Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk

📍 The Question

Among the following, which one is the least water-efficient crop?

(a) Sugarcane
(b) Sunflower
(c) Pearl millet
(d) Red gram

✅ Correct Answer: (a) Sugarcane

🎯 Theme of the Question

Indian Geography | Agriculture | Cropping Patterns | Water Footprint

This is a resource-efficiency question, testing awareness of water consumption in crops, a recurring UPSC focus in the context of water stress and sustainability.

🧠 Classroom Explanation

Let us compare the water requirements of each crop.

🔹 Sugarcane ❌ (Least water-efficient)

• Requires very large quantities of water
• Approximate water footprint:
  • ~200–250 litres of water per kg of sugarcane
• Long-duration crop (10–18 months)
• Heavy irrigation requirement, especially in tropical regions

✔️ Sugarcane is one of the most water-intensive crops in India.

🔹 Sunflower ✅ (More water-efficient)

• Requires moderate irrigation
• Approximate water use:
  • 7–9 litres per kg
• Often grown under semi-arid conditions

🔹 Pearl millet (Bajra) ✅

• A drought-resistant millet
• Thrives in dry and semi-arid regions
• Minimal irrigation requirement
• High water-use efficiency

🔹 Red gram (Pigeon pea) ✅

• Mostly a rain-fed pulse crop
• Requires about 35–40 cm rainfall during its entire growth period
• Irrigation needed only at critical stages (flowering, pod formation)

📊 Final Assessment

👉 Correct answer: (a) Sugarcane

🧩 Memory Hook

“Sweet crop, thirsty roots — sugarcane drinks the most.”

🧠 Prelims Strategy Insight

UPSC often:

• Links cropping choices with sustainability
• Tests awareness of hidden water footprints
• Sugarcane & paddy = default high-water traps

🧭 IAS Monk Whisper

Not every green field is sustainable —
some drink tomorrow’s water today.