Examkin

Question

Difficulty: HardAdvances in Technology and Exchange

AGRICULTURAL DATA FOR INDIA, 1960–1990

YearTotal Foodgrain Production (million metric tons)Chemical Fertilizer Consumption (thousand metric tons)
196082.0294
1970108.42,256
1980129.65,516
1990176.412,546

*Source: Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, historical statistical reports.*

Which of the following developments in the late twentieth century best explains the trends shown in the table?

  1. The diffusion of new agricultural technologies, including high-yielding seed varieties and chemical inputs, designed to increase food production.Answer
  2. B
    The implementation of eco-friendly farming practices and organic resource management aimed at mitigating the environmental impact of farming.
  3. C
    The spread of mechanized harvesting technologies and coal-powered irrigation pumps developed during the First Industrial Revolution.
  4. D
    The complete homogenization of rural Indian culture due to the introduction of standardized global commercial food crops.

Answer

The diffusion of new agricultural technologies, including high-yielding seed varieties and chemical inputs, designed to increase food production.
The correct answer is the option describing the diffusion of new agricultural technologies, including high-yielding seed varieties and chemical inputs. The table illustrates the core components of the Green Revolution in India: a dramatic increase in foodgrain output facilitated by an exponential increase in the application of chemical fertilizers, alongside the cultivation of hybrid crop varieties that required such chemical inputs.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the table data
Between 1960 and 1990, India's foodgrain production more than doubled (from 82.0 to 176.4 million metric tons), while chemical fertilizer consumption grew exponentially (from 294 to 12,546 thousand metric tons).
Understanding the correlation between chemical input usage and agricultural yield is essential to identifying the historical phenomenon.
2
Contextualize the time period and trend within global history
The mid-to-late twentieth century (1960–1990) corresponds to the Green Revolution, a global effort to increase agricultural yields in developing nations through scientific and technological interventions.
Placing the data within its correct chronological and thematic framework helps rule out earlier historical periods (like the First Industrial Revolution).
3
Evaluate the options based on historical accuracy
The option highlighting high-yielding seed varieties and chemical inputs accurately reflects the Green Revolution. The environmentalism option contradicts the heavy chemical use shown in the data. The industrial revolution option is chronologically incorrect. The cultural homogenization option overstates the social impact.
Selecting the most historically accurate and supported explanation ensures the correct option is chosen.

Key Concept

The Green Revolution and Agricultural Technology Transfer
Rate this question

Topics

Advances in Technology and Exchange

More questions from this topic