The Risk Agriculture Faces in Developing Countries Reading Answers

Jan 27, 2023

The Risk Agriculture Faces in Developing Countries Reading Answers contains sample answers about food production, agriculture and farming. The Risk Agriculture Faces in Developing Countries Reading Answers comprising 13 different types of questions. IELTS The Risk Agriculture Faces in Developing Countries Reading Answers contains three types of questions, namely-Identify the paragraph, Identify the speaker and multiple choice questions. Candidates are required to read the IELTS Reading passage thoroughly and identify the paragraph that contains the given statement. Candidates are required to identify the speaker of the given statement from the passage. Candidates are supposed to choose the correct answer from the given multiple options. To gain proficiency, candidates can practise from the IELTS Reading practice papers

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Section 1

Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions

The Risk Agriculture Faces in Developing Countries Reading Answers

Two things distinguish food production from all other productive activities: first, every single person needs food each day and has a right to it; and second, it is hugely dependent on nature. These two unique aspects, one political, the other natural, make food production highly vulnerable and different from any other business. At the same time, cultural values are highly entrenched in food and agricultural systems worldwide.
Farmers everywhere face major risks; including extreme weather, long-term climate change, and price volatility in input and product markets. However, smallholder farmers in developing countries must in addition deal with adverse environments, both natural, in terms of soil quality, rainfall, etc. and human, in terms of infrastructure, financial systems, markets, knowledge and technology. Counter-intuitively, hunger is prevalent among many smallholder farmers in the developing world.
Participants in the online debate argued that our biggest challenge is to address the underlying causes of the agricultural system’s inability to ensure sufficient food for all, and they identified as drivers of this problem our dependency on fossil fuels and unsupportive government policies.
On the question of mitigating the risks farmers face, most essayists called for greater state intervention.In his essay, Kanayo F. Nwanze, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, argued that governments can significantly reduce risks for farmers by providing basic services like roads to get produce more efficiently to markets, or water and food storage facilities to reduce losses. Sophia Murphy, senior advisor to the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, suggested that the procurement and holding of stocks by governments can also help mitigate wild swings in food prices by alleviating uncertainties about market supply.
Shenggen Fan, Director General of the International Food Policy Research Institute, held up social safety nets and public welfare programmes in Ethiopia, Brazil and Mexico as valuable ways to address poverty among farming families and reduce their vulnerability to agriculture shocks. However, some commentators responded that cash transfers to poor families do not necessarily translate into increased food security, as these programmes do not always strengthen food production or raise incomes.
Regarding state subsidies for agriculture, Rokeya Kabir, Executive Director of Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangha, commented in her essay that these ‘have not compensated for the stranglehold exercised by private traders.In fact, studies show that sixty percent of beneficiaries of subsidies are not poor, but rich landowners and non-farmer traders.
Nwanze, Murphy and Fan argued that private risk management tools, like private insurance, commodity futures markets, and rural finance can help small-scale producers mitigate risk and allow for investment in improvements. Kabir warned that financial support schemes often encourage the adoption of high-input agricultural practices, which in the medium term may raise production costs beyond the value of their harvests.
Murphy noted that when futures markets become excessively financialised they can contribute to short-term price volatility, which increases farmers’ food insecurity. Many participants and commentators emphasised that greater transparency in markets is needed to mitigate the impact of volatility, and make evident whether adequate stocks and supplies are available. Others contended that agribusiness companies should be held responsible for paying for negative side effects.
Many essayists mentioned climate change and its consequences for small-scale agriculture. Fan explained that in addition to reducing crop yields, climate change increases the magnitude and the frequency of extreme weather events, which increase smallholder vulnerability. The growing unpredictability of weather patterns increases farmers’ difficulty in managing weather-related risks.
According to this author, one solution would be to develop crop varieties that are more resilient to new climate trends and extreme weather patterns. Accordingly, Pat Mooney, co-founder and executive director of the ETC Group, suggested that ‘if we are to survive climate change, we must adopt policies that let peasants diversify the plant and animal species and varieties/breeds that make up our menus.
Some participating authors and commentators argued in favour of community- based and autonomous risk management strategies through collective action groups, co-operatives or producers’ groups. Such groups enhance market opportunities for small-scale producers, reduce marketing costs and synchronise buying and selling with seasonal price conditions.
According to Murphy, ‘collective action offers an important way for farmers to strengthen their political and economic bargaining power, and to reduce their business risks. One commentator, Giel Ton, warned that collective action does not come as a free good. It takes time, effort and money to organise, build trust and to experiment. Others, like Marcel Vernooij and Marcel Beukeboom, suggested that in order to ‘apply what we already know’, all stakeholders, including business, government, scientists and civil society, must work together, starting at the beginning of the value chain.
Some participants explained that market price volatility is often worsened by the presence of intermediary purchasers who, taking advantage of farmers’ vulnerability, dictate prices. One commentator suggested farmers can gain greater control over prices and minimise price volatility by selling directly to consumers.
Similarly, Sonali Bisht, founder and advisor to the Institute of Himalayan Environmental Research and Education (INHERE), India, wrote that community-supported agriculture, where consumers invest in local farmers by subscription and guarantee producers a fair price, is a risk-sharing model worth more attention. Direct food distribution systems not only encourage small-scale agriculture but also give consumers more control over the food they consume, she wrote.

