Question

UPSC Prelims 2014 Question:

What are the significances of a practical approach to sugarcane production known as the 'Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative'?

Seed cost is very low in this compared to the conventional method of cultivation.

Drip irrigation can be practiced very effectively in this.

There is no application of chemical/inorganic fertilizers at all in this.

The scope for intercropping is more in this compared to the conventional method of cultivation.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Option 2: 1, 2 and 4 only

Explanation:

Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI) is an approach to the cultivation of sugarcane that can reduce inputs - water, chemical fertilizers, seed material and farm space - while improving sugarcane production significantly. Thus, the seed cost is very low in comparison to conventional method of cultivation. It also reduces crop duration and provides a longer period of the cane-crushing season to the sugar industry. So, statement 1 is correct.
It is an innovative credit-plus approach of NABARD which helps to integrate twin drip irrigation systems with resource-efficient sugarcane cultivation agricultural practices. The field trials using twin interventions of drip along with SSI cultivation have resulted in fostering productivity from 60 MT/ acre of sugarcane using flood irrigation to the improved yield of 92 MT of sugarcane. So, statement 2 is correct.
This method only helps in reducing the amount of chemical fertilizers needed for sugarcane cultivation and does not completely eradicate the use of chemical/inorganic fertilizers. So, statement 3 is not correct.
This farm-based approach as opposed to crop-based also gives farmers options to grow intercrops, such as pulses to improve their income. Practicing intercropping which is possible due to wider spacing and non-flooding), thereby increasing effective utilization of land, giving additional income, and reducing weed growth by 60%. So, statement 4 is correct.