Chapter: 06. Major Crops
Learning Outcomes
After studying this chapter, you will be able to:
Locate major crop regions of the world. Differentiate between food and cash crops. Relate agricultural development to the economy of a country. Discuss agriculture in the context of India, a land of farmers. Discuss how the Green Revolution has helped in agricultural development. Have you ever wondered where your evening tea and coffee come from? These are just two examples of cultivated plants that farmers grow. Crops are essentially cultivated plants, mainly grains that people eat, but they also include vegetables and fruits. In this chapter, we will dive into two main types of crops: food crops and cash crops.
Did you know that agriculture is the primary way more than 50% of Asia’s population earn their livelihood? It’s a huge part of life for many people!
FOOD CROPS
Food crops are those grown primarily to provide food for people. They are essential for human survival.
Cereals: Rice, wheat, maize, barley. Millets: Jowar, ragi, bajra. Pulses (Dal): Gram, tur, moong, masur. Spices: Cardamom, pepper, ginger, chillies. Rice and wheat are the most widely grown food crops globally. Crop Growing Seasons in India
In India, food crops are categorized based on the season they are grown in. There are three main growing seasons:
Growing Season: From July (when rains begin) to November (harvested when dry). Main Season: Rainy season (June to October). Examples: Rice, maize, jute, cotton, pulses, millets, turmeric, groundnuts, sugar cane, soybean. Growing Season: Winter crop, grown in October and November. Harvesting Time: Around February and March. Examples: Wheat, barley, peas, sesame, mustard. Growing Season: From March to June. Vegetables: Bitter gourd, sweet potatoes, yams, pumpkins. Fruits: Watermelon, musk melon, pineapples, grapes, litchis. Quick Facts: Fodder Crops
Besides food and cash crops, there is a third type called fodder crops. These crops are mainly grown for feeding and fattening livestock (farm animals). Examples of fodder crops include maize and oats.
Rice
Rice is a staple food for over 50% of the world’s population. It is a great source of carbohydrates, which provide the body with energy.
Temperature: Needs temperatures between $20^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ to $30^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$. Rainfall: Requires a good amount, about $150-200 \mathrm{~cm}$. Soil: Best in fertile, clayey soil that retains water, such as deep fertile clayey and loamy soil. It thrives in alluvial soil along river banks. Region: Can be grown in both tropical and temperate regions. Rice is India’s most important crop. Gangetic Plains (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Sunderbans in West Bengal). Brahmaputra Plains in Assam. Eastern coastal regions (Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu). Western coastal plains (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala). Central states (Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh). Punjab and Haryana in the north. Other Countries: China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Brazil, Japan, Argentina. Largest Producers: China is the world’s largest, followed by India.
Wheat
Wheat is a cereal crop belonging to the grass family. It grows well in temperate regions.
Sowing (winter months): Around $10^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ to $15^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$. Ripening: Warm, sunny temperature between $20^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ and $25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$. Vulnerable to climate change (e.g., low moisture in Oct, high temp in Feb). Rainfall: About 50 to 100 cm during the growing season. Ideal: Around 80 cm annual rainfall. Vulnerable to frost or hailstorm at ripening. Soil: Well-drained alluvial soil, loams, and clay loams are best. In 2021, India was the world’s second-largest wheat-producing country (after China). Most important food crop in North India, a basic diet. Second only to rice in India. Uttar Pradesh (leading producer). Punjab and Haryana (together with UP, produce ~60% of total wheat). Other states/UTs: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal (small amounts). Other Countries: USA, Russia, France, Canada, Australia, Germany, Pakistan, Ukraine, Argentina, Chile. Largest Exporters: USA and Canada. Cultivation in countries like USA, Canada, Russia, and Australia is often scientific and highly mechanized. CASH CROPS
Cash crops are grown primarily for cash or for commercial purposes. These crops are sold in the market to earn profits, enabling farmers to make more money, unlike food crops which are meant to feed the farmer, family, and livestock.
Oilseeds: Mustard, groundnut, soybean, canola/rapeseed, sunflower, linseed, coconut. Fibre crops: Cotton, jute.
Sugar Cane
Sugar cane is a popular kharif crop grown in tropical and subtropical parts of the world. Like wheat, it belongs to the grass family.
Stalks grow from 2m to 6m in height. Stalks are strong, jointed, and fibrous. Juice can be extracted directly (e.g., vendors in India). By-products: Molasses, ethanol (for fuel and industrial alcohol). Crushed fibre (bagasse) is used for paper and fibre boards. Most popular planting method is stem cutting (at least one bud). Temperature: Hot and humid climate, average $21^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ to $27^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$. (Kharif crop). Rainfall: 75 cm to 150 cm per annum. Irrigation needed in drier areas. Soil: Alluvial soil; lava soil of the Deccan in India is well known for it. India is the second-largest sugar cane producer globally (after Brazil). In India, two distinct belts: Northern Belt: Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar. Southern Belt: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh. Other Countries: European Union, China, Thailand, Pakistan, Mexico, Indonesia. Ratooning: A practice of harvesting monocot crops (like sugar cane) by cutting the plant just above ground, leaving roots intact for a fresh crop. The word likely comes from ‘retonsus’ meaning ‘to cut down’. Uttar Pradesh is the number one producer of sugar cane in India, followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. In 2022, India emerged as the world’s largest producer and consumer of sugar, and the second-largest exporter. The success of India’s sugar industry is due to combined efforts of Central/State Governments, farmers, sugar mills, ethanol distilleries, and other industries.
Cotton
Cotton is the most important of all fibres used globally. India is often called the ‘birthplace of cotton’, with cultivation beginning around 3000 BCE in the Indus Valley Civilization.
