Understanding the Need of Organic Farming Quiz

Explore the core reasons and practices behind organic farming and learn how they contribute to sustainable agriculture, soil fertility, and environmental balance.

1. The Green Revolution's Limitations

   Why is there a growing need to shift from high-input agriculture to organic farming methods?

   1. Because high-input agriculture is reaching a plateau with diminishing returns
   2. Because organic farming uses more fossil fuels
   3. Because high-input systems are the cheapest option
   4. Because organic farming requires no soil management

   Explanation: High-input agriculture, such as that promoted during the Green Revolution, is now showing diminishing returns, making a shift to more sustainable practices necessary. Organic farming does not rely more on fossil fuels and actually helps with soil management. While high-input systems may seem cheaper at first, their long-term sustainability is in question.

2. Soil Fertility in Organic Farming

   How does organic farming help protect the long-term fertility of soils?

   1. By burning crop residues after harvest
   2. By continually using only chemical fertilizers
   3. By leaving soils uncultivated for long periods
   4. By maintaining organic matter and encouraging soil biological activity

   Explanation: Organic farming focuses on keeping soil fertile by preserving organic matter and fostering biological activity. Relying solely on chemical fertilizers or burning residues can deplete soil quality. Leaving soils unused isn't a standard organic practice for fertility maintenance.

3. Sources of Plant Nutrients

   What is a key way organic farming provides nutrients to crops?

   1. By applying synthetic liquid fertilizers directly to plants
   2. By using relatively insoluble nutrient sources made available through soil micro-organisms
   3. By only growing crops that need no nutrients
   4. By ignoring the nutrient needs of crops

   Explanation: Organic farming relies on soil micro-organisms to make less soluble nutrients available to plants. Synthetic fertilizers are not central to organic practices. All plants need nutrients; ignoring this or growing 'no-nutrient' crops is not realistic or accurate.

4. Nitrogen Self-Sufficiency

   Which method does organic farming use to ensure nitrogen self-sufficiency?

   1. Reducing nitrogen use to zero
   2. Using legumes and biological nitrogen fixation
   3. Applying only chemical pesticides
   4. Spraying crops with synthetic nitrogen fertilizer

   Explanation: Legumes and biological processes help add nitrogen naturally in organic farming. Synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides are avoided or limited. Reducing nitrogen completely would harm crop growth.

5. Pest and Disease Management

   How are weeds, diseases, and pests typically controlled in organic farming?

   1. Primary reliance on crop rotations, natural predators, and resistant varieties
   2. Frequent use of chemical pesticides only
   3. Ignoring pest problems altogether
   4. Removing pests by hand exclusively

   Explanation: Organic farming emphasizes natural tactics like crop rotation and using resistant varieties. Regular chemical pesticide use is minimized, hand removal alone is not practical at scale, and ignoring pests leads to crop loss.

6. Livestock Management

   What does extensive organic livestock management primarily consider?

   1. Maximizing output regardless of animal health
   2. Animal welfare, evolutionary adaptations, and proper nutrition
   3. Housing animals indoors at all times
   4. Ignoring nutritional needs

   Explanation: Organic methods prioritize animal welfare, natural behaviors, and balanced nutrition. Maximizing output without regard to health or ignoring nutrition goes against organic principles; confinement only is not suitable for animal welfare.

7. Environmental Impact Awareness

   Why does organic farming pay careful attention to environmental impact?

   1. To conserve wildlife and protect natural habitats
   2. To increase the use of non-renewable resources
   3. To maximize short-term profits only
   4. To reduce color diversity on farms

   Explanation: Conserving wildlife and habitats is a core aim in organic farming. Focusing only on profit, reducing visual diversity, or increasing use of non-renewables are not aligned with organic goals.

8. Resource and Economic Considerations

   What is a key economic reason for adopting organic farming methods in the current era?

   1. Organic methods always yield higher profits immediately
   2. Agrochemicals made from fossil fuels are non-renewable and may become costly in the future
   3. Agrochemicals increase renewable energy sources
   4. Organic farming eliminates the need for crop rotation

   Explanation: Organic farming reduces dependency on non-renewable agrochemicals, which might become expensive. Instant profit is not guaranteed, agrochemicals don't enhance renewables, and crop rotation is essential in organic practices.