SSC Stenographer Grade C & D 2017 · Question 157 of 373

Read the given passage carefully and select the best answer to each question out of the four given alternatives. A growing demand for organics, and the near-total reliance by US farmers on genetically modified corn and soybeans, is driving a surge in imports from other nations where crops largely are free of bioengineering. Imports such as corn from Romania and soybeans from India are booming, according to an analysis of US trade data released Wednesday by the Organic Trade Association and Pennsylvania State University. That shows a potential market for US growers willing to avoid the use of artificial chemicals and genetically modified seeds, said Laura Batcha, chief executive officer of the association, which includes Whole Foods Market Inc., Whitewave Foods Co. and Earthbound Farm LLC. The report is "a help-wanted sign" for US farmers, Batcha said. "There are market distortions that are pretty striking." Most of the corn and soybean shipments become feed for chickens and cows so they can be certified organic under US Department of Agriculture guidelines. Organic poultry and dairy operators shun feed made with seeds from Monsanto Co. and other domestic suppliers in favor of foreign products even as the US remains the world’s top grower of corn and soybeans. As a result, imports to the US of Romanian corn rose to $11.6 million in 2014 from $545,000 the year before. Soybean imports from India more than doubled to $73.8 million. Rising consumer demand in what’s been a niche market is creating shortages, pushing companies that supply farms needing organic feed to seek out foreign sources. About 90% of US corn and soy is bioengineered, thus automatically ineligible for the organic label. According to the passage, which of the following statement is NOT TRUE?

1. AThe near-total reliance by US farmers on genetically modified corn and soybeans is driving a surge in imports
2. BSoybean imports from India more than doubled to $73.8 million
3. CImports to the US of Romanian corn rose to $11.6 million in 2014 from $545,000 in 2012Correct
4. DUS remains the world’s top grower of corn and soybeans