Question

Name the important food crops in India.

Answer 1

Hint: India has a varied climate and hence different varieties of crops are also grown here. India produces food crops in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, the northern states as well as in drier climatic regions.

Step by step answer:
The word ‘food crops’ refers to the major plant-based food supply in the world; a crop assumes human interference by agriculture. Food crops mainly consist of grains, legumes (including dried beans), seeds and nuts, berries, fruit, herbs, spices, tea and coffee beverage plants, etc. Here are a few food crops that are grown in India.

Grains:
Rice: It is the staple food crop of most of India's population. After China, India is the second-largest rice producer in the world. It is a Kharif crop that needs high temperatures (above 25°C) and high humidity with annual precipitation greater than 100 cm. It grows with the aid of irrigation in areas with lower rainfall. Rice is grown in the plains, coastal areas, and delta regions of northern and north-eastern India. In less rainy areas such as Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Rajasthan, the construction of a dense canal irrigation network and tube wells have made it possible to grow rice.

Wheat: This is the second most significant crop of cereals. In the north and north-west of the country, it is the primary food crop. A cool growing season and bright sunshine at the time of ripening are needed for this rabi crop. It needs 50 to 75 cm of uniformly distributed annual rainfall over the growing season. The Ganga-Sutlej plains in the northwest and the black soil area of the Deccan are two significant wheat-growing zones in the country. Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, and parts of Madhya Pradesh are the main wheat-producing states.

Millets: The essential millets grown in India are Jowar, Bajra, and Ragi. While these are known as coarse grains, their nutritional value is very high. Ragi is very rich in iron, calcium, other micronutrients, and roughage, for instance. With respect to area and development, Jowar is the third most significant food crop. It is a rain-fed crop that is primarily grown in moist areas and seldom needs irrigation. The largest producer of jowar is Maharashtra followed by Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.

Maize: It is a crop that is both used as food and as fodder. It is a Kharif crop that needs between 21°C and 27°C temperature and grows well in old alluvial soil. In some states, such as Bihar, maize is also grown in the rabi season. Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh are major maize-producing states.

Pulses: India is the world's biggest producer and consumer of pulses. In a vegetarian area, these are the primary source of protein. Tur (arhar), urad, moong, masur, peas, and gram are the major pulses grown in India. Pulses require less moisture and, even under dry conditions, thrive. All these crops except arhar, being leguminous crops, help to restore soil fertility by fixing nitrogen from the air. These are, therefore, mostly grown with other crops in rotation. In India, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Karnataka are major pulse-producing states.

Sugarcane: It is both a tropical crop and a subtropical one. With a temperature of 21°C to 27°C and an annual rainfall of 75 cm, it grows well in hot and humid climates. In regions of low rainfall, irrigation is required. It can be grown on a variety of soils and, from sowing to harvesting, requires manual labor. India, after Brazil, is only the second-largest producer of sugarcane. It is the primary source of sugar, molasses, Khansari, and gur (jaggery). Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, and Haryana are the principal sugarcane-producing states.

Note Tea and coffee are beverages that are also grown in India. India is the world's largest producer of fruits and vegetables. Tea is mostly grown in parts of West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Coffee is majorly grown in Nilgiris in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.