India has its rich and diverse climatie position. This complex relation between climatic factors and crops is of quite high importance in assessing agricultural production and food security. In this blog, I shall elaborate on different climatic zones, major crop farming carried out in each zone and how climatic factors influence the agriculture practices. It is for students, farmer and all interested in the agricultural economy of India.
Climate of India
Table of Contents
Geographical diversity of India makes climatic conditions quite varied. The country may be divided into several climatic zones:
- Tropical Climate
The outstanding tropical climate exists in southern India and parts of the northeastern region. This zone possesses:
Extremely High Temperatures: Average temperatures are normally more than 30°C (86°F) during the summer season.
Heavy Rainfall: Heavy rainfall falls during June and September as the monsoon season, and it often exceeds 1,000 mm (39 inches) per year.
Important Crops:
Rice: The staple diet of the people of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu is rice. This tropical climate is suitable for the wet conditions which favor rice cultivation.
Coconut: The two significant coconut-producing states are Kerala and Karnataka. Besides being used as food items, coconuts are also widely used to be produced for oil.
Other local products are also spices: black pepper, cardamom, and turmeric. All these are sine qua non to Indian dishes .
- Subtropical Climate
Subtropical climate prevails in the northern regions. In this region, it can be noted that:
Hot Summers: It can reach as high as 104°F (40°C).
Cold Winters: It may sometimes drop down to 5°C (41°F).
This season provides maximum annual rainfall. It measures between 600 to 1,200 mm (24 to 47 inches).
Important Crops:
Wheat: This is the bread crop of the nation under Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Wheat crop prefers Rabi season as it is comparatively cooler.
Barley: It is grown mainly in Rajasthan and Punjab for both food and feed purposes.
Mustard: This is another important oilseed crop, and at the regional level, it assumes much greater importance in the northern Indian states, particularly in Rajasthan and Haryana. - Desert Climate
Hot Desert Climate:
The hot desert climate prevails mainly in the northwestern part of the country and mainly in Rajasthan. It is characterized by:
Very Hot Summers: Values exceeds 45°C or 113°F above .
Cool Winters: Winter season mainly has low temperature values bring about a radical difference of note.
Extremely Low Precipitation: The annual values are mostly below 250 mm or 10 inches with huge arid conditions.
Major Crops
Millets: Bajra or the pearl millet crop is a drought-resistant crop and is mainly cultivated in this climate.
Barley: It too does well in the region, but not as well as it does in regions which possess slightly better soil moisture.
Legumes: A few drought-resistant legumes like moong and gram can be raised in the climate. - Temperate Climate
This type of climate prevails in the hilly tracts of Western and Eastern Himalayas. It is marked with:
Cool Summers: Temperature varies between 15°C and 25°C or 59°F to 77°F.
Cold Winters: In upland areas, temperatures go below freezing point.
Ordinary Rainfall: Precipitation occurs during all seasons with some regions receiving heavy snowfall
Main Crops:
Apples and Stone Fruits: The fruits are mainly cultivated in the region of Himachal Pradesh as well as Jammu & Kashmir, and they prefer the conditions of temperate climatic conditions
Tea: The cool wet climatic condition of Assam and West Bengal is mainly favored for tea plantations.
Wheat and Barley: Some crops that can be grown at lower altitudes in the temperate region include: - Mountain Climate
Mountain climate lies at the highest altitude of the Himalayas with characteristic features as under:
Very Cold Temperature Average temperature may be less than 10°C (50°F) even in summer season.
Heavy Snowfall The area receives heavy fall of snow during winter.
Irregular Rainfall Some areas have heavy precipitation while others receive relatively dry.
Main Crops:
Potatoes: This thrives well with a cooler climate. It is cultivated at high altitudes of the Himalayas.
Barley and Oats: The other cereals too, like it to some extent, in the mountainous climate where temperatures drop naturally low.
Medicinal Herbs: Several medicinal plants and herbs thrive well in this kind of climate. Some of them have become critical contributors to the local economy.
