Which one of the following crops is grown in all three cropping seasons in southern states of India?
Rice
Understanding Cropping Seasons in Southern India
The question asks about a crop grown in all three distinct cropping seasons in the southern states of India. India's agricultural calendar is generally divided into three main seasons:
- Kharif Season: This is the monsoon season, typically from June to September. Crops are sown at the beginning of the monsoons and harvested after the rains.
- Rabi Season: This is the winter season, usually from October to March. Crops are sown after the monsoon ends and harvested before summer begins.
- Zaid Season: This is the summer season, generally from April to June. This is a short season between Rabi and Kharif, where fast-growing crops, fruits, and vegetables are cultivated, often requiring irrigation.
Analyzing Crop Options and Seasons in Southern States
Let's consider the given options and how they fit into these seasons, particularly in the context of southern India's climate and irrigation practices:
| Crop | Typical Season(s) in India | Cultivation in Southern States Across Seasons? |
|---|---|---|
| Maize | Primarily Kharif; also grown in Rabi in some areas. | Can be grown in Kharif and Rabi, and sometimes Zaid in certain regions. Not consistently grown in all three seasons everywhere in the South compared to Rice. |
| Jowar (Sorghum) | Kharif and Rabi crop. | Grown in Kharif and Rabi seasons. Less common as a widespread Zaid crop. |
| Rice | Primarily Kharif; also extensively grown in Rabi (as a second crop) and Zaid with irrigation. | Yes, Rice is the staple in the South. It's grown in Kharif (main), Rabi (often with irrigation in delta regions - known as Dalwa or Thaladi crops), and Zaid (as a summer crop, Boro/Aus in some regions, or short-duration varieties in irrigated areas). The availability of irrigation facilitates multiple rice crops in the South. |
| Wheat | Primarily Rabi crop. Requires cooler climate during growth. | Mostly limited cultivation, not suitable for the typically hot and humid conditions across all three seasons in most southern states. Primarily grown in North India. |
Why Rice is Cultivated in All Three Cropping Seasons in Southern States
In southern states, especially in river delta regions like the Kaveri, Krishna, and Godavari, or areas with significant irrigation facilities, agriculture is intensive. Water availability through canals, tanks, or borewells allows farmers to grow crops year-round.
Rice is particularly well-suited for these conditions:
- It is the primary food crop and deeply integrated into the agricultural system.
- Different varieties of rice exist, suited for varying durations and water requirements.
- With assured irrigation, a Kharif rice crop can be followed by a Rabi rice crop, and in some cases, a short-duration Zaid rice crop (summer rice) is also cultivated before the onset of the next monsoon.
While other crops like Maize or certain pulses might be grown in more than one season, Rice stands out as the crop that is systematically cultivated across all three seasons (Kharif, Rabi, and Zaid) in significant agricultural belts within the southern states, thanks to irrigation facilities and suitable climate for multiple cycles.
Revision Table: Key Cropping Seasons
| Season | Typical Period | Examples of Crops |
|---|---|---|
| Kharif | June - September | Rice, Maize, Jowar, Cotton, Sugarcane |
| Rabi | October - March | Wheat, Barley, Gram, Mustard |
| Zaid | April - June | Watermelon, Cucumber, short-duration Rice, Fodder crops |
Additional Information on Southern Indian Agriculture
Southern India's agriculture is diverse, influenced by varied rainfall patterns and soil types. While the monsoons are crucial, reliance on irrigation systems is high, enabling multi-cropping, especially for water-intensive crops like Rice.
- States like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, and Karnataka have significant areas under rice cultivation.
- Double and triple cropping of Rice is common in the fertile delta regions.
- Apart from rice, southern states also grow significant quantities of cash crops like sugarcane, cotton, groundnut, and plantation crops like tea, coffee, rubber, and spices.
- The specific cropping calendar can vary slightly based on the onset and withdrawal of monsoons and local irrigation infrastructure.
Important Questions from Land Resources and Agriculture
Which of the following priorities of Government of India immediately after independence regarding food grain availability are correct?
(A) Switching over from cereals to food crops
(B) Intensification of cropping
(C) Increasing cultivated area by bringing cultivable and fallow land under plough
(D) Introducing land reforms
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Match List I with List II
LIST I (Periods) LIST II (Population Growth Phase) A. 1921-1951 I. Gradual slow growth phase B. 1951-1981 II. Population explosion phase C. 1981-2011 III. Steady growth phase Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
In which region, Mediterranean Agriculture is NOT practiced?
People of Nagaland stay in compact villages for which one of the following reasons?
In which of the following regions, shifting cultivation is called Milpa?
