Model Answer

Introduction

Organic and natural farming are sustainable agricultural systems that prioritize ecological balance, biodiversity, and minimal use of synthetic inputs. These farming methods focus on nurturing soil health, promoting natural processes, and creating a balance between agriculture and the environment. Both approaches are gaining recognition for their contribution to sustainable agricultural production.

Principles of Organic and Natural Farming:

1. Principles of Organic Farming:

• Principle of Health: Organic farming aims to enhance the health of soil, plants, animals, humans, and the planet, all of which are interconnected.
• Principle of Ecology: Organic farming works with natural ecological systems and cycles, maintaining and promoting them for sustainability.
• Principle of Fairness: Organic farming supports systems of production, trade, and distribution that are open, equitable, and accountable for environmental and social costs.
• Principle of Care: Organic farming is managed responsibly to protect the health and well-being of future generations and the environment.

2. Principles of Natural Farming

• No-Till Farming: In natural farming, the earth naturally cultivates itself through the action of plant roots, microorganisms, and earthworms, avoiding the need for tilling.
• No Weeding: Weeds are not eliminated but suppressed by covering the land with straw and promoting ground cover.
• No Chemical Fertilizers: The soil naturally maintains its fertility through the orderly cycle of plant and animal life, without relying on chemical fertilizers.
• No Chemical Pesticides: The natural balance in ecosystems prevents the dominance of any one species, and chemical pesticides are avoided.

Contribution to Sustaining Agricultural Production

1. Preservation of Soil Health:

• Both organic and natural farming practices focus on maintaining soil fertility and structure, preventing soil degradation, and ensuring long-term productivity.
• By avoiding synthetic fertilizers and chemicals, these practices promote the development of healthy soil ecosystems that enhance the soil’s ability to retain moisture and nutrients.

2. Reduced Environmental Impact:

• The minimal use of synthetic chemicals in both farming methods helps prevent pollution of soil and water bodies, safeguarding biodiversity.
• Natural and organic farming methods reduce the overall environmental footprint of agriculture, promoting sustainability in the long run.

3. Healthier Food:

• Produce from organic and natural farming is often seen as healthier since it contains fewer chemical residues, which is beneficial to both consumers and the environment.
• As a result, these farming practices contribute to better food quality and public health.

4. Cost-Effectiveness:

• These practices can lower the costs of farming inputs, as farmers reduce or eliminate their reliance on expensive chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
• This cost reduction improves farmers’ income and promotes financial sustainability.

5. Enhanced Resilience:

• Organic and natural farming encourage biodiversity through crop rotation and integrated pest management, which help crops resist pests, diseases, and extreme weather events.
• These systems also improve soil structure, allowing crops to better withstand droughts and floods.

Limitations

• Transition Period: Shifting from conventional farming methods to organic or natural farming can be time-consuming and challenging. In some cases, such as Sri Lanka’s recent agricultural crisis, the transition can be risky if not carefully managed.
• Yield Variability: Natural farming methods may initially result in lower yields, especially during the transition period, before the soil and ecosystem stabilize.
• Labor-Intensive: Natural farming often requires more manual labor for tasks like mulching, composting, and pest management, which can increase the workload for farmers.

Model Answer

Introduction

PM-KISAN, launched on 24th February 2019, is a Central Sector Scheme aimed at providing financial assistance to landholding farmers. The scheme offers an annual financial benefit of Rs 6,000, paid in three equal instalments, directly transferred to farmers’ bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). It has been a crucial intervention in addressing agrarian concerns and fostering rural growth.

PM-KISAN’s Role in Addressing Agrarian Concerns

1. Income Stability
   • The Rs 6,000 annual payment provides a stable source of income, helping farmers manage fluctuations in their income caused by unpredictable weather and volatile market conditions.
   • Example: During periods of drought or crop failure, this assistance offers crucial financial relief to small and marginal farmers.
2. Debt Relief
   • Many farmers use the PM-KISAN funds to pay off small debts, thereby reducing their financial burden and improving their creditworthiness.
   • Illustration: Small farmers have reported lower instances of distress, including a reduction in suicides due to the added financial support.
3. Reducing Input Costs
   • The financial support helps farmers cover essential input costs such as seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, improving their capacity to manage crops effectively.
   • Example: Farmers can afford better-quality seeds, leading to improved crop yields and productivity.
4. Boosting Agricultural Investment
   • PM-KISAN enables farmers to invest in modern agricultural practices like improved irrigation systems or machinery, enhancing productivity.
   • Illustration: With this financial support, a farmer may purchase drip irrigation systems, reducing water usage and increasing efficiency.

PM-KISAN’s Contribution to Fostering Rural Growth

1. Increased Purchasing Power
   • The scheme directly boosts the purchasing power of farmers, leading to increased demand for goods and services in rural areas.
   • Example: Rural markets see a rise in the sale of consumer goods and farming equipment, stimulating local economies.
2. Investment in Local Businesses
   • The additional disposable income allows farmers to diversify their income by investing in small businesses or other non-agricultural activities, fostering rural entrepreneurship.
   • Illustration: A farmer might open a small shop or invest in a service like mobile repair, creating local jobs.
3. Agricultural Value Addition
   • Farmers with increased incomes are more likely to invest in value-added agricultural products, contributing to rural economic diversification.
   • Example: A farmer may use surplus income to produce and sell processed food items like pickles or jams, increasing profits.

