Cropping Seasons in India

India, being geographically diverse, experiences three main cropping seasons: Rabi, Kharif, and Zaid.

1. Kharif Season

• Starts with the southwest monsoon.
• Supports the cultivation of tropical crops like rice, maize, and pulses.

2. Rabi Season

• Winter cropping season.
• Crops grown require less water, e.g., wheat, barley.

3. Zaid Season

• Intermediate season between Rabi and Kharif.
• Includes crops like watermelon, cucumber, and vegetables.

Classification of Major Crops in India

1. Food Crops

• Examples: Rice, Wheat, Millets, Maize, Pulses.

2. Cash Crops

• Examples: Sugarcane, Oilseeds, Horticulture crops, Tea, Coffee, Rubber, Cotton, Jute.

Major Food Crops in India

1. Rice

• Cultivation: Widely grown across India, especially in regions with high humidity and rainfall.
• Climatic Requirements: Hot and humid climate; 150-300 cm rainfall; 21 to 37º C temperature.
• Nutritional Value: High in carbohydrates, provides instant energy.
• Crop Production Practices: Cultivated in uplands and lowlands using methods like dry/semi-dry upland cultivation and transplanting in puddled fields.

2. Wheat

• Cultivation: Grown mainly in central and western India.
• Climatic Requirements: Grows in tropical, sub-tropical, and temperate zones; requires cool, moist weather during growth.
• Soil: Grown in soils with good structure and moderate water-holding capacity.

3. Millets

• Examples: Jowar, Bajra, Ragi.
• Nutritional Value: Rich in protein, fiber, minerals, and calcium; low glycemic index.
• Climatic Requirements: Requires 27-32°C temperature; 50-100 cm rainfall; grows in inferior alluvial or loamy soils.

4. Pulses

• Examples: Gram, Pigeonpea, Lentil, Fieldpeas.
• Climatic Requirements: Rabi crops need a mild cold climate; Kharif crops require a warm climate.
• Uses: Consumed as Dal, used as fodder, and green manure.

5. Maize

• Cultivation: Grown mainly during the Kharif season.
• Climatic Conditions: Requires high temperature (<35° C) and rainfall; grows in loamy sand to clay loam soils.
• Uses: Staple food, animal feed, raw material for various industries.

Major Cash Crops in India

1. Sugarcane

• Regions: Grown in tropical (Maharashtra, Karnataka) and sub-tropical (U.P, Bihar) regions.
• Climatic Requirements: 32°C to 38°C temperature for germination; dry, sunny weather for ripening.
• Uses: Sugar production, contributes significantly to the economy.

2. Tea

• Climatic Requirements: Requires 20-30°C temperature, 150-300 cm rainfall.
• Regions: Mainly grown in Assam, Darjeeling, and Kerala.
• History: Introduced by the British; India is the second-largest producer globally.

3. Coffee

• Varieties: Arabica and Robusta.
• Regions: Grown in hilly regions like Baba Budan Hills in Karnataka.
• Uses: Coffee plantations also grow spices like pepper, cardamom, and vanilla.

4. Jute

• Climatic Requirements: 25-35°C temperature; 150-250 cm rainfall.
• Regions: Mainly cultivated in eastern and northeastern India.
• Uses: Used in textiles, paper, building materials, and as a biodegradable material.

5. Cotton

• Climatic Requirements: Grown in tropical or sub-tropical semi-arid areas.
• Regions: Major states include Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh.
• Uses: Dominant role in the textile industry and agriculture economy.