The correct option is (c).
Explanation
In economics, land is considered a fixed factor of production. To enhance agricultural output without expanding the land area, specific techniques are employed to maximize yield. These techniques primarily include multiple cropping and the adoption of modern farming methods.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: Multiple cropping is defined as the practice of growing more than one crop on the same piece of land during a single agricultural year. It is the most common traditional method used to increase production on a given piece of land.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: Modern farming methods are characterized by the use of High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and artificial irrigation (tubewells, canals). The reliance on traditional seeds and natural manure constitutes traditional farming, which generally results in lower yields compared to modern methods.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Both multiple cropping and modern farming methods serve the same fundamental economic objective: to increase the yield (amount of crop produced on a given piece of land during a single season) from the same fixed resource.
Key Takeaway:
Multiple cropping increases production by utilizing the land for different crops across different seasons, whereas modern farming methods increase production through the intensification of inputs like HYV seeds and chemical fertilizers.