MCQs on Sustainable Agriculture:

20 multiple-choice questions, along with their correct answers and explanations:

What is sustainable agriculture primarily concerned with?

A. Maximizing agricultural profits.

B. Using high-tech farming equipment.

C. Managing resources to satisfy changing human needs while maintaining environmental quality.

D. Focusing solely on organic farming techniques.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: Sustainable agriculture focuses on managing resources for agriculture to satisfy changing human needs while maintaining or enhancing the quality of the environment and conserving natural resources.

Which concept did the Brundtland Commission Report of 1987 emphasize in relation to sustainable agriculture?

A. Industrialized farming techniques.

B. Agricultural systems focusing on technology, resources, and long-term sustainability.

C. The importance of maximizing crop yields.

D. The necessity for global trade in agricultural products.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: The Brundtland Commission Report emphasized the importance of agricultural systems that focus equally on people, technology, resources, and long-term sustainability.

What is a key principle of sustainable agriculture according to the American Society of Agronomy?

A. Primarily focusing on economic profitability.

B. Enhancing environmental quality and the resource base on which agriculture depends.

C. Using advanced genetically modified crops.

D. Prioritizing large-scale monoculture farming.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: The American Society of Agronomy defines sustainable agriculture as enhancing environmental quality and the resource base on which agriculture depends, providing for human food and fiber needs, being economically viable, and enhancing life quality for farmers and society.

What does the concept of 'sustainability as stewardship' imply in agriculture?

A. Agricultural systems based on advanced technology.

B. Focus on short-term profitability.

C. Systems based on ethics regarding humankind's relationship to future generations and other species.

D. Emphasis on large-scale industrial farming.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: 'Sustainability as stewardship' means that agricultural systems are based on a conscious ethic regarding humankind's relationship to future generations and to other species in nature.

What did Marcus Terentius Varro contribute to the concept of sustainable agriculture?

A. He introduced chemical fertilizers.

B. He developed the first high-yielding crop varieties.

C. He articulated the importance of sustainability in agriculture.

D. He invented modern irrigation systems.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: Marcus Terentius Varro, a Roman landowner, articulated the importance of sustainability in agriculture, emphasizing that agriculture should teach what crops to plant on each soil type to produce the highest yield in perpetuity.

What was a significant impact of the Green Revolution?

A. It led to a decrease in agricultural productivity.

B. It emphasized traditional farming techniques.

C. It resulted in increased crop production but also ecological issues.

D. It banned the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: The Green Revolution resulted in remarkable increases in crop production due to high-yielding varieties and technological advancements, but it also led to ecological issues such as soil degradation and pollution.

What does ecological footprint, as used by Tim De Chant, measure?

A. The profitability of agricultural practices.

B. The number of square miles equivalent to the Earth's resources needed to maintain a lifestyle.

C. The amount of land required for urban development.

D. The impact of industrial activities on agriculture.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Ecological footprint, as used by Tim De Chant, measures the number of square miles that is approximately equal to the number of Earth's resources required to maintain a given lifestyle.

What role did Lester Brown and Paul Ehrlich play in sustainable agriculture?

A. They developed new high-yielding crop varieties.

B. They were critics of uncontrolled population growth and its environmental impact.

C. They introduced modern irrigation techniques.

D. They focused on the commercialization of agriculture.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Lester Brown and Paul Ehrlich were notable critics of uncontrolled population growth, highlighting its role in environmental degradation and advocating for a deceleration in its rate.

What is a significant challenge of sustainable agriculture?

A. Prioritizing short-term profitability over long-term sustainability.

B. Focusing only on traditional farming methods.

C. Balancing agricultural productivity with ecological safety.

D. Completely eliminating the use of technology in farming.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: A significant challenge of sustainable agriculture is balancing the need for agricultural productivity with ecological safety, ensuring both economic viability and environmental protection.

What does the concept of 'sustainable development' as defined by the Brundtland Commission encompass?

A. Prioritizing economic growth over environmental concerns.

B. Development meeting current needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their needs.

C. Focusing solely on agricultural technology development.

D. Reducing agricultural productivity to preserve natural resources.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: The Brundtland Commission defined sustainable development as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

How does sustainable agriculture view technological advancements?

