Food Crops
Rice
- Kharif, a tropical crop needing high temperature (above 25°C) and rain above 100 cm. India is the second largest producer after China and the largest exporter.
- Leading states: West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Bihar, Chhattisgarh (production rank varies by year).
- Punjab and Haryana produce rice with irrigation.
- Basmati: Punjab, Haryana, western UP, Uttarakhand, J&K. Rice Research Institute: Cuttack (National Rice Research Institute) and the International Rice Research Institute, Manila.
Wheat
- Rabi crop of temperate regions, needing 10-15°C in sowing and 21-26°C in ripening; rain 50-75 cm.
- India is the second largest producer after China.
- Leading states: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Bihar.
- Varieties from the Green Revolution (Sonalika, Kalyan Sona; Lerma Rojo from Mexico).
- Wheat-rice rotation in the Indo-Gangetic plain.
Millets (Nutri-cereals)
| Crop | Key states | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jowar (sorghum) | Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan | Rain-fed; food and fodder |
| Bajra (pearl millet) | Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat | Sandy soil, low rainfall |
| Ragi (finger millet) | Karnataka (leader), Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand | Rich in calcium |
| Maize | Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Tamil Nadu | Food, fodder, ethanol feed |
- 2023 was the International Year of Millets (India proposed it). Shree Anna is the Indian name.
Pulses
- India is the largest producer and consumer of pulses. Major: gram (Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra), tur or arhar (Maharashtra, Karnataka), moong, urad, masoor, peas.
- Pulses fix nitrogen and are grown in rotation. National Mission on Pulses (2024-25 to 2030-31) aims at self-sufficiency (check details).
Oilseeds
| Crop | Season | Leading states |
|---|---|---|
| Groundnut | Kharif | Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Andhra |
| Mustard and rapeseed | Rabi | Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, UP |
| Soybean | Kharif | Madhya Pradesh (the "soya state"), Maharashtra, Rajasthan |
| Sunflower | Both | Karnataka, Andhra, Maharashtra |
| Sesamum (til) | Kharif | Gujarat, Rajasthan, West Bengal |
| Linseed | Rabi | Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh |
| Coconut (plantation oilseed) | Perennial | Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra |
| Oil palm | Perennial | Andhra, Mizoram; National Mission on Edible Oils - Oil Palm (2021) |
- India imports a large share of edible oil and is the biggest importer of vegetable oils.
Keep practising
Notes are only half the work. Test yourself with questions and discuss doubts with other aspirants.
Prepared for exam revision from NCERT, standard geography textbooks, the Census of India 2011, the India State of Forest Report, IMD, Ministry of Agriculture and other official sources. Maps are schematic teaching maps, not Survey of India maps, and zone boundaries are approximate. Figures such as production, capacity, counts of parks and ports, and census status change, so check the latest official source before relying on them. Found a mistake? Tell us.