Question Q.17GS3GS1
Describing the distribution of sugarcane producing countries, examine the major environmental challenges associated with its cultivation.
Introduction
Sugarcane production is spread in different continents of the world from South America to Asia.
15 words
Main Body
Distribution of sugarcane producing countries:
1Cuba: sugar bowl of world.
2Brazil
3India
4Malaysia and Indonesia.
Sugarcane is mostly grown in tropical areas in plantations as it requires warm & moist climate with sufficient rainfall.
Environmental challenges associated with sugarcane production:
1Depletion in ground water table
2Clearing of forests to set up sugarcane plantation - ex. Brazil's Amazone
3Methane emissions from cultivation: leads to global warming
4Soil pollution: from excessive usage of fertilizers and pesticides.
5Loss of biodiversity from deforestation → climate change.
6Government subsidies for sugarcane production amplifying above effects. Ex. India FRP.
Solutions to deal with environmental challenges:
1Distract excess sugarcane to ethanol to produce sustainable fuels to curb global warming.
2Replace sugars with use of minimum tillage / zero tillage to preserve soil fertility.
3Prevent deforestation, use of wasteland for farming instead of clearing forests.
4Reduce environmentally damaging subsidies.
Sugarcane is a major source of sugar, molasses, bagasse which is used in alcohol production for industries and sustainable fuels.
175 words17 paragraphs
Topper
Ritu Goyal
AIR 223
Subject & Paper
GS3GS1
Topic
Environment and Ecology
Agricultural Geography
Sugarcane production and environmental challenges
Writing Stats
190
Total words
17
Paragraphs
Descriptive and geographic
Tone