Read the following passage carefully and answer the question. Rural India faces serious shortages-power, water, health facilities, roads, etc-these are known and recognised. However, the role of…
Question and options
Read the following passage carefully and answer the question.
Rural India faces serious shortages-power, water, health facilities, roads, etc-these are known and recognised. However, the role of technology in solving these and other problems is barely acknowledged and the actual availability of technology in rural areas is marginal. The backbone of the rural economy is agriculture; which also provides sustenance to over half the country's population.
The "Green Revolution" of the 1970s was, in fact, powered by the scientific work in various agricultural research institutions. While some fault the Green Revolution for excessive exploitation of water and land resources through overuse of fertilizers, it did bring about a wheat surplus and prosperity in certain pockets of the country.
In rural India today, there is a dire inadequacy of both science (i.e., knowledge) and technology (which derives from science and manifests itself in physical form). The scope to apply technology to both farm and non-farm activities in rural areas is huge, as are the potential benefits. In fact, crop yields are far lower than what they are in demonstration farms, where science and technology are more fully applied. Technologies that reduce power consumption of pumps are vital: unfortunately, their use is minimal, since agricultural power is free or largely subsidised. Similarly, there is little incentive to optimize-through technology or otherwise water use, especially in irrigated areas (a third of total arable land), given employment and incomes, but at present deployment of technology is marginal, cold storage and cold-chains for transportation to market is of great importance for many agricultural products particularly, fruits and vegetables-but are non-existent. These are clearly technologies with an immediate return on investment, and benefits for all, the farmer, the end consumer, the technology provider. However, regulatory and structural barriers are holding back investments.
Power is a key requirement in rural areas, for agricultural as well as domestic uses. Technology can provide reliable power at comparatively low cost in a decentralized manner. However, this needs to be upgraded and scaled in a big way, with emphasis on renewable and non-polluting technologies. Reliable and low cost means of transporting goods and people is an essential need for rural areas. The bullock-cart and the tractor-trailer are present vehicles of choice. Surely, technology can provide a better, cheaper and more efficient solution? Information related to commodity prices, agricultural practices, weather, etc., are crucial for the farmer. Technology can provide these through mobile phones, which is a proven technology; however, the challenge to ensure connectivity remains. Thus, there is a pressing need for technology as currently economic growth-though skewed and iniquitous-has created an economically attractive market in rural India.
Rural India faces serious shortages-power, water, health facilities, roads, etc-these are known and recognised. However, the role of technology in solving these and other problems is barely acknowledged and the actual availability of technology in rural areas is marginal. The backbone of the rural economy is agriculture; which also provides sustenance to over half the country's population.
The "Green Revolution" of the 1970s was, in fact, powered by the scientific work in various agricultural research institutions. While some fault the Green Revolution for excessive exploitation of water and land resources through overuse of fertilizers, it did bring about a wheat surplus and prosperity in certain pockets of the country.
In rural India today, there is a dire inadequacy of both science (i.e., knowledge) and technology (which derives from science and manifests itself in physical form). The scope to apply technology to both farm and non-farm activities in rural areas is huge, as are the potential benefits. In fact, crop yields are far lower than what they are in demonstration farms, where science and technology are more fully applied. Technologies that reduce power consumption of pumps are vital: unfortunately, their use is minimal, since agricultural power is free or largely subsidised. Similarly, there is little incentive to optimize-through technology or otherwise water use, especially in irrigated areas (a third of total arable land), given employment and incomes, but at present deployment of technology is marginal, cold storage and cold-chains for transportation to market is of great importance for many agricultural products particularly, fruits and vegetables-but are non-existent. These are clearly technologies with an immediate return on investment, and benefits for all, the farmer, the end consumer, the technology provider. However, regulatory and structural barriers are holding back investments.
Power is a key requirement in rural areas, for agricultural as well as domestic uses. Technology can provide reliable power at comparatively low cost in a decentralized manner. However, this needs to be upgraded and scaled in a big way, with emphasis on renewable and non-polluting technologies. Reliable and low cost means of transporting goods and people is an essential need for rural areas. The bullock-cart and the tractor-trailer are present vehicles of choice. Surely, technology can provide a better, cheaper and more efficient solution? Information related to commodity prices, agricultural practices, weather, etc., are crucial for the farmer. Technology can provide these through mobile phones, which is a proven technology; however, the challenge to ensure connectivity remains. Thus, there is a pressing need for technology as currently economic growth-though skewed and iniquitous-has created an economically attractive market in rural India.
According to the author, which of the following is/ are the problems facing India’s rural population?
I Unavailability of healthcare facilities
II The technological advancements, which have been borrowed from abroad have not been suitably adapted to the Indian scenario
III Lack of awareness about the importance of utilizing technology in the agricultural sector
I Unavailability of healthcare facilities
II The technological advancements, which have been borrowed from abroad have not been suitably adapted to the Indian scenario
III Lack of awareness about the importance of utilizing technology in the agricultural sector
- Only I
- Only III
- Both I and II
- Both I and III
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: D - Both I and III
The passage lists shortages of health facilities (I true) and says the role of technology is barely acknowledged, i.e., lack of awareness of the importance of technology (III true). Nothing is said about borrowed foreign technology being unadapted (II). So I and III.
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