Top 5 Crop Producing States in India – Leading Agricultural States
Largest Crop Producing States in India
India is an agriculture-based country, with a high number of peoples engaged with the agriculture sector. Almost every state of India is involved in agriculture and produces many foods and cash crops. All the crop producing states have high-quality food grains and commercial crops. After China, India is the leading and largest crop producing country. India is gifted with large cultivable land with 15 agro-climate regions. India has almost all types of soil, weather, and growing many varieties of crops. The country produces many crops such as Jute, pulses, spices, cashew, tea, and milk. Also, the country has become the second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables, rice, oilseeds, wheat, cotton and Sugarcane.
The history of agriculture in India is very long back. As per sources, Indian agriculture began in 9000 BC. Since then, there have been many promising developments in Indian agriculture. And today, Indian agriculture is in a good place and will remain successful in the future.
In this blog, we provide information about the top states in India based on farming. Have a look.
Top 5 Largest Agricultural States in India
As we know that India is an agri-based country. And every state of India highly engaged with agriculture. In the below section, we mentioned the top agricultural producing states in India.
1. West Bengal
The top crop producing states list starts with West Bengal. West Bengal is the most popular agricultural state in India. It is also popularly known for its most significant rice production. And that is why it counted as the leading rice producing state in India. Along with rice, West Bengal is also very well known for cash crops such as Jute, sesamum, tobacco, and tea. The agricultural state covers only 2.7% of the geographical area of India, and approx 8% of its population engaged with farming. Again if we talk about rice, West Bengal produces 146.05 lakh tons of rice on 2600 kilograms per hectare yield. The state also produces different fruits such as Mango, Litchi, Pineapple, Guava, and Orange.
Agriculture in West Bengal
- In West Bengal, 71.23 lakh families are engaged in farming, of which 96% are small and marginal farmers.
- Also, the average landholding size is only 0.77 hectares.
- However, the agricultural state awarded diverse natural resources and diverse agro-climatic conditions that support a wide range of crops.
- West Bengal produces crops and plants such as Tomato, Brinjal, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Okra, Cucurbits, Rice, Jute, and Wheat.
- The state is also very popular for its spices such as Chilli, Ginger, Garlic, Coriander, and Turmeric.
West Bengal state is also one of the largest producers and one of the biggest agricultural states in India.
2. Uttar Pradesh
The list of top crop producing states continues with Uttar Pradesh. After West Bengal, UP is the second most popular state in India, growing crops, vegetables, fruits and many more. Also, Uttar Pradesh is popular for Sugarcane, wheat, rice, etc. Approx 59% of people of Uttar Pradesh are engaged in the agriculture sector. Also, Uttar Pradesh is the biggest milk-producing state in the country. The state accounts for about 16.83 per cent of the country’s total milk production. Also, the milk production of the state was around 27.77 million tonnes during the financial year 2016-17. The state comes under the top wheat producing states in India.
Agriculture in Uttar Pradesh
- 29.44 million is the total geographical area of Uttar Pradesh.
- Besides, UP is very popular for wheat as its weather conditions are favourable for wheat cultivation.
- Uttar Pradesh produced 22.5 million tons of wheat on 96 lakh hectares of land.
- Also, Uttar Pradesh is the biggest hub of Sugarcane. The agricultural state produces 45.39 million tons of Sugarcane on 2.17 million hectares in the state.
- The climate of Uttar Pradesh is so varied that almost every type of crop produced here. That is the reason this state is a pioneer in the production of many crops in the country.
3. Gujarat
The next highest crop producing state in India is Gujarat. Gujarat is the fastest growing agricultural state in India and famous as the “growth engine of India”. In Gujarat, about 65% of the total geographical area of 196 lakh hectares cropped. Also, the state has seven agro-climatic zones and wide varieties of soil. Gujarat is a land where farmers and industrialists prosper together. Also, this state is known as the most progressive state in both, agriculture and industrial. That is why it is one of the best farming states in India.
