Passage

Directions for the following 3 (three) items : Read the following passage and answer the items that follow the passage. Your answers to these items should be based on the passage only. Passage In some places in the world, the productivity of staples such as rice and wheat has reached a plateau. Neither new strains nor fancy agrochemicals are raising the yields. Nor is there much unfarmed land left that is suitable to be brought under the plough. If global temperature continues to rise, some places will become unsuitable for farming. Application of technology can help overcome these problems. Agricultural technology is changing fast. Much of this change is brought about by affluent farmers in the West/Americas. Techniques developed in the West are being adapted in some places to make tropical crops more productive. Technology is of little use if it is not adapted. In the developing world, that applies as much to existing farming techniques as it does to the latest advances in genetic modification. Extending to the smallholders and subsistence farmers of Africa and Asia the best of today's agricultural practices, in such simple matters as how much fertilizers to apply and when, would lead to a greatly increased availability of food for humanity. So would things like better roads and storage facilities, to allow for the carriage of surpluses to markets and reduce wastage.

Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made : 1. Development of agricultural tech-nology is confined to developed countries. 2. Agricultural technology is not adapted in developing countries. Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 ✓ UPSC's answer

Why the answer is (d)

• Assumption 1 is invalid because the passage states that techniques developed in the West are being adapted in some places to make tropical crops more productive, implying technology is not confined to developed countries.

• Assumption 2 is invalid because the passage explicitly mentions that techniques are being adapted in some places, contradicting the claim that agricultural technology is not adapted in developing countries.

• The passage emphasizes that technology is of little use if not adapted, but it does not state that adaptation is absent in all developing countries.

• Since both assumptions contradict the specific details provided in the text, neither is valid.

• Therefore, the correct option is (d) Neither 1 nor 2.

Why the other options are wrong

(a) 1 only: Assumption 1 is invalid as the passage notes that Western techniques are being adapted in tropical regions, showing technology is not confined to developed countries.
(b) 2 only: Assumption 2 is invalid because the passage explicitly states that techniques developed in the West are being adapted in some places in the developing world.
(c) Both 1 and 2: Both assumptions are invalid because the passage provides evidence that technology is being adapted in developing countries, contradicting both claims.

Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2022, held on 5 June 2022. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.