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 practised 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 answer: b) 1, 2 and 4 only
ExplanationThe Sustainable Sugar Initiative (SSI) was launched jointly by International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Ar- id Tropics (ICRISAT) and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).SSI aims at cultivating sugarcane mainly by changing the way the inputs and methods are used, such as less use of seeds ,less use of water, optimum utilization of fertilizers and land, aims at reducing the input cost.Statement 1 is correct: The Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI) is an innovative set of agronomic practices that involves using less seeds, raising seeds in a nursery, and following new planting methods.Statements 2 and 4 are correct: SSI provides ample scope for intercropping and the drip irrigation method as it incorporates wider seed spacing and better water and nutrient management to increase the cane yields significantly.Statement 3 is incorrect: Application of both inorganic and organic fertilizers such as Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potas- sium (NPK) fertilizers are part of Sustainable Sugar Initia- tive (SSI).UPSC GS Paper-I PYQs 508 151
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