SSC CGL - Detailed Guide 2025
Self-Paced Course
Agriculture in India
Reference: Lucent GK, NCERT Class 6–12
Cropping Seasons in India
India has three major cropping seasons determined by monsoonal cycles:
| Season | Duration | Sowing Time | Harvesting Time | Major Crops |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kharif | June – October | With onset of monsoon | Sept–Oct | Rice, Maize, Millets, Cotton, Groundnut, Soybean |
| Rabi | October – March | After monsoon | March–April | Wheat, Barley, Mustard, Peas, Gram |
| Zaid | March – June | After Rabi | Before Kharif | Watermelon, Cucumber, Muskmelon, Vegetables |
- Rabi crops depend on irrigation.
- Kharif crops rely on rainfall.
- Zaid crops require hot weather and irrigation.
Major & Commercial Crops
A. Major Food Crops
| Crop | Climatic Conditions | Leading States |
|---|---|---|
| Rice | High temp (25–35°C), heavy rainfall (>100 cm), clayey soil | WB, UP, Punjab, Chhattisgarh |
| Wheat | Cool temp (10–25°C), moderate rainfall, loamy soil | UP, Punjab, Haryana, MP |
| Maize | Warm climate, moderate water | Karnataka, Bihar, MP |
| Millets (Jowar, Bajra, Ragi) | Drought-resistant, dry areas | Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra |
B. Commercial Crops
| Crop | Requirements | Producing States |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton | High temp, black soil, moderate rainfall | Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana |
| Sugarcane | Hot & humid, high water requirement | UP, Maharashtra, Karnataka |
| Tea | Cool climate with high rainfall | Assam, WB, Kerala, Tamil Nadu |
| Coffee | Warm, moist climate, shade-grown | Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu |
| Oilseeds | Moderate climate | MP, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra |
Plantation Crops: Tea, Coffee, Coconut, Arecanut, Rubber
Irrigation Methods & Sources
A. Major Sources of Irrigation
| Source | Contribution (%) | Regions Dominated |
|---|---|---|
| Tube wells | ~46% | Punjab, UP, Haryana |
| Canals | ~24% | Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan |
| Tanks | ~3–5% | Tamil Nadu, Karnataka |
| Other sources | Remainder | Rainwater harvesting, springs, etc. |
B. Methods of Irrigation
| Method | Description | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|
| Surface Irrigation | Water flows over fields (canals, tanks) | Rice, Sugarcane |
| Drip Irrigation | Water drips at root zone | Fruit crops, Vegetables |
| Sprinkler | Sprayed over crops like rain | Sandy soil, uneven land |
| Sub-surface | Moisture applied underground | High-tech farming |
Drip and sprinkler systems are part of micro-irrigation — promoted for water-use efficiency.
Agricultural Schemes (Govt. of India)
| Scheme Name | Launched | Objective |
|---|---|---|
| PM-KISAN | 2019 | ₹6000/year to small/marginal farmers via DBT |
| PMFBY | 2016 | Crop insurance against natural calamities |
| Soil Health Card Scheme | 2015 | Issue of soil health cards with nutrient info |
| PMKSY | 2015 | “Har Khet Ko Pani” – improve irrigation coverage |
| e-NAM | 2016 | Online agri-market platform for farmers |
| RKVY | 2007 | Enhance public investment in agriculture |
| NFSM | 2007 | Raise production of rice, wheat, pulses |
| Kisan Credit Card (KCC) | 1998 | Timely credit to farmers for seeds, fertilizers, etc. |
Agriculture in India is a State subject, but many central schemes are implemented via state departments.
Developed By Jan Mohammad
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