Cropping Pattern of India

Origin

India’s cropping patterns have evolved over time, influenced by climate, soil type, and other factors. The earliest evidence of rice cultivation in South Asia dates back to the Harappan period. 

Definition

• Cropping patterns in India refer to the different crops cultivated in a specific area during a given period, influenced by climate, soil, and market demand. Understanding these patterns is crucial for optimising agricultural practices, ensuring food security, and enhancing economic viability.

Introduction

• India, with its vast geographical diversity, experiences a range of climatic conditions. This diversity significantly impacts the cropping patterns in different regions.
• A cropping pattern refers to the proportion of area under various crops in a particular region or country over a year.
• The cropping pattern of India is influenced by several factors including climatic conditions, soil types, irrigation facilities, market demands, and government policies.

What are cropping pattern?

• The different crops grown in an area at a particular point in time are called cropping patterns.
• The cropping pattern in India depends on climate (temperature, rainfall, wind, etc.), soil, support price, value, demand-market, and labour availability.
  • For instance, rice is cultivated extensively when the monsoons are good.
  • But when monsoons are weak, millets are grown instead of rice.
• Also, due to highly favourable cultivation conditions, crops like Cotton in Maharashtra, Tea in Assam, and Jute in West Bengal remain the dominant crops.

Factors Influencing Cropping Patterns in India

Geographical Factors	1. Relief Relief plays a vital role in deciding a region’s cropping pattern. Rice is the main crop on irrigated hill terraces (terraced cultivation). Also, crops like Tea and Coffee can be grown only on well-drained slopes with good rainfall. Rice (tropical crop) and Sugarcane dominate well-irrigated regions with warm climates. Wheat (temperate crop) grows well in regions with moderate temperatures and rainfall. 2.Rainfall Rainfall is one of the significant determinants of a region’s cropping pattern. Variation in rainfall of different regions leads to different cropping patterns, which are as follows: Areas of Heavy Rainfall :These areas receive more than 150 cm of annual rainfall. They include East India and the West Coast plains.The animal population is fairly high due to the availability of fodder and grazing areas. Major crops include rice, tea, coffee, sugarcane, jute etc. Areas of Medium Rainfall :These areas have 75 to 150 cm of annual rainfall.The annual rainfall of 150 cm isohyets is suitable for cultivating rice, whereas 75 cm isohyets is suitable for maize, cotton, and soybeans. These areas are rich in natural resources, e.g., the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, the eastern parts of Madhya Pradesh, and the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. Wheat is the principal Rabi crop in these areas, and millets are the natural priority due to their less water requirement. The major crops are wheat, maize, cotton, soybeans, millet, etc. Areas of Low Rainfall :These areas have 25 to 75 cm (Semi-arid stretches of India) of annual rainfall.Major crops in this belt are millets, jowar and bajra in the northern, jowar in the central and ragi in the southern part. Wheat is the main Rabi crop grown in irrigated areas. Mixed cropping, where pulses are mixed with cereals, is very common. Cropping has been developed so that no one crop dominates. Dryland farming is a common practice in this region. Millets, oilseeds (Groundnut, sunflower, rapeseed, and mustard), pulses, etc., are the major crops grown in this region. 3.Soil The soil of a region is an essential determinant of the cropping pattern. Different crops require different edaphic conditions for their growth and development. Rice is mainly grown in clayey soils, while wheat thrives in loamy soils. The regur soil of the Deccan Plateau is ideal for cotton cultivation. Coarse grains such as jowar, bajra, maize, ragi, and barley are grown in inferior soils (light sandy soils, light black soils, red and literate soils, etc.). The delta soils of West Bengal are renewed by floods every year and are very fertile. They are ideal for jute cultivation. Farmers grow 2-3 crops in a year in this region. The soils of the Darjeeling hills contain sufficient humus, iron, potash, and phosphorus for tea bush growth.
Economic Factors	1.Irrigation Rice is a dominant crop in regions with reliable irrigation and a warm climate (coastal plains and irrigated belts of South India). North Indian plain regions are well irrigated and support 2-3 rice crops yearly. Crop diversification in certain areas has been negligible due to irrigation.For example, rice dominates in well-irrigated parts of south India, and wheat dominates the northwestern part of the country.However, coarse grains like Jowar, Bajra, Maize, Barley, Ragi etc., are given comparatively less importance in these regions. 2.Size of Land Holdings In the case of small holdings, the farmers’ priority would be to grow food grains for their family members (subsistence farming). Farmers with large holdings can opt for cash and help in crop diversification, leading to changes in cropping patterns (commercial farming). However, despite the potential for crop diversification, large holdings are used mostly for the monoculture of rice, wheat, etc. 3.Insurance Against Risk The need to minimise the risk of crop failures explains diversification and some specific features of crop patterns. For example, in Southern states, plantation crops are grown on a large scale due to the availability of suitable crop insurance schemes. 5.Availability of Inputs Seeds, fertilisers, water storage, marketing, transport, etc., also affect a region’s cropping pattern. 6.Value 7.Millets in the hilly areas of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are replaced by high-value horticulture crops like apples. 8.Demand Rice is the preferred crop in densely populated regions due to its high demand and availability of a ready market.
Political Factors	Government legislative and administrative policies can also influence cropping patterns in India. Food Crops Acts, Land Use Acts, Intensive schemes for Paddy, Cotton and Oilseeds, Subsidies, etc., affect the cropping pattern in India. The government can encourage or discourage certain crops due to various reasons, such as Drought, Flood, Inflation, etc. The government’s provision of MSP (Minimum Support Price) to farmers also deteriorates the cropping pattern, as farmers prefer the crops that provide them with higher MSP, leading to a monoculture of cropping patterns in India.
Historical Factors	It refers to the long-term cultivation of various crops in the area due to different historical reasons.E.g. Tea plantation by the British in the Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh. Sugarcane is grown more extensively in North India even though the conditions are most favourable in South India.This is because sugarcane cultivation was encouraged by the British as an alternative to indigo which lost its significance and market in states like Uttar Pradesh due to the introduction of artificial dyes. Diversification of crops due to surplus food grain production post-Green Revolution has led to significant changes in cropping patterns in India.

