UPSC Prelims 2023·CSAT·Reading Comprehension·Passage Comprehension

There is a claim that organic farming is inherently safer and healthier. The reality is that because the organic farming industry is still young and not well- regulated in India, farmers and consumers, alike, are not only confused about what products are best for them, but sometimes use products in ways that could harm them as well. For example, since organic fertilizers are difficult to obtain on a large scale in India, farmers often use farmyard manure, which may contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals. Certain plant sprays, such as Datura flower and leaf spray, have an element called atropine. If it is not applied in the right dose, it can act on the nervous system of the consumer. Unfortunately, how much and when to use it are not well- researched or regulated issues. Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: 1. Organic farming is inherently unsafe for both farmers and consumers. 2. Farmers and consumers need to be educated about eco-friendly food. Which of the assumptions given above is/are correct?

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Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. A1 only
  2. B2 onlyCorrect
  3. CBoth 1 and 2
  4. DNeither 1 nor 2

Explanation

The passage highlights problems in organic farming in India due to a lack of regulation, research, and knowledge, leading to confusion and potentially harmful practices. 1. Organic farming is inherently unsafe for both farmers and consumers. This assumption is incorrect. The passage does not claim organic farming is *inherently* unsafe. Instead, it states that the *current state* of the industry in India (being young, not well-regulated, and lacking research) leads to unsafe practices. It implies that with proper regulation and knowledge, these risks could be mitigated, suggesting the unsafety is not intrinsic to organic farming itself. 2. Farmers and consumers need to be educated about eco-friendly food. This assumption is correct. The passage explicitly states that farmers and consumers are "confused about what products are best for them" and "sometimes use products in ways that could harm them." It also mentions that "how much and when to use it are not well- researched or regulated issues." This directly points to a need for education, research, and regulation to ensure safe practices within eco-friendly (organic) farming. Therefore, only assumption 2 is correct.
Reading Comprehension: There is a claim that organic farming is inherently safer and healthier. The reality is that because the organic farming
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