India is an agrarian economy, with agriculture playing a vital role in the country’s economy, food security, and employment generation. Accounting for nearly 17-18% of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employing over 50% of the workforce, agriculture forms the backbone of rural India. India is blessed with diverse agro-climatic zones, varied soil types, and abundant water resources, which make it one of the largest producers of agricultural commodities globally.

This document focuses on the agricultural resources of India, encompassing natural resources, agricultural infrastructure, technological advancements, and key agricultural outputs.

Land Resources

India has a total land area of approximately 328.7 million hectares, of which around 140 million hectares are net sown area. Land is one of the most critical resources for agriculture.

Classification of Agricultural Land in India:

• Net Sown Area (NSA): The area cultivated during a single cropping season.
• Gross Cropped Area (GCA): Total area sown more than once in a year, including multi-cropping regions.
• Fallow Lands: Lands left uncultivated temporarily.
• Permanent Pastures and Grazing Lands: Supporting livestock, especially in arid and semi-arid zones.
• Barren and Uncultivable Land: Land unsuitable for cultivation.

Land Use Pattern:

• Agricultural land accounts for about 43% of India’s geographical area.
• Cropping Intensity is improving due to better irrigation and cropping practices.

Water Resources

Water is a crucial resource for agriculture, as over 80% of water consumption in India is for irrigation purposes. India’s water resources include surface water (rivers, lakes, reservoirs) and groundwater.

Irrigation in India:

• Canal Irrigation: Major rivers like Ganga, Brahmaputra, Godavari, Krishna, and Narmada provide vast canal networks.
• Groundwater Irrigation: Tubewells and borewells are widely used, especially in the Indo-Gangetic plains.
• Rainfed Agriculture: Covers nearly 60% of cultivated land. Regions like central India and parts of Rajasthan rely on monsoons.
• Micro-Irrigation: Drip and sprinkler systems are promoted to conserve water and improve efficiency.

Challenges:

• Overexploitation of groundwater.
• Uneven distribution of rainfall.
• Seasonal droughts and floods affecting water availability.

Soil Resources

India has a diverse range of soil types, which support the cultivation of various crops. The classification of soil resources is as follows:

Types of Soils:

1. Alluvial Soil: Found in river valleys of the Indo-Gangetic plains, alluvial soil is highly fertile and ideal for crops like rice, wheat, sugarcane, and pulses.
2. Black Soil: Found in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Karnataka. Also known as Regur soil, it is suitable for cotton, millets, and pulses.
3. Red and Yellow Soils: Found in eastern and southern India. These soils are suitable for crops like rice, groundnut, and millets.
4. Laterite Soil: Present in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha. These soils are ideal for tea, coffee, and cashew cultivation.
5. Desert Soil: Found in arid regions of Rajasthan and Gujarat, suitable for drought-resistant crops like bajra.
6. Mountain Soils: Found in the Himalayan region and suitable for horticulture crops like apples, tea, and spices.

Challenges:

• Soil erosion due to deforestation and overgrazing.
• Soil salinity and alkalinity.
• Loss of fertility due to excessive chemical fertilizer use.

Climate and Agro-Climatic Zones

India’s climate plays a significant role in agriculture. The country is divided into 15 agro-climatic zones based on temperature, rainfall, and soil types.

Major Agro-Climatic Zones:

1. Western Himalayan Region: Suitable for apples, pears, and saffron.
2. Eastern Himalayan Region: Ideal for tea, rice, and maize.
3. Indo-Gangetic Plains: Known for rice, wheat, and sugarcane cultivation.
4. Central Plateau and Hills: Growing pulses, millets, and oilseeds.
5. Western Plains (Rajasthan): Drought-resistant crops like bajra and gram.
6. Eastern Plateau: Rice, pulses, and oilseeds.
7. Coastal Plains: Coconut, cashew, and spices.
8. Southern Plateau: Cotton, groundnut, and horticultural crops.

Seasons of Agriculture:

• Kharif Season (Monsoon): Crops like rice, maize, millets, and pulses are grown during June-October.
• Rabi Season (Winter): Crops like wheat, barley, mustard, and gram are grown during November-April.
• Zaid Season (Summer): Crops like watermelon, cucumber, and vegetables are grown.

Crop Resources

India is one of the largest producers of crops globally, categorized into food grains, cash crops, plantation crops, and horticultural crops.

Major Crop Categories:

1. Cereals and Food Grains:
   • Rice: Grown extensively in West Bengal, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.
   • Wheat: Predominantly grown in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana.
   • Millets: Jowar, Bajra, and Ragi cultivated in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Rajasthan.
2. Pulses:
   • India is the largest producer of pulses globally (tur, moong, urad, chickpeas).
3. Cash Crops:
   • Sugarcane, Cotton, Jute, and Tobacco form significant cash crops.
4. Plantation Crops:
   • Tea, Coffee, Coconut, and Rubber are cultivated in hilly and coastal regions.
5. Horticulture:
   • Fruits: Mango, banana, apples, grapes.
   • Vegetables: Potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and green vegetables.
6. Oilseeds:
   • Groundnut, mustard, soybean, and sunflower form vital oilseed crops.

Livestock Resources

Livestock is a critical component of Indian agriculture, contributing to food security, rural employment, and the economy.

Major Livestock Categories:

1. Cattle and Buffalo:
   • India is the largest producer of milk globally.
2. Poultry:
   • Significant growth in egg and meat production.
3. Goat and Sheep:
   • Source of meat, wool, and leather.
4. Pigs:
   • Primarily reared in northeastern states.
5. Fisheries:
   • India is the second-largest producer of fish globally, contributing to inland and marine fisheries.

Role in Agriculture:

• Provides organic manure (animal dung).
• Source of draught power for plowing and transportation.
• Contributes to nutritional security (milk, eggs, meat).