Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: 1. Poor countries need to bring about change in their existing farming techniques. 2. Developed countries have better infrastructure and they waste less food. Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

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.

Question

CSATMediumPrelims 2022Comprehension

Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:

Poor countries need to bring about change in their existing farming techniques.
Developed countries have better infrastructure and they waste less food.

Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

Explanation

Assumption 1 is correct: The passage states that adapting agricultural practices and using better techniques, even in simple matters like fertilizer application, would increase food availability in developing regions such as Africa and Asia. This suggests that improving or changing existing farming techniques in poor countries is necessary to enhance productivity. Thus, this assumption is valid.

Assumption 2 is incorrect: The passage mentions that improved infrastructure, like better roads and storage facilities, would help reduce wastage by allowing surplus to reach markets. However, it does not explicitly compare infrastructure or food wastage levels between developed and developing countries. Therefore, this assumption cannot be validated solely based on the passage.