Agriculture in Gujarat
- The agricultural state produces many crops such as Bajra, Groundnut, Cotton, Rice, Maize, Wheat, Mustard, Sesame, Pigeon pea, Green gram and Sugarcane.
- In Gujarat, a total of 48.86 lakh landholders are available. Those who have arable land on average 2.03 hectares per landholder.
- Of the total landholders, 37.16 per cent are marginal farmers, 29.25% are small farmers, 22.10% are semi-medium farmers, 10.49% are medium farmers, and 1.00% are large farmers.
- Gujarat state is also one of the largest producers of major cash crops such as cotton, groundnut, tobacco, cumin, sesame, etc., in India.
4. Assam
The list of top crop producing states continues with Assam state. Assam is an agriculture-dependent state. Also, the agriculture sector directly or indirectly supports more than 75 percent of the state’s population. And employs more than 53 per cent of the total workforce. Assam’s geographical area is 7.8 million hectares, out of which 4.0 million hectares total cropped. Also, the state is famous as one of the good farming states in India.
Agriculture in Assam
- Rice is an important crop in Assam and has a reasonably stable share in the total cultivated area. It is the major rice producing state in India.
- After rice, Assam is popular for tea production as it grows 52% of the total tea production in India.
- Also, Assam highly grows wheat, pulses, Jute, Mesta, sugarcane potatoes, bananas, betel nuts and chillies.
- In Assam, the soil, topography, rainfall and climate are favourable for agricultural activities, mainly for paddy cultivation.
- Also, Assam state has 27.50 lakh farm families. Out of which 22.60 lakh are small and marginal farmers.
- Besides, the agricultural state is blessed with plenty of rain and many fast-flowing streams and rivers.
5.Haryana
The last state in the top agricultural producing states list is Haryana. The main primary occupation of Haryana is agriculture. Approx 70% of people engaged with agriculture. Also, Haryana is very well known as the “Food Mine” of the country. Rice and wheat both are major crops in Haryana state. It is also the second-largest supporter of the central pool of food grains in India. The major crops of Haryana are rabi and Kharif. Major crops includes wheat, oilseed, gram, corn, barley, rice, Sugarcane, cotton and many more. It also involves livestock farming. That is why it is one of the best agriculture states in India.
Agriculture in Haryana
- Haryana has 4.421 million hectares total geographical area. Out of which 3.809 million hectare means 86.2%of the total geographical area covered by cultivation.
- Besides, the agricultural state has a massive irrigation system. And that is why this state is good for paddy cultivation.
- Also, the climate, weather, soil and rainfall of Haryana is favourable for all the crops.
- In addition, Haryana has 15.28 lakh holdings. Out of which 7.04 lakh (46.1%) are marginal farmers, 2.94 lakh (19.3%) are small farmers, and 5.30 lakh (34.7%) are others.
- The northwestern part of Haryana is suitable for rice, wheat, vegetables and temperate fruits cultivation. Also, the southwestern part of the state is favourable for high-quality agricultural produce, tropical fruits, herbal and medicinal plants, and exotic vegetables.
Largest Agricultural Producing States of India
Agriculture in India has been going on since the time of the Indus Valley Civilization. With the time and developed machines, the agriculture sector has touched new heights and is constantly improving. Here, in the below section, we show a table of agricultural products and state’s names as per their positions and production.
Products Name |
Highly Producing State |
Production in Tonnes |
Rice |
West Bengal | 14.605 million tons |
Wheat |
Uttar Pradesh |
22.5 million tons |
Groundnut |
Gujarat | 2.6 million tons |
Tea | Assam |
630- 700 million kg |
Castor seed |
Gujarat | 1.744 million tonnes |
Sugarcane | Uttar Pradesh |
45.39 million tons |
Tobacco |
West Bengal |
800 million kgs |
Jute |
West Bengal |
9.98 million bales |
Cotton |
Gujarat |
3.18 million bales |
Food Grains |
Uttar Pradesh |
55 million metric tons |
These are the top agricultural states in India. We hope you get the solution to all your doubts. This blog will help you enhance your knowledge about agriculture in India. For more interesting & informative topics, please connect with TractorGuru.
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