Question

Read the following text carefully:

Climate change and sustainability of environment are two pressing issues that have captured global attention. In recent years, the world has witnessed a surge in extreme weather events, including severe droughts, cloud bursts, floods, landslides, receding coastlines, and the alarming melting of Arctic ice and Himalayan Glaciers. Wildfires have become more frequent and intense. In this context, sustainable agriculture emerges as a crucial solution. This refers to those farming practices that meet today’s requirements while preserving resources for the future generation. This means adopting methods that protect the environment, reduce dependence on chemical inputs, efficiently using water and land, and ensuring socio-economic equity for farmers. On one hand, sustainable agricultural practices are necessary; on the other, they are often more expensive to implement compared to conventional methods. Sustainable practices like organic farming, climate-smart technologies, and modern irrigation systems may seem costly upfront, but they offer long-term benefits by improving productivity and environmental stewardship. Without accessible and affordable financing options, the much-needed shift to sustainable farming practices will remain a distant dream for many. Therefore, sustainable finance should not only promote eco-friendly practices but also ensure that financial resources are available to the farmers who need it. Source: https://website.vbi.org.in/web/rbi/-/speches - interview/financing-for- sustainable-agriculture (adopted and modified)

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

1. Define: Sustainable Development. [1]
2. “Sustainable Agriculture emerges as a crucial solution to the environmental concerns.”
   Do you agree with the given statement? Give valid reasons in support of your answer. [3]
3. List any two sustainable practices that can be adopted to safeguard environment. [2]

Answer 1

(a)

Sustainable development refers to farming systems that meet present food and agricultural requirements while preserving future generations’ ability to meet their own.

(b)

Yes, I agree that sustainable agriculture is an important solution to environmental problems.

1. Sustainable agriculture encourages the efficient use of natural resources such as water, soil, and energy, assuring their availability for future generations.
2. Rainwater harvesting, organic farming, and reduced pesticide use all contribute to conserving valuable natural resources.
3. It contributes to biodiversity by encouraging crop rotation, which improves soil health and supports different ecosystems.

(c)

The two sustainable agricultural practices to safeguard the environment are as follows:

1. Organic Farming:
   • Avoids using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which lowers pollution of the land and water.
   • Improves soil health and diversity by allowing plants and animals to naturally break down organic matter.
2. Climate-Smart Technologies:
   • It can include drip watering or collecting rainwater to save water.
   • Uses precision farming and drought-resistant crops to respond to climate change while using as few resources as possible.