Reading Passage
Paragraph A
In 2008, the National Agricultural Innovation Bureau (NAIB), headquartered at 72 Farm Technology Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa, United States, began assessing precision agriculture to improve crop productivity and resource efficiency. At the time, fertiliser costs represented nearly 24% of average farm operating expenses. Early trials between 2009 and 2011 focused on GPS-guided tractors, soil sensors, and variable-rate application systems. Pilot farms reported yield increases of up to 14% while reducing input waste, suggesting that data-driven farming could enhance both profitability and environmental sustainability.
Paragraph B
Commercial adoption accelerated in 2012, when NAIB partnered with 1,350 medium and large farms across the Midwest. Technologies included satellite imagery, automated irrigation controls, and real-time crop monitoring dashboards. By 2016, precision tools were used on approximately 9.2 million hectares of farmland. Implementation costs averaged USD 86,000 per farm, supported by federal agricultural grants approved in August 2011. Surveys showed that water usage declined by 18% in participating farms.
Paragraph C
Despite measurable gains, challenges emerged. A 2014 farm survey found that 29% of operators lacked sufficient technical skills to manage complex data systems. Connectivity issues in remote rural areas limited real-time data transmission. Some farmers also expressed concern about data ownership and long-term dependence on technology vendors. To address these issues, NAIB introduced training programmes in 2015 and expanded rural broadband infrastructure in Nebraska and Kansas.
Paragraph D
Policy support increased after 2017, when the Department of Agriculture allocated USD 2.3 billion to promote smart farming nationwide. By 2020, 61% of large-scale farms in the United States had adopted at least one precision agriculture technology. National agricultural statistics indicated that nitrogen runoff from fertiliser use declined by 12% between 2017 and 2021, reflecting improved application accuracy.
Paragraph E
Economic and environmental outcomes were also documented. A 2021 study conducted by Iowa State University estimated annual cost savings of USD 410 million due to reduced input use and higher yields. Greenhouse gas emissions associated with farming operations fell by 9% between 2018 and 2022. Farmers also reported more predictable harvest outcomes, improving supply chain planning.
Paragraph F
Future strategies focus on artificial intelligence and automation. NAIB plans to deploy AI-based crop disease prediction tools by 2032 to enable earlier intervention. As of January 2024, 56% of US farms regularly used at least one precision agriculture system. Pilot projects scheduled for 2026 will test autonomous harvesting equipment in Californias Central Valley, aiming to further increase efficiency and resilience.
Questions 1-4: Matching Headings
Instructions: Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list below. Write the correct Roman numeral.
List of Headings
i. Financial and environmental impacts of smart farming
ii. Early investigation into data-driven crop management
iii. Skill gaps and connectivity barriers
iv. Large-scale adoption supported by government funding
v. Rapid expansion and operational changes
vi. Future use of artificial intelligence in agriculture
Question 1: Paragraph B
Question 2: Paragraph C
Question 3: Paragraph D
Question 4: Paragraph E
Questions 5-8: True/False/Not Given
Instructions: Write TRUE if the statement agrees with the information, FALSE if it contradicts, or NOT GIVEN if there is no information.
Question 5
Precision agriculture initially increased fertiliser consumption.
Question 6
Water use declined after precision technologies were adopted.
Question 7
All farmers were confident in managing agricultural data systems.
Question 8
Nitrogen runoff levels decreased following policy support.
Questions 9-12: Table Completion
Instructions: Complete the table below. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
| Category | Measurement | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Metric 1 | Description | |
| Metric 2 | Description | |
| Metric 3 | Description | |
| Metric 4 | Description |
Questions 13-16: Sentence Completion
Instructions: Complete the sentences below. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Question 13
Pilot farms achieved yield increases of up to percent.
Question 14
Implementation grants were approved in .
Question 15
Annual savings were estimated at USD million.
Question 16
Farming-related emissions fell by percent by 2022.
Questions 17-19: Summary Completion
Instructions: Complete the summary below. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Summary paragraph placeholder. First gap text continues. Second gap more text. Third gap conclusion.
Questions 9-13: Short Answer Questions
Instructions: Answer the questions below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Question 9
Where is the National Agricultural Innovation Bureau headquartered?
Question 10
How many farms participated in the 2012 partnership?
Question 11
Which university conducted the 2021 economic study?
Question 12
What percentage of farms used precision systems in 2024?
Question 13
In which year are autonomous harvesting pilots scheduled?