AGROCLIMATIC REGIONS OF INDIA

Introduction

India is a country of great geographical diversity. The variations in its terrain,rtemperature,rainfall and soils have closely influenced the cropping pattern and other agricultural activities.

For the planning and development of agriculture the Planning Commission and the National Remote Sensing Agency has divide the country in to 15 agro climatic regions based on physiography and climate.

1.The Northwestern Mountainous Region

2.The northeastern region

3.The satlej-yamuna plain

4.The upper ganga plain

5.The middle ganga plain

6.The lower ganga plain

7.The south eastern plateau

8.The aravalli-malwa upland

9.The plateau of Maharashtra

10.The Deccan Interior

11.The Eastern Coast

12.The western Coast

13.The Gujarat region

14.The western Rajasthan

15.The Islands of Andaman and Nicobar.

AGROCLIMATIC REGIONS OF INDIA

The Northwestern Mountainous Region

It covers the states of Jammu & Kashmir,Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

The low temperatures ,Snowing,and inclement weather in winters hinder the intensification of agriculture.

It has snow covered peaks,dissected topography,steep slopes,perennial rivers,evergreen and deciduous forest and thin cover of soils on undulating slopes.

Agricultural activities are mainly practiced in valleys and river terraces.Rice,Maize,Wheat,Oats and Barley are cultivated.Orchards;Apple orchards important. Apart from this apricot, almond,walnut,litchis,laokwt,cherry,peach and pears.

The Northeastern Region

Sprawls over the seven states, also known as the seven sisters of Northeastern India.

Two division; 1. the valley of Brahmaputra

2.the hilly tracts of the seven states

Abundance of rainfall, high relative humidity and mild to warm teperatures.

Rice is the dominant crop in the region.Highly productive alluvial soil suited for the cultivation of tea. Jute ,Pineapple, Ginger, Oranges, Guava, Maize, Potatoes and Vegetables are the other crops.

The Sutlej-Yamuna Plain

Include states of Punjab and Haryana

Annual range temperature is high, Average annual rainfall ranges between 50cm and 85cm

The satlej Yamuna plain is extensively irrigated by canals taken out of Satlej,Beas and Yamuna rivers.

Rice,Sugarcane,Maize,Cotton,Fodder and Pulses are the major kharif crops while Wheat,Peas,Barley,Gram and Oilseeds are grown in the rabiseason.

Agriculture is generally market oriented and farmers paying more attention towards orchards and vegetable cultivation.Dairyins is alsoan important economic activity in the region.

The Upper Ganga Plain

It streches over the greater parts of the Ganga Yamuna Doab,and Rohilkhand and Lucknow divisions.

Covered with highly productive alluvial soil.

It has subhumid climate warm summers and cold winters. The average annual rainfall ranges between 65cm and 120cm.

The region has the dominance of rice, sugarcane, maize,pulses and millets in the kharif season and that of wheat, oilseeds, pulses ,potato and vegetables in rabi season. It has numerous orchards of mango,guava,peaches,litchis and hectareage.

The Middle Ganga Plain

Stretches over the eastern Uttar pradesh and greater parts of Bihar north of the Chotanagpur plateau.

It has hot and humid summer and mild winter season. The mean maximum and mean minimum temperature in the summer and winter seasons read over 40degree celsious to 5 degree celsious

Covered with fertile alluvial soils, suitable for the cultivation of rice,maize,pulses,sugarcane and wide variety of vegetables.Whet,gram,oilseeds and vegetables are the dominant rabi crops. A wide variety of subtropical fruits are also grown in the middle ganga plain.

The Lower Ganga Plain

It covers the Lower portion of Westbengal characterised by numerous ox-bow lakes and back waters.

It has a hot and humid climate,the mean minimum temperature never goes below 15 degree celsious.

Suitable for the cultivation of rice and jute, wide variety of tropical fruits are also grown.The farmers generally practise pisciculture in their ponds.

THE GANGETIC PLAIN

The Southeastern Plateau

It cover the whole of Chotanagpur Plateu,Beghelkhan and Mahanadi basin.

Climatically it is hot and humid receiving over 125cm of average annual rainfall.

Rice is the dominant kharif crop,grown largely in the fertile valleys and basins called ‘Dons’ in Chotanagpur plateau.In the rabi season some suitable fields are devoted to gram and lentil.

Aravalli-Malwa Plateau

Stretches over Western Madhya Pradesh and the eastern parts of Rajasthan,east of the Aravallimountains.

The average annual rainfall ranges between 50cm and 100cm occuring mainly during the rainy season.

Cotton,soabean,millets ,maize and pulses are the dominating kharif season,while wheat,oilseeds,gram and lentil are grown in the rabi season.

THE ARAVALLI MALWA PLATEAU

The Plateau of Maharashtra

Streches over western Madhya Pradesh,the whole of Maharashtra to the east of the Western Ghats.

Covered with thic black earth soil it has high temperatures through out the year. Being in the rain shadow area of the Western Ghats it receives little rainfall, ranging between 50cm and 75cm annually.

This region is condusive for the cultivation of cotton,pulsus,oilseeds,wheat,gram,soyabean,maize,millets and sugarcane. Banan,grapes,oranegs and chikoo florish in the irrigated areas.

THE PLATEAU OF MAHARASHTRA

The Deccan Plateau

It sprawls over the greater parts of Karnataka Andhra pradesh and uplands of Tamil Nadu.

It is generally a water deficit and drought prone region which is characterized with granite gness basement on which poor red soils have developed in favourable localites.

Millets,ragi,rice,cotton,groundnut and pulsus are the dominant crops in the region.

THE DECCAN PLATEAU REGION

The Eastern coast

It covers over the Entire tract of the Eastern Ghats.

Covered with the alluvial soils deposited by the Mahanadi,Godavari,Krishna and Kaveri.

It is a humid region which records average annual rainfall over 100cm. The temperature remain high through out the year.

Rice,jute and tobacco are the main crops in this region. Banana,coconut,cashewnut,arecanut and citrus fruits are abundantly grown in the region.

INDIA – EAST COAST REGION

The Western Coast

It sprawls over the western fringes of the states of Maharashtra,Karnataka and Kerala.aThis is a humid region which records abundant rainfall from May to Octoberfrom the monsoon originating from the Arabian sea.

Rice is the leading crop in the region. Coconut,coffee and tea are the important cash crops. Variety of spices and cashewnuts are grown on the lower slopes of the Western Ghets

The Gujarat Region

The state of Gujarat has a distinct geographical region and possesses a unique agroclimatic personality.

The coastal areas are wet,recording over 100cm rainfall while the interior parts are dry.

Most suitable for the cultivation of groundnut,cotton and wheat.

THE GUJARAT REGION

The Western Rajasthan

It consist of the desert of marwar and the Aravalli ranges of Mewar.

High temperature and low rainfall, sandy soil.

The socio economic status of the people is judged by the number of cattle,camel,goat and sheep they provide energy,milk and milk products,manure,skins,bones and wool.

THE RAJASTHAN REGION

The islands of Andaman and Nicobar

It is a string of over 300 richly forested tropical islands which lie in the middle of Bay of Bengal, two thirds of the way between India and Myanmar and stretches almost the tip of Sumatra.

Temperatures within 23 to 31 degree celsious , relative humidity at around 80% through the year. Receive abundant rainfall and have hardly any winter season.

Conducive for the cultivation of tropical crops. Spices,coconut,rice, maize oilseeds and pulses are the main crops.

THANK YOU