Section 2

Solution with Explanation

Questions 1-3:
Reading Passage has nine paragraphs, A-l.
Which paragraph contains the following information?
Write the correct letter, A-l, in boxes 1-3 on your answer sheet.

a reference to characteristics that only apply to food production.

Answer: A
Supporting Statement: Two things distinguish food production from all other productive activities: first, every single person needs food each day and has a right to it; and second, it is hugely dependent on nature.
Keyword: food production, distinguished from other, productive activities
Keyword location: Paragraph A, 1st line
Explanation: The primary two features that distinguish food production from other productive activities are stated in paragraph A. From all other productive endeavours, food production differs in two ways. First and foremost, everyone has a right to and needs food every single day. It is very heavily reliant on nature, as well. Hence the answer is paragraph A.

a reference to challenges faced only by farmers in certain parts of the world.

Answer: B
Supporting Statement: smallholder farmers in developing countries must in addition deal with adverse environments.
Keyword: adverse environments, developing countries, challenges, smallholder farmers
Keyword location: Paragraph B, 2nd line
Explanation: The problems faced by the vast majority of farmers in developing countries are highlighted by the author in paragraph B. The text states that smallholder farmers face challenging conditions in impoverished countries as well. Since farmers in these regions are impacted by the environment. So paragraph B is the correct answer.

a reference to difficulties in bringing about cooperation between farmers.

Answer: H
Supporting Statement: It takes time, effort, and money to organise, build trust, and to experiment.
Keywords: time, effort, money, organising, co-operation, difficulties
Keyword location: Paragraph H, line 5
Explanation: A large number of farmers face serious financial trouble, as mentioned in paragraph H. It becomes difficult for farmers to put in the necessary time, money, and effort. As was mentioned in paragraph H, it takes time, effort, and money to organise, build trust, and carry out trials. So, paragraph H is the correct answer.

Questions 4-9:
Look at the following statements (Questions 4-9) and the list of people below.
Match each statement with the correct person, A-G.
Write the correct letter, A-G, in boxes 4-9 on your answer sheet.
NB: You may use any letter more than once.

List of People

A: Kanayo F. Nwanze
B: Sophia Murphy
C: Shenggen Fan
D: Rokeya Kabir
E: Pat Mooney
F: Giel Ton
G: Sonali Bisht

Financial assistance from the government does not always go to the farmers who most need it.

Answer: D
Supporting Statement: sixty percent of beneficiaries of subsidies are not poor, but rich landowners and non-farmer traders.
Keyword: subsidies to non-poor, sixty percent, rich landowners, non-farmer traders, beneficiaries
Keyword location: Paragraph E, last line
Explanation: As per paragraph E, wealthy landowners and non-farmer traders make up 60% of the recipients of subsidies rather than poor people. Based on the quote, many farmers continue to live in poverty even after getting government assistance. This is as a result of the fact that 60% of all subsidies go to wealthy landowners and non-farmer traders. Hence, D is the answer.

Farmers can benefit from collaborating as a group.

Answer: B
Supporting Statement: collective action offers an important way for farmers to strengthen their political and economic bargaining power, and to reduce their business risks.
Keyword: collective action, strengthen political and economic power, reduce business risks
Keyword location: Paragraph H, 3rd line
Explanation: A key strategy for enhancing farmers' political and economic bargaining power is collective action, as per paragraph H. And to lessen the hazards to their company. It might be concluded that farmers' success can be increased by cooperation. Working together will increase their political and economic influence, enabling them to speak out against the administration. Hence, B is the correct answer.

Financial assistance from the government can improve the standard of living of farmers.

Answer: C
Supporting Statement: address poverty among farming families and reduce their vulnerability to agriculture shocks.
Keyword: poverty, reduce vulnerability, improve the standard of living
Keyword location: Paragraph E, 1st line
Explanation: According to the first sentence of paragraph E, the farmers will gain from the provision of specific subsidies. Increasing living standards and reducing the sensitivity of agriculture to shocks. So, the right answer is C.

