Question

The company’s coffee crop for 1998-99 totalled 8079 tonnes, an all time record. The increase over the previous year’s production of 5830 tonnes was 38.58%. The previous highest crop was 6089 tonnes in 1970-71. The company had fixed a target of 8000 tonnes to be realized by the year 2000-01, and this had been achieved two years earlier, thanks to the emphasis laid on the key areas of irrigation, replacement of unproductive coffee bushes, intensive refilling and improved agricultural practices. It is now our endeavour to reach the target of 10000 tonnes in the year 2001-02.
Which of the following would contribute most to making the target of 10,000 tonnes in 2001-02 unrealistic?

• A. The potential of the productivity-enhancing measures implemented up to now has been exhausted.
• B. The total company land under coffee has remained constant since 1969 when an estate in the Nilgiri Hills was acquired.
• C. The sensitivity of the crop to climatic factors makes predictions about production uncertain.
• D. The target setting procedures in the company have been proved to be sound by the achievement of the 8000 tonnes target.

Hint:

In problems where future predictions are being made, focus on limitations or potential barriers to growth or progress.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The Correct Answer is (1) because once the productivity-enhancing measures are exhausted, further increases in production would be difficult, making the target of 10,000 tonnes unrealistic.