Paddy is the most important food crop of
India. Paddy grows best in a hot and wet climate.
India stands next only to China in the production
of paddy. It is mainly grown in Punjab, Haryana,
Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal,
Assam, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
and Kerala. West Bengal is the largest paddy
producing state in India. Uttar Pradesh and
Andhra Pradesh account for the second and third places respectively.
Wheat is the second important food grain of India.
Wheat requires a cool and moist climate during the
growing season and a dry, warm climate at the time-of
ripening. k is mainly grown in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar
Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar. Uttar
Pradesh is the leading producer of wheat in India, followed
by Punjab.
Barley is a North Indian cereal crop. It is supposed
to be the first grain cultivated by man. It is utilized as a raw
material for making alcoholic drinks and fodder for
animals. It is mainly cultivated in Uttar Pradesh,
Rajasthan, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana. Barley
is grown mainly as a rain-fed crop.
Maize was brought into India from America. Fertile,
well-drained alluvial or red soil is suitable for maize
cultivation. Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan are
the major producers of maize.
Millets like jowar, bajra and ragi are the important cereal
crops of India. These are grown in areas of low rainfall.
They are grown in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh,
Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Pulses include gram, moong, arhar, blackgram and peas
They are the major sources of protein. Pulses grow in almost
all parts of India. India tops the world in the production of
pulses.
1. Sugarcane
India is the birth place of sugarcane. This erop requires a
hot and humid climate with a rainfall of about 100cm, Uttar
Pradesh is the leading producer of sugarcane. Tamil.Nadu,
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab and Bihar
are the other states where sugarcane is cultivated. Sugar is
obtained from sugarcane.
2. Cotton
Cotton is an important commercial crop. India is the
second largest producer of cotton in the world. Gujarat,
Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh,
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are the cotton producing states.
Different types of clothes are made from cotton.
3. Jute
Jute is also a commercial fibre crop. Jute is used for
making bags and carpets. It is mainly grown in West Bengal,
Assam, Bihar, Orissa and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
4. Tobacco
This plant was introduced to India by the Portuguese.
India is now the third largest tobacco producer after China
and the USA. Leading producers are Andhra Pradesh and
Gujarat. It is also grown in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar
Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal.
5. Tea
Tea is a very popular drink in India. India ranks first in the
production and export of tea. It grows best in hilly areas with
lots of rainfall. It is mainly grown in Assam, West Bengal,
Kerala and the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu. Assam is the
leading producerof tea in India, followed by West Bengal.
