Agricultural Crops

Classification of Agricultural Crops

The broader classification of the agricultural crops on the basis of their economical use is described as under:

1.Cereal crops:

• A cereal is any grass cultivated for the edible components of its grain
• Example- Rice, wheat, maize, sorghum.

2.Pulse crops:

• Pulses are part of the legume family (any plants that grow in pods), but the term “pulse” refers only to the dry edible seed within the pod.
• Example- Pigeonpea, urdbean, mungbean, kidneybean, cowpea, chickpea, lentil, pea, etc.

3.Oilseed crops

• Refined edible oil products are often made from high-value oilseed crops.
• Soybean, rapeseed, mustard, groundnut, sunflower, sesame, safflower, and other oilseed crops are commonly used for this purpose.
• Oilseed crops can be an important source of income for farmers due to their high value.
• Edible oil products made from oilseed crops are widely used in cooking and food preparation.
• Many different types of oilseed crops can be used to produce a variety of refined edible oils.

4.Fodder crops:

• Fodder crops are agricultural foodstuffs utilized to feed domesticated livestock.
• These crops are also known as provender.
• Some examples of fodder crops are berseem, red clover, and lucerne.

5.Fibre crops:

• Fiber crops are field crops grown for their fibers, which are traditionally used to make paper, cloth, or rope etc.
• Examples- Cotton, jute, mesta, etc.

6.Commercial crops

• Crops which are raised for business point of view
• Example-Sugarcane, tea, coffee,jute etc.

7.Plantation Crops

• Crops which are grown on Plantations covering large estates.
• Example- Tea, Coffee, Coconut and RubberCrops of India

Important Crops-

1.Rice

• In India, rice holds great significance as a staple food crop.
• The crop is mainly cultivated during the Kharif season in the northern regions, while in southern and northeastern parts, it is grown throughout the year due to favorable weather conditions.
• Rice covers a significant proportion of India's total cultivated area, providing food to over 50% of its population.
• India is the world's second-largest producer of rice, following China.
• In West Bengal, farmers cultivate three varieties of rice, namely 'aus,' 'aman,' and 'boro.'

A. Temperature:

• Rice requires hot and humid conditions. The temperature should be fairly high i.e. 24°C mean monthly temperature with average temperature of 22°C to 32°C

B. Rainfall:

• Rice cultivation is suitable in regions of Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh that receive rainfall between 150-300 cm. In areas where rainfall is less than 100 cm, farmers rely on irrigation to cultivate rice.

C. Soil:

• Rice cultivation occurs in diverse soil types, although optimal growth is observed in deep clayey and loamy soils.
• The main regions for rice production are typically flat areas.
• Additionally, rice crops can be found in regions with below sea level conditions, such as Kuttinad in Kerala, as well as on the hilly terraces in the northeastern parts of India and valleys in Kashmir.

D. Labour:

• The cultivation of rice necessitates the availability of low-cost labour since most of the tasks involved are labor-intensive and not particularly suitable for mechanization.

E. Areas-

• Rice is grown in the plains of north and north-eastern India, coastal areas and the deltaic regions. it possible to grow rice in areas of less rainfall such as Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh and parts of Rajasthan

2.Wheat

• In India, wheat is the second most important crop after rice and is mainly grown as a winter or rabi crop.
• It is sown at the beginning of winter and harvested in the beginning of summer, typically between October-November and March-April in north India.
• Wheat is a staple food for millions of people, especially in the northern and northwestern parts of India.
• The majority of the wheat cultivation area in India, accounting for about 85%, is concentrated in the north and central regions, including the Indo-Gangetic Plain, Malwa Plateau, and Himalayas up to an altitude of 2,700 meters.

Some of the geographical conditions are as follows:

(a) Temperature:

• It is primarily a crop of mid-latitude grassland. It requires cool climate. The ideal temperature is between 10°C to 15°C at the time of sowing and 21°C to 26°C at the time of ripening and harvesting.

(b) Rainfall:

• Wheat grows successfully in regions with an annual rainfall of approximately 75cm.
• The maximum limit for wheat cultivation is an annual rainfall of about 100cm.
• In areas where rainfall is less than 75cm, wheat can still be cultivated through irrigation.
• However, frost during flowering and hailstorm during ripening can significantly harm the wheat crop.
• Similar to rice, wheat can be cultivated using irrigation in regions with inadequate rainfall.

(c) Soil:

• While wheat can thrive in different types of soils, the most ideal soil for its cultivation is well-drained, fertile loamy or clayey loamy soil.

(d) Labour:

• Wheat is highly mechanized and requires less labour.

(e) Distribution:

• The nation has two significant wheat cultivation regions, namely the Ganga-Satluj plains in the northwest and the Deccan's black soil area.

