In some places in the world, the productivity of staples such as rice and wheat has reached a plateau. Neither new strains nor fancy agrochemicals are raising the yields. Nor is there much unformed land left that is suitable to be brought under the plough. If global temperature continues to rise, some places will become unsuitable for farming. Application of technology can help overcome these problems. Agriculture technology is changing fast. Much of this change is brought about by affluent farmers in the West/Americas. Techniques developed in the West are being adapted in some places to make tropical crops more productive. Technology is of little use if it is not adapted. In the developing world, that applies as much to existing farming techniques as it does to the latest advances in genetic modification. Extending to the smallholders and subsistence farmers of Africa and Asia the best of today’s agricultural practices, in such simple matters as how much fertilizers to apply and when, would lead to a greatly increased availability of food for humanity. So would things like better roads and storage facilities, to allow for the carriage of surpluses to markets and reduce wastage.

Question: Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:
1. Poor countries need to bring about change in their existing farming techniques.
2. Developed countries have better infrastructure and they waste less food.
Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

The correct option is 1 only.

Step-by-step Explanation:

1. Analysis of Assumption 1: "Poor countries need to bring about change in their existing farming techniques."
The passage explicitly states: "Technology is of little use if it is not adapted. In the developing world, that applies as much to existing farming techniques as it does to the latest advances in genetic modification." It further explains that extending the best of today's agricultural practices (such as the simple matters of how much fertilizer to apply and when) to smallholders and subsistence farmers in Africa and Asia would greatly increase food availability. Since developing/poor countries rely on these subsistence farmers, adapting and changing their existing farming techniques is a necessary condition outlined in the text. Thus, Assumption 1 is valid based on the passage.

2. Analysis of Assumption 2: "Developed countries have better infrastructure and they waste less food."
The passage mentions that "better roads and storage facilities, to allow for the carriage of surpluses to markets and reduce wastage" would increase food availability. While the passage mentions that agricultural technology changes are often brought about by affluent farmers in the West/Americas, it does not state or imply that developed countries currently have better infrastructure or that they waste less food. We cannot assume conditions in developed countries that are not supported by the text. Thus, Assumption 2 is not valid.

Therefore, only Assumption 1 is valid.