Water Efficiency of Major Indian Agricultural Crops

Sugarcane is a long-duration perennial crop requiring massive quantities of water throughout its growth cycle, making it highly water-inefficient compared to the alternatives. Millets like pearl millet (c) are highly drought-tolerant and water-efficient C4 crops, while pulses like red gram (d) and oilseeds like sunflower (b) require significantly less water. > Sugarcane requires high volumes of water over its long cultivation cycle, making it an unsustainable crop choice for water-scarce regions. Answer: (a).