Contrast rainfed and irrigated farming systems, highlighting typical yields, risk profiles, and management challenges.

• A. Rainfed depends on rainfall with higher weather-related risk and variable yields; irrigated reduces risk and typically yields higher but requires water management, infrastructure, and cost controls.
• B. Rainfed yields are always higher than irrigated.
• C. Irrigated systems require no infrastructure.
• D. Rainfed and irrigated have identical risk profiles.

Answer: (A)

The core idea is comparing how rainfed and irrigated farming differ in yields, risk, and how they’re managed. Rainfed farming relies entirely on rainfall, so yields tend to follow weather patterns and fluctuate widely from year to year. That makes weather-related risk higher and yields more variable. Irrigated farming, by supplying water, usually leads to more stable production and higher average yields, because crops can be watered during dry spells or at key growth stages. But it isn’t without extra responsibilities: managing water availability, scheduling when and how much to irrigate, keeping pumps, canals, and pipes in working order, and handling the costs of water, energy, and maintenance. There are also considerations like soil salinity and drainage that can arise with irrigation if not managed properly.

Other statements don’t fit because rainfed yields aren’t inherently higher than irrigated ones, irrigation does require infrastructure, and the risks aren’t identical between the two systems.