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

Answer: A. SUGARCANE is the LEAST water-efficient (most water-consuming) crop among the options. WATER EFFICIENCY in crops is measured by the WATER FOOTPRINT (litres of water required per kg of crop produced) or by total irrigation requirement per growing season. (A) SUGARCANE — CORRECT (the LEAST water-efficient). Sugarcane requires approximately 1500-2500 mm of water over its 10-18 month growing cycle. Water requirement is typically 200-300 litres per kg of sugar produced. India is the world's second-largest sugarcane producer and uses about 70% of its irrigation water in Maharashtra-Karnataka-Tamil Nadu for sugarcane, which is highly inefficient in water-scarce regions. Distractors are MORE water-efficient than sugarcane: (B) SUNFLOWER — requires 350-500 mm of water for its 90-120 day cycle. An oilseed crop with relatively modest water needs. (C) PEARL MILLET (Bajra) — one of the MOST DROUGHT-TOLERANT cereals grows in semi-arid regions on 250-400 mm. Highly water-efficient (a 'climate-resilient' crop being promoted under International Year of Millets 2023). (D) RED GRAM (Arhar/Tur, pigeon pea) — a pulse with moderate water needs (350-550 mm), deep-rooted, drought-tolerant. So SUGARCANE is dramatically more water-intensive than sunflower, pearl millet, or red gram. Promoting bajra and pulses over sugarcane is a key water-conservation policy in India. Source: syllabus Geography (Agriculture) / Ministry of Agriculture water requirement data.