Agriculture

Cropping Pattern

Major Crops

• Rice

  It is the staple diet of India. India ranks second in the world in terms of rice production after China. It is a Kharif crop which requires high temperature, (above 25°C) and high humidity with annual rainfall above 100 cm.

• Wheat

  It is the main food crop, in north and north-western part of the country. This rabi crop requires a cool growing season and a bright sunshine at the time of ripening. It requires 50 to 75 cm of annual rainfall evenly distributed over the growing season.

• Millets

  Jowar, Bajra and Ragi are the important millets grown in India.

  Jowar:

  • Third most important crop in terms of production.
  • Grows well in moist areas.
  • Largest producer is Maharashtra, followed by Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and M.P

  Bajra:

  • Grows well on sandy soils and black soil.
  • Largest producer is Rajasthan, followed by U.P., Maharashtra, Gujarat and Haryana.

  Ragi:

  • Grows well on red, black, sandy, loamy and black soil.
  • Largest producer is Karnataka, followed by Tamil Nadu.
  • Rich in iron and calcium.

• Pulses

  Pulses:

  1. India is the largest producer and consumer of pulses.
  2. They are rich in proteins.
  3. Important pulses of India are tur, urad, moong, masur, peas and gram.
  4. Major pulse producing states in India are Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Karnataka.