   

• Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, and parts of Madhya Pradesh are the primary states that produce wheat in substantial quantities.

Millets

• Millets are short duration warm weather crops. These are coarse grain crops and are used for both food and fodder. These are kharif crop Some of these are Jawar, Bajra, Ragi, Korra, Kodon, Kutki, Hraka, Bauti, Rajgira. In India, Jawar, Bajra and Ragi are grown.on large areas

1.Jowar

• The cultivation of jowar or sorghum comprises approximately 5.3% of the entire cropped area.
• Jowar is considered a primary food crop in the semi-arid regions of central and southern India.
• Maharashtra is the leading state in jowar production, contributing over 50% of the country's total output.
• Other significant jowar-producing states include Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
• In the southern states, jowar is sown in both the kharif and rabi seasons. In northern India, it is mainly cultivated as a fodder crop during the kharif season.
• The yield of rainfed jowar in the region south of the Vindhyachal mountains is low.

2.Bajra

• Bajra is typically planted in hot and dry climates found in the northwestern and western regions of the country.
• This crop is known for its resilience to dry spells and drought in these areas.
• Bajra is grown both as a standalone crop and as part of mixed cropping systems. It accounts for roughly 5.2% of the total cultivated land in the country.
• The primary states that produce bajra are Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana.

3.Ragi

• It also have similar climatic conditions as Bajra and Jowar have.
• It is generally concentrated in the southern India

Common conditions of Millets i.e. Jowar Bajra & Ragi

(a) Temperature-

• These crops are grown where the temperature is high which ranges between 27°C to 32°C.

(b) Rainfall-

• Millets are ‘dry land crops’, therefore, rainfall ranging from 50 to 100cm is ideal for their cultivation.

(c) Soil-

•  Millets are less sensitive to soil deficiencies. They can be grown in inferior alluvial or loamy soil.

Maize

• Maize serves as both a food and fodder crop.

• This crop covers a mere 3.6% of the total cropped area.

A. Distribution- 

• Maize is cultivated throughout India, except for the eastern and northeastern regions.
• The top maize producing states in India are Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.

B. Yield-

• Yield level of maize is higher than other coarse cereals.
• It is high in southern states and declines towards central parts.

C.Temperature and climate-

• Maize is grown under semi-arid climatic conditions and over inferior soils.

Pulses

• Proteins are an essential component of vegetarian cuisine and pulses are an excellent source of proteins.
• Legume crops are known to enhance soil fertility naturally by fixing nitrogen.
• India is a major contributor to the world's pulse production, accounting for approximately 20% of the total production.
• The cultivation of pulses in India is mainly concentrated in the drylands of Deccan, central plateaus, and northwestern regions.
• Pulses are grown on about 11% of the total cultivated land in India.
• India has a diverse range of pulses, including gram, tur, urd, mung, masur, kulthi, matar, and more.

1.Gram:

• Gram is a crucial pulse crop in India, representing 37% of the production and 30% of the total pulse area.
• However, it currently covers only 2.8% of the country's cropped area.
• This rabi crop is typically sown from September to November and harvested from February to April.
• It can be cultivated as a standalone crop or mixed with other crops like wheat, barley, linseed, or mustard.

Some of the geographical conditions are as follows:

(a) Temperature-

• It thrives in various climatic conditions.
• Optimal conditions for its growth include a mild, cool, and relatively dry climate.
• The ideal temperature range is between 20°C-25°C.

(b) Rainfall-

• 40-45 cm rainfall is favourable for gram cultivation.

(c) Soil-

• It grows well on loamy soils.

(d) Distribution-

• Although gram is cultivated in several parts of the country, however, 90% of the total production comes from five states. These states are Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Maharashtra

2.Tur(Arhar)

• Tur is the second important pulse crop in the country.
• This crop occupies only about 2 per cent of total cropped area of India.
• It is also known as red gram or pigeonpea.

a)Temperature & Rainfall-

• Mild Temperature and Low rainfall is favorable
• It is cultivated over marginal lands and under rainfed conditions in the dry areas of central and southern states of the country.  

(b) Distribution-

• Approximately one-third of the total tur production in India comes from Maharashtra.
• The other top tur producing states include Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.
• Maharashtra is the largest contributor among them.

Fibre Crops

These crops provide us fibre for preparing cloth, bags, sacks and a number of other items. Cotton and jute are two main fibre crops grown in India.

1.Cotton-

• Cotton is a semi-arid tropical crop cultivated during kharif season in India.
• Following partition, a significant portion of India's cotton growing area was lost to Pakistan.
• India is recognized as the birthplace of the cotton plant and it covers 4.7% of the country's total cropped area.
• Cotton serves as a vital raw material for the textile industry, and its seeds are utilized in the Vanaspati oil industry.

