With reference to the cultivation of Kharif crops in which in the last five years consider the following statements: 1. Area under rice cultivation is the highest. 2. Area under the cultivation of jowar is more than that of oilseeds. 3. Area of cotton cultivation is more than that of sugarcane. 4. Area under sugarcane cultivation has steadily decreased. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Contents17
- A1 and 3 only
- B2, 3 and 4 only
- C2 and 4 only
- D1, 2, 3 and 4
Show answer
Answer: (A) 1 and 3 only
The correct answer is (A) — 1 and 3 only.
Among kharif crops, rice has the highest area under cultivation, so statement 1 is correct.
Cotton covers more area than sugarcane, so statement 3 is also correct.
Statement 2 is wrong because oilseeds have more area than jowar.
Statement 4 is wrong because sugarcane area has not shown a steady decline.
Tip:
- Rice is king of kharif by area.
- Cotton beats sugarcane in area coverage.
Rice covers approximately 40 million hectares during kharif season, making it the largest cultivated crop by area in India.
The question tests relative area coverage between major kharif crops - rice dominates, cotton exceeds sugarcane area, and oilseeds cover more area than jowar.
Students must distinguish between production quantity and area under cultivation, as these rankings can differ significantly for the same crops.
Kharif Crops Classification
Geography Kharif crops
Kharif Crops: Definition, Types & Growing Season
Kharif crops are sown with monsoon rains (June-July) and harvested in autumn (September-October)
Major kharif crops: rice, cotton, sugarcane, jowar, bajra, maize, oilseeds
Require high temperature and abundant rainfall during growing period
What are Kharif Crops
Kharif crops are monsoon crops sown at the beginning of the rainy season and harvested in autumn. They depend on southwest monsoon for water supply and require warm, humid conditions.
Major Kharif Crops
Crop Type | Examples | Key Feature | Water Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
Food Grains | Rice, Maize, Jowar, Bajra | Staple cereals | High |
Cash Crops | Cotton, Sugarcane | Commercial cultivation | Very High |
Oilseeds | Groundnut, Sesame, Niger | Oil extraction | Moderate to High |
Pulses | Arhar, Moong, Urad | Protein source | Moderate |
Trap: Don't confuse kharif with rabi - kharif needs monsoon, rabi needs winter
Trap: Wheat is NOT kharif - it's the main rabi crop
Common error: Assuming all summer-grown crops are kharif - timing matters, not just season
Kharif Crop Area Coverage
Geography Area under rice cultivation Area under the cultivation of jowar Area of cotton cultivation Area under sugarcane cultivation
Kharif Crops: Area Under Cultivation Rankings
Rice has the highest area among all kharif crops in India
Cotton area > Sugarcane area in cultivation coverage
Oilseeds area > Jowar area among kharif crops
Sugarcane area has NOT steadily decreased in recent years
Area Rankings Reality
Among kharif crops, rice dominates with the largest cultivated area, reflecting its status as India's primary food grain. The area hierarchy often surprises students in UPSC questions.
Kharif Crop Area Comparison
Rank | Crop | Area Status | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
1st | Rice | Highest area | India's staple food grain |
High | Cotton | More than sugarcane | Major cash crop |
Medium | Oilseeds | More than jowar | Multiple oil crops combined |
Lower | Sugarcane | Less than cotton | Water-intensive crop |
Lower | Jowar | Less than oilseeds | Dryland cereal |
Question Analysis
This PYQ tested Statement 1 (rice highest - CORRECT) and Statement 3 (cotton > sugarcane - CORRECT). Statement 2 was wrong because oilseeds cover more area than jowar. Statement 4 was wrong as sugarcane area hasn't steadily declined.
Trap: Assuming sugarcane has more area than cotton due to its commercial importance
Trap: Thinking jowar area > oilseeds area - remember oilseeds include multiple crops combined
Trap: Believing sugarcane area is steadily decreasing - check recent trend data
Memory aid: Rice is king of kharif by area coverage
Rice Cultivation in India
Geography rice cultivation
Rice: India's Dominant Kharif Crop
Rice covers maximum area among all kharif crops in India
India is the 2nd largest producer of rice globally after China
Major rice states: West Bengal, UP, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh
Requires flooded fields and high rainfall (100+ cm annually)
Rice Dominance
Rice is India's most important kharif crop by area coverage, supporting food security for over half the population. It requires waterlogged conditions and abundant monsoon rainfall.
Rice Growing Regions
Region | States | Advantage | Cropping Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
Eastern | West Bengal, Odisha | Heavy rainfall, deltaic soil | 2-3 crops per year |
Northern | UP, Punjab, Haryana | Canal irrigation, fertile soil | Rice-wheat system |
Southern | Tamil Nadu, AP, Karnataka | Tank irrigation, suitable climate | Multiple varieties |
Western | Maharashtra coastal | Monsoon rains | Single crop mainly |
Rice Distribution Map
Source: India Data Map — Rice Production in India 2025: Top States and Trends · indiadatamap.com
Cotton vs Sugarcane Cultivation
Geography cotton cultivation sugarcane cultivation
Cotton vs Sugarcane: Area Comparison & Cultivation Patterns
Cotton area > Sugarcane area in cultivation coverage
Cotton is grown in drier regions, sugarcane needs more water
Cotton: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana; Sugarcane: UP, Maharashtra, Karnataka
Why Cotton Covers More Area
Cotton covers more area than sugarcane because cotton can grow in semi-arid regions with moderate rainfall, while sugarcane requires intensive irrigation and is limited to water-rich areas.
Cotton vs Sugarcane Comparison
Factor | Cotton | Sugarcane |
|---|---|---|
Area Coverage | Higher - more states suitable | Lower - water constraints |
Water Requirement | Moderate (50-100 cm) | Very High (150+ cm) |
Soil Type | Black cotton soil preferred | Fertile alluvial soil |
Major States | Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana | UP, Maharashtra, Karnataka |
Climate Needs | Warm, dry harvesting period | Hot, humid growing period |
Cropping | Single crop mainly | Ratoon cropping possible |
Trap: Assuming sugarcane > cotton due to higher value per hectare
Key insight: Area ≠ Economic value - cotton spreads wider geographically
Remember: Cotton grows in drier states too, sugarcane is water-limited
Oilseeds vs Jowar Area
Geography oilseeds jowar
Oilseeds vs Jowar: Understanding Area Coverage
Oilseeds area > Jowar area in kharif cultivation
Oilseeds include multiple crops combined (groundnut, sesame, niger, sunflower)
Jowar is a single coarse cereal, oilseeds are diverse crop group
Why Oilseeds Win
Oilseeds cover more area than jowar because oilseeds represent multiple crops combined (groundnut, sesame, niger, sunflower), while jowar is just one coarse cereal.
Oilseeds vs Jowar Details
Aspect | Oilseeds | Jowar |
|---|---|---|
Crop Type | Multiple oil-bearing crops | Single coarse cereal |
Main Varieties | Groundnut, Sesame, Niger, Sunflower | Sorghum varieties |
Area Coverage | Higher (combined total) | Lower (single crop) |
Growing Regions | Gujarat, Rajasthan, MP, Maharashtra | Maharashtra, Karnataka, MP |
Water Needs | Moderate to low | Low (drought resistant) |
Economic Use | Oil extraction, industrial use | Food grain, fodder |
Trap: Comparing jowar (single crop) vs oilseeds (multiple crops total)
Key point: When UPSC says 'oilseeds', it means combined area of all oil crops
Remember: Jowar is important but limited to fewer states than oilseeds spread