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Agro-climatic zones in India are geographical areas classified by climate conditions like temperature, rainfall, and altitude, which impact crop types and farming methods. The Planning Commission (now NITI Aayog) categorized India into 15 zones based on soil, climate, and cropping patterns to enhance agricultural productivity.
- Western Himalayan: Cool climate, rice, wheat, apple.
- Eastern Himalayan: High rainfall, rice, tea.
- Lower Gangetic Plains: Humid, fertile, rice, jute.
- Middle Gangetic Plains: Subtropical, rice, wheat.
- Upper Gangetic Plains: Wheat, rice, sugarcane.
- Trans-Gangetic Plains: Semi-arid, wheat, rice.
- Eastern Plateau and Hills: Rain-fed, rice, pulses.
- Central Plateau and Hills: Semi-arid, wheat, sorghum.
- Western Plateau and Hills: Cotton, groundnut, millet.
- Southern Plateau and Hills: Millets, cotton, coffee.
- East Coast Plains: Humid, rice, cashew.
- West Coast Plains: Wet, rice, coconut.
- Gujarat Plains: Semi-arid, cotton, groundnut.
- Western Dry: Arid, bajra, mustard.
- The Islands Region: Humid, coconut, spices.
Each zone has unique characteristics that guide suitable crops and farming practices.
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Agro-Climatic Zones in India
Agro-climatic zones refer to specific geographical areas characterized by distinct climate conditions, including temperature, rainfall, humidity, and altitude, which influence the type of crops that can be grown and the agricultural practices that can be employed. India, due to its vast and diverse geography, has been divided into several agro-climatic zones to optimize the use of resources and improve agricultural productivity.
Organization Defining Agro-Climatic Zones in India
The Planning Commission of India (now replaced by the NITI Aayog) was responsible for defining the agro-climatic zones in India. The country has been divided into 15 agro-climatic zones based on soil characteristics, weather, cropping patterns, and water resources. This classification helps in better planning and management of agricultural resources.
All 15 Agro-Climatic Zone
Western Himalayan Region
States Covered: Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand.
Climate: Cool and temperate climate with cold winters.
Major Crops: Rice, maize, wheat, barley, apple, apricot, almond.
Features: The region is characterized by rugged terrain and steep slopes, with high rainfall and snowfall. Terrace farming is common.
Eastern Himalayan Region
States Covered: Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, parts of Assam, West Bengal.
Climate: Humid subtropical climate with high rainfall.
Major Crops: Rice, maize, tea, ginger, cardamom, fruits.
Features: This region experiences heavy rainfall, making it suitable for rain-fed agriculture. Tea gardens are predominant in this zone.
Lower Gangetic Plains Region
States Covered: West Bengal, Bihar, Eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Climate: Humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters.
Major Crops: Rice, jute, sugarcane, wheat, pulses, oilseeds.
Features: Fertile alluvial soils and abundant water resources from rivers make this region highly productive for agriculture.
Middle Gangetic Plains Region
States Covered: Central and Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar.
Climate: Humid subtropical climate with moderate to high rainfall.
Major Crops: Rice, wheat, pulses, sugarcane, vegetables.
Features: The region is part of the Indo-Gangetic plain and is known for intensive cropping practices due to fertile soil and ample water supply.
Upper Gangetic Plains Region
States Covered: Western Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand.
Climate: Subtropical climate with high temperatures in summer and cold winters.
Major Crops: Wheat, rice, sugarcane, barley, pulses.
Features: Fertile soil and well-developed irrigation systems support extensive agriculture in this region.
Trans-Gangetic Plains Region
States Covered: Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Chandigarh, Western Uttar Pradesh.
Climate: Semi-arid to subtropical climate with low to moderate rainfall.
Major Crops: Wheat, rice, maize, sugarcane, cotton.
Features: This region is known as the "Granary of India" due to its high productivity in wheat and rice. The Green Revolution significantly impacted this zone.
Eastern Plateau and Hills Region
States Covered: Eastern Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, parts of Maharashtra.
Climate: Tropical wet and dry climate with distinct monsoon and dry seasons.
Major Crops: Rice, maize, pulses, oilseeds, cotton.
Features: The region has undulating terrain with red and laterite soils. Rain-fed agriculture predominates here.
Central Plateau and Hills Region
States Covered: Madhya Pradesh, parts of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra.
Climate: Semi-arid to subtropical climate with moderate rainfall.
Major Crops: Wheat, sorghum, pulses, oilseeds, cotton.
Features: This region has a mix of black and red soils, with agriculture dependent on monsoon rains and irrigation.
Western Plateau and Hills Region
States Covered: Maharashtra, parts of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat.
Climate: Tropical wet and dry climate with moderate to low rainfall.
Major Crops: Cotton, groundnut, sorghum, pulses, millet.
Features: The region is characterized by black soils, which are highly suitable for cotton cultivation. Dryland farming is common.
Southern Plateau and Hills Region
States Covered: Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, parts of Kerala.
Climate: Tropical wet and dry climate with moderate rainfall.
Major Crops: Millets, pulses, oilseeds, cotton, sugarcane.
Features: The region has diverse soils, including red and black soils, and supports a variety of crops, including plantation crops like coffee.
East Coast Plains and Hills Region
States Covered: Coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal.
Climate: Tropical wet and dry climate with high humidity and rainfall.
Major Crops: Rice, sugarcane, groundnut, cashew, coconut.
Features: Coastal alluvial soils and deltaic regions make this zone highly fertile. Irrigated agriculture is common.
West Coast Plains and Ghat Region
States Covered: Coastal areas of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala.
Climate: Tropical wet climate with high rainfall.
Major Crops: Rice, coconut, spices, rubber, cashew.
Features: The region has laterite soils and experiences heavy monsoon rains. Plantation crops are predominant.
Gujarat Plains and Hills Region
States Covered: Gujarat.
Climate: Semi-arid to arid climate with low rainfall.
Major Crops: Cotton, groundnut, millet, wheat, pulses.
Features: The region has diverse soils, including black and alluvial soils, supporting a mix of irrigated and dryland farming.
Western Dry Region
States Covered: Rajasthan.
Climate: Arid climate with very low rainfall.
Major Crops: Bajra, mustard, gram, guar, moong.
Features: This region is part of the Thar Desert and is characterized by sandy soils and extreme temperature variations. Drought-resistant crops are grown here.
The Islands Region
States Covered: Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep.
Climate: Tropical humid climate with heavy rainfall.
Major Crops: Coconut, arecanut, spices, tropical fruits.
Features: The region has sandy and loamy soils with lush vegetation. Agriculture is mostly based on plantation crops.
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