Major Crops in India – Geography Notes PDF in English & Hindi for UPSC and Other Competitive Exams
Major Crops in India: India is one of the world’s leading agricultural nations, and it produces a wide variety of crops due to its diverse climate, topography, and agricultural practices. India’s diverse agricultural practices and climates allow for the cultivation of a wide range of crops, making it a major contributor to global food production. Agriculture remains a vital sector of the Indian economy, employing a significant portion of the population.
Some of the major crops cultivated in India include:
- Rice: Rice is a staple food for a significant portion of the Indian population. It is grown in regions with high rainfall and is a primary crop in states like West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Punjab.
- Wheat: Wheat is another staple crop and is widely grown in the northern plains of India. The major wheat-producing states are Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.
- Maize (Corn): Maize is cultivated in various parts of India and is used for human consumption, animal feed, and industrial purposes.
- Millets: India is a significant producer of millets, including pearl millet (bajra), finger millet (ragi), and foxtail millet. These drought-resistant crops are essential in regions with limited water resources.
- Sorghum (Jowar): Sorghum is grown in both kharif (rainy season) and rabi (winter) seasons and is a crucial crop for dryland farming.
- Pulses: India is a major producer of pulses like chickpeas (chana), pigeon peas (arhar), lentils (masoor), and mung beans (moong). Pulses are a significant source of protein in the Indian diet.
- Oilseeds: Oilseeds include crops like groundnut (peanut), soybean, mustard, and sunflower. India is a large consumer and producer of edible oils.
- Cotton: Cotton is a major cash crop and is used in the textile industry. States like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh are known for cotton cultivation.
- Sugarcane: Sugarcane is grown for sugar production and is a critical crop in states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
- Tea: India is one of the world’s largest tea producers, with Assam, Darjeeling, and Nilgiri regions being famous for their tea estates.
- Coffee: Coffee is grown in the southern states of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
- Spices: India is renowned for its spices, including black pepper, cardamom, turmeric, and red chili. Spices are grown in various regions across the country.
- Fruits: India produces a wide variety of fruits, including mangoes, bananas, apples, oranges, and grapes. The country is one of the largest producers of mangoes in the world.
- Vegetables: Various vegetables, such as potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and cauliflower, are cultivated throughout the year in different regions.
- Cashew and Almonds: Cashew and almonds are grown in parts of India, with cashew production concentrated in states like Goa and Kerala.
- Jute: Jute is grown in West Bengal, Bihar, and Assam and is primarily used for making sacks and bags.
Major Crops in India
Crops | Varieties | Soil type | Producers |
Rice (Kharif, Rabi) | Aman, Sali, Afghani, Aus, Boro, | Clay or Loamy soil | West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, and Assam |
Wheat (Rabi) | Kalyan Sona, Heera and Sonalika | Sandy loam, Clay loam | Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Gujarat |
Cotton (Kharif) | Short Staple, Medium Staple, Long Staple | Black soil | Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Punjab |
Jute(Zaid) | Tossa Jute and White Jute | Sandy and Clay Loam | West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh |
Sugarcane(Kharif, Rabi) | — | Clayey Loamy Soil, and Red Loamy Soil | Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Punjab |
Tea | — | Loamy soil acidic in nature and rich in organic matter | Assam, Darjeeling (West Bengal), Meghalaya, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Tamilnadu, Karnataka |
Coffee | Arabica and Robusta | Well-drained forest loam | Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland |
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By Team Learning Mantras