As a country with largely an agrarian economy, a wide many number of Indian states also continue to be agriculture based. For a nation dwelling mainly in its rural segment, farming and allied activities understandably make for the major proportion of its employment generating as well as economic yielding pursuits. In economic terms though, the contribution of agriculture to the gross domestic product of the country has been seeing a steady decline even as the primary sector continues to keep engaged the majority of the Indian population.
The country continues to be one of the leading producers of a wide variety of commercial and cash crops. Particularly in the production of rice and wheat, tea and milk, India is one of the world’s major contributor. A bit surprisingly, the country is also the largest producer of mangoes and lemons, ginger and okra as also of cotton and jute and betel nuts. Domestically though, the agricultural sector is a lot more diversified and wide reaching with also many other varieties of crops dotting the whole green scenario of the country. Here’s listing the top 10 major agricultural states of India that is leading the country to worldwide glory-
West Bengal
Source: Anandabazar Patrika
As the largest producer of the staple crop rice of the country, West Bengal is the biggest among the top 10 agricultural states in India. Even otherwise, agriculture is the leading economic sector in the state, lending it a prominently agrarian distinction. Apart from rice, the state also produces wheat, potato, jute, sugarcane in considerable quantities. But it is the special variety of tea that it produces that makes West Bengal a particularly celebrated name. The special Darjeeling tea of the region is a world famous variant of tea, that which renders West Bengal globally popular. Though the contribution of agriculture to the economy of the state is gradually on the decline, West Bengal still remains basically a state dependent on agriculture, producing even a surplus of grains currently.
Uttar Pradesh
In the northern region of India where wheat gains predominance over rice as the staple food, there exists a state that leads the way in its production. That distinction is claimed by Uttar Pradesh, another of the 10 major agricultural states in India. The most populous state of the country, agriculture provides ample employment avenues in Uttar Pradesh and therefore plays a vital role in the economic development of the state. The state is also the largest producer of sugarcane and therefore of sugar in the country. One of the most dynamic states of India with the Nawabi city of Lucknow as its capital, Uttar Pradesh though continues to dwell with pride in its identity as one of the top agricultural zones in the country.
Gujarat
In continually recording agricultural growth rates well above the national average, Gujarat has emerged to be one of the notable names among the 10 major agrarian states in India. The largest producer of cotton in the country, the state also contributes to food production that which mainly includes fruits, vegetables and wheat. With an economy the strength of which stems particularly from agriculture, Gujarat has been particularly helped in the green pursuit by a host of factors. From adopting such methods as diversified crops and cropping patters and cooperative farming to having been helped by its climatic diversity as well as through adoption of hi-tech agriculture, Gujarat has managed to climb high up the agricultural ladder in recent years. Also with an exclusive thrust on dairy farming, the state has also emerged to be the largest producer of milk in the country.
Assam
Known for its exotic variant of flavorful Assam tea, the north eastern state of Assam is a big name when it comes to agriculture. In laying claim to more than half of the tea produced in India, Assam is easily one of the top 10 agricultural states of the country. Agriculture also accounts for more than a third of the state’s economy and more than two third’s of its employment. However, even with ample resources and avenues on its side, the state has not been quite able to experience satisfactory growth with respect to other such agricultural produce. Nevertheless, in gifting the world the flavorful aroma and taste of the luxuriant Assam tea, the state is a prominent name when it comes to yielding the green thumb.
Karnataka
Source: Indus Dictum
One among the more developed Indian states, Karnataka commands a reputation as being a state quite focussed on its agricultural scene. Even when agriculture is the smallest contributor to the economy of the state, it still is notable that agriculture continues to rule the roost when it comes to being the primary occupation of the rural people. Specifically, in producing 71% of India’s coffee output, Karnataka brings to fore its prominence as being one of the top 10 agricultural states in India. Also the largest producer of raw silk in the country, the state also contributes majorly to the production of a number of other important commercial and agricultural crops.
Madhya Pradesh
Source: Swarajya
For a state with an agrarian economy, Madhya Pradesh dominates proceedings in farming across a wide range of produce in the country. Soybeans, grams and pulses are the major crops here with pulses, of which the country is also the largest producer in the world, being the strongest of holds of this among the top 10 agricultural states in India. Wheat and rice, sugarcane, cotton and oilseeds, also account for significant proportion of the agricultural produce of Madhya Pradesh. The agriculture sector contributes almost one fourth to the state’s gross domestic product while being the major source of employment for the people of the state.
Kerala
Source: Times of India
Known for its lush greenery and ample natural bounty, God’s own country Kerala is a potent land when it comes to agriculture. The Spice Capital of India, the state outranks all in the production of spices, to emerge as among the 10 major agricultural states in the country. Specifically in black pepper and rubber production, the state is the country leader. Even beyond, the pristine state is also know for its robust teas and coffees as well as its export quality cashew nuts. Rice continues to be the staple agricultural produce here and the sector provides employment to about two thirds of the state’s population.
Punjab
Source: DownToEarth
As one of the most fertile regions of India, it is no wonder that Punjab makes it matter as among the top 10 agricultural states in the country. The state has particularly benefited from the Green Revolution of the mid 1900s, bolstering its agricultural faculties even further. Referred to as India’s bread basket, Punjab accounts for about 12% of India’s total cereal produce. Be it staples like rice or wheat or other cereals like maize, barley, pearl millet and even fruits and crops like cotton, the state is one agriculturally rich repository accounting therefore for the largest contribution to its gross domestic product. Punjab’s success in agriculture also bodes well for its reputation as being the state with the lowest hunger levels in the country.
Haryana
Source: The Statesman
Another state that has been significantly bolstered in agricultural terms owing to the Green Revolution is Haryana. Particularly in contributing 60% of total national Basmati rice export, Haryana asserts its position as being among the top 10 agricultural states of India. Apart from paddy and wheat, the state also boasts the second largest production of sunflowers in India. Cotton, sugarcane, mustard seeds, spices, fruits, vegetables all grow aplenty in this state in northern India that also excels in livestock yield. It is as much the irrigation infrastructure of the state as its fertile land quality that makes Haryana a state so conducive for notable agricultural yields.
Chhattisgarh
Source: DNA India
The rice bowl of central India, the state of Chhattisgarh is absolutely among the top 10 agricultural states in the country. As the chief economic occupation of the state, agricultural and farming contributes immensely to the state economy as well as to its employment scenario. Rice is the main crop grown in the state, even as maize and millets also make up for the majority of the agricultural produce of Chhattisgarh. However due to inadequate facilities for irrigation, the agricultural yield in Chhattisgarh is not very high despite a significant proportion of the population being engaged in it.
