    • (a) 1 and 2 only
    • (b) 3 only
    • (c) 1 and 3 only
    • (d) None of the above is an advantage of practising drip irrigation
    Correct Answer: (C) 1 and 3 only
17. [2016] Why does the Government of India promote the use of ‘Neem-coated Urea’ in agriculture?
    • (a) Release of Neem oil in the soil increases nitrogen fixation by the soil microorganisms
    • (b) Neem coating slows down the rate of dissolution of urea in the soil
    • (c) Nitrous oxide, which is a greenhouse gas, is not at all released into atmosphere by crop fields
    • (d) It is a combination of a weedicide and a fertilizer for particular crops
    Correct Answer: (B) Neem coating slows down the rate of dissolution of urea in the soil
18. [2015] What can be the impact of excessive/inappropriate use of nitrogenous fertilizers in agriculture?
    (1) Proliferation of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms is soil can occur.
    (2) Increase in the acidity of soil can take palce.
    (3) Leaching of nitrate to the ground-water can occur.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    • (a) 1 and 3 only
    • (b) 2 only
    • (c) 2 and 3 only
    • (d) 1, 2 and 3
    Correct Answer: (C) 2 and 3 only
19. [2015] Which one of the following best describes the main objective of Seed Village Concept?
    • (a) Encouraging the farmers to use their own farm seeds and discouraging them to buy the seeds from others
    • (b) Involving the farmers for training in quality seed production and thereby to make available quality seeds to others at appropriate time and affordable cost
    • (c) Earmarking some villages exclusively for the production of certified seeds
    • (d) Identifying the entrepreneurs in villages and providing them technology and finance to set up seed companies
    Correct Answer: (B) Involving the farmers for training in quality seed production and thereby to make available quality seeds to others at appropriate time and affordable cost
20. [2014] Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding vegetative propagation of plants?
    1. Vegetative propagation produces clonal population.
    2. Vegetative propagation helps in eliminating the virus.
    3. Vegetative propagation can be practiced most of the year.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 and 3 only
    • (c) 1 and 3 only
    • (d) 1, 2 and 3 only
    Correct Answer: (C) 1 and 3 only
21. [2012] Consider the following agricultural practices:
    1. Contour bunding
    2. Relay cropping
    3. Zero tillage
    In the context of global climate change, which of the above helps/help in carbon sequestration/storage in the soil?
    • (a) 1 and 2 only
    • (b) 3 only
    • (c) 1, 2 and 3
    • (d) None of them
    Correct Answer: (B) 3 only
22. [2012] Which of the following is the chief characteristic of ‘mixed farming’?
    • (a) Cultivation of both cash crops and food crops
    • (b) Cultivation of two or more crops in the same field
    • (c) Rearing of animals and cultivation of crops together
    • (d) None of the above
    Correct Answer: (C) Rearing of animals and cultivation of crops together
23. [2011] With reference to micro-irrigation, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Fertilizer/nutrient loss can be reduced. 2. It is the only means of irrigation in dry land farming. 3. In some areas of farming, receding of the groundwater table can be checked.
    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 and 3 only
    • (c) 1 and 3 only
    • (d) 1, 2 and 3
    Correct Answer: (C) 1 and 3 only
24. [2009] Consider the following statements :
    1. Sweet orange plant is propagated by grafting technique
    2. Jasmine plant is propagated by layering technique.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 only
    • (c) Both 1 and 2
    • (d) Neither 1 nor 2
    Correct Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2