1. Crop diversification 

2. Legume intensification 

3. Tensiometer use 

4. Vertical farming 

Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only 

(b) 3 only 

(c) 4 only 

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 

8. Ans: a

Explanation:

Crop diversification

• Crop diversification refers to the addition of new crops or cropping systems to agricultural production on a particular farm taking into account the different returns from valueadded crops with complementary marketing opportunities. 
• The aim of crop diversification is to increase crop portfolio so that farmers are not dependent on a single crop to generate their income.
•  Introducing a greater range of varieties in a particular agro – ecosystem leads to diversification of agricultural production which can also increase natural biodiversity, strengthening the ability of the agroecosystem to respond to these stresses. 
• The introduction of new cultivated species and improved varieties of crop is a technology aimed at enhancing plant productivity, quality, health and nutritional value and/or building crop resilience to diseases, pest organisms and environmental stresses. 
• It reduces the risk of total crop failure and also provides alternative means of generating income, as different crops will respond to climate scenarios in different ways.
• Crop diversification and growing of large number of crops are practised in dryland areas to reduce the risk factor of crop failures due to recurring droughts. 

Legume intensification:

• The inclusion of legumes in the cropping systems is recognized as a pathway for sustainable agricultural production with substantial environmental benefits. The legumes provide multiple ecosystem services to societies and agroecosystems, such as providing food, supplying nitrogen to crops through biological nitrogen fixation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving carbon sequestration and soil fertility, and reducing water use and disease and pest infection. 

Tensiometer:

• A tensiometer is a device for measuring soil water tension. It measures the amount of energy required by the plant to pull soil water (water potential) at the current moisture level and guides farmers on when to irrigate.
• Several studies based on experimental data have reported that the use of tensiometers is a technically feasible option for efficient management of groundwater resources without any yield penalty
• Compared to the continuous flooding method in paddy cultivation, the tensiometer-based application of irrigation reduces water and power consumption by 13%, cutting variable costs by 7% without any yield penalty.

Vertical farming:

• Vertical farming is a highly profitable method involving the production of plants in vertically stacked structures to maximize land utilization. Vertical farming in India is done inside structures like greenhouses, warehouses, rooftops, etc. 
• Contrary to conventional practice, it can be done in seemingly uncultivable areas. Vertical farming technology in India requires the integration of modern technologies like hydroponics, aeroponics, etc. for their successful implementation.

Although capital-intensive vertical farming in India has enormous benefits like Space utilization, High yield,  Resource conservation, unlike traditional practice, vertical farming technology in India utilizes less water and fertilizers due to efficient absorption, Free from chemical pesticides due to cultivation in controlled environments, the crops are free of pest attacks, annulling the need for chemical pesticides.

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