Challenges Facing PM-KISAN

1. Limited Beneficiary Coverage
   • While PM-KISAN targets 125 million small and marginal farming households, only 32% of them (about 40.27 million) have benefited.
2. Insufficient Support Amount
   • The Rs 6,000 annual benefit, though helpful, covers only about a tenth of the production costs per hectare, limiting its effectiveness in solving long-term financial challenges.
3. Exclusion of Tenant Farmers and Landless Laborers
   • PM-KISAN is limited to landholding farmers, excluding tenant farmers, sharecroppers, and landless laborers, who form a large part of the rural population.
4. Market Distortions
   • Some critics argue that without accompanying market reforms, income support schemes like PM-KISAN may distort market incentives, leading to unintended consequences, such as over-reliance on certain crops.
5. Awareness Issues
   • Many eligible farmers are unaware of the scheme or find it difficult to apply.
   • Example: In Bihar, only 41% of farmers surveyed were aware of PM-KISAN.
6. Non-Farmers Benefiting
   • In some cases, non-farmers have wrongly received benefits due to inadequate verification processes.
   • Example: In Uttar Pradesh, over 12,000 non-farmers, including government employees, received PM-KISAN benefits.

Way Forward

• Expanding Beneficiary Criteria: Include tenant farmers and landless laborers to ensure wider coverage.
• Awareness Campaigns: Improve outreach through community meetings and local media to ensure that more eligible farmers are aware of and apply for benefits.
• Digital and Offline Accessibility: Strengthen both online and offline registration processes for easier access, especially in areas with limited digital infrastructure.
• Data Verification: Implement a robust system for regularly verifying and updating beneficiary data to ensure accurate targeting.
• Complementary Reforms: Integrate PM-KISAN with broader agricultural reforms and support measures like market access, crop insurance, and infrastructure improvements.

Model Answer

Introduction

Genetically modified (GM) crops are plants that have been altered through modern biotechnology to include novel combinations of genes. In India, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is responsible for the approval and commercial release of GM crops. While GM crops are praised for their potential to enhance yields and resilience, concerns regarding their ecological impact and food safety remain significant.

Role of GM Crops in Enhancing Yields and Resilience

GM crops are designed to tackle several agricultural challenges, contributing to both improved crop productivity and resilience:

• Pest Resistance: GM crops, like Bt cotton, are engineered to be resistant to pests. Bt cotton contains a gene from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, which produces a protein toxic to specific pests, reducing the need for chemical pesticides and ensuring higher yields.
• Drought Tolerance: GM crops can be modified to withstand water stress, which is especially beneficial in areas prone to drought. For example, drought-resistant GM maize can thrive in water-scarce regions, ensuring stable yields even during dry spells.
• Nutritional Enhancement: GM crops like Golden rice have been engineered to combat micronutrient deficiencies. Golden rice, enriched with beta-carotene, helps address vitamin A deficiency, a major health issue in many developing countries.

Ecological and Food Safety Concerns

Despite the potential benefits, GM crops raise several environmental and food safety concerns:

• Biodiversity Loss: The use of herbicide-tolerant GM crops may lead to overuse of specific herbicides, causing the development of herbicide-resistant weeds. This disrupts local ecosystems and reduces plant biodiversity.
• Biosafety Risks: GM crops may unintentionally harm non-target species. For instance, insect-resistant plants could affect beneficial insects, leading to a loss of species diversity.
• Cross-Pollination and Gene Flow: GM crops such as canola can cross-pollinate with wild relatives, potentially spreading modified genes to non-GM populations. This gene flow can affect natural plant varieties and disrupt ecosystems.
• Unintended Ecological Consequences: The introduction of GM crops with resistance to pests may inadvertently harm other organisms, leading to imbalances in the ecosystem. For example, pests may develop resistance to the modified genes, causing a cycle of escalating pesticide use.

Food Safety Concerns

• Allergenicity: There is concern that GM crops could introduce new allergens. The transfer of allergenic genes into GM crops might pose risks to sensitive individuals, raising safety concerns.
• Health Impacts: GM crops often have altered nutritional profiles. While they are engineered for improved traits, the long-term health effects of consuming GM foods remain uncertain, and more studies are needed.
• Resistance Development: Over-reliance on specific GM traits (such as pest resistance) can lead to the evolution of resistant pests or diseases. This would require increased pesticide use, which could harm both the environment and human health.

Way Forward

To address the challenges surrounding GM crops, several measures can be taken:

• Evidence-Based Decisions: Governments should base decisions regarding GM technology on robust scientific research, ensuring that all benefits and risks are carefully evaluated.
• Openness and Transparency: A transparent approach to GM crop regulation can help build public trust. Clear communication about scientific findings and safety protocols is crucial to mitigate concerns.
• Stakeholder Involvement: It is important to involve all relevant parties, including scientists, farmers, consumers, and environmentalists, in decision-making processes. A participatory approach ensures that diverse perspectives are considered.
• Precautionary Principle: Due to the uncertainty surrounding GM technology, adopting a precautionary principle is advisable. This means waiting for broader scientific consensus before rolling out GM crops on a large scale.
• Improved Policy Frameworks: Policymakers should focus on creating frameworks that address pricing, input costs, and equitable benefits for all stakeholders involved in GM cultivation.
• Strong Liability Laws: Enforcing strict liability laws will hold companies accountable for any environmental or unforeseen harm caused by GM technology. This encourages responsible practices and environmental stewardship.