‘Information technology plays a very significant role in achieving sustainable development and food security’ - comment.
Information technology (IT) plays a very significant role in achieving sustainable development and food security. IT enables to provide and store data related to the past and future conditions providing inputs for policy decision and for adopting various corrective measures. For example, with the help of IT, weather conditions can be forecast. If ,for example, there is a probability of crop failure, then preventive measures can be taken to avoid or mitigate the impact of food insecurity. Information technology facilitates the storage and dissemination of information on emerging technologies, weather and soil conditions for growing various crops, etc, which ease the decision making process vis-a-vis production and productivity. Now days, the farmers can consult Kisan Call Centres and various web sites providing valuable information regarding measures to improve farm productivity and quality of farm inputs, seeds, fertilisers and various modern techniques. It acts as a tool for identifying the experts on food security and sustainable development. . IT sector also generates employment opportunities in the backward areas via developing 'info kiosk' (i.e. PC with internet, scanner, etc.) in the rural areas. Thus, it can be said that IT plays a vital role in assuring food security and sustainable development in India.
Explain the steps taken by the government in developing rural markets.
Distinguish between ‘Green Revolution’ and ‘Golden Revolution’.
Why is agricultural diversification essential for sustainable livelihoods?
Bring out the importance of animal husbandry, fisheries and horticulture as a source of diversification.
Discuss the importance of credit in rural development.
Explain the role of micro-credit in meeting credit requirements of the poor.
Critically evaluate the role of the rural banking system in the process of rural development in India.
What is organic farming and how does it promote sustainable development?
Explain the role of non-farm employment in promoting rural diversification.
What do you mean by rural development? Bring out the key issues in rural development.
What was the focus of the economic policies pursued by the colonial government in India? What were the impacts of these policies?
What are the two major sources of human capital in a country?
Define a plan?
Who is a worker?
Explain the term ‘infrastructure’.
What is meant by environment?
Why are regional and economic groupings formed?
Why were reforms introduced in India?
Why calorie-based norm is not adequate to identify the poor?
Name some notable economists who estimated India’s per capita income during the colonial period?
What are the two major sources of human capital in a country?
The following table shows the population and worker population ratio for India in 1999-2000. Can you estimate the workforce (urban and total) for India?
Region | Estimates of Population (in crores) |
Worker Population Ratio |
Estimated No. of Workers (in crores) |
Rural Uraban Total |
71.88 28.52 100.40 |
41.9 33.7 39.5 |
71.88/100 x 41.9 = 30.12 ? ? |
What is sustainable development?
What was the focus of the economic policies pursued by the colonial government in India? What were the impacts of these policies?
Explain the supply-demand reversal of environmental resources.
Explain the statement that the green revolution enabled the government to procure sufficient food grains to build its stocks that could be used during times of shortage.
What is meant by ‘Food for Work’ programme?
Why, despite the implementation of the green revolution, 65 percent of our population continued to be engaged in the agriculture sector till 1990?
How do the following factors contribute to the environmental crisis in India? What problem do they pose for the government?
(i) Rising population
(ii) Air pollution
(iii) Water contamination
(iv) Affluent consumption standards
(v) Illiteracy
(vi) Industrialisation
(vii) Urbanisation
(viii) Reduction of forest coverage
(ix) Poaching
(x) Global warming
Indicate the volume and direction of trade at the time of independence.