Passage

If there is inequality in the pattern of population growth, there is greater inequality in food production and utilization. As societies become wealthier, their consumption of animal products increases. This means that a greater proportion of such basic foodstuff as grains and legumes that could feed humans directly is instead being converted into feed for poultry and large farm animals. Yet this conversion of plant-based food into animal food for humans is far from efficient. Only 16% of the calories fed to chickens are recovered by us when we eat them. This conversion rate goes down to five to seven per cent in large animals that are fed grain to add fat and some protein before slaughter.

QUESTION

CSAT

Easy

Comprehension

Prelims 2025

With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:

I. The food manufacturing and processing industries in every country should align their objectives and processes in accordance with the changing needs of the societies. II. Wealthier societies tend to incur great loss of calories of food materials due to indirect utilization of their agricultural produce.

Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

Select an option to attempt

Explanation

Assumption 1 is invalid: The passage does not talk about food manufacturing/processing industries aligning their objectives with changing society. It only talks about how richer societies consume more animal products → which causes greater calorie loss. No mention of what industries should do.

Assumption 2 is valid: The passage clearly states that as societies become wealthy, more grains and legumes are diverted to animal feed — and the conversion efficiency is extremely low (16% for chicken, 5-7% for large animals). This means large calorie loss due to indirect utilization. This is directly in line with Assumption II.