Q. What are the significances of a practical approach to sugarcane production known as ‘Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative’?

Seed cost is very low in this compared to the conventional method of cultivation.
Drip irrigation can be practiced very effectively in this.
There is no application of chemical inorganic fertilizers at all in this.
The scope for intercropping is more in this compared to the conventional method of cultivation.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 4 only

Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative is a credit plus approach by NABARD that integrates twin drip irrigation systems in sugarcane cultivation.
Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative aims at cultivating sugarcane mainly by changing the way the inputs and methods are used.
It majorly involves
- Less use of seeds
- Less user of water
- Optimum utilization of fertilizers and land
- It aims at reducing the input cost.
Its basic premise is to obtain “more with less” in agriculture.
SSI cultivation increases crop yield by 20-30%.
It brings down the cost up to 75%.
It reduces plant mortality rate; helps in increasing the length and weight of cane.
There is the scope of intercropping and the drip irrigation method can also be used.
However, SSI is a farmer-driven method; and its advantages are dependent on the efforts of the cultivator himself rather.
It aims to create jobs for women and men in rural areas in the seedling manufacturing process.
This scheme uses funds to subsidise the cost of seedlings and hold educational campaigns for farmers for awareness.
This technique helps save large quantities of water up to 940,000 m³ annually.
SSI aims to promote sustainable farming techniques among 20,000 farmers in five years.
A farmer can save up to Rs.88,000 per acre by implementing SSI techniques.
Individuals can bring down water usage and save up to 50% for environmental protection.