Cropping Pattern

India's diverse climate has led to a variety of cropping patterns. The Three main seasons are Kharif (monsoon, rice, maize, cotton), Rabi (winter, wheat, pulses), and Zaid (short season, vegetables, melons). Cropping intensity varies, with mono-cropping (single crop) and multi-cropping (multiple crops in a year) being common. The Factors influencing patterns are climate, soil type, farm size, and government policies. Historically, subsistence farming dominated, but a shift towards cash crops and market orientation is underway. While diversification offers benefits like improved soil health and dietary intake, challenges like water scarcity and unequal benefits for small farmers persist. Moving forward, India needs to promote sustainable practices and technological advancements alongside diversified cropping patterns to ensure food security for its growing population.

India's cropping patterns are undergoing a transformation driven by data and economic forces. The area under fruits and vegetables has grown significantly, with states like Himachal Pradesh witnessing a rise in apple and cherry cultivation. Data also suggests a growing focus on oilseeds, reflecting both government initiatives and market opportunities. This trend towards diversification holds promise for improving dietary intake, soil health, and farmer incomes, but challenges like water scarcity and ensuring equitable benefits for all stakeholders need to be addressed for a sustainable future.

Cropping pattern refers to the arrangement, sequence, and distribution of different crops grown on a piece of land over a specific period, usually a year. It is influenced by various factors such as climate, soil fertility, water availability, market demand, and agricultural practices. Cropping patterns can vary widely across regions and are often tailored to maximize productivity and profitability.

India's vast landscape and diverse climate necessitate a variety of cropping patterns to optimize agricultural production.

Based on Season

• Kharif Season (June-September): This coincides with the monsoon season and is suitable for crops requiring ample rainfall. Common Kharif crops include:
  • Rice: The dominant crop in India, particularly in the wetter regions.
  • Maize (Corn): Grown widely for both food and fodder.
  • Cotton: A major cash crop cultivated in central and southern India.
  • Pulses: Important source of protein, including lentils, black gram, chickpeas, and pigeon peas. According to the Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES), the share of pulse production in 2018- 19 was comprised of Tur (15.34%), Gram (43.29%), Moong (green gram,10.04%), Urad (black gram, 13.93%), Lentil (6.67%), and Other Pulses (10%).
  • Groundnut: An oilseed crop also used for food.
  • Jute: A fiber crop used for making burlap and other textiles.


• Rabi Season (October-March): This winter season receives less rainfall and is ideal for crops that can tolerate cooler temperatures. Major Rabi crops include:
  • Wheat: A staple food grain grown predominantly in northern India.
  • Barley: A cereal crop used for food and animal feed.
  • Pulses such as Gram (Chickpea): A major pulse crop consumed throughout India, black gram, etc. Though pulses are grown in both Kharif and Rabi seasons, Rabi pulses contribute more than 60% of the total production. In the last three decades, both the production of kharif pulses and the production of rabi pulses have increased.
  • Mustard: An oilseed crop also valued for its edible leaves.
  • Potato: A versatile vegetable grown across the country.


• Zaid Season (March-April to June-July): This is a short season between Kharif and Rabi, characterized by rising temperatures and pre-monsoon showers in some areas. Farmers typically cultivate short-duration, heat-resistant crops during Zaid. Examples include:
  • Watermelon, Muskmelon, Cucumber.
  • Vegetables: Other vegetables like tomatoes, okra (ladyfinger), and bottle gourd are also grown during Zaid, depending on the region's specific weather patterns.

Based on Cropping Intensity:

• Mono-cropping: The practice of growing a single crop on a particular piece of land during a specific season. This can be efficient but may deplete soil nutrients over time. Examples: cultivating only rice during Kharif or wheat during Rabi.
• Intercropping: Growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same field. This can improve land utilization, provide natural pest control, and enrich soil fertility through nitrogen fixation (by legumes). Examples: planting pulses like gram alongside wheat or maize.
• Mixed Cropping: Sowing different crops in a close but irregular pattern within the same field. This is similar to intercropping but with less planned arrangement. It can enhance biodiversity and reduce pest risks. Examples: growing vegetables like onions and tomatoes alongside peppers or eggplant.
• Sequential Cropping: Growing two or more crops on the same land in a sequential manner within the same agricultural year. This takes advantage of varying crop durations and allows for multiple harvests. Example: harvesting a short-duration crop like vegetables followed by planting a longer-duration crop like rice.

