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.
Answer & explanation
Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 4 only
SSI raises single-bud seedlings in a nursery and transplants them at wide spacing. This uses far less seed, suits drip irrigation and leaves room for intercrops. It does not rule out chemical fertilisers. It aims at optimum use of fertilisers.
- ✓ 1. SSI uses less seed: single-bud chips are raised as nursery seedlings instead of planting many multi-bud setts. This sharply reduces seed cost compared with conventional planting.
- ✓ 2. Drip irrigation can be practised effectively in SSI because of the wider spacing and the raising of single seedlings. It is also a less-water method.
- ✗ 3. SSI involves optimum utilisation of fertilisers, not their total exclusion. Organic inputs are encouraged, but chemical fertilisers are not banned, so 'no application at all' is wrong.
- ✓ 4. The wide spacing between rows in SSI leaves room to grow intercrops. This gives scope for extra income compared with closely planted conventional cane.
Remember · SSI = single-bud nursery seedlings + wide spacing + less seed + less water (drip-friendly) + optimum (not zero) fertiliser + intercropping.
Sources
- Expert System for Sugarcane – Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (TNAU Agritech Portal) ↗ · reference work “Drip irrigation can be practiced effectively in SSI due to wider spacing and raising of single seedlings. … Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative is a method of sugarcane production which involves using less seeds, less water and optimum utilization of fertilizers and land to achieve more yields.”
- Sugarcane cultivation through Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative, Indian Farming 63(10), 2014 (ICAR) ↗ · reference work “SSI involves use of less seeds, less water and optimum land utilization to achieve more yields.”
Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2014, General Studies Paper I. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 25 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·
