MAJOR CROPS IN INDIA- AN OVERVIEW
CASH CROPS
A cash crop is an agricultural crop which is mainly grown to sell for profit. It is also called profit crop. Such crops are marketed crops and are not subsistence crops. For example- spices, tobacco etc.
Read more…CASH CROPS-DEFINITION & EXAMPLE
SUBSISTENCE CROPS
Such crops are those fed to the producer’s/ farmer’s own livestock or grown as food for the producer’s/ farmer’s family.
Read also…SUBSISTENCE FARMING-HISTORY & TYPES
PLANTATION CROPS
Such crops are cultivated on an extensive scale in connected area owned and managed by an individual or a company. Such crops have greater economic importance and play a vital role in improving Indian economy. For example- Rubber, coffee etc.
FOOD CROPS
Food crops contribute to the world’s major food supply. Food crops consist of cereals, legumes, vegetables, seeds and nuts, fruits, herbs and spices, beverage plants like tea, coffee.
HORTICULTURE CROPS
Horticultural crops include vegetables, fruits, aromatic and medicinal foliage, flowers and ornamental plants, trees, shrubs etc.
FODDER CROPS
Such crops are cultivated primarily for animal feed. However, natural grasslands and pastures are also used to feed animals and broadly comes under fodder crops. Major fodder crops in India are Berseem, lucerne (Alfalfa) etc.
IMPORTANT MAJOR CROPS IN INDIA
Categories Crops Cash Crops Spices, Tobacco, Cotton, Oilseeds Plantation Crops Rubber, Coffee, Coconut, Tea, Arecanut, Cashewnut, Cocoa. Food Crops Rice, Wheat, Maize, Pulses, Millets. Horticultural Crops Vegetables, fruits, aromatic and medicinal foliage, flowers and ornamental plants, trees, shrubs. Fodder Crops Berseem, Lucerne, Lucerne, Jowar/Chari, Bajra, Makka, Lobia, Guar, Jai (Oat)
CROPS ACCORDING TO SEASON
Kharif and Rabi are two important seasons in India based on their importance, cultivation, production, consumption and monsoon available. However, according to seasons prevalent in India there are total three seasons viz. Kharif, Rabi and Zaid. Major crops of each season are listed below.
Kharif Crops Cereals like Rice, Sorghum, Maize, Pearl millets. Tea, Rubber, Coffee, Guar, Sesame, Arhar, Soyabean, Cotton, Oilseeds etc. Rabi Crops Cereals like Wheat, Oat, Barley, Pulses, Oilseeds, Linseed, Alfalfa etc. Zaid Crops Seasonal fruits and vegetables like watermelon, Muskmelon, Cucumber, Bitter gourd, Pumpkin, Fodder crops etc.
See also…
TYPES OF FARMING- SYSTEM OF FARMING
INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEM
WHAT IS ORGANIC FARMING- KEY FEATURES
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE-DEFINITION & IMPORTANCE
FACTORS AFFECTING CROP PRODUCTION
FARM MANAGEMENT- DEFINITION & OBJECTIVES
AGROFORESTRY- FEATURE,TYPES & BENEFITS