AGRICULTURE
The practice of growing crop is called agriculture. It is the most important occupation of our country. About 58.9% of our population is engaged in agriculture which is why India is known as agricultural country. Agriculture is the basis of the development of human settlement and civilization. Agriculture provides food for people and raw materials for industries. Today, India ranks second in terms of agricultural output world wide.
TYPES OF CROPS
Farmers in India produce a variety of crops because we have a favourable climate in agriculture, fertile soil and adequate monsoon rains.
In India, two types of crops are produced:
Food crops are grown to feed people in the country. They form the staple diet of the people. Rice, wheat, pulses, millets and maize are the main food crops of India.
RICE:
Rice being a cereal grain is the staple food of the people living in the eastern and the coastal parts of India. Rice is a Kharif crop.
It grows well in hot and humid climate with plenty of rainfall. West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhara Pradesh and Kerala are the major rice producing states of India. India has the largest area under rice cultivation in the world. However, it is the world's second largest producer of rice after China.
WHEAT:
India is one of the main wheat producing and consuming countries of the world. Wheat is a rabi crop. It is the second most important food crop in India.
It grows well in a cool and wet climate. Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat are the major wheat producing states.
MILLETS:
Millets include jowar, bajra and ragi. They are coarse grains. They are usually grown in areas where rice and wheat cannot be grown.
Parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhara Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu are the major millet producing areas.
PULSES:
Black gram, green gram and pigeon pea are pulses.
They are rich in proteins. They are grown in almost every part of India.
CASH CROPS
Cash crops are the crops that are grown for commercial purposes. They help farmers to earn money. Important cash crops of India are sugarcane, jute, cotton and oilseeds. Certain crops are grown in specific farms called plantations. They are called plantation crops. Tea, coffee, sugarcane and rubber are the main plantation crops in India.
SUGARCANE:
Sugarcane is used for making sugar and jaggery. It belongs to the bamboo family of plants. India is the largest producer of sugarcane in the world.
It requires fertile soil, hot and moist climate with plenty of water to grow. It is mainly grown in Uttar Pradesh followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhara Pradesh and Telangana.
JUTE:
Jute is one of the most important natural fibers. It is called the 'golden fibre' and is used for making bags, sacks, carpets, ropes, etc. It grows well in hot and wet climate.
It needs lots of water and high temperature to grow.
The main jute producing states are West Bengal, Assam, Bihar and Odisha.
COTTON:
Cotton is called the 'king of fibres'. It is a leading commercial crop grown for its valuable fibre. Cotton is used for making cotton clothes.
It grows well in warm, sunny weather and in drier areas with black or alluvial soil. Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab are the major cotton producing states.
OILSEEDS:
Oilseeds include mustard, groundnut, sesame and sunflower. Oil is extracted from the oil seeds and is used in cooking.
They grow well in warm climate with moderate rainfall. They are grown in different parts of the country.
TEA:
Tea is one of the major cash crops of our country. India produces tea on a large scale.
In fact, India is one of the largest producer of tea in the world. Tea is the most popular beverage in India. It requires warm and wet climate. It is mostly grown in Assam, parts of West Bengal and the Nilgiri hills in the South.
COFFEE:
Coffee is mostly grown in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
It requires cool weather and heavy rainfall.
SPICES:
Spices include pepper, chillies, clove, ginger and cardamom. They are grown in Kerala and Karnataka.
Besides the food crops and the cash crops, India also produces a variety of fruits and vegetables.
The practice of growing crop is called agriculture. It is the most important occupation of our country. About 58.9% of our population is engaged in agriculture which is why India is known as agricultural country. Agriculture is the basis of the development of human settlement and civilization. Agriculture provides food for people and raw materials for industries. Today, India ranks second in terms of agricultural output world wide.
TYPES OF CROPS
Farmers in India produce a variety of crops because we have a favourable climate in agriculture, fertile soil and adequate monsoon rains.
In India, two types of crops are produced:
- Food Crops
- Cash Crops
Food crops are grown to feed people in the country. They form the staple diet of the people. Rice, wheat, pulses, millets and maize are the main food crops of India.
RICE:
Rice being a cereal grain is the staple food of the people living in the eastern and the coastal parts of India. Rice is a Kharif crop.
WHEAT:
India is one of the main wheat producing and consuming countries of the world. Wheat is a rabi crop. It is the second most important food crop in India.
MILLETS:
Millets include jowar, bajra and ragi. They are coarse grains. They are usually grown in areas where rice and wheat cannot be grown.
PULSES:
Black gram, green gram and pigeon pea are pulses.
CASH CROPS
Cash crops are the crops that are grown for commercial purposes. They help farmers to earn money. Important cash crops of India are sugarcane, jute, cotton and oilseeds. Certain crops are grown in specific farms called plantations. They are called plantation crops. Tea, coffee, sugarcane and rubber are the main plantation crops in India.
SUGARCANE:
Sugarcane is used for making sugar and jaggery. It belongs to the bamboo family of plants. India is the largest producer of sugarcane in the world.
JUTE:
Jute is one of the most important natural fibers. It is called the 'golden fibre' and is used for making bags, sacks, carpets, ropes, etc. It grows well in hot and wet climate.
The main jute producing states are West Bengal, Assam, Bihar and Odisha.
COTTON:
Cotton is called the 'king of fibres'. It is a leading commercial crop grown for its valuable fibre. Cotton is used for making cotton clothes.
OILSEEDS:
Oilseeds include mustard, groundnut, sesame and sunflower. Oil is extracted from the oil seeds and is used in cooking.
TEA:
Tea is one of the major cash crops of our country. India produces tea on a large scale.
COFFEE:
Coffee is mostly grown in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
SPICES:
Spices include pepper, chillies, clove, ginger and cardamom. They are grown in Kerala and Karnataka.
Besides the food crops and the cash crops, India also produces a variety of fruits and vegetables.
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