Eco-friendly agriculture practices in India — UPSC Prelims PYQ 2020

In the context of India, which of the following is/are considered to be practice(s) of eco-friendly agriculture?

It increases agricultural biodiversity (genetic, species and ecosystem), improves crop yields and produces quality to address both food and nutritional security. This practice also acts as a buffer against pests and diseases, as it can yield many agronomic benefits in pest management by breaking insect and disease cycles, reducing weeds and soil erosion, and conserving soil moisture. The more diverse a farming system is, with plants, animals, and soil-borne organisms, the more varied the population of beneficial, pest-fighting microbes in the soil.

Legumes, such as pulses and beans, are known to fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. This practice improves soil fertility and promotes sustainable agricultural practices, contributing to eco-friendly farming.

A tensiometer measures soil moisture levels, helping farmers apply the right amount of irrigation. This practice reduces water wastage and promotes efficient water use, which is beneficial for eco-friendly agriculture

In vertical farming, crops are grown indoors, under artificial conditions of light and temperature. It aims at higher productivity in smaller spaces. It uses soil-less methods such as hydroponics, aquaponics and aeroponics. Vertical Farming, while innovative and promising, is not as widely adopted in India compared to the other practices and is often associated with higher infrastructure costs (relies heavily on artificial inputs) and specific conditions not prevalent in all agricultural settings in India. It requires high energy consumption and specialised technology; therefore, it is not widely regarded as an eco-friendly practice.