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Who is known as the 'Father of Green Revolution' in the world?
Norman Borlaug
What was the major consequence of the food crisis in India in 1943?
The death of approximately 4 million people due to hunger.
The Green Revolution had no negative impacts on agriculture.
False
Which of the following crops gained from the Green Revolution? (Select all that apply)
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Who developed the concepts of organic agriculture in the early 1900s? (Select all that apply)
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Organic farming is a sustainable farming method that focuses on cultivating the land and raising crops in a _____ manner.
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Who is known as the 'Father of Green Revolution'?
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What is the purpose of the principles of organic agriculture?
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Who mainly led the Green Revolution in India?
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What year did India suffer its worst recorded food crisis?
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Which crops were primarily benefited from the Green Revolution?
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The excessive use of chemical fertilizers improved soil quality.
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What type of farming focuses on cultivating land in a natural manner?
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Which of the following is NOT one of the four principles of organic agriculture?
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Who inspired the concepts of organic agriculture in the early 1900s?
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What publication in the 1960s stimulated the demand for organic food?
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Study Notes
Organic Farming: A Sustainable Alternative
- Organic farming has been practiced in India since ancient times, but the Green Revolution shifted the focus towards mineral-based farming in the 1960s.
- The Green Revolution, initiated by Norman Borlaug in the 1960s, aimed to increase food production to combat widespread hunger, particularly in India.
- The Green Revolution in India was led by M.S. Swaminathan and involved using high-yielding variety seeds, tractors, irrigation facilities, pesticides, and fertilizers.
- However, the Green Revolution had negative consequences, including:
- Neglecting non-cereal crops like pulses, oilseeds, and commercial crops.
- Excessive use of chemicals, leading to soil degradation, health issues, and environmental pollution.
- Increased water consumption due to water-intensive crops and irrigation practices.
- Organic farming, a sustainable alternative, aims to revive the ecological balance by using natural methods.
- It focuses on soil health, utilizes organic wastes and beneficial microbes for nutrient release, and promotes an environmentally friendly approach.
- The concept of organic agriculture was developed in the early 1900s by Sir Albert Howard, F.H. King, and Rudolf Steiner.
- Sir Albert Howard, inspired by traditional Indian farming practices, advocated for sustainable farming methods.
- The demand for organic food gained momentum in the 1960s after the publication of "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson, which highlighted the harmful effects of insecticides.
- The four principles of organic agriculture:
- Health: Emphasizes the health of the soil, plants, animals, humans, and the planet as a whole.
- Ecology: Promotes farming practices that work with natural ecological systems and cycles.
- Fairness: Encourages fair treatment of the environment and life opportunities.
- Care: Focuses on nurturing and protecting the environment and natural resources.
Organic Farming in India
- Organic farming has a long history in India, dating back to ancient times.
- India shifted towards mineral-based farming in the 1960s, leading to the Green Revolution.
Green Revolution
- The Green Revolution was a global initiative started by Norman Borlaug in the 1960s.
- M.S. Swaminathan led the Green Revolution in India.
- The Green Revolution aimed to increase food production to meet the needs of a growing population.
- The Green Revolution involved modern farming practices like high-yielding variety seeds, tractors, irrigation facilities, pesticides, and fertilizers.
Negative Impacts of the Green Revolution
- The Green Revolution focused primarily on cereal crops (wheat, rice, jowar, bajra, and maize), neglecting other crops like pulses, oilseeds, cotton, jute, tea, and sugarcane.
- Excessive use of chemical fertilizers led to soil degradation, increased pH levels, destruction of beneficial pathogens, and ultimately reduced crop yields.
- Chemical pesticides caused significant health problems, including cancer, renal failure, stillbirths, and birth defects.
- Water-intensive crops like sugarcane and rice depleted groundwater levels.
Organic Farming: An Alternative System
- Organic farming is a sustainable approach that emphasizes natural methods of land cultivation and crop raising.
- It focuses on improving soil health by using organic waste, biofertilizers, and beneficial microbes.
- It aims to create an environmentally friendly and pollution-free environment.
- Organic farming is considered a system that repairs, maintains, and enhances the ecological balance.
History of Organic Farming
- Early concepts of organic agriculture were developed in the early 1900s by Sir Albert Howard, F.H. King, and Rudolf Steiner.
- Sir Albert Howard, an agricultural researcher who worked in India, was inspired by traditional and sustainable farming practices and advocated for their adoption in the West.
- Rachel Carson's book "Silent Spring" (published in the 1960s) raised awareness about the environmental damage caused by insecticides, driving demand for organic food.
The Four Principles of Organic Agriculture
- Principle of Health: Organic agriculture should sustain and improve the health of soil, plants, animals, humans, and the planet as a whole.
- Principle of Ecology: Organic agriculture should be based on living ecological systems and cycles, working in harmony with them, emulating them, and contributing to their sustainability.
- Principle of Fairness: Organic agriculture should foster relationships that ensure fairness in terms of the shared environment and life opportunities.
- Principle of Care: Organic Agriculture should be based on care for the well-being of living organisms and their environment.
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Description
Explore the evolution of organic farming as a sustainable alternative to the Green Revolution in India. This quiz covers historical practices, impacts of mineral-based farming, and the importance of organic methods for ecological balance. Test your knowledge on the effects of agricultural changes in India.
