Passage-1
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, one-third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted globally. Food is lost or wasted throughout the supply chain, from initial agricultural production to final household consumption. The increasing wastage also results in land degradation by about 45%, mainly due to deforestation, unsustainable agricultural practices, and excessive groundwater extraction. The energy spent over wasted food results in about 3.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide production every year. Decay also leads to harmful emissions of other gases in the atmosphere. Addressing the loss and wastage of food in all forms is critical to complete the cycle of food efficiency and food sustainability.
Q1. Which of the following statements best reflect the most logical and rational inferences that can be made from the passage?
1. The current methods of food distribution are solely responsible for the loss and wastage of food.
2. Land productivity is adversely affected by the prevailing trend of food loss and wastage.
3. Reduction in the loss and wastage of food results in lesser carbon footprint.
4. Post-harvest technologies to prevent or reduce the loss and wastage of food are not available.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
A. 1, 2 and 3
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 3 and 4
D. 1, 2 and 4
Answer: B
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is incorrect: The passage states that food is lost or wasted throughout the supply chain, from agricultural production to household consumption. This implies that food distribution methods are not solely responsible for the wastage. Therefore, this statement is not fully supported
- Statement 2 is correct: The passage mentions that food wastage contributes to land degradation due to deforestation, unsustainable agricultural practices, and groundwater extraction. These factors imply an adverse effect on land productivity, making this statement accurate.
- Statement 3 is correct: The passage indicates that food wastage leads to significant carbon dioxide emissions (3.5 billion tonnes per year). Reducing food waste would logically reduce the carbon footprint associated with these emissions, so this statement is valid.
- Statement 4 is incorrect: The passage does not address the availability of post-harvest technologies to prevent food loss or wastage. Since there is no information supporting this claim, this statement is invalid.
Q2. Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:
1. The food distribution mechanism needs to be reimagined and made effective to reduce the loss and wastage of food.
2. Ensuring the reduction of wastage and loss of food is a social and moral responsibility of all citizens.
Which of the assumptions given above is/are valid?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: A. 1 only
Explanation:
- Assumption 1 is valid according to the passage. The passage highlights that food is lost or wasted throughout the supply chain, indicating a need for improvements in the food distribution mechanism to reduce wastage effectively. Reimagining the food distribution process aligns with this need for efficiency.
- Assumption 2 is not valid. While the passage emphasizes the importance of addressing food loss and wastage for sustainability, it does not suggest that reducing food wastage is a social or moral responsibility of all citizens. Therefore, this assumption is not supported by the passage.
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