Farmers may be helped if there is financial input by the same individuals who buy.

Answer: G
Supporting Statement: community-supported agriculture, where consumers invest in local farmers by subscription and guarantee producers a fair price, is a risk-sharing model worth more attention.
Keyword: consumer invest, guarantee producers, subscription by consumers, model worth attention
Keyword location: Paragraph I, 3rd line
Explanation: The first clause of paragraph E states that farmers will benefit from the availability of special subsidies. It is by improving living conditions and lowering shocks to agriculture. Thus, the correct answer is G.

Governments can help to reduce variation in pages.

Answer: B
Supporting Statement: the procurement and holding of stocks by governments can also help mitigate wild swings in food prices by alleviating uncertainties about market supply.
Keyword: holdings of stock, mitigate wild swings, food prices, market supply
Keyword location: Paragraph D, last line
Explanation: The controversial claim states that the government can help farmers reduce variation. The same point is made in paragraph D, where it is declared that the government's stock holdings will in some way help farmers. Therefore, the answer is B.

Improvements to infrastructure can have a major impact on risk for farmers.

Answer: A
Supporting Statement: governments can significantly reduce risks for farmers by providing basic services like roads to get produce more efficiently to markets, or water and food storage facilities to reduce losses.
Keyword: basic services, roads, water shortage, food shortage, reduce losses
Keyword location: Paragraph D, 2nd line
Explanation: By offering basic utilities, governments can significantly reduce the dangers faced by farmers. For instance, highways can transport goods to markets more effectively. Storage facilities can store food and water, as stated in paragraph D, to reduce losses. Therefore, if the government chooses to improve the agricultural sector's infrastructure, the vast majority of farmers will reap the benefits. Even if vital services like roads, food, and water storage facilities were upgraded, the farmers' losses would be reduced. Thus the answer is A.

Questions 10-11:
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Write the correct letters in boxes 10-11 on your answer sheet.
Which TWO problems are mentioned which affect farmers with small farms in developing countries?

Question 10 and 11: Which TWO problems are mentioned that affect farmers with small farms in developing countries?

lack of demand for locally produced food
lack of irrigation programmes
being unable to get insurance
the effects of changing weather patterns
having to sell their goods to intermediary buyers

Question 10:

Answer 10: D
Supporting Statement: climate change and its consequences for small-scale agriculture.
Keyword: climate change, small-scale agriculture, changing weather patterns
Keyword location: Paragraph G, 1st line
Explanation: As stated in paragraph B, small-scale agriculture may experience problems as a result of climate change. These unfavourable environmental changes affect farmers, especially in developing countries. D is therefore the correct answer.

Question 11:

Answer 11: E
Supporting Statement: the presence of intermediary purchasers who, taking advantage of farmers’ vulnerability, dictate prices.
Keyword: intermediary purchasers, taking advantage of farmers, dictate prices
Keyword location: Paragraph I, 1st line
Explanation:The first paragraph explains how middlemen that connect farmers and customers have negative effects on both parties. Farmers are exploited more as a result of the intermediaries' increased exploitation of them. They set up a trap for farmers by stealing their cheaper items from them. So, the answer is E.

Questions 12-13:
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Write the correct letters in boxes 12-13 on your answer sheet.
Which TWO actions are recommended for improving conditions for farmers?

reducing the size of food stocks
attempting to ensure that prices rise at certain times of the year
organising co-operation between a wide range of interested parties
encouraging consumers to take a financial stake in farming
making customers aware of the reasons for changing food prices

Question 12:

Answer 12: C
Supporting Statement: all stakeholders, including business, government, scientists, and civil society, must work together, starting at the beginning of the value chain.
Keyword: all stakeholders, work together, beginning of value chain
Keyword location: Paragraph H, last line
Explanation:It is addressed in Option C how diverse interested parties can work together to achieve their objectives. Scientists, merchants, members of civic society, and government officials are all required to be party members. They should all work well together to change the value chain, as mentioned in paragraph H. Hence, the correct answer is C.

Question 13:

Answer 13: D
Supporting Statement: consumers invest in local farmers by subscription and guarantee producers a fair price.
Keyword: fair price, consumer invest in local farmers, guarantee producers
Keyword location: Paragraph I, 3rd line
Explanation: As per paragraph I, consumers subscribe to local farmers to support them and ensure producers get a fair price. Farmers are motivated to work hard when they are paid a fair and secure price for their products. Farmers also become more self-assured and inspired to put in a lot of effort to produce things. Farmers will have complete confidence once their financial needs are satisfied. So, the right answer is D.

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