Agricultural Regions of India

India, a vast country with diverse geographical conditions, exhibits regional variations in agriculture. Agricultural regions are defined by factors such as relief, soil type, climatic conditions, farming practices, crops produced, and crop associations. Various scholars have made significant contributions to delineating the agricultural regions of India. In this article, we will explore the agricultural regions of India, highlighting their distinctive characteristics, crops grown, and key geographical locations.

Rice-Jute-Tea Region

This extensive region encompasses lowlands, valleys, and river deltas in several states, including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Orissa, northern and eastern Bihar, parts of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, and the Tarai region of Uttar Pradesh. Key features of this region are:

• Annual rainfall ranging from 180 to 250 cm.
• Predominant crop: Rice, owing to fertile alluvial soils, abundant rainfall, and high summer temperatures.
• Jute cultivation mainly concentrated in the Hugli basin of West Bengal, but expanding to Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Orissa, and the Tarai region of Uttar Pradesh.
• Tea cultivation mainly found in Assam, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri areas of West Bengal, and Tripura.
• Other crops: Sugarcane and tobacco (in Bihar), coconut (in coastal areas), mango, pineapple, betel leaves, bananas, jackfruits, and oranges (fruit crops).

Wheat-Sugarcane Region

This region encompasses Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, western Madhya Pradesh, and northeastern Rajasthan. Key features include:

• Rich fertile alluvial soils, with some parts having black and red soils.
• Moderate rainfall, with a significant contribution from southwest monsoons in summer and western disturbances in winter.
• Wheat and sugarcane dominate the agricultural landscape in this region.
• Major wheat belt covering Punjab, Haryana, Ganga-Yamuna doab of Uttar Pradesh, and northeastern Rajasthan.
• Sugarcane primarily grown in Uttar Pradesh and contiguous parts of Bihar.
• Other important crops: Rice, pulses, and maize.

Cotton Region

This region encompasses the black cotton soil area of the Deccan plateau, with rainfall ranging from 75 to 100 cm. Key features include:

• Cotton is the primary crop, but other crops like jowar, bajra, gram, sugarcane, and wheat are also cultivated.
• Suitable climatic conditions and black cotton soils make it conducive for cotton cultivation.

Maize and Coarse Crops Region

This region includes western Rajasthan and northern Gujarat, characterized by scanty rainfall (below 50 cm). Key features include:

• Agriculture heavily relies on irrigation due to low rainfall.
• Maize primarily grown in the Mewar plateau, along with wheat and ragi.
• Rice, cotton, and sugarcane grown in the southern part.
• Bajra and pulses cultivated throughout the region.

Millets and Oil Seeds Region

This region comprises areas with poor soils and broken topography in the Karnataka plateau, parts of Tamil Nadu, southern Andhra Pradesh, and eastern Kerala. Key features include:

• Rainfall ranging from 75 to 125 cm.
• Millets such as bajra, ragi, and jowar grown extensively.
• Oilseeds, including groundnut and castor, are major crops.
• Pulses and important fruit crops like mangoes and bananas are also grown.

Fruits and Vegetable Region

This region extends from Kashmir Valley in the west to Assam in the east. Key features include:

• Varied rainfall patterns, ranging from 60 cm in the west to 200 cm in the east.
• Prominent fruit crops include apple, peach, cherries, plum, and apricot in the west, while oranges are important in the east.
• Other crops: Rice, maize, ragi, potatoes, chilies, and vegetables.

Table: Summary of Agricultural Regions in India

India’s diverse geographical conditions give rise to distinct agricultural regions with varying crops, climatic conditions, and farming practices. Understanding these agricultural regions helps in formulating appropriate strategies for sustainable agricultural development. The delineation of these regions assists policymakers, researchers, and farmers in making informed decisions to optimize agricultural productivity and promote regional economic growth.