In the context of India, which of the following is/are considered to be practice(s) of eco-friendly agriculture?

1. Crop diversification

2. Legume intensification

3. Tensiometer use

4. Vertical farming

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

The correct answer is 1, 2 and 3 only.

To understand why these practices are classified as eco-friendly agriculture in the context of India, we can analyze each method individually:

1. Crop Diversification (Correct):
Crop diversification involves growing a variety of crops on the same land instead of focusing on a single crop (monoculture). This practice breaks pest cycles naturally, improves soil health by utilizing different nutrient layers, and reduces the reliance on chemical pesticides and fertilizers, making it highly eco-friendly.

2. Legume Intensification (Correct):
Leguminous plants (such as pulses and beans) have a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (like Rhizobium) in their root nodules. By intensifying the cultivation of legumes, farmers can naturally enrich the soil with atmospheric nitrogen. This significantly reduces the need for synthetic nitrogenous fertilizers, thereby preventing soil degradation and water pollution.

3. Tensiometer Use (Correct):
A tensiometer is a device used to measure the moisture content (suction or tension) in the soil. In India, where water resources are rapidly depleting, using a tensiometer helps farmers irrigate their fields only when necessary. This precise scheduling prevents over-irrigation, conserves agricultural water, and saves energy used for pumping groundwater.

4. Vertical Farming (Incorrect in this context):
Although vertical farming saves physical land space and water, it relies heavily on controlled indoor environments. This requires massive energy inputs for artificial lighting (LEDs), temperature regulation, and ventilation. Given India's current energy grid mix, which is heavily dependent on fossil fuels, the high carbon footprint of vertical farming makes it less eco-friendly compared to traditional sustainable practices. Additionally, it is highly capital-intensive and not a widespread, viable eco-friendly option for mainstream Indian agriculture at present.