Cash Crops

Total Questions: 35

11. Cotton fibres are obtained from - [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2009]

Correct Answer: (b) Seed
Solution:Cotton fibres are obtained from seeds. India leads globally in cotton production, followed by China and the U.S. It thrives in hot, sunny climates with long frost-free periods (210 days) and requires high temperatures, light rainfall or irrigation, and bright sunshine.

It grows well in the Deccan plateau's black cotton soil, deep alluvial soils in northern India, black clayey soils in central regions, and mixed black and red soils in the southern zone. While cotton can tolerate some salinity, it is highly vulnerable to waterlogging. As a Kharif crop, cotton requires 6 to 8 months to mature.

12. Among the following, which one is the least water-efficient crop? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2021]

Correct Answer: (a) sugarcane
Solution:The least water efficient crop among the given option is sugarcane, i.e., maximum water is required to grow sugarcane. Sugarcane has the highest production value among all commercial crops in India.

It is the first choice of farmers wherever geographical conditions favour its growth. The crop is indigenous to India and belongs to the bamboo family. Thickened cane juice makes sugar, gur (jaggery), and khan sari.

Two-thirds of the total cane produced in India is used for making jaggery and khan sari, and the rest goes to sugar factories. Molasses, bagasse, and press mud are the byproducts of the sugar industry. Molasses are a raw material used to manufacture alcohol (ethanol).

They are also an efficient substitute for certain petroleum products. Bagasse (cane residue) is used to manufacture paper and as fuel in mills. It is more useful in paper manufacturing than as fuel. It can help save trees and be used as a soil amendment (compost) to increase soil fertility.

13. Which Indian state has the largest area under sugarcane cultivation? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2015]

Correct Answer: (b) Uttar Pradesh
Solution:According to data for the year 2021-22 (4th A.E.), the largest area under sugarcane cultivation is in Uttar Pradesh (2.18 Million Hectares) which is followed by Maharashtra (1.23 Million Hectares). Sugarcane has the highest production value among all commercial crops in India.

It is the first choice of farmers wherever geographical conditions favour its growth. The crop is indigenous to India and belongs to the bamboo family. Thickened cane juice makes sugar, gur (jaggery), and khan sari.

Two-thirds of the total cane produced in India is used for making jaggery and khan sari, and the rest goes to sugar factories. Molasses, bagasse, and press mud are the byproducts of the sugar industry. Molasses are a raw material used to manufacture alcohol (ethanol).

They are also an efficient substitute for certain petroleum products. Bagasse (cane residue) is used to manufacture paper and as fuel in mills. It is more useful in paper manufacturing than as fuel. It can help save trees and be used as a soil amendment (compost) to increase soil fertility.

14. Which of the following crops has the largest percentage of irrigated area of its net sown area in India? [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2013]

Correct Answer: (d) Sugarcane
Solution:

When the question was asked option (d) was correct. The percentage of irrigated area of its net sown area (2015-16) of the given crops is as follows -

CropIrrigated Area (Percentage)
Sugarcane93.44%
Wheat87.90%
Rice60.06%
Oilseed36.88%

15. The correct sequence in decreasing order of the four sugarcane producing states in India is: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2000]

Correct Answer: (b) U.P., Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh.
Solution:According to the data available at the time when this question was asked, the four sugarcane producing states in descending order of their sugarcane production were as follows-

(1) Uttar Pradesh

(2) Maharashtra

(3) Tamil Nadu

(4) Andhra Pradesh

According to Statistics at a Glance, 2022 in 2021-22 (4 AE) data, the four largest sugarcane producing states are-

(1) Uttar Pradesh

(2) Maharashtra

(3) Karnataka

(4) Gujarat

(5) Tamil Nadu

16. The leading sugarcane producing states in India is [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013]

Correct Answer: (d) Uttar Pradesh
Solution:According to the data available at the time when this question was asked, the four sugarcane producing states in descending order of their sugarcane production were as follows-

(1) Uttar Pradesh

(2) Maharashtra

(3) Tamil Nadu

(4) Andhra Pradesh

According to Statistics at a Glance, 2022 in 2021-22 (4 AE) data, the four largest sugarcane producing states are-

(1) Uttar Pradesh

(2) Maharashtra

(3) Karnataka

(4) Gujarat

(5) Tamil Nadu

17. Which States in India are the largest producers of sugarcane? [53rd to 55th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2011]

Correct Answer: (a) Bihar and Uttar Pradesh
Solution:According to data of the year 2021-22 (4ª A.E.), 8 largest sugarcane producing states are-Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Haryana and Punjab.

