- A. Food yielding trees should replace other trees in rural and tribal areas and community owned lands.
- B. Food security cannot be ensured in India with the present practice of conventional agriculture.
- C. Wastelands and degraded areas in India should be converted into agroforestry systems to help the poor.
- D. Agroecosystems should be developed in addition to or along with conventional agriculture.
Answer: D
Explanation
The passage advocates for a ‘systemic approach to food consumption’ by sourcing food from ‘non-agricultural lands… in addition to agricultural lands.’ It highlights how this diversification helps rural and tribal communities, provides a ‘safety net during periods of food shortages caused by crop failure,’ and fills ‘seasonal crop production gaps.’ The core message is about complementing conventional agriculture with other food sources. Option (D) ‘Agroecosystems should be developed in addition to or along with conventional agriculture’ perfectly captures this idea of integration and diversification for enhanced food security. Option (A) suggests replacement, which contradicts ‘in addition to.’ Option (B) makes a strong, negative claim about conventional agriculture that is not fully supported. Option (C) introduces ‘wastelands and degraded areas’ and ‘agroforestry systems,’ which are specific solutions not broadly discussed as the main message. This question tests the ability to identify the central recommendation or argument of the passage, a key skill for CSAT.