Pesticide Problems and Farming Challenges

Mahendra Yadav's main crop is ______.

The first pesticides were supposed to make farmers ______.

Farmers initially reacted to pest problems by increasing the dose of ______.

The chemicals killed not only pests but also their natural ______.

Mahendra believes that the insects will ______ them alive.

The moths reproduced at a terrifying ______.

Farmers have lost not just their harvest but also the creative potential of the ______.

Mahendra is returning to more ______ methods.

Salesmen generated an ______ of pesticides during their promotion.

The new moth had the crop all to ______.

Pesticide Use and Consequences

Mahendra Yadav, a farmer, faces a severe infestation of moths that threaten his potato crops.
In the early 1990s, the government promoted the use of pesticides as a way to increase crop yields and profits.
Farmers, motivated by promises of wealth, purchased an excess of pesticides, initially with enthusiasm.

Pesticide Application Problems

Pesticides were applied indiscriminately and often incorrectly, exacerbating the issue.
Salespeople aggressively marketed these chemicals, contributing to widespread usage among farmers.
Over time, some moths survived pesticide applications and reproduced rapidly, leading to a resurgence.

Environmental Impact

The use of pesticides disrupted the natural predator-prey balance, allowing the pest population to thrive unchecked.
Attempts to combat the moths by increasing pesticide doses or switching to new chemicals led to the emergence of resistant strains.
New pesticides provided temporary relief but ultimately failed to offer a sustainable solution.

Current Farmer Sentiment

Farmers like Mahendra express despair over the loss of both crops and the land's productivity.
Mahendra has shifted towards more sustainable agricultural practices, including letting land lie fallow and modifying irrigation techniques.
There is hope that returning to natural methods may help reduce the moth population and restore balance.

Explore the struggles of modern farming through the eyes of Mahendra Yadav, who grapples with the consequences of pesticide use and a devastating moth plague. This quiz delves into the complexities of agricultural practices and their impact on farmers. Test your knowledge on the history and challenges of pesticide application.