Explain the importance of foodgrains in the Indian agricultural economy. Describe any three characteristics of rice cultivation.
Importance of Food grains in Indian agricultural economy:
(i)These crops occupy about two-third of total cropped area in the country.
(ii) Food grains are dominant crops in all parts of the country whether they have subsistence or commercial agricultural economy.
Characteristics of Rice Cultivation:
(i) Though, it is considered to be a crop of tropical humid areas, it has about 3,000 varieties which are grown in different agro-climatic regions.
(ii) These are successfully grown from sea level to about 2,000 m altitude and from humid areas in eastern India to dry but irrigated areas of Punjab, Haryana, western U.P. and northern Rajasthan.
(iii) But in Himalayas and northwestern parts of the country, it is grown as a kharif crop during southwest Monsoon season.