Other Cropping Systems:

• Relay Cropping: Planting a second crop before the first crop is fully harvested. This maximizes land use and allows for efficient harvesting schedules. Example: planting a short-duration pulse crop like moong dal before harvesting a longer-duration sugarcane crop.
• Multi-cropping: A broader term encompassing various intensive cropping practices where multiple crops are grown on the same land in a year, maximizing production potential.

• Climate and Rainfall:
  • Diverse Climate: From the arid north to the humid south, India's varied climate dictates suitable crops for different regions. Wheat thrives in cooler areas, while rice dominates in wetter regions.
  • Seasonal Variations: The monsoon season (Kharif) influences cropping patterns. Farmers typically cultivate rice, maize, cotton during this period. The winter season (Rabi) sees wheat, pulses, and mustard.
• Soil Type:
  • Varying Fertility: Soil types across India differ in fertility and water retention. Black soils are ideal for cotton and pulses, while alluvial soils are well-suited for rice and wheat. Farmers choose crops based on their soil's specific characteristics.
• Subsistence vs. Commercial Farming:
  • Traditional Practices: Subsistence farming, where families grow crops for their own consumption, has been prevalent in India earlier.
  • Commercialization: Due to rising market focus, farmers are more inclined towards growing cash crops like sugarcane, oilseeds, and vegetables.
• Land Ownership and Farm Size:
  • Land Distribution: Small and marginal farmers with limited landholdings may have fewer options for diversified cropping patterns.
• Government Policies:
  • Food Security: The government prioritizes food security and incentivizes cultivation of staple crops like rice and wheat through Minimum Support Prices (MSPs).
  • Diversification Initiatives: Recognizing the importance of diversifying crops for soil health and income, the government promotes alternative crops through schemes and subsidies.
• Technological Advancements:
  • Irrigation Infrastructure: Improved irrigation allows cultivation beyond the limitations of the monsoon season, enabling multiple cropping in some areas.
  • High-Yielding Varieties (HYVs) and Green Revolution: The introduction of HYVs has increased productivity and facilitated multiple cropping cycles in suitable regions.
• Other Factors:
  • Market Fluctuations: Fluctuating market prices for crops can influence farmers' choices, encouraging diversification and value addition to agricultural products.
  • Climate Change: Erratic rainfall patterns and rising temperatures require adapting cropping patterns with climate-resilient crops and sustainable practices.
  • Soil Degradation: Overuse of fertilizers and monoculture practices can lead to soil degradation. Sustainable farming methods are crucial for maintaining soil health.

System 1: Indo-Gangetic Plains

• Region: This system is prevalent in the fertile Indo-Gangetic Plains encompassing states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and parts of Jammu & Kashmir.
• Climate: This region experiences a sub-tropical climate with hot summers, mild winters, and good monsoon rainfall. However, irrigation plays a crucial role in supplementing rainfall and ensuring successful harvests.
• Dominant Crops:
  • Kharif Season: Rice is the major crop, followed by maize, cotton, and pulses like arhar (pigeon pea).
  • Rabi Season: Wheat is the dominant crop, along with barley, gram (chickpea), and mustard.
• Cropping Pattern: Rice-wheat is the most common double cropping pattern, maximizing land utilization throughout the year. In some areas, farmers might practice sequential cropping with crops like potatoes or vegetables after harvesting wheat.

System 2: Coastal Areas of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu

• Region: This system is prevalent in the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
• Climate: These regions have a tropical climate with hot and humid summers, warm winters, and receive good rainfall, particularly during the northeast monsoon. However, irrigation plays a vital role during dry periods and for certain crops.
• Dominant Crops:
  • Throughout the Year: Due to the extended growing season and availability of irrigation, farmers can cultivate multiple crops in a year.
  • Major Crops: Rice, sugarcane, cotton, pulses like black gram and green gram, and oilseeds like groundnut and sesame are commonly grown.
• Cropping Pattern: Multiple cropping patterns are practiced, including rice-rice (double cropping of rice), rice-pulses, or rice-vegetables. Sugarcane, a long-duration crop, is often grown in a separate rotation.