Sugarcane has the highest production value among all commercial crops in India. It is the first choice of farmers wherever geographical conditions favour its growth. The crop is indigenous to India and belongs to the bamboo family.

Thickened cane juice makes sugar, gur (jaggery), and khan sari. Two-thirds of the total cane produced in India is used for making jaggery and khan sari, and the rest goes to sugar factories. Molasses, bagasse, and press mud are the byproducts of the sugar industry.

Molasses are a raw material used to manufacture alcohol (ethanol). They are also an efficient substitute for certain petroleum products. Bagasse (cane residue) is used to manufacture paper and as fuel in mills. It is more useful in paper manufacturing than as fuel. It can help save trees and be used as a soil amendment (compost) to increase soil fertility.

18. What is the correct sequence of the states in descending order of production of sugarcane in 2013? [U.P.P.C.S.(Pre) 2014]

Correct Answer: (b) U.P., Maharashtra, Karnataka, Haryana
Solution:According to data of the year 2021-22 (4ª A.E.), 8 largest sugarcane producing states are-Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Haryana and Punjab. Sugarcane has the highest production value among all commercial crops in India.

It is the first choice of farmers wherever geographical conditions favour its growth. The crop is indigenous to India and belongs to the bamboo family. Thickened cane juice makes sugar, gur (jaggery), and khan sari.

Two-thirds of the total cane produced in India is used for making jaggery and khan sari, and the rest goes to sugar factories. Molasses, bagasse, and press mud are the byproducts of the sugar industry. Molasses are a raw material used to manufacture alcohol (ethanol).

They are also an efficient substitute for certain petroleum products. Bagasse (cane residue) is used to manufacture paper and as fuel in mills. It is more useful in paper manufacturing than as fuel. It can help save trees and be used as a soil amendment (compost) to increase soil fertility.

19. Consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2003]

1. Molasses is a by-product of the sugar production process.

2. Bagasse obtained from sugar mills is used as a fuel in the boilers to generate steam in sugar factories.

3. Sugar can only be produced from sugarcane as the raw material.

Which of these statements is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 2
Solution:Molasses is the main by-product of sugar production process which is used for alcohol production. Bagasse is used as a fuel to generate steam in sugar mills. Sugar can not only be produced from sugarcane but also from beet root.

Sugarcane has the highest production value among all commercial crops in India. It is the first choice of farmers wherever geographical conditions favour its growth. The crop is indigenous to India and belongs to the bamboo family. Thickened cane juice makes sugar, gur (jaggery), and khan sari.

Two-thirds of the total cane produced in India is used for making jaggery and khan sari, and the rest goes to sugar factories. Molasses, bagasse, and press mud are the byproducts of the sugar industry. Molasses are a raw material used to manufacture alcohol (ethanol).

They are also an efficient substitute for certain petroleum products. Bagasse (cane residue) is used to manufacture paper and as fuel in mills. It is more useful in paper manufacturing than as fuel. It can help save trees and be used as a soil amendment (compost) to increase soil fertility.

20. What are the significances of a practical approach to sugarcane production known as 'Sustainable arcane Initiative? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2014]

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 -

 

Correct Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 4 only
Solution:The Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI) is an innovative set of agronomic practices that involves using fewer seeds, raising seedlings in a nursery, and following new planting methods with wider plant spacing, and better water and nutrient management to increase the cane yields significantly. This initiative was started by the combined efforts of WWF-ICRISAT in 2009. Hence, statement (3) is false.