Passage-1
Biomass as fuel for power, heat, and transport has the highest mitigation potential of all renewable sources. It comes from agriculture and forest residues as well as from energy crops. The biggest challenge in using biomass residues is a long-term reliable supply delivered to the power plant at reasonable costs; the key problems are logistical constraints and the costs of fuel collection. Energy crops, if not managed properly, compete with food production and may have undesirable impacts on food prices. Biomass production is also sensitive to the physical impacts of a changing climate. Projections of the future role of biomass are probably overestimated, given the limits to the sustainable biomass supply, unless breakthrough technologies substantially increase productivity. Climate-energy models project that biomass use could increase nearly four-fold to around 150 – 200 exajoules, almost a quarter of world primary energy in 2050. However, the maximum sustainable technical potential of biomass resources (both residues and energy crops) without disruption of food and forest resources ranges from 80 – 170 exajoules a year by 2050, and only part of this is realistically and economically feasible. In addition, some climate models rely on biomass-based carbon capture and storage, an unproven technology, to achieve negative emissions and to buy some time during the first half of the century.
Some liquid biofuels such as corn-based ethanol, mainly for transport, may aggravate rather than ameliorate carbon emissions on a life-cycle basis. Second generation biofuels, based on lignocellulosic feedstocks – such as straw, bagasse, grass and wood – hold the promise of sustainable production that is high-yielding and emit low levels of greenhouse gases, but these are still in the R and D stage.
Which of the following can lead to food security problem ?
1. Using agricultural and forest residues as feedstock for power generation.
2. Using biomass for carbon capture and storage.
3. Promoting the cultivation of energy crops.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Correct Answer :
3 only
Solution :
The correct option is 3 only.
Let us analyze the statements step-by-step based on the provided passage to understand why only the cultivation of energy crops can lead to food security problems:
1. Analysis of Statement 1: Using agricultural and forest residues as feedstock for power generation.
According to the passage, agricultural and forest residues are sources of biomass. The main challenges associated with using residues are logistical constraints, collection costs, and ensuring a long-term reliable supply to the power plant. The passage does not state or imply that using residues competes with food production or leads to food security issues. Therefore, Statement 1 is incorrect.
2. Analysis of Statement 2: Using biomass for carbon capture and storage.
The passage mentions that some climate models rely on biomass-based carbon capture and storage (BECCS) to achieve negative emissions. However, it describes this simply as an "unproven technology" used to buy time during the first half of the century. There is no link established in the text between biomass-based carbon capture and storage itself and food security problems. Therefore, Statement 2 is incorrect.
3. Analysis of Statement 3: Promoting the cultivation of energy crops.
The passage explicitly states: "Energy crops, if not managed properly, compete with food production and may have undesirable impacts on food prices." Since energy crops compete directly with food production for agricultural land and water resources, and can increase food prices, their promotion can directly lead to food security problems. Therefore, Statement 3 is correct.
Conclusion:
Only Statement 3 is correct, which makes 3 only the correct answer.
Access expert-curated educational resources and study materials—completely free.
Create, conduct, and manage professional online assessments with Mindyard. Perfect for teachers and institutes.
Copyright © 2026 Mindyard. All Rights Reserved.