Organic Farming MCQs Quiz | Class 9

Test your understanding of Organic Farming for Class IX Science (Code 086), Unit IV: Food Production. This quiz covers the meaning, principles, and benefits of organic farming methods. Click the “Submit Quiz” button to check your results and download the answer PDF.

Overview of Organic Farming

Organic farming is an agricultural system that uses biological fertilizers and pest control derived from animal or plant waste. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity, and cycles adapted to local conditions rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. In simpler terms, it is farming with minimal or no use of chemicals like fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, etc.

Core Principles

According to international standards, organic farming is based on four main principles:

  • Principle of Health: Organic agriculture should sustain and enhance the health of soil, plants, animals, humans, and the planet as one and indivisible.
  • Principle of Ecology: It should be based on living ecological systems and cycles, working with them, mimicking them, and helping sustain them.
  • Principle of Fairness: It should build on relationships that ensure fairness with regard to the common environment and life opportunities.
  • Principle of Care: Organic agriculture should be managed in a precautionary and responsible manner to protect the health and well-being of current and future generations.

Key Components

To replace synthetic inputs, organic farming utilizes several natural methods:

  • Bio-fertilizers: Use of organisms like blue-green algae and nitrogen-fixing bacteria to enrich soil nutrients.
  • Manure and Compost: Use of farmyard manure, vermicompost (earthworms), and green manure.
  • Bio-pesticides: Use of natural pest repellents like Neem leaves and turmeric.
  • Cropping Systems: Mixed cropping, inter-cropping, and crop rotation to maintain soil health naturally.

Benefits of Organic Farming

Organic farming offers numerous advantages over conventional chemical farming:

Aspect Organic Farming Conventional Farming
Soil Health Improves soil structure and fertility over time. Often degrades soil quality due to chemicals.
Environment Eco-friendly, reduces pollution, protects water. Risk of water pollution and harm to non-target species.
Product Quality Food is free from harmful chemical residues. May contain traces of pesticides and fertilizers.
Cost Low input cost (uses farm waste). High input cost (expensive chemicals).

Quick Revision Points

  • Definition: Farming system with minimal or no use of chemicals.
  • Nitrogen Fixation: Leguminous plants and blue-green algae help fix atmospheric nitrogen.
  • Vermicompost: A nutrient-rich organic fertilizer produced by earthworm activity.
  • Sustainability: The primary long-term goal of organic farming is sustainable development.

Extra Practice Questions

  1. What is green manure? (Answer: Plants plowed back into the soil to enrich it).
  2. Name one bacteria used as a bio-fertilizer. (Answer: Rhizobium).
  3. Why is crop rotation important in organic farming? (Answer: It prevents nutrient depletion and breaks pest cycles).
  4. How does organic farming affect water holding capacity? (Answer: It increases the soil’s water holding capacity).
  5. Is genetically modified (GM) seed used in organic farming? (Answer: No, GM seeds are generally avoided).