Passage 1
Chemical fertilizers provide minerals which dissolve in water and are immediately available to plants. But these may not be retained in the soil for long. They may escape from the soil and pollute groundwater, rivers and lakes. Chemical fertilizers can also kill bacteria and other microorganisms in the soil. This means sometime after their use, the soil will be less fertile than ever before….(Source: Down to Earth, New Delhi) ….The consumption of chemical fertilizers in Punjab is highest in the country. The continuous use of chemical fertilizers has led to degradation of soil health. Punjab farmers are now forced to use more and more chemical fertilizers and other inputs to achieve the same production levels. This means cost of cultivation is rising very fast….
Question 1: What environmental impact can arise from the use of chemical fertilizers?
Answer: The use of chemical fertilizers can lead to pollution of groundwater, rivers, and lakes. These fertilizers may escape from the soil and contaminate water sources, affecting the environment.
Question 2: How do chemical fertilizers affect soil health?
Answer: Continuous utilization of chemical fertilizers can result in a decline in soil organic matter (SOM) content and a decrease in the quality of agricultural soil. Overuse of chemical fertilizers can harden the soil, reduce fertility, and lead to soil pollution.
Question 3: What risks are associated with excessive chemical fertilizer use?
Answer: Excessive chemical fertilizer application can alter soil pH, increase pests, cause soil acidification, and create soil crusts. These effects can decrease organic matter, humus, and useful organisms, impacting plant growth and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
Question 4: How does nitrate pollution of water bodies relate to fertilizer use?
Answer: Nitrate pollution of ground and surface water is linked to increasing global fertilizer nitrogen (N) use. Fertilizers contribute to nitrate enrichment, affecting water quality and ecosystems.
Question 5: What challenges do Punjab farmers face due to chemical fertilizer consumption?
Answer: The continuous use of chemical fertilizers in Punjab has led to soil health degradation. Farmers are forced to use more fertilizers to maintain production levels, resulting in rising cultivation costs.
Passage 2
In 1960, Gobind was a farmer with 2.25 hectares of largely unirrigated land. With the help of his three sons Gobind cultivated the land. Though they didn’t live very comfortably, the family managed to feed itself with a little bit of extra income from one buffalo that the family possessed. Some years after Gobind’s death, this land was divided among his three sons. Each one now has a plot of land that is only 0.75 hectare in size. Even with improved irrigation and modern farming method, Gobind’s sons are not able to make a living from their land. They have to look for additional work during part of the year.
Questions / Answer:
Question 1: What was the size of Gobind’s land in 1960?
Answer: In 1960, Gobind was a farmer with 2.25 hectares of largely unirrigated land.
Question 2: How did Gobind’s family manage to sustain themselves despite their modest living conditions?
Answer: Despite living uncomfortably, Gobind’s family sustained itself with a little extra income from a buffalo they possessed.
Question 3: What happened to Gobind’s land after his death?
Answer: After Gobind’s death, his land was divided among his three sons, with each son receiving a plot of land that is now 0.75 hectare in size.
Question 4: Why are Gobind’s sons unable to make a living solely from their land?
Answer: Despite improved irrigation and modern farming methods, Gobind’s sons are not able to make a living from their land, and they have to seek additional work during part of the year.
Question 5: What challenges do Gobind’s sons face in their current situation?
Answer: Gobind’s sons struggle to sustain themselves due to the smaller plot sizes and other factors, leading them to seek additional employment opportunities.
Passage 3
Savita is a small farmer. She plans to cultivate wheat on her 1 hectare of land. Besides seeds, fertilizers and pesticides, she needs cash to buy water and repair her farm instruments. She estimates that the working capital itself would cost a minimum of Rs 3,000. She doesn’t have the money, so she decides to borrow from Tejpal Singh, a large farmer. Tejpal Singh agrees to give Savita the loan at an interest rate of 24 per cent for four months, which is a very high interest rate. Savita also has to promise to work on his field as a farm labourer during the harvest season at Rs 100 per day. As you can tell, this wage is quite low. Savita knows that she will have to work very hard to complete harvesting on her own field, and then work as a farm labourer for Tejpal Singh. The harvest time is a very busy time. As a mother of three children, she has a lot of household responsibilities. Savita agrees to these tough conditions as she knows getting a loan is difficult for a small farmer.
Questions / Answer:
Question 1: What is Savita’s plan for her 1-hectare land?
Answer: Savita plans to cultivate wheat on her 1-hectare land.
Question 2: Why does Savita decide to borrow money from Tejpal Singh?
Answer: Savita doesn’t have the necessary funds, so she decides to borrow from Tejpal Singh, a large farmer.
Question 3: What are the terms of the loan agreement between Savita and Tejpal Singh?
Answer: Tejpal Singh agrees to give Savita a loan at an interest rate of 24% for four months. Additionally, Savita must work on Tejpal Singh’s field as a farm laborer during the harvest season.
Question 4: Why does Savita agree to these tough conditions despite the low wage and her household responsibilities?
Answer: Savita knows that obtaining a loan is difficult for a small farmer, so she accepts the challenging terms.
Question 5: What challenges does Savita face during the harvest time?
Answer: As a mother of three children, Savita has to juggle her household responsibilities while working hard to complete harvesting on her own field and as a farm laborer for Tejpal Singh.
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