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.

The correct answer is B (1, 2 and 4 only). Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI) is a set of practices that raises cane yield while cutting input use. It rests on planting single-bud setts or seedlings in wider, precisely spaced rows, with careful water and nutrient management.

• Statement 1 is correct. SSI uses single-bud setts, so seed requirement drops to roughly 5,000 to 6,000 setts per hectare, against 40,000 or more under conventional planting. Seed cost is therefore low.
• Statement 2 is correct. The wider spacing and furrow or trench layout suit drip and furrow irrigation, and SSI promotes alternate wetting and drying to save water.
• Statement 3 is wrong. SSI does not ban chemical fertilisers. It promotes integrated nutrient management, with organic manure, compost and bio-fertilisers used alongside judicious chemical doses.
• Statement 4 is correct. Wider inter-row spacing leaves room for intercrops such as pulses, onion, potato or vegetables, which is a practical gain for small farmers.

This sits within the agriculture and water-use portion of the syllabus. For Mains, SSI links to water-use efficiency, soil health and farmer income in sugarcane-growing states.

Trap: treating SSI as a purely organic or zero-chemical method. The 'no chemical fertiliser at all' wording in statement 3 is the bait.