Question

What are different cropping seasons in India? Explain with at least two examples from each.

Answer 1

Hint: Cropping seasons are the seasons in which a particular crop is grown. Agriculture and cropping provides a major source of raw materials for people and fodder for animals. The food crops are cultivated in 2/3 rd of total cropped area.

Complete answer:
The major cropping seasons of India are:
Kharif Crops: In this season the monsoon crops are cultivated and harvested which starts from june and ends in October in India. These types of crops require a lot of water.
Kharif crops depend both on the quantity and timing of rainwater. Too much too little or rain at the wrong time will make the efforts of the whole year wasteful.
Examples: Rice, tea and coffee.
Rabi Crops: In this season the crops are cultivated in between October and November and harvested in the month of February to April. These types of crops require less amount of water and need cold weather.
Examples: Wheats, oat and barley.
Zaid Crops: In this season the crops are cultivated in between March and June which is between Kharif and Rabi cropping season. These types of crops require warm and dry weather and a longer day length for flowering.
In comparison to the rabi crops grown during the dry season, the Kharif crops stand out.
Examples: Seasonal fruits and vegetables like cucumber, pumpkin and bitter gourd.

Note:
Agriculture is very important in India and in its geography and 49% of the population of India is dependent on agriculture.It also contributes to the distribution of income and 14% of the GDP to the country. In the total geographical area 141 million hectares is net sown area and 195 million hectares is the gross sown cropped area.