In 1995, the suggestion that cotton could be grown organically drew a doubtful remark from the then Director of the Central Institute for Cotton Research. Why was growing cotton organically seen as a big change?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Cotton was the biggest user of chemical pesticides
Cotton used more chemical pesticides than any other crop. So the idea of growing it organically, without such chemicals, was a big change. It drew a doubtful remark at first.
NCERT (2026-27): “Box 5.5: Organically Produced Cotton in Maharashtra In 1995, when Kisan Mehta of Prakruti (an NGO) first suggested that cotton, the biggest user of chemical pesticides, could be grown organically, the then Director of the Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur, famously remarked, “Do you want India to go naked?” At present, as many as 130 farmers have committed 1,200 hectares of land to grow cotton organically on the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement’s standards. The produce was later tested by the German Accredited Agency, AGRECO, and found to be of high quality. …” |