Among the following, which one is the least water-efficient crop?
- (a) Sugarcane ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) Sunflower
- (c) Pearl millet
- (d) Red gram
Why the answer is (a)
• Sugarcane is a 12–18 month crop needing roughly 1,500–2,500 mm of water (20,000+ litres per kg of sugar), making it the least water-efficient of the four — option (a).
• Pearl millet (bajra) is a hardy dryland crop maturing on 350–500 mm; red gram (arhar/tur) is a deep-rooted rainfed pulse; sunflower needs moderate water (~600–800 mm).
• Sugarcane's water intensity in Maharashtra and UP is a major driver of groundwater depletion, prompting drip-irrigation mandates.
• Hence option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) Sunflower
- Sunflower needs moderate water, far less than sugarcane.
- (c) Pearl millet
- Pearl millet is among the most water-efficient crops.
- (d) Red gram
- Red gram is a hardy rainfed pulse.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2021, held on 10 October 2021. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.