Classification-

A.Short Staple cotton- Indian variety

B.Long Staple cotton- American variety

Some of the geographical conditions are as follows:

A.Temperature-

• Cotton is the crop of tropical and sub-tropical areas and requires uniformly high temperature varying between 21°C and 30°C.

B.Rainfall-

• Cotton cultivation thrives in regions with a minimum of 210 frost-free days annually.
• The crop only necessitates a moderate level of rainfall ranging between 50 to 100cm.
• Alternatively, areas with rainfall lower than 50cm can grow cotton with proper irrigation.
• Adequate precipitation during the initial stage and sunny and dry climatic conditions during the ripening phase are beneficial for a successful yield.

C. Soil-

• Cotton cultivation is very closely related to Black soils of Deccan and Malwa plateau. However, it also grows well in alluvial soils of the Satluj-Ganga plain and red and laterite soils of the peninsular region.

D. Labour-

• As picking of cotton has not been made mechanized till now therefore a lot of cheap and efficient labour is required at the time of picking.

E. Distribution-

• In terms of cotton production, India ranks third globally, following China and the USA, while having the largest cultivated area.
• Four states within India contribute to two thirds of the country's cotton production and cultivated area.
• Punjab, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Haryana are the major states for cotton cultivation and production.

F. Yield-.

• Under irrigation per hectare yield of cotton is good but less in rainfed areas.Its yield is very low in Maharashtra where it is grown under rainfed conditions.

2.Jute-

• Jute is a versatile crop utilized in producing rough textiles, bags, sacks, and ornamental pieces.
• Jute is a vital cash crop in West Bengal and other eastern regions of India.
• After the partition, India lost significant jute-growing regions to Bangladesh.
• Jute is also referred to as the "golden fibre" for its color and value.
• Despite its importance, jute is cultivated only in a limited number of states and accounts for just 0.5% of India's overall cultivated area.

Geographical conditions for Jute

A.Soil-

• Jute is typically cultivated in floodplains with well-drained and fertile soil that undergoes annual renewal.

B.Temperature-

• High temperature is required during the time of growth

C. Distribution-

• The states of West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha, and Meghalaya are prominent jute producers.
• Approximately 75% of jute production in India comes from West Bengal alone.
• West Bengal is the leading state in jute production among the mentioned states.

Commercial Crops

Commercial crops are those crops which are grown for sale and commercial purposes

Some of the commercial crops are as follows

1.Sugarcane

2.Oil seeds

3.Cotton( Already discussed)

1.Sugarcane

• It provides raw material for the manufacturing of alcohol. Bagasse, the crushed cane residue, has also multiple uses. It is used for manufacturing of paper. It is also an efficient substitute for petroleum products and a host of other chemical products. A part of it is also used as fodder.

Geographical conditions-

(a) Temperature-

•  It requires hot and humid climate with an average temperature of 21°C to 27°C.

(b) Rainfall-

• The optimal range of rainfall for sugarcane growth is between 75-150 cm.
• In regions with rainfall below the recommended level, irrigation becomes necessary.
• Sugar cane cultivation necessitates a specific amount of rainfall to thrive, and that amount is within the 75-150 cm range.
• If the rainfall in a particular area is insufficient, it's necessary to provide irrigation to support the growth of sugar cane.

(c) Soil-

• Sugarcane can thrive in various soil types and is capable of withstanding soils that can hold moisture.
• Ideally, deep and rich loamy soil is the best for sugarcane growth, although it can grow in any soil type.
• The soil must contain an adequate amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium, and should not be excessively acidic or alkaline.
• A flat and level plateau is advantageous for sugarcane farming since it simplifies irrigation and cane transportation to sugar mills.
• Due to the rapid and extensive depletion of soil fertility, sugarcane cultivation requires substantial fertilizers and manures.

(d) Labour-

• Sugar cane cultivation heavily relies on labor and demands low-cost workforce.
• The process of cultivating sugar cane involves several stages such as sowing, hoeing, weeding, irrigation, cutting, and transportation of the crop to the factories.
• The cultivation of sugar cane requires a significant number of human workers to carry out each of these stages.

(e) Distribution-

 India has the largest area under sugarcane cultivation in the world and the second largest producer next to Brazil. L

(i) The Satluj-Ganga plain from Punjab to Bihar have more than half of the area under sugercane

(ii) The black soil belt from Maharashtra to Tamil Nadu along the eastern

slopes of the western Ghats.

(iii) Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Krishna river valley.

(f) Yield

• Under good irrigation facilities sugarcane give sufficient and high yield
• Note- Its yield is low in northernIndia and high in southern India

2.Oilseeds

• The oilseeds are produced for extracting edible oils.India has the largest area and production of oilseeds in the world Groundnut, rapeseed and mustard, soyabean and sunflower are the main oilseed crops grown in India.

