Major Crops of India, State Wise List, Largest Crop

India is famous for its huge range of food and non-food crops. The country’s agricultural landscape is home to many soil types, climatic conditions and traditional cultivation practices that are responsible for the growth of crops. In this article, we are going to cover about the major crops of India, their significance, regional distribution and cultivation practices. 

Major Crops in India

Many food and non-food crops are grown in different parts of India on the basis of different variations like soil, climate and cultivation practices. Some of the most important crops grown in India include rice, wheat, pulses, tea, coffee, sugarcane, oilseeds and jute. 

• Rice 

• • • Rice is a kharif crop that requires a temperature above 25C, high humidity and above 100 cm of annual rainfall. It is a staple food in Indian households and India is the world’s second-largest producer after China and largest exporter globally. Unpolished rice is rich in Vitamins A, B and Calcium and polished rice lacks these nutrients. 
  • Wheat
    • Wheat is India’s second most important staple food, rich in Calcium, Thiamine, Riboflavin, and Iron. It is mainly consumed in the northern and north-western regions. A Rabi crop, it grows best in cool climates with moderate moisture. While adaptable to the tropics, yields are lower there compared to temperate areas.
  • Maize
    • Maize, called the “queen of cereals” for its high genetic yield potential, ranks third among India’s food crops. It serves as food, fodder, and an industrial raw material for starch, oil, protein, beverages, sweeteners, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, textiles, packaging, and paper products.

• Cotton

• India grows all four species of cotton- G. arboreum, G. herbaceum, G.barbadense, and G. Hirsutum. It is an important fibre crop, and its seeds are used for vanaspati production and cattle feed. 

• Jute
  • Jute, India’s second-most important fibre crop, is used for making bags, ropes, carpets, and more. Demand remains due to its low cost, softness, and strength, though synthetic substitutes have reduced its market. West Bengal leads production (81%), followed by Bihar and Assam. It grows best in alluvial soils with a hot, humid climate and requires annual silt replenishment.
• Sugarcane
  • Sugarcane has the highest production value among commercial crops in India. Indigenous to the country, it is used for sugar, jaggery, and khan sari, with byproducts like molasses, bagasse, and pressmud supporting industries like ethanol production. Two-thirds of output goes to jaggery and khan sari.
• Tobacco
  • Introduced by the Portuguese in 1508, tobacco is used mainly for smoking and insecticide production. Hardy, drought-tolerant, and short-duration, it grows even in less fertile soils. India is the second-largest producer and a major exporter after China and Brazil.
• Millets
  • Millets are short-duration, drought-tolerant, nutrient-rich cereals ideal for dryland farming. They require minimal inputs and offer health benefits due to their high fibre content. They are vital for food security in low-rainfall regions.
• Pulses
  • Pulses are protein-rich edible seeds from legumes, crucial to the Indian diet. India leads the world in production, consumption, and import of pulses. They improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation and support climate resilience.

Major Crops in India State Wise

Here is a list of important crops grown in India State wise: 

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