Agriculture: Types and Distribution in India for UPSC Prelims
1. Introduction to Indian Agriculture
Agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy, contributing ~18% to GDP and employing 54.6% of workforce (2021-22). India ranks 2nd worldwide in agricultural output and is the largest producer of many crops including spices, pulses, milk, and jute.
Key Facts
- Total Cultivable Area: 155.7 million hectares (2022)
- Irrigated Area: 48% of net sown area
- Major Crops: Rice, wheat, pulses, cotton, sugarcane
- Agricultural Seasons: Kharif, Rabi, Zaid
Important Facts for UPSC
- India has 15 agro-climatic zones (Planning Commission classification).
- Net Sown Area is 140.1 million ha (42.4% of total geographical area).
- Agriculture sector grew at 3.9% in 2021-22 (Economic Survey 2022-23).
2. Classification of Agriculture
Based on Scale and Purpose
| Type |
Characteristics |
Regions in India |
| Subsistence |
Small landholdings, family labor, food crops |
Eastern UP, Bihar, Odisha |
| Commercial |
Market-oriented, high inputs, cash crops |
Punjab, Haryana, W. UP |
| Plantation |
Single crop, large estates, export-oriented |
Kerala, Karnataka, Assam |
Based on Technological Input
- Primitive: Shifting cultivation (NE India)
- Traditional: Bullock plough, organic manure
- Modern: HYV seeds, irrigation, mechanization
- Precision: GPS, sensors, data analytics
Important Facts for UPSC
- Shifting cultivation is called Jhum in NE, Podu in Andhra, Bewar in MP.
- India has 86% small and marginal farmers (<2ha landholding).
- Contract farming is growing under APMC reforms.
3. Subsistence Farming
Characteristics
- Small landholdings (1-2 hectares)
- Family labor dominates
- Low capital investment
- Mixed cropping for risk minimization
- Dependence on monsoon
Types of Subsistence Farming
| Type |
Features |
Regions |
| Primitive |
Shifting cultivation, slash-and-burn |
NE States, Odisha, AP |
| Intensive |
High labor input, multiple cropping |
Eastern UP, Bihar, WB |
Important Facts for UPSC
- Subsistence farming accounts for ~60% of Indian farming.
- Average landholding size decreased to 1.08 ha (2015-16).
- Rainfed agriculture covers 55% of net sown area.
4. Commercial Farming
Features
- Large landholdings
- Capital-intensive with modern inputs
- Market-oriented production
- Use of machinery and hired labor
- Specialization in single crops
Major Commercial Crops
| Crop |
Major Producing States |
% of World Production |
| Cotton |
Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana |
23% (Largest producer) |
| Sugarcane |
UP, Maharashtra, Karnataka |
19% (2nd largest) |
| Groundnut |
Gujarat, Rajasthan, AP |
13% (2nd largest) |
Important Facts for UPSC
- Green Revolution areas (Punjab, Haryana, W. UP) are commercial farming hubs.
- Contract farming is promoted through Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement Act, 2020.
- India is the 2nd largest fruit and vegetable producer after China.
5. Plantation Agriculture
Characteristics
- Large estates (40-100 hectares)
- Single crop specialization
- Capital and labor intensive
- Processing units near farms
- Export-oriented production
Major Plantation Crops
| Crop |
Major Producing States |
India's Rank |
| Tea |
Assam, WB, Tamil Nadu |
2nd (after China) |
| Coffee |
Karnataka, Kerala, TN |
6th |
| Rubber |
Kerala, Tamil Nadu |
6th |
| Spices |
Kerala, Karnataka |
Largest producer |
Important Facts for UPSC
- India accounts for 27% of global tea production.
- Kerala produces 92% of India's natural rubber.
- Plantation crops cover 1.8% of total cropped area but contribute 15% to agri-exports.
6. Specialized Farming Systems
Unique Agricultural Practices
| System |
Description |
Regions |
| Organic Farming |
No synthetic inputs, natural fertilizers |
Sikkim (100% organic), MP, Rajasthan |
| Hydroponics |
Soil-less cultivation in nutrient solutions |
Urban areas (Bengaluru, Pune) |
| Vertical Farming |
Stacked layers in controlled environment |
Metro cities (Delhi, Mumbai) |
| ZBNF |
Zero Budget Natural Farming |
Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka |
Traditional Systems
- Zabo: Terrace cultivation with fish ponds (Nagaland)
- Karewa: Lacustrine deposits cultivation (Kashmir)
- Pokkali: Rice-prawn rotation (Kerala)
- Kuttanad: Below sea level farming (Kerala)
Important Facts for UPSC
- Sikkim became India's first 100% organic state in 2016.
