Consider the following statement and assumptions:
Statement: 'Farmers who shift to drip irrigation will conserve at least 40% of their irrigation water and achieve higher fertilizer use efficiency.'
Assumptions:
I. Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the crop root zone with minimal evaporative and percolation losses.
II. Flood irrigation is completely banned across the entire country.
Which of the assumptions is/are implicit in the statement?
Options:
(A) Only assumption I is implicit
(B) Only assumption II is implicit
(C) Both I and II are implicit
(D) Neither I nor II is implicit
Answer Key:
A
Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation
Assumption I explains why drip irrigation conserves water and enhances efficiency. Assumption II is extreme and irrelevant to the comparative benefit of drip irrigation.