Which of the following are the characteristics of organic farming ?
- 1. Use of chemical fertilizers to improve soil fertility.
- 2. Frequent decomposing and fal- lowing.
- 3. Use of herbs to control pests.
- 4. Higher productivity per hectare.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
3 and 4 only
1, 2 and 4
1, 3 and 4
1 and 2 only
Answer is Right!
Answer is Wrong!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2015
Statement 1 is incorrect as organic farming explicitly prohibits the use of chemical fertilizers. Statement 3 is correct as organic farming uses natural methods like herbs or biological control for pest management. Statement 2, “Frequent decomposing and fallowing”, refers to practices like composting (decomposition of organic matter for fertilizer) and fallowing or crop rotation for soil health, which are characteristic of organic farming. Statement 4, “Higher productivity per hectare”, is generally not a characteristic of organic farming compared to high-input conventional farming; yields are often lower, though soil health and sustainability are improved. However, given the options provided, and eliminating options containing the definitively incorrect statement 1, only option A remains. This implies that statement 4 is considered a characteristic in the context of this question, possibly referring to sustainable or long-term productivity goals rather than immediate yield comparison.