question_answer 8)

Do you know why food grains productions has remained stagnant or fallen for six consecutive years?  

Answer:

The major reasons for this stagnation in food grains production are (a) Decrease in soil fertility due to excessive use of fertilizers, pesticides, intensive farming, etc resulting in lower yields in successive years.   (b) Decrease of water storage in aquifers due to excessive pumping to grow water intensive crops earlier. This has resulted in drying up of wells and tube wells.   (c) Reduction in net sown area of food grains due to shift of cultivation to fruits, vegetables, oilseeds, pulses and other commercial/cash crops.   (d) Reduction in agricultural land due to part of it being used for non-agricultural purposes like housing, industry, etc.