Correct Option
The correct option is (c).
Explanation
The Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin is characterized by fertile alluvial soil, flat terrain, and a monsoon climate. These geographical conditions support intensive agriculture, allowing for the cultivation of a variety of food crops and cash crops throughout the year.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: Sugarcane is a significant cash crop cultivated in the Ganga-Brahmaputra basin, particularly in regions like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where the soil and irrigation facilities support its growth.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: Jute is extensively grown in this region, especially in the humid areas of the Brahmaputra valley and the Ganga delta (West Bengal and Bangladesh). It is known as the "Golden Fibre" and requires the fertile, renewed alluvial soils found in the floodplains of this basin.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Tea is a major plantation crop in the region. It is extensively grown on the hill slopes of Assam and West Bengal (such as Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri), where the climatic conditions-high rainfall and well-drained soil-are ideal for its cultivation.
Key Takeaway: The Ganga-Brahmaputra basin is a major agricultural hub supporting paddy (main crop), wheat, maize, sorghum, and cash crops like sugarcane and jute, alongside plantation crops like tea in the hilly margins.