Cropping Pattern of Gujarat

Agro and Sub Agro-Climatic Zones:

Gujarat lies in the Agro Climatic Zone-XIII, which is called as “Gujarat Plains and Hills region”/ Traditionally Gujarat was divided into three regions, viz. (i) the main land plains extending from the Rann of Kutch and the Aravalli hills in the North to Damanganga in the South, (ii) the hilly Peninsular region of Saurashtra and the rocky areas of Kutch and (iii) the North-eastern hill tract. Now