• Climate:
  • India has a diverse climate ranging from tropical in the south to temperate in the north. This diversity affects the types of crops that can be grown in different regions. For instance, paddy and sugarcane require a warm and humid climate, while wheat and barley thrive in cooler regions.
• Soil Type:
  • Soil fertility plays an essential role in determining the cropping pattern. Regions with alluvial soil, like the Indo-Gangetic plains, are suitable for crops like rice, wheat, and sugarcane. On the other hand, dryland farming regions often cultivate crops like pulses and oilseeds.
• Water Availability:
  • Irrigation facilities and monsoon rains determine the types of crops that can be cultivated. Regions with surplus water resources like the Punjab region favor water-intensive crops like rice, while areas with limited water rely more on drought-resistant crops such as millet, pulses, and oilseeds.
• Technology & Infrastructure:
  • Modern farming techniques, such as the use of high-yielding varieties, better irrigation practices, and access to better market facilities, also influence cropping patterns.
• Economic & Market Demands:
  • The demand for certain crops, both domestically and internationally, influences which crops farmers decide to plant. Government policies and subsidies also play a significant role in shaping cropping patterns.

Major Cropping Patterns in India

India has two main cropping seasons – Kharif and Rabi, with some areas also practicing Zaid cropping during the summer months.

• Kharif Crops (Monsoon Crops)
  • Kharif crops are sown with the onset of the monsoon in June-July and harvested around September-October. These crops require a lot of water and are generally grown in areas where the monsoon is abundant.
  • Key Kharif Crops:
    • Rice (Paddy):
      • The most important food crop grown during the Kharif season, especially in states like West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu.
    • Maize (Corn):
      • Grown in states such as Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
    • Cotton:
      • Primarily cultivated in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
    • Sugarcane:
      • Grown extensively in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
    • Soybean:
      • A major oilseed crop grown in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.
    • Groundnut (Peanut):
      • Grown in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Karnataka.
    • Millets:
      • These drought-resistant crops like sorghum (jowar), pearl millet (bajra), and finger millet (ragi) are grown in arid and semi-arid regions.

