Mysore is known for its soft, lustrous and durable silk. Murali is a silk weaver in Mysore. He does not want his children to follow his footsteps. What could be the reason for it?

Give a geographical reason for each of the following:

(i) Sugarcane is a weight losing commodity.

(ii) Uttar Pradesh has been relegated to second place in terms of sugar production.

(iii) Export of sugar is being banned.

Name the type of silk available in these states: Assam and Bihar.

(a) According to a newspaper report published in September 2023 India, the world's biggest sugar producer after Brazil, banned mills from exporting sugar during the current season October 1, 2023. This is the first sugar export curb in seven years. New Delhi allowed mills to export only 6.1 million metric tonnes of sugar during the last season, nearly half of the country's total shipment in 2021-22. Sugar output during the next 2024-25 season is likely to fall to 32 million metric tonnes from this year's 34 million tonnes due to the adverse impact of last year's patchy rains in Maharashtra and Karnataka states, the sources said.

(i) Is the government going to continue the ban on exports? Give reasons to support your answer.

(ii) How would 'patchy rains' impact the crop?

(b) What purpose does the ban on sugar export serve?

(c) In the subsequent year (2024) there was heavy rainfall and flooding. What would be the impact of this on sugar production in 2025-26? Do you think the ban would be lifted? Why?

(d) What would be the impact of this ban on the global market? Give reasons.