Question

What are crops? Give three examples.

Answer 1

Hint: A crop is a plant grown and harvested over a large scale. They are sold commercially. Crops are cultivated either in agricultural fields or in aquaculture. They are cultivated for domestic purposes mostly, as food supplies for humans as well as animals.

Complete answer:
India is one of the leading countries in production of crops, being the largest producer of mangoes and bananas, and second largest producer of rice and wheat. As crops are traded commercially, they are grown on a large scale extensively for profit.

Some examples of crops are Rice, Wheat and Maize. Rice is a staple food that grows in areas with high rainfall. At least 100 cm of rainfall and an average of 25° C temperature are required for cultivation of rice.

Wheat is also a staple food. It requires a cold season for its growth (14-18° C) and a rainfall of 50-80cm.
Maize is grown for more than 10% of total crop cultivation in India. Its cultivation requires a rainfall in the range of 50-75 cm and temperature in the range of 21-27° C.

There are two main types of crops grown in India:
i) Rabi crop – Rabi crops are harvested in the spring season. Rabi season is from November to April. Major Rabi crops are wheat, peas, mustard, etc.
ii) Kharif crop – Kharif crop is harvested during autumn or winter season and is cultivated during monsoon season. Kharif season is from June to September. Major Kharif crops are rice, bajra, and maize.

Note: Crops are grown for purposes other than food. It includes crops of horticulture, floriculture, etc. Horticulture is the production of crops for their fruits. Floriculture is the cultivation of plants for their flowers. Crops are also grown for obtaining fibres (used for making clothes), medicines, fuel, etc.