A. As unnecessary for modern farming.

B. Solely focusing on genetic modification.

C. As essential tools for improving sustainability and productivity.

D. As harmful to traditional farming practices.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: Sustainable agriculture views technological advancements as essential tools that can help in improving both sustainability and productivity, particularly when they align with environmental and social goals.

What is the role of 'sustainability indicators' in agriculture?

A. To measure the profitability of farming exclusively.

B. To assess the sustainability of agricultural practices and systems.

C. To calculate the market value of agricultural products.

D. To determine the best crop varieties for high yields.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Sustainability indicators are used to assess and measure the sustainability of agricultural practices and systems, considering factors like ecological impact, economic viability, and social responsibility.

What is a critical aspect of sustainable agriculture regarding natural resources?

A. Eliminating the use of all natural resources.

B. Conservation and enhancement of the quality of natural resources.

C. Focusing only on maximizing resource exploitation.

D. Ignoring the impact of farming on natural resources.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: A critical aspect of sustainable agriculture involves the conservation and enhancement of the quality of natural resources such as soil, water, and biodiversity, to sustain biological productivity and ecosystem services.

How does sustainable agriculture address the issue of soil erosion?

A. By encouraging intensive tillage practices.

B. Through practices like no-tillage, cover cropping, and crop rotation.

C. By promoting the use of chemical fertilizers.

D. Ignoring soil erosion as a significant concern.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Sustainable agriculture addresses soil erosion through practices like no-tillage, cover cropping, crop rotation, and other soil conservation measures that maintain soil health and prevent degradation.

What is the goal of sustainable water management in agriculture?

A. To eliminate the need for irrigation.

B. To use water resources efficiently and sustainably.

C. To increase water use in agriculture regardless of availability.

D. To rely solely on natural rainfall for crop watering.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: The goal of sustainable water management in agriculture is to use water resources efficiently and sustainably, ensuring that water use does not exceed the replenishing capacity of the source and considering the needs of future generations.

How does sustainable agriculture view energy use?

A. As an irrelevant factor in farming practices.

B. Promoting the use of renewable energy sources and reducing reliance on non-renewable energy.

C. Encouraging unlimited use of fossil fuels.

D. Completely eliminating energy use in agriculture.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Sustainable agriculture promotes the use of renewable energy sources like solar and wind energy and aims to reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources to reduce ecological footprints and ensure long-term sustainability.

What does crop diversification in sustainable agriculture aim to achieve?

A. To focus on the production of a single high-yielding crop.

B. To reduce overall crop yields.

C. To increase resilience and minimize risk by growing a range of crops.

D. To eliminate traditional crop varieties.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: Crop diversification in sustainable agriculture aims to increase resilience and minimize risk by growing a variety of crops suited to different conditions, thereby enhancing sustainability and reducing dependence on single crop types.

What is the main focus of sustainable agriculture in terms of food production?

A. To maximize food production irrespective of environmental impact.

B. To ensure adequate food production while conserving natural resources.

C. To reduce food production to preserve natural resources.

D. To focus solely on organic food production.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: The main focus of sustainable agriculture in terms of food production is to ensure adequate food production while conserving natural resources, balancing the need for food security with ecological sustainability.

How does sustainable agriculture approach the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides?

A. Encouraging their unrestricted use.

B. Completely banning their use.

C. Using them judiciously and exploring alternative pest control methods.

D. Focusing only on genetically modified crops to reduce chemical use.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: Sustainable agriculture advocates for the judicious use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and explores alternative, environmentally-friendly pest control methods to minimize ecological impact.

What is a primary challenge in achieving agricultural sustainability in India?

A. Completely abandoning traditional farming practices.

B. Balancing increased food production with environmental conservation.

C. Focusing exclusively on exporting agricultural products.

D. Ignoring the role of technology in agriculture.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: A primary challenge in achieving agricultural sustainability in India is balancing the need for increased food production to meet the demands of a growing population with the imperative of environmental conservation and resource management.

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