Question

What issue arose as a result of the Green Revolution's extensive application of monoculture farming practice?

• A. Soil erosion
• B. Decrease in crop yield
• C. Increase in pests and diseases
• D. Water scarcity

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Increase in pests and diseases

Monoculture farming resulting in increase in pests and diseases

• Green Revolution brought about a significant shift in agricultural practices, with a notable emphasis on the application of monoculture farming, where a single crop is cultivated extensively across a large area.
• While this approach was successful in enhancing crop yields and overall food production, it inadvertently led to an increase in the vulnerability of crops to pests and diseases.
• Monoculture farming practices create an ideal environment for the rapid spread of specific pests and diseases that are tailored to the particular crop being cultivated.
• The uniformity in the cropping pattern and the lack of crop diversity contribute to the proliferation of pests and diseases, which can devastate entire harvests if not effectively managed.
• The absence of crop rotation further exacerbated the problem, as it disrupts the natural balance that diverse cropping systems provide.
• The rotation of different crops helps in breaking pest cycles and maintaining soil fertility, reducing the dependence on chemical inputs and preventing the buildup of specific pests and diseases associated with particular crops.
• Consequently, the Green Revolution's heavy reliance on monoculture farming practices necessitated a greater dependence on the application of pesticides, insecticides, and other chemical agents to mitigate the risks posed by the increased prevalence of pests and diseases.