Multiple choice

Which of the statements below correctly describes the relation between agricultural development and the government action in Africa?

Passage:
Many governments among African nations are trying to translate the abundance of land into an asset that can actually feed their population. Frequently, these efforts are very broad based and are aimed at accomplishing multiple objectives. A multi-pronged project that aims to bolster crop yields, increase area under cultivation, diversify crop types, introduce modern farming techniques, and perhaps increase infrastructure to handle it all is trying to do too much at the same time. In many nations the funds are not ample, and support from donor nations powers such projects. In such a scenario, a concentrated approach that focuses on one parameter, in a single region, is more likely to produce results. Once the objective is attained, the same can be replicated across other regions, with the lessons from the pilot project factored in. Doing so also ensures that if the aid dries up at some time, the areas where the project had been initiated successfully will keep benefiting.
Another roadblock in the path to progress is the measurability of the government objectives in the developing African nations. Aiming for agrarian progress, without quantifying how to measure it, is a sure-fire way to ensure a stillborn economy. Governments work better when the targets are laid out in crisp detail.

  1. The governments are bending their backs to make agriculture more remunerative for the farmers.

  2. The governments are taking up the projects on a piecemeal basis.

  3. Foreign aid is the most substantive driving force behind the government initiatives.

  4. Governments need to make their plans targeted and explicit.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Incorrect. The governments are trying to make agriculture robust enough to feed the population. “Remunerative” and “bending their backs” cannot be derived.

Incorrect. The passage states that multiplicity of objectives (not piecemeal approach) is diluting the impact of efforts.
Incorrect. Foreign aid is an important component of help to agriculture, but we cannot say that it is the only or the main source of fiscal support.
Correct. Because the governments are trying to do too much, all at the same time, the efforts are not bringing desired results. The author advocates a targeted and focused approach. Incorrect. The use of 'on occasion' implies that the diffused plans, on most occasions, do not cause any problems. This goes against the message of the passage. They almost always present a challenge.

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