Context:
India’s production of both rice and wheat hit all-time highs last year, according to Agricultural Ministry data.
About Rice:
- A staple food and a kharif crop.
- Climatic conditions –
- Temperature – Above 25°C
- Requires high humidity
- Annual rainfall – Above 100 cm
- Leading Producer States: West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab.
- 3 crops of rice in West Bengal – ‘aus’, ‘aman’ and ‘boro’.
- High Yielding States: Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, West Bengal and Kerala.
- India – 2nd largest producer of rice after China.
The climatic conditions in southern states and West Bengal are conducive to the cultivation of rice, allowing for the possibility of growing two to three rice crops within a single agricultural year. About one-fourth of the total cropped area in India is under rice cultivation.
About Wheat:
- 2nd most important cereal crop
- A rabi crop that requires a cool growing season and bright sunshine at the time of ripening.
- Climatic Conditions –
- Temperature: Between 10-15°C (Sowing time) and 21-26°C (Ripening & Harvesting) with bright sunlight.
- Rainfall: Around 75-100 cm.
- Soil Type: Well-drained fertile loamy and clayey loamy (Ganga-Satluj plains and black soil region of the Deccan).
- Top Wheat Producing States: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Bihar, Gujarat.
Source: Indian Express
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. The Government of India provides Minimum Support Price for niger (Guizotia abyssinica) seeds.
2. Niger is cultivated as a Kharif crop.
3. Some tribal people in India use niger seed oil for cooking.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (c)
