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UPSC Prelims 2020 · Agriculture · Farming Green
What is/are the advantage/advantages of zero tillage in agriculture?
- Sowing of wheat is possible without burning the residue of the previous crop.
- Without the need for nursery of rice saplings, direct planting of paddy seeds in the wet soil is possible.
- Carbon sequestration in the soil is possible.
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Residue stays, soil stays undisturbed, seed goes straight in: that one idea gives all three benefits.
Statement by statement
1. ✓ CORRECT Machines like the Happy Seeder sow wheat straight through the paddy stubble — no need to burn it.
2. ✓ CORRECT Direct-seeded rice skips the nursery and transplanting, saving water and labour.
3. ✓ CORRECT Undisturbed soil and retained residue build soil organic carbon.
Why the others are wrong
(a) Drops the carbon benefit — thinking only of the farmer’s gains. Undisturbed soil keeps its organic carbon, so zero tillage is also a climate practice.
(b) Drops the stubble benefit — the very reason Punjab promotes zero tillage (Happy Seeder) against stubble burning.
(c) Keeps only carbon, seeing zero tillage as a climate tool alone. Its first use is practical: sowing without burning and without a nursery.
The trap
Statement 2 describes direct-seeded rice, which feels like a different technique. It is part of the same no-till package.
🔒 Zero tillage: sow into stubble (no burning) · direct-seeded rice · more soil carbon · less fuel and water.