UPSC Prelims 2021 Q57: Geography – Indian Agriculture & Land Use
- (a) Sugarcane
- (b) Sunflower
- (c) Pearl millet
- (d) Red gram
Answer: (a) Sugarcane
Explanation
Water Efficiency in Indian Crops
| Crop | Water Requirement | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|
| Sugarcane | 1500-2500 mm per season | LEAST water-efficient (water-guzzler) |
| Sunflower | 400-700 mm | Moderate |
| Pearl millet (Bajra) | 350-450 mm | High efficiency (drought-tolerant) |
| Red gram (Arhar/Tur) | 400-600 mm | High efficiency (pulses) |
Sugarcane is the LEAST water-efficient crop - it needs 1500-2500 mm water per season, much higher than millets or pulses. Maharashtra's sugarcane belt (Marathwada, Ahmednagar) faces water crisis largely due to sugarcane monoculture. It also has a much lower yield per unit of water (irrigation water productivity in tonnes/ha-cm) compared to pulses or oilseeds.
Answer: (a) Sugarcane.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Sugarcane needs 1500-2500 mm water per season - the LEAST water-efficient crop among the given options. Sunflower, pearl millet and red gram are all far more water-efficient.
- (b) Incorrect. Sunflower is moderately water-efficient (400-700 mm).
- (c) Incorrect. Pearl millet (bajra) is highly water-efficient - drought-tolerant, grown in arid Rajasthan and Gujarat.
- (d) Incorrect. Red gram (arhar/tur) is a pulse crop with moderate-high water efficiency.
Key point
Sugarcane = LEAST water-efficient (1500-2500 mm/season). Highest water demand. Millets, pulses and oilseeds are much more water-efficient. Maharashtra sugarcane crisis - drip irrigation and rotation with pulses recommended.
Remember
Sugarcane is the least water-efficient crop among the given options - it needs 1500-2500 mm water per season, far higher than sunflower, pearl millet or red gram. Correct answer: (a) Sugarcane.
Common mistakes
- Assuming paddy is the most water-intensive. Sugarcane exceeds paddy per season (paddy = 900-2500 mm; sugarcane = 1500-2500 mm but over longer season).
- Not knowing India loses ~60% of irrigation water to sugarcane and paddy - the biggest water-guzzlers.
- Confusing water requirement (crop demand) with water use efficiency (yield per unit water).
Exam tip
Water-guzzling crops: Sugarcane (1500-2500 mm) > Paddy (900-2500 mm) > Wheat (450-650 mm) > Cotton (700-1300 mm) > Maize (500-800 mm) > Pulses/Millets (350-450 mm). Millets = Nutricereals + water-efficient - hence International Year of Millets 2023.
Sources
- Central Water Commission - Water and Related Statistics
- ICAR - All India Coordinated Research Project on Sugarcane