UPSC Prelims 2020 Q83: Environment & Ecology – Sustainable Agriculture & Forestry

UPSC Prelims 2020, General Studies Paper I · Environment & Ecology

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

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Zero Tillage Agriculture: Advantages

Statement	Claim	Verdict	Detail
1	Sowing wheat without burning residue	TRUE	Zero tillage allows direct seeding of wheat on rice stubble (no burning). Saves labor, reduces pollution.
2	Direct planting of paddy in wet soil	TRUE	Direct sown rice (DSR) skips nursery -> planting. Water efficiency + labor savings. Growing in India.
3	Carbon sequestration in soil	TRUE	No-till preserves soil carbon, reduces CO2 release from plowing. Carbon-neutral/negative farming.

All three statements are correct. Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3.

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Incorrect. Incomplete - statements 2 and 3 also correct.
(b) Incorrect. Statement 1 is also correct.
(c) Incorrect. Statements 1 and 2 also correct.
(d) CORRECT. All three zero-tillage advantages are documented.

Key point

Zero tillage adoption: India promoting ZT for rice-wheat belt (Punjab, Haryana, UP). Reduces water (30-40%), labor (20%), costs (Rs 1000-2000/acre savings). Stubble burning reduction (pollution control).

Remember

Zero tillage in agriculture provides multiple advantages: (1) Enables wheat sowing without burning rice residue, (2) Allows direct planting of paddy seeds in wet soil without nurseries, (3) Enables carbon sequestration in soil through reduced soil disturbance. All three are scientifically documented benefits.

Common mistakes

Confusing zero-till (no plowing) with no-input farming. ZT still uses fertilizer, herbicides (chemical).
Underestimating farmer adoption barriers - equipment cost, knowledge requirement.
Missing that DSR trades water savings for herbicide dependence (weed control challenge).

Exam tip

Sustainable rice-wheat system: ZT + crop residue use (biochar, fodder) + organic inputs. CSISA (Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia) promotes this model.

Sources

CSISA - Conservation Agriculture Research
FAO - Climate-Smart Agriculture

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