Key Differences:

• Crops: The Indo-Gangetic Plains focus heavily on rice-wheat rotation, while the coastal areas practice multiple cropping with a wider variety of crops.
• Climate and Rainfall: The Indo-Gangetic Plains rely more on irrigation due to a shorter monsoon season compared to the coastal areas with extended growing seasons.
• Cropping Intensity: The coastal areas often practice more intensive cropping patterns due to a longer growing season and better irrigation facilities.

Pre-Independence Era:

• Subsistence Farming: Dominated by subsistence farming, where families primarily grew crops for their own consumption.
• Cash Crops: Limited cultivation of cash crops like cotton, jute, and indigo under British rule, often at the expense of food security.
• Stagnant Production: Low productivity due to traditional farming practices and limited investment in agriculture.

Post-Independence (1947-1960s):

• Focus on Food Security: Immediate priority given to achieving self-sufficiency in food production due to frequent famines.
• Development Efforts: Government initiatives like land reforms and community development programs aimed at improving agricultural infrastructure.
• Limited Progress: Despite efforts, progress in increasing production remained slow.

Green Revolution (1960s-1980s):

• High-Yielding Varieties (HYVs): Adoption of HYVs for wheat and rice led to a substantial increase in crop yields.
• Increased Use of Inputs: Increased use of fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation facilities further boosted production.
• Success and Challenges: While successful in achieving food security, the Green Revolution also led to concerns about environmental degradation and social inequalities.

Post-Green Revolution (1980s-Present):

• Diversification: Growing recognition of the need for diversification beyond rice and wheat.
• Focus on Pulses and Oilseeds: Promotion of pulses and oilseeds to improve soil health and address protein deficiencies.
• Horticulture Boom: Increased focus on horticulture, including fruits, vegetables, and flowers, driven by rising demand and market opportunities.
• Challenges: Unequal benefits of agricultural development, water scarcity, and climate change pose new challenges.

Current Trends:

• Market Orientation: Shift towards market-oriented agriculture, with farmers responding to demands for high-value crops.
• Sustainable Practices: Growing awareness of the need for sustainable practices like organic farming, conservation agriculture, and water-efficient irrigation.
• Technological Advancements: Adoption of technologies like precision agriculture for data-driven decision making and resource optimization.

• Overdependence on Rice and Wheat: The Green Revolution's success in increasing rice and wheat production has led to an overdependence on these crops, neglecting the importance of diversification. This can lead to soil nutrient depletion and increased vulnerability to pests and diseases specific to these crops.
• Water Scarcity: Many regions, particularly those heavily reliant on rice cultivation, face water scarcity. Current cropping patterns may not be sustainable in the long run due to competition for water resources from a growing population and industrial demands.
• Soil Degradation: Monoculture practices (growing a single crop repeatedly) and overuse of chemical fertilizers can lead to soil degradation, impacting fertility and long-term productivity. Additionally, excessive use of water for irrigation can contribute to salinization in some areas.
• Unequal Benefits: The shift towards market-oriented agriculture and high-value crops may not benefit all farmers equally. Small and marginal landholders might struggle to adapt to these changes or lack access to resources needed for profitable cash crops.
• Climate Change: Erratic rainfall patterns, rising temperatures, and extreme weather events pose a significant challenge to existing cropping patterns. Farmers need to adapt to more climate-resilient crops and sustainable practices to ensure food security in a changing climate.
• Market Fluctuations: Focusing solely on cash crops can leave farmers vulnerable to fluctuating market prices. Diversification and exploring value addition through processing or local markets can help mitigate these risks.
• Excessive Fertilizer Use: Fertilizers are being used more and more as the land productivity reduces leading to pollution of the ground water table and river water.

These issues highlight the need for a multi-pronged approach to improve cropping patterns in India. To ensure long-term agricultural sustainability in India, a shift towards more diversified cropping patterns is essential. This can involve promoting pulses, oilseeds, and horticulture alongside staple cereals to improve soil health and dietary needs. Encouraging sustainable practices like organic farming, crop rotation, zero waste farming and water-efficient irrigation is crucial to combat soil degradation and water scarcity. Technological advancements like precision agriculture can further optimize resource utilization. By addressing these concerns and embracing innovation, India can ensure food security for its growing population while safeguarding its vital agricultural resources for future generations.