Which one of the following crops is not cultivated under dryland farming ?

Dryland farming involves the cultivation of crops entirely under rainfed conditions, typically in regions with limited rainfall and an absence of irrigation [1]. Crops such as Jowar (Sorghum), Ragi (Finger Millet), and Groundnut are characteristic of dryland agriculture due to their drought-hardy nature and low water requirements [4]. Jowar is specifically rated as an important component of dryland agriculture, thriving in areas with 40 to 100 cm of annual rainfall [3]. Groundnut is largely a rainfed kharif crop of drylands [1]. In contrast, Sugarcane is a highly water-intensive crop with the highest energy and water requirements for irrigation among major crops [5]. Research indicates that the rainfall needed for millets like Sorghum and Ragi is less than 25% of that required for Sugarcane, making Sugarcane unsuitable for dryland farming systems.

Sources

1. [1] INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Land Resources and Agriculture > Oilseeds > p. 30
2. [2] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 10: Locational Factors of Economic Activities > Problems and Prospects of Dryland Agriculture > p. 19
3. [3] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Millets /Jowar (Sorghum bicolor) > p. 27
4. [4] INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Land Resources and Agriculture > Types of Farming > p. 25
5. [5] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969724003255?dgcid=rss_sd_all&