• Rabi Crops (Winter Crops)
  • Rabi crops are sown after the monsoon season in October-November and harvested in March-April. These crops need cool weather for growth and are grown primarily in the winter season.
  • Key Rabi Crops:
    • Wheat:
      • One of the staple food crops grown extensively in the northern and central regions, especially in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.
    • Barley:
      • Cultivated in areas with colder climates, such as Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab.
    • Gram (Chickpea):
      • A pulse crop grown in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
    • Mustard:
      • Grown in northern and central India, particularly in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana.
    • Peas:
      • A major crop grown in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal.

• Zaid Crops (Summer Crops)
  • Zaid crops are grown between the Rabi and Kharif seasons, usually in the summer months (March to June). These crops need warm temperatures for growth and are typically grown in areas where irrigation facilities are available.
  • Key Zaid Crops:
    • Watermelon:
      • A popular crop grown in parts of Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
    • Cucumber:
      • Grown in regions with access to irrigation such as Punjab and Haryana.
    • Lemon:
      • Widely cultivated in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh.
    • Vegetables:
      • Various seasonal vegetables such as tomatoes, potatoes, and carrots are also grown during this period.

Regional Cropping Patterns in India

The cropping pattern varies significantly across regions due to differences in climatic conditions, soil types, and availability of water resources.

• North India (Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan):
  • The region is primarily known for the cultivation of wheat, rice, sugarcane, and pulses.
  • The Indo-Gangetic plains provide fertile soil, which supports the extensive cultivation of wheat and rice during the Rabi and Kharif seasons.
• South India (Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana):
  • Rice is a major crop, especially in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
  • South India also grows a variety of crops such as groundnut, cotton, and pulses.
• West India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan):
  • The region is known for the production of crops like cotton, groundnut, sugarcane, and soybean.
  • Rajasthan, being a dry region, grows drought-resistant crops like barley, millet, and pulses.
• Eastern India (Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Assam):
  • This region is primarily focused on the cultivation of rice, jute, and vegetables.
  • West Bengal is one of the leading producers of rice and fish, while Assam is known for its tea cultivation.

Emerging Trends in India’s Cropping Pattern

• Diversification of Crops:
  • There is a trend toward diversifying crop production to reduce risks related to climate change, pests, and market fluctuations. For example, the adoption of oilseeds, pulses, and horticultural crops has been increasing.
• Shift towards High-Value Crops:
  • Due to changing dietary patterns and increased demand for processed food, there has been a rise in the cultivation of high-value crops like fruits, vegetables, and spices.
• Sustainable Agriculture Practices:
  • There is a growing emphasis on adopting sustainable farming techniques, including organic farming, integrated pest management (IPM), and water-efficient irrigation systems.
• Climate Change Impact:
  • Erratic weather patterns, such as delayed monsoons and irregular rainfall, are affecting traditional cropping patterns. There is a need for climate-resilient crops and improved farming practices to address these challenges.

Conclusion

• The cropping pattern of India is highly dynamic and dependent on a wide range of factors. From Kharif and Rabi crops to regional variations, the country’s agricultural landscape is shaped by its climatic diversity and economic demands.
• Understanding these patterns is crucial for formulating policies that can improve agricultural productivity, ensure food security, and promote sustainable farming practices.
• As India faces challenges like climate change and water scarcity, the need for innovative farming techniques and diversified cropping patterns becomes even more significant.

Prelims PYQs of Cropping Pattern in India

1. Consider the following crops :
   • Cotton
   • Groundnut
   • Rice
   • Wheat

Which of these are Kharif Crops? (2013)

a. 1 and 4

b. 2 and 3 only

c. 1,2 and 3

d. 2,3 and 4

Correct Answer : C. 1,2 and 3

2. With Reference to the pulse production in India, consider the following sentences:

1. Black Gram (Urad) can be cultivated as both rabi and kharif crop.
2. Green Gram (Moong) alone accounts for nearly half of pulse production in India
3. In the last three decades, while the production of Kharif Pulses has increased, the production of Rabi Pulses has decreased.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a. 1 only

b. 2 and 3 only

c. 1 and 3

d. 3 only

Correct Answer: a. 1 only

Main PYQs of Cropping Pattern

1. How has the emphasis on certain crops brought about changes in cropping patterns in recent past? Elaborate the emphasis on millets production and consumption. (2018)
2. What are the major reasons for declining rice and wheat yield in the cropping system? How crop diversification is helpful to stabilize the yield of the crop in the system? (2017)