Major Agricultural Seasons
Indian agriculture is to a large extent seasonal in nature. It can be mainly divided into two cropping seasons. Kharif and Rabi are the two major cropping seasons.
Kharif Season
Kharif season occurs during the monsoon season, southwest, which falls between June and the cutting in September or October. The defining features of this season are:
Planting: Kharif crops are planted at the start of the monsoon rains and are harvested through the abundant rainfall.
Main Crops:
Paddy: Paddy is one of the main kharif crops grown in the different states, such as West Bengal, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh.
Maize: It is grown in Karnataka and Bihar and is an important food and fodder crop.
Cotton: This cotton crop is widely grown in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Rabi Season
This Rabi season comes after the harvesting time of Kharif. This season is mostly fall during the period between October to March. The term cool weather is used for this season, as there is very little rainfall.
Sowing: After the monsoons, farmers sow Rabi crops in a cool climate
Main crops:
Wheat: It is one of the huge crops of the Rabi season. Wheat is cropped immensely in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
Mustard: It is ranked among the major oil-seed crops of the north Indian region.
Pulses: Sowing chickpeas and lentils is most commonly undertaken for the first time during this season.
Impact of Climate on Agriculture
Temperature
Temperature is the first thing upon which the development and yield of crops relies. There are many crops that require
Kharif Crops: Crops such as rice require high temperature along with average moisture level.
Rabi Crops: During the Rabi season, it is a cold climate favoring the cultivation of crops like wheat and barley.
Rainfall
Rainfall is what Indian agriculture survives through. Many areas in India feed their economy through rain from the monsoon season. Even rice and other crops grown in the Kharif season need ideal rain during their specific crop time.
Winter Rainfall: Where a crop of Rabi is sown, winter rain will nourish those crops like wheat and mustard.
Humidity
Humidity can affect crop health:
High Humidity: While sowing at Kharif, very high humidity will increase the growth of some crops but increase the risk of fungal diseases.
Low Humidity: Places which it is believed that face low humidity, like dry districts, face water stress in crops which reduces their yields.
Soil Type
Indian has differential soils from region to region, and hence Indian agriculture differs in many ways:
Alluvial Soil: The fertile alluvial soil of the Indo-Gangetic plain makes it amenable to cultivation into rice and wheat.
Black Soil: Black soil retains more water, making it a better soil for cotton cultivation.
Desert Soil: Poor in nutrients, desert soil is mainly suitable for drought-resistant crops like millet.
Crop Diversification
Crop diversification is another valuable practice that Indian agriculture has undertaken. Crop diversity helps the farmer with the following:
Crop diversification does away with the risk of total crop loss due to vagaries of weather or pests.
Soil Fertility: Most crops increase the soil’s fertility and therefore application of chemical fertilizers decreases.
Higher Income: Production of other crops creates diversified incomes for farmers during different months of a year.
Final Thoughts
India’s climate and agricultural practices go hand in hand, leading to a highly varied choice of crops grown in the country. The different climatic zones support different crops; hence India can be one of the largest agricultural producers in the world. The relationship between climate and crops is very important to students and eventual heads of an agricultural department.
Although we have recognized the impacts of climatic change on farmlands, this scenario shows us how fragile nature is in balancing farming with its processes. We have learned about the knowledge that takes on a basis in cultivating sustainable agriculture in the face of food insecurity in a world full of changes. As such, even as India continues to battle challenges of global climatic change and water lack, the understanding of the basics of climate and crops shall be the determinants for resilience in agriculture in the years.
Also Visit: Weather and Climate Of Jammu And Kashmir
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Mukal Katha is a dedicated and highly experienced professional teacher specializing in competitive exam preparation. With a deep expertise in current affairs and notes analysis, he has been guiding aspirants with his practical approach and insightful teaching methods. Known for simplifying complex topics and providing crisp, exam-focused content, Mukal Katha ensures that students are well-prepared to tackle any challenge in their exams. His commitment to excellence and passion for teaching make him a trusted mentor for those aiming to achieve their goals.