Comes from Arabic word ‘koton’ (fine fabric). Egyptian cotton has the longest fibre length (7.4 inches). Absorbs plenty of water; gets stronger when wet. Cotton seeds are used for animal feed, edible oil, and in pharmaceuticals. Temperature: In India, it’s a kharif crop requiring uniformly high temperature from $21^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ to $30^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$. Day temperature above $26^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ helps ripening and boll bursting. Rainfall: About 50 to 80 cm of well-distributed rainfall. Soil: Grown in black, clayey lava soil in India, which was formed from volcanic ash. Ideal due to high clay content and good water retention. Leading states in India: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan. World’s largest cotton-producing countries (2021-22): China, India, USA, Brazil, Pakistan, Australia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Argentina, Mali. (India was largest producer in 2022, followed by China and USA).
Jute
Jute is a long, soft vegetable fibre that can be spun into strong but coarse threads. It’s the most affordable natural fibre, used for many useful products. It’s also known as the ‘golden fibre’ due to its shiny golden color.
In use in India, Middle East, Egypt since 800 BCE. Low cost, strength, lustre, and uniformity make it high in demand. Uses: Ropes, curtains, carpets, sacks, sturdy and safe packaging material. Undergoes processes like spinning, weaving, bleaching, dyeing, finishing. Conditions for Growth (Kharif crop): Temperature: Hot and humid climate, $24^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ to $35^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$. Humidity: Must be around 80-90%. Rainfall: Heavy rainfall (>15 cm) and lots of water needed during growing and harvesting. Soil: Alluvial soil in flood plains and deltas (e.g., Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta of India and Bangladesh). Clayey soil gives the heaviest yield. India is the largest producer of jute in the world, followed by Bangladesh. Other producing countries: China, Uzbekistan, Nepal, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Brazil, Vietnam, Myanmar. In India: Mostly confined to eastern states. West Bengal (largest jute-producing state in area and production). Other important states: Bihar, Assam, Odisha. Knowledge of India: Jute Industry
The jute industry is one of India’s oldest, with trade in this versatile fibre for hundreds of years. Millions of people in West Bengal, Bihar, and Assam are engaged in jute cultivation and trade. Jute Production: India ranks first globally. Fibre produced from the jute plant’s stem and ribbon (outer skin). Jute Export: High demand for jute products outside India. In 2022, India exported jute products valued at over ₹37,000 million. Specialty: Jute is biodegradable and environmental-friendly. Its shiny appearance gives it the name ‘golden fibre’. PLANTATION CROPS
A plantation is a very large area of agricultural land where cash crops are grown on a very large scale. These cash crops are specifically called plantation crops.
Examples: Tea, coffee, and rubber.
Tea
Tea is the most common beverage in the world, considered a very important health drink and stimulant (energizes your body).
Beverage prepared from leaves plucked carefully from bushes. Cultivation is labour intensive. Can grow on mountain slopes or flat land, but best on hilly regions where water doesn’t stagnate. Temperature: Moderately hot and humid climate. $21^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ to $31^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ is good. Above $32^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ is unfavorable for photosynthesis. Rainfall: 150 cm to 200 cm of rain required; water must not be stagnant and must drain out. Shade: Ample shade from trees in the plantation is required for bushes. Soil: Must be well-drained and rich in humus and organic matter. Drought: Lack of rain or drought affects quality and flavour. Largest tea-producing nations (2022): China, India, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, Iran, Argentina. In India: Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala. Other regions: Sikkim, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Kangra hills (northern India). Finest quality tea: Hill slopes of Darjiling in West Bengal. Both Chinese and Indian tea are famous for aroma and quality. Did You Know?
Tea is the world’s most popular drink, after water! It is believed to have originated in north-east India, north Myanmar (Burma), and south-west China, though the exact location is unknown. There’s evidence of tea consumption in China about 5,000 years ago. For some, tea is not just a drink, but a part of their culture and tradition.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Goal 5: Gender Equality
The tea plantation industry employs over 50% female workers. They perform physically demanding and sometimes dangerous tasks, including carrying heavy loads on uneven terrain in adverse weather. These workers often live in areas prone to infections and waterborne diseases. The labour-intensive nature of tea-leaf plucking consistently maintains high female workforce participation.
To address these challenges:
The Assam government has implemented a minimum wage policy for tea plantation laborers. Collaborations with multiple NGOs offer healthcare services and educational opportunities. National initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan aim to provide housing and sanitation facilities for all citizens.
Coffee
Coffee is made from roasted seeds, called coffee beans, which grow on coffee trees. It’s a tropical and subtropical plant that thrives on hill slopes.
Types: There are four types: Arabica, Robusta, Excelsa, and Liberica. India produces Arabica and Robusta. Arabica is the most popular and widely consumed. Altitude: Tropical coffee grows best between 1,200m and 2,000m. Subtropical coffee grows best at altitudes between 600m and 1,200m. Sensitivity: Sensitive to frost and direct heat; grows well in the shade of evergreen trees. Temperature: Hot and humid climate, average $15^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ and $28^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$. Must not exceed $30^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$. Rainfall: Between 150 cm and 200 cm. Shade: Generally grown under large shady trees as strong, direct sun is not good. Soil: Loamy and well-drained, containing plenty of iron and calcium. Slopes: Grown on slopes, like tea, so water doesn’t stagnate. Dry Weather: Required at the time for berries to ripen. Labour: Well-trained, skilled, and cheap labour needed for plucking, sowing, weeding, pruning, packaging, and handling. Coffee is the beverage second in popularity to tea, consumed worldwide. World’s largest producers: Brazil (largest), followed by Vietnam, Indonesia, and Colombia. India is the fifth-largest producer. 
Self Study
