The correct option is (a) 1 only.
Explanation
Sustainable agriculture refers to farming practices that meet current food and textile needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It integrates three main goals: environmental health, economic profitability, and social equity.
- Statement 1 is Correct: Sustainable agriculture specifically aims to increase food production to meet growing demands while ensuring that the environment is not degraded. It focuses on the long-term viability of agricultural systems by maintaining soil health, water quality, and biodiversity.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: Sustainable agriculture emphasizes the judicious and balanced use of natural resources, not their maximum exploitation. Exploitation regardless of balance leads to resource depletion (e.g., soil erosion, water scarcity), which contradicts the core principle of sustainability.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: Monoculture (the cultivation of a single crop in a given area) is generally discouraged in sustainable agriculture because it depletes specific soil nutrients, increases susceptibility to pests and diseases, and reduces biodiversity. Instead, practices like crop rotation, mixed cropping, and intercropping are recommended to maintain soil fertility and ecological balance.
Key Takeaway:
Sustainable agriculture prioritizes ecological balance, resource conservation, and biodiversity (polyculture) over short-term maximization of output through intensive exploitation or monoculture.