What are the significances of a practical approach to sugarcane production known as 'Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative'? 1. Seed cost is very low in this compared to the conventional method of cultivation. 2. Drip irrigation can be practiced very effectively in this. 3. There is no application of chemical/inorganic fertilizers at all in this. 4. The scope for intercropping is more in this compared to the conventional method of cultivation. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Correct Option The Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI) is an improved method of sugarcane cultivation focused on resource efficiency and enhanced productivity. Its key significances include: - Statement 1: SSI employs a single-bud planting technique, which significantly reduces the quantity of seed material required compared to the conventional method of planting whole sugarcane setts. This leads to a substantial reduction in seed cost. - Statement 2: SSI integrates drip irrigation as a fundamental practice. This method ensures precise water delivery directly to the plant roots, optimizing water use efficiency and minimizing losses due to evaporation and runoff. - Statement 4: SSI involves wider row spacing for sugarcane plants compared to conventional cultivation. This increased spacing creates ample room for intercropping with short-duration crops such as pulses, vegetables, or oilseeds, thereby enhancing land utilization and providing additional income avenues for farmers. Incorrect Options Statement 3: The Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative does not entirely eliminate the application of chemical or inorganic fertilizers. Instead, it advocates for a balanced nutrient management approach, which involves soil testing to determine specific nutrient requirements and may include judicious use of both organic and inorganic inputs. Complete elimination of inorganic fertilizers is not a mandatory aspect of SSI. Therefore, options (a), (c), and (d) are incorrect as they all include Statement 3, which is factually inaccurate regarding the practices of the Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative.

IAS 2014 — Environment & Ecology Environment & Ecology

2014mcqmedium

What are the significances of a practical approach to sugarcane production known as '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.

Official previous-year question

Verified 2 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 and 3 only
B1, 2 and 4 only
C2, 3 and 4 only
D1, 2, 3 and 4

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Solution

Correct Option

The Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI) is an improved method of sugarcane cultivation focused on resource efficiency and enhanced productivity. Its key significances include:

Statement 1: SSI employs a single-bud planting technique, which significantly reduces the quantity of seed material required compared to the conventional method of planting whole sugarcane setts. This leads to a substantial reduction in seed cost.
Statement 2: SSI integrates drip irrigation as a fundamental practice. This method ensures precise water delivery directly to the plant roots, optimizing water use efficiency and minimizing losses due to evaporation and runoff.
Statement 4: SSI involves wider row spacing for sugarcane plants compared to conventional cultivation. This increased spacing creates ample room for intercropping with short-duration crops such as pulses, vegetables, or oilseeds, thereby enhancing land utilization and providing additional income avenues for farmers.

Incorrect Options

Statement 3: The Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative does not entirely eliminate the application of chemical or inorganic fertilizers. Instead, it advocates for a balanced nutrient management approach, which involves soil testing to determine specific nutrient requirements and may include judicious use of both organic and inorganic inputs. Complete elimination of inorganic fertilizers is not a mandatory aspect of SSI.

Therefore, options (a), (c), and (d) are incorrect as they all include Statement 3, which is factually inaccurate regarding the practices of the Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative.

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Correct Option

The Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI) is an improved method of sugarcane cultivation focused on resource efficiency and enhanced productivity. Its key significances include:

Statement 1: SSI employs a single-bud planting technique, which significantly reduces the quantity of seed material required compared to the conventional method of planting whole sugarcane setts. This leads to a substantial reduction in seed cost.
Statement 2: SSI integrates drip irrigation as a fundamental practice. This method ensures precise water delivery directly to the plant roots, optimizing water use efficiency and minimizing losses due to evaporation and runoff.
Statement 4: SSI involves wider row spacing for sugarcane plants compared to conventional cultivation. This increased spacing creates ample room for intercropping with short-duration crops such as pulses, vegetables, or oilseeds, thereby enhancing land utilization and providing additional income avenues for farmers.

Incorrect Options

Therefore, options (a), (c), and (d) are incorrect as they all include Statement 3, which is factually inaccurate regarding the practices of the Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative.