Passage: According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, one-third of food produced for human…
Passage: According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, one-third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted globally. Food is lost or wasted throughout the supply chain, from initial agricultural production to final household consumption. The increasing wastage also results in land degradation by about 45%, mainly due to deforestation, unsustainable agricultural practices, and excessive groundwater extraction. The energy spent over wasted food results in about 3.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide production every year. Decay also leads to harmful emissions of other gases in the atmosphere. Addressing the loss and wastage of food in all forms is critical to complete the cycle of food efficiency and food sustainability.
Which of the following statements best reflect the most logical and rational inferences that can be made from the passage?
1. The current methods of food distribution are solely responsible for the loss and wastage of food.
2. Land productivity is adversely affected by the prevailing trend of food loss and wastage.
3. Reduction in the loss and wastage of food results in lesser carbon footprint.
4. Post-harvest technologies to prevent or reduce the loss and wattage of food are not available.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
1, 2 and 3
2 and 3 only
1, 3 and 4
1, 2 and 4
Solution
Inference 1 is incorrect: food loss occurs throughout the supply chain, not solely due to distribution methods. Inference 2 is correct: increasing wastage results in land degradation, which adversely affects land productivity. Inference 3 is correct: the passage states the energy spent on wasted food produces carbon dioxide, so reducing food loss reduces the carbon footprint. Inference 4 is incorrect: the passage does not discuss the non-availability of post-harvest technologies. Hence only statements 2 and 3 are valid.