- ZBNF aims to reduce input costs and improve soil health.
- Kuttanad is the only region in India farming below sea level.
7. Cropping Patterns in India
Agricultural Seasons
| Season |
Period |
Major Crops |
% of Production |
| Kharif |
Jun-Oct (SW Monsoon) |
Rice, Cotton, Maize |
51% |
| Rabi |
Nov-Apr (Winter) |
Wheat, Mustard, Gram |
43% |
| Zaid |
Mar-Jun (Summer) |
Watermelon, Cucumber |
6% |
Cropping Systems
- Monoculture: Single crop year-round (Plantations)
- Mixed Cropping: Growing 2+ crops simultaneously (Subsistence)
- Intercropping: Growing 2+ crops in definite pattern
- Crop Rotation: Sequential growing of different crops
Important Facts for UPSC
- Rice-Wheat system covers 10.5 million ha (Punjab to Bihar).
- Multiple Cropping Index (MCI) is highest in Punjab (190%).
- India's cropping intensity is 142% (2020-21).
8. Regional Distribution of Crops
Food Crops
| Crop |
Major Producing States |
Climate Requirement |
| Rice |
WB, UP, Punjab |
High temp (25°C), >100cm rain |
| Wheat |
UP, Punjab, MP |
Cool growing, 50-75cm rain |
| Millets |
Rajasthan, Karnataka |
Hot & dry, <50cm rain |
Cash Crops
| Crop |
Major Producing States |
Soil Type |
| Sugarcane |
UP, Maharashtra |
Alluvial, black |
| Cotton |
Gujarat, Maharashtra |
Black soil (regur) |
| Jute |
WB, Bihar, Assam |
Alluvial (deltaic) |
Important Facts for UPSC
- West Bengal is the largest rice producer (15% of national output).
- Punjab has highest wheat productivity (5,000 kg/ha).
- India grows 11 types of millets - Sorghum (Jowar) is largest.
9. Agricultural Revolutions
Major Revolutions
| Revolution |
Associated With |
Father |
Period |
| Green |
Foodgrains (Wheat, Rice) |
M.S. Swaminathan |
1960s-70s |
| White |
Milk |
Verghese Kurien |
1970s |
| Blue |
Fisheries |
Dr. Hiralal Chaudhuri |
2000s |
| Pink |
Onions/Prawns |
Durgesh Patel |
2010s |
Impact of Green Revolution
- Foodgrain production increased from 82mt (1960) to 316mt (2021-22)
- Punjab, Haryana, W. UP became "Grain Bowls"
- Increased irrigation (canals, tube wells)
- Environmental concerns (soil salinity, water depletion)
Important Facts for UPSC
- Operation Flood made India world's largest milk producer.
- Evergreen Revolution aims for sustainable productivity increase.
- India ranks 1st in milk, 2nd in fruits & vegetables production.
10. Challenges in Indian Agriculture
Key Issues
| Challenge |
Impact |
Solutions |
| Small Landholdings |
Low productivity, uneconomical |
Cooperative farming, consolidation |
| Soil Degradation |
37% soils degraded (ICAR) |
Organic farming, crop rotation |
| Water Stress |
54% area rainfed |
Micro-irrigation, watershed mgmt. |
| Climate Change |
Erratic monsoons, temp rise |
Climate-resilient crops |
Government Initiatives
- PMKSY: Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (irrigation)
- PMFBY: Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (crop insurance)
- e-NAM: National Agricultural Market (online trading)
- Soil Health Card: Nutrient management advisory
Important Facts for UPSC
- Agriculture employs 54.6% workforce but contributes 18% to GDP.
- Groundwater provides 60% of irrigation needs (over-exploited in Punjab).
- India's foodgrain storage capacity is 47% less than requirement.
11. UPSC Preparation Tips
Focus Areas
- Types of farming and their geographical distribution
- Cropping patterns and seasons
- Major crops and producing states
- Agricultural revolutions and their impacts
- Current schemes and challenges
Preparation Strategy
- Create state-wise crop maps (rice, wheat, cotton etc.)
- Make comparative tables of farming systems
- Relate agriculture to climate, soil and irrigation
- Note recent agricultural statistics (ES 2022-23)
- Practice questions on government schemes
Important Facts for UPSC
- Previous questions have covered cropping patterns, Green Revolution, and agro-climatic zones.
- Understand linkages between agriculture and rural economy.
- Note India's position in global agricultural production (1st in milk, 2nd in rice etc.).