Major Crops

Recent developments in Crops- Economic Survey

Food Grains

• Among total imports of food grains, the % share of different crops shows that- cereals are highest followed by pulses>cashewnuts > edible oils.
• Food Grains Constitute 50.7% of agriculture production.
• Among food grains, Weightage of Cereals is 41.7%, Pulses is 8.9%
• Among Cereals, Weightage of Coarse Cereals is 6.9%.
• 296.7MT of food grains were produced in 2019-20, compared to 285.2 MT in 2018-19.
• Except Potato (50.2 in 2018-19 to 48.7MT in 2019-20), Jute (9.5 to 9.4 MT), Rape Seed and Mustard (9.3 to 9.1 MT) and sugarcane (405.4 to 355.7 MT), rest ALL crops (Food and Non Food) witnessed a RISE in Production.
• Sugar witnessed steep fall in production to 355.7MT (2019-20) from 405.4MT (2018-19).

Cereals

• In 2020-21, the growth rate of agriculture is estimated to be 3.4%. While the contribution of the sector to Gross Value Added (GVA) declined from 18.3% to 17.8% between 2014-15 and 2019-20, it is estimated to increase to 19.9% in 2020-21. This is because the agricultural sector faced fewer disruptions on account of the COVID-19 pandemic as compared to non-agricultural sectors.

1. T/R/I/H– Temperature/Rainfall/Irrigation/Humidity.
2. TCA-TOTAL CROPPED AREA
3. Broadcasting-seeds are broadcast by hand , mostly in dry less fertile areas, Drilling- Ploughing and sowing done by two workersTransplantation- in fertile areas with abundant rain, seedlings are transplanted from nursery to field. Need more labour
4. Japanese method-HYV Seeds with heavy dose of fertilizers.
5. Prodⁿ – Production.

Coarse Cereals

• Includes maize, jowar, ragi, bajra, small millets and barley.
• In overall Agriculture Production, Weightage of Pulses (8.9%)> Coarse Cereals (6.9%).
• Among Coarse Cereals, Maize amounts for the highest production

Millets

• Provide food for poor and fodder for cattle.
• Promote dry land Agriculture.

Pulses

• Among food grains (50.7% of total Agriculture Production), Weightage of Pulses is 8.9%.
• In overall Agriculture Production, Weightage of Pulses (8.9%)> Coarse Cereals (6.9%).

Plantation

• These are crops which are grown plantations covering large estates.
• They are not annual crops, usually take 3-5yr to bear returns after they are sown.
• They bear fruits, for 35-40yr.
• Heavy initial capital investment and fig level technology needed.
• They cover small area in India but are of high economic value.
• Tea, coffee and rubber are the principal plantation crops but spices are also included in this category.
• This generates full or part time employment to over 20 lakh persons.

Horticulture

• Export growth of fresh fruits and vegetables in term of value is 14% and of processed fruits and vegetables is 16.27%
• Globally, second largest producer of fruits and vegetables
• Largest producer of mango,banana, coconut, cashew, papaya, pomegranate etc.
• In fruits, Largest portion of exports are in pomegranate, mango, banana, Oranges Grapes.
• Ranks first in productivity of grapes, banana, cassava, peas, papaya etc.
• In vegetables, Largest portion of exports are in TOP, Mixed Vegetables, Green Chillies.

Non Food Grains

• Amount for 49.3% of total Agriculture Production.
• Oilseeds amount for highest among Non-food Grains with 13.2 % weightage, followed by Sugarcane(9.9%)

Cotton:

• It has imposed a 10% import tax on the import of this fibre to help farmers.
• Government has also raised the levy on raw silk and silk yarn from 10% to 15%.
• India is the biggest cotton grower. India’s cotton output is expected to climb to 37.12mn bales of 170 kg each in 2020-21 from 35.49mn bales a year earlier.
• The imports are expected to fall to 1.4mn this year from 1.55mn bales in 2019-20.
• There was no import duty on cotton imports till now.

Oilseeds

• India has largest area of production of oil seeds in the world.

Top 3 states in Production of different Oil Seeds

1. Ground nut : GJ45%>RJ16%>TN10%.
2. Rape Seed and Mustard: RJ(46%)>HR(12%)>UP(10%)
3. Soybean: MP(45%) >MH(40%)>RJ(4%)
4. Sunflower: KA(54%)>OD(12%)>BH(5%)
5. Total Oilseeds: RJ,GJ,MP, each 20% share in production.

• Used in Production of : Edible oil, paints, varnishes, hydrogenated oils, soaps, perfumes, lubricants etc.,
• Oil cake (residue after oil extraction) is used as cattle feed and manure.
• Most of them rotated with other crops, as it synthesizes atmospheric nitrogen and increases fertility of soil.
• Used in manufacture of Medical Emulsions, Soap and Toilet Requisites, Margarine(G.Nut),Paints, Varnishes, Printing ink, Oil cloth and Water proof Fabric(Linseed, Castor, Mustard).
• India(with 17% of world production) is 2^nd largest producer of Groundnut, after China(40%).
• Oilseeds mostly grown both as Kharif and Rabi Crop, Except Mustard(Rabi)

Spices

1. Pepper:

• 2^nd largest producer of pepper after Indonesia
• T: 10-30⁰C, R-200-300cm.
• Grows as a vine.
• Deep friable,well drained, loamy Soils, lateritic Soils
• Sea level to 1200 m
• World’s 2^nd largest producer after Indonesia.
• KR(94%), KA(4%), TN
• 1/3^rd of total produce exported to :Russia, USA, Canada, EU
• Faces competition from Vietnam.

2. Cardamom(a.k.a. queen of aromatic spices)???????

• 15-32⁰c, 150-300cm
• Well drained forest loams, loamy Soils, deep red lateritic Soils, Humus.
• 800-1600m above msl.
• KR,KA,TN
• >50% of total produce exported., to countries like-Saudi Arabia, Russia, UK, Germany.
• 2^nd after Guatemala.

3. Ginger

• Used as: Spices, Medicines
• Grown in tropical and Sub-Tropical climates.
• T: 10-25⁰C, R: 125-250cm.
• Sea level to 1300 msl.
• 1^st in production and export.
• Major Producers: ML,AP,KR,SK.
• 85% of total produce is consumed, rest is exported. Still Indian exports make up 50% of world trade .

4. Turmeric

• Tropical Crop
• Sandy, Clayey, Black, Red Soils.
• Production: AP(50%)>TN(12%)>KA(10%)>OD(9%)
• Only 10% exported to USA, Russia, Japan, Srilanka.

5. Coconut

• Use: Copra, Oil, Timber, Fuel, mats, baskets, hut roofing.
• 3^rd largest Coconut producing Country, next to Philippines and Indonesia
• TN33%> KR28%> KA25%.