The correct answer is D) All of the above.
Rice, cotton, and sugarcane are all heavily dependent on irrigation in Telangana. Rice is the most important crop in Telangana, accounting for about 40% of the state’s agricultural land. It is a water-intensive crop, and requires about 2,000 liters of water per kilogram of rice produced. Cotton is the second most important crop in Telangana, accounting for about 20% of the state’s agricultural land. It is also a water-intensive crop, and requires about 1,000 liters of water per kilogram of cotton produced. Sugarcane is the third most important crop in Telangana, accounting for about 10% of the state’s agricultural land. It is also a water-intensive crop, and requires about 1,500 liters of water per kilogram of sugarcane produced.
The water requirements of these crops are a major challenge for Telangana, as the state is facing a severe water shortage. The state’s water resources are already over-exploited, and the situation is likely to worsen in the future due to climate change. This means that the state will need to find ways to reduce its water consumption, or face the prospect of crop failures and food shortages.
One way to reduce water consumption is to improve irrigation efficiency. This can be done by using more efficient irrigation methods, such as drip irrigation, and by repairing and maintaining existing irrigation infrastructure. Another way to reduce water consumption is to grow crops that are less water-intensive. This could include crops such as millets, which are drought-tolerant and require less water than rice, cotton, and sugarcane.
The state government is aware of the water challenges facing Telangana, and has taken some steps to address them. The government has launched a number of water conservation and irrigation efficiency programs, and is also working to develop new water resources. However, more needs to be done to ensure that the state has enough water to meet its needs in the future.