Types of Farming

In India, farming is categorised based on the moisture available for crops:

Irrigated Farming: This type of farming relies on irrigation methods such as wells and tubewells to provide moisture for crops. It can be further classified into protective and productive farming.

Rainfed Farming (Barani): Rainfed farming depends solely on rainfall for moisture. It includes dryland farming, suitable for regions with less than 75 cm of rainfall, where crops like ragi, bajra, moong, gram, and guar are grown.

Conversely, wetland farming occurs in regions with excess rainfall, leading to potential flood and soil erosion hazards. Such areas cultivate water-intensive crops like rice, jute, and sugarcane.

Cropping Pattern

Food grains: Food grains, which make up about two-thirds of the total cropped area in India, are classified based on grain structure:

Cereals: India ranks third in cereal production globally, covering around 54% of the total cropped area. Major cereals include:

• Rice: An essential crop feeding over half of India’s population, with significant production in states like West Bengal, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh.

• Wheat: Cultivated mainly in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, Malwa Plateau, and the Himalayas, with major producers being Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana.

Coarse Grains: Grown in approximately 16.50% of the total cropped area, coarse grains include:

• Jowar/Sorghum: Maharashtra is the largest producer of Jowar, with significant cultivation in central and southern states like Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh.

• Bajra: Major producers include Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh.

• Maize: Grown widely across India, except for eastern and northeastern regions, with leading producers including Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.

Pulses: Cultivated in about 11% of the total cropped area, pulses are largely grown in dryland regions like the Deccan and Central plateaus, with major varieties including gram and tur (arhar).

Oilseeds: Grown in approximately 14% of the total cropped area, oilseeds include groundnut, rapeseed, mustard, soybean, and sunflower. Leading producers are found in regions like the Malwa Plateau, Maharashtra, and Telangana.

Fibre Crops: These crops provide fibers for cloth-making and include:

• Cotton: India ranks fourth globally in cotton production, with major producers in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh.

• Jute: West Bengal accounts for the majority of India’s jute production.

Other Crops:

• Sugarcane: An important cash crop grown primarily in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.
• Tea: Assam is the largest producer of tea in India, followed by West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
• Coffee: Karnataka is the largest producer of coffee in India, accounting for over 66% of the country’s total coffee production.

Class 12 Geography Notes Chapter 3 ( Land Resouces and Agriculture ): CBSE Class 12 Geography Notes are essential for students studying Social Science, as Geography is a crucial sub-subject that requires properly written answers.

These notes, made by subject experts, make it easier for students to learn about how societies work and why people do what they do.

By reading these notes, students can get a better grasp of how societies are organized and why people act the way they do. They’re especially useful for class 12 students who want to learn more about the land.