Critical reasoning – Should shifting (slash-and-burn) agriculture be practised? Statement: “Should shifting agriculture be practised?” Arguments to evaluate: I. No. It is a wasteful practice. II. Yes. Modern methods of farming are too expensive.

Question

Solve this multiple-choice question and choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context:“Shifting agriculture” (often slash-and-burn) involves clearing forested land, cropping briefly, and then moving on. The arguments must be judged for environmental, agronomic, and economic logic. Given Data / Assumptions: Argument I labels the practice wasteful (soil degradation, deforestation). Argument II supports it due to the high cost of modern farming. No specific region or mitigation measures are provided. Concept / Approach:A strong argument should weigh sustainability. Modern agronomy offers alternatives (terracing, agroforestry, minimal till, micro-irrigation) that can be cost-effective compared to ecosystem damage from shifting cultivation. Step-by-Step Solution: Argument I: Supported by well-known environmental consequences—nutrient mining, erosion, biodiversity loss, and carbon emissions. It identifies systemic wastage. Hence, strong.Argument II: High cost of modern methods does not, by itself, justify an environmentally harmful method; cost can be addressed via subsidies, training, or low-input techniques. Hence, weak. Verification / Alternative check: Sustainable intensification and agroecology provide lower-cost alternatives superior to shifting cultivation in most contexts. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Only II strong / Either / Neither / Both: These ignore the sustainability imperative or overstate cost as a sole determinant. Common Pitfalls: Confusing short-term affordability with long-term viability. Final Answer:Only argument I is strong

Critical reasoning – Should shifting (slash-and-burn) agriculture be practised? Statement: “Should shifting agriculture be practised?” Arguments to evaluate: I. No. It is a wasteful practice. II. Yes. Modern methods of farming are too expensive.

More Questions from Statement and Argument

Discussion & Comments