Some of these are as follows

Groundnut

• Groundnut is a predominantly rainfed crop that is cultivated during the kharif season in dryland regions. However, in southern India, it is also grown during the rabi season.
• It covers about 3.6 per cent of total cropped area in the country
• India is the largest producer of groundnut in the world and accounts for about one third of the world’s to the production

(a) Temperature-

•  tropical climate and requires 20°C to 30°C temperature.

(b) Rainfall-

•  50-75 cm rainfall is favourable for groundnut cultivation.
• It is highly susceptible to frost, prolonged drought, continuous rain and stagnantwater.

(c) Soil-

• Well drained light sandy loams, red, yellow and black soils are well suited for its cultivation.

(d) Distribution-

•  Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat Maharashtra, Karnataka and Odisha.

(e)Yield-

• The productivity of groundnut is relatively higher in Tamil Nadu, primarily due to the availability of partial irrigation. However, in the states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, the yield of groundnut is notably lower.

Rapeseed and Mustard

• Rapeseed and mustard comprise several oilseeds as rai, sarson, toria and taramira.
• These oilseeds together occupy only 2.5 per cent of total cropped area in the country.

(a)Temperature & Climate-

• Rapeseed and mustard are crops grown in the subtropical regions of north-western and central India during the rabi season.
• These crops are sensitive to frost, and their production varies from year to year.

(b)Soil-

• Well drained light sandy loams, red, yellow and black soils are well suited for its cultivation.

(c)Distribution-

• Rajasthan contributes about one-third production while other leading producers are Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh.

Other Oilseeds

Soyabean and sunflower are other important oilseeds grown in India.

Soyabean-

• Soyabean is mostly grown in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Sunflower-

• Sunflower cultivation is concentrated in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and adjoining areas of Maharashtra. It is a minor crop in northern parts of the country where its yield is high due to irrigation.

Plantation Crops

Crops which are grown on Plantations covering large estates

1.Tea-

• The tea leaves contain a significant amount of caffeine and tannin.
• Originally, tea was cultivated in the hilly regions of northern China.
• Tea grows well in areas with undulating topography, well-drained soils, and humid or sub-humid climates.
• Tea plantation began in the Brahmaputra valley of Assam, India during the 1840s and remains a significant tea-growing region in the country.
• Currently, China is the largest producer of tea worldwide, while India is the second-largest tea manufacturer.

Geographical Conditions

(a)Temperature-

• It requires hot and wet climate. The ideal temperature for the growth of tea bushes and leaf varies between 20°C to 30°C. 
• If temperature either rises above 35°C or goes below 10°C, it would be harmful for the growth of tea bushes and leaves. Therefore extremely Low and High Temperature is not favorable

(b) Rainfall-

• Rainfall ranging between 120-300 cm and the annual rainfall should be well distributed throughout the year.
• Long dry spell is harmful for tea.

(c) Soil:

• Tea is a shade loving plant and grows better when planted along with shady trees. Well Drained Deep Friable loamy soil with Rich Iron and Humus content

(d) Distribution:

• Around 53.2% of the overall cropped area in India is attributed to Assam, and it is responsible for producing over half of the total tea production in the country.
• The tea-producing regions of Assam are located on the hillsides that border the Brahmaputra and Surma valleys.
• West Bengal, which primarily cultivates tea in Darjeeling, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, and Cooch Bihar districts, is the second-largest tea producer in India.
• Tamil Nadu, the third-largest producer of tea in India, grows tea primarily in the Nilgiri hills.

2.Coffee

• Coffee is a type of crop that thrives in tropical regions. Its beans undergo the process of roasting, grinding, and brewing to create a popular beverage.
• There exist three main types of coffee, which are arabica, robusta, and liberica. In India, arabica coffee is widely cultivated due to its high quality and international appeal.
• The introduction of coffee to India can be traced back to the 17th century when Baba Budan brought the seeds from Arabia and grew them in the Baba Budan hills located in Karnataka.
• Brazil holds the distinction of being the world's top coffee producer.

Geographical Conditions

(a) Temperature :

• It requires hot and humid climate with temperature varying between 15°C and 28°C.
• It is generally grown under shady trees. strong sun shine, high temperature above 30°C, frost and snowfall are harmful for coffee cultivation.

• Dry weather is necessary at the time of ripening of berries.

(b) Rainfall-

• Rainfall between 150 to 250 cm is favourable for coffee cultivation.

(c) Soil-

• Well drained, rich friable loamy soil containing good deal of humus and minerals like iron and calcium are ideal for coffee cultivation.

(d) Distribution:

• Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu are the main states of coffee production in India.
• Karnataka alone accounts for more than two-third of total production of coffee in the country.