Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy, providing employment to over 50% of the population and contributing around 17-18% to the GDP. India is the second-largest producer of food in the world.
1. Importance of Agriculture in India
✅ Employment Generation – Provides jobs to over 50% of India’s workforce.
✅ Food Security – Ensures availability of staple crops like rice, wheat, pulses.
✅ Contribution to GDP – Around 17-18% of India’s GDP.
✅ Raw Materials – Supplies raw materials for industries (cotton, sugar, jute).
✅ Foreign Exchange Earnings – India is a major exporter of spices, rice, tea, coffee.
📌 Fact: India is the largest producer of pulses, jute, and milk in the world.
2. Types of Agriculture in India
| Type | Features | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Subsistence Farming | Small farms, low technology, for local consumption | Uttar Pradesh, Bihar |
| Commercial Farming | Large-scale, high input of fertilizers and irrigation | Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra |
| Plantation Agriculture | Single crop on large estates, export-oriented | Tea in Assam, Coffee in Karnataka |
| Shifting Cultivation (Jhum Farming) | Land cleared, used for 2-3 years, then abandoned | North-East India |
| Intensive Farming | Small landholding, high output using fertilizers | Kerala, Tamil Nadu |
| Extensive Farming | Large landholding, low input, mechanized | Rajasthan, Gujarat |
| Dryland Farming | Cultivation in areas with low rainfall | Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh |
| Wetland Farming | Practiced in high rainfall areas | Kerala, West Bengal |
📌 Example: Shifting cultivation (Jhum farming) is common in North-East India.
3. Major Crops in India
Indian agriculture is classified into three cropping seasons:
- Kharif Crops (Monsoon Crops) – Sown in June-July, harvested in September-October.
- Examples: Rice, Maize, Bajra, Jowar, Cotton, Groundnut
- Rabi Crops (Winter Crops) – Sown in October-November, harvested in March-April.
- Examples: Wheat, Barley, Mustard, Peas, Gram
- Zaid Crops (Summer Crops) – Grown between Rabi and Kharif seasons (March-June).
- Examples: Watermelon, Muskmelon, Cucumber
📌 Fact: India is the second-largest producer of rice and wheat in the world.
A. Food Crops
| Crop | Major States | Climate Required |
|---|---|---|
| Rice | West Bengal, Punjab, UP, Andhra Pradesh | High rainfall, humid climate |
| Wheat | Punjab, Haryana, UP, MP | Cool climate, moderate rainfall |
| Maize | Karnataka, Bihar, UP, Andhra Pradesh | Warm climate, moderate rainfall |
| Millets (Bajra, Jowar, Ragi) | Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka | Drought-resistant, less rainfall |
| Pulses (Gram, Tur, Moong, Urad) | MP, UP, Maharashtra | Requires dry climate |
📌 Fact: India is the largest producer of pulses in the world.
B. Cash Crops
| Crop | Major States | Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton | Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana | Textile industry |
| Jute | West Bengal, Bihar, Assam | Gunny bags, ropes |
| Sugarcane | UP, Maharashtra, Karnataka | Sugar, ethanol |
| Tobacco | Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat | Cigarettes, export |
📌 Fact: India is the second-largest producer of cotton after China.
C. Plantation Crops
| Crop | Major States | Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Tea | Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu | Beverages, export |
| Coffee | Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu | Beverages, export |
| Rubber | Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu | Tyres, industrial use |
| Coconut | Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh | Oil, coir |
📌 Fact: India is the largest producer of tea after China.
4. Irrigation in India
| Irrigation Type | Features | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Canal Irrigation | Water from rivers, large areas covered | Punjab, UP |
| Wells & Tube Wells | Groundwater used, common in plains | Haryana, Bihar |
| Tank Irrigation | Rainwater collected in tanks | Tamil Nadu, Karnataka |
| Drip Irrigation | Water-saving, efficient | Gujarat, Rajasthan |
| Sprinkler Irrigation | Used in dry areas, reduces water loss | Rajasthan, Maharashtra |
📌 Fact: Drip irrigation is best suited for dry areas like Rajasthan.
5. Green Revolution in India
📍 Introduced in: 1965
📍 Objective: Increase food production through HYV (High Yielding Variety) seeds, fertilizers, irrigation, and mechanization.
📍 Father of Green Revolution in India: M.S. Swaminathan
Impact of Green Revolution
✅ Increased food production – India became self-sufficient in food grains.
✅ Led to the ‘Wheat Revolution’ – Punjab and Haryana became wheat-growing hubs.
✅ More irrigation and mechanization – Use of tractors, fertilizers, and pesticides increased.
📌 Fact: Wheat and rice benefited the most from the Green Revolution.
Negative Effects
❌ Soil degradation due to excessive chemical fertilizers.
❌ Water scarcity due to over-irrigation.
❌ Increased regional inequality – Only Punjab, Haryana, and Western UP benefited initially.
6. Government Schemes for Agriculture
| Scheme | Objective | Year |
|---|---|---|
| PM-KISAN | Direct income support to farmers | 2019 |
| Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) | Crop insurance | 2016 |
| National Food Security Mission | Increase food grain production | 2007 |
| Soil Health Card Scheme | Improve soil fertility | 2015 |
| Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) | Modernize agriculture | 2007 |
📌 Fact: PM-KISAN provides ₹6,000 per year to small farmers.
7. Challenges in Indian Agriculture
A. Climate Change & Unpredictable Rainfall
- Droughts, floods, and cyclones affect crop production.
B. Small Land Holdings
- 85% of Indian farmers own less than 2 hectares of land.
C. Lack of Irrigation
- Only 52% of cultivated land is irrigated.Source
D. Low Productivity
- India’s farm productivity is lower than developed nations.
E. High Dependency on Monsoons
- Failure of monsoon = Low production & farmer distress.
8. Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Which crop is known as the ‘Golden Fiber’?
a) Cotton
b) Jute
c) Sugarcane
d) Wheat
✔ Answer: (b) Jute - Which state is the largest producer of wheat in India?
a) Punjab
b) Haryana
c) Uttar Pradesh
d) Bihar
✔ Answer: (c) Uttar Pradesh - Which revolution increased rice and wheat production in India?
a) White Revolution
b) Green Revolution
c) Blue Revolution
d) Yellow Revolution
✔ Answer: (b) Green Revolution - Which irrigation method is most suitable for dry areas?
a) Canal Irrigation
b) Drip Irrigation
c) Tank Irrigation
d) Well Irrigation
✔ Answer: (b) Drip Irrigation
📚 Perfect for UPSC, SSC, State PSCs, and RRB Exams! 🚀 Let me know if you need more details! ✅