Question

questions 1 through 3 refer to the following. we need a new green revolution in recent years, farm production has stopped growing in the united states, and agriculture research is no longer a priority; it constitutes only 2 percent of federal research and development spending. and, according to the department of agriculture, total agricultural production has slowed significantly since the turn of the century. we need another ambitious surge in agricultural science. experience has shown that the best way forward is funding research through a competitive process. there is a program in the agriculture department that embraces these tenets, the agriculture and food research initiative, and its research grants show great promise. new, hardier varieties of corn are being developed from tropical species that can better withstand heat, drought and changes to the environment. the probiotics found in fermented products like yogurt are being tested to replace antibiotics used in animal husbandry. and nanotechnology and electrified micro - coatings of water are being applied to some produce, to prevent food poisoning. government research is even exploring how to double the rate of photosynthesis and eliminate the need for pesticides. the potential is great, but the program has never been fully funded. despite a $25 million increase in the omnibus budget agreement, the budget of the departments research initiative sits at half of what congress authorized in 2008 when it created the program. now more than ever, we need to embrace twenty - first century science, fund it and turn it loose so we can develop better methods of putting food on the table. our world is changing; the way we grow and produce food needs a much richer diet of scientific ingenuity to keep pace. from the new york times. © 2016 the new york times. all rights reserved. 3 mark for review which of the following statements best identifies the authors perspective in terms of utilizing science technology for future agricultural advances? a using new science technologies to advance agriculture should be done cautiously to avoid unintended, negative consequences. b the only way to meet the global demand for more food is to fully utilize new science technologies to advance agriculture. c new science technologies may not suffice in advancing agriculture into the twenty - first century. d using new science technologies to advance agriculture should be completely avoided because most technologies are too costly.

Explanation:

The author emphasizes the need for a new Green Revolution through agricultural science, mentions promising research (like new corn varieties, probiotics, nanotechnology), and highlights the under - funding of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. The text also states that "we need to embrace twenty - first century science, fund it and turn it loose". This implies that while there are great potentials in new science technologies for agriculture, full funding and implementation are needed. Option A is incorrect as there is no indication of caution in the text. Option B's "only way" is too extreme as the text doesn't say there are no other ways. Option D is wrong as cost is not the main reason for not fully utilizing (under - funding is due to budget decisions, not cost of technologies). Option C is correct as the program (which represents new science technologies application in agriculture) has not been fully funded, suggesting that new technologies alone (without proper support) may not be sufficient.

Answer:

C. New science technologies may not suffice in advancing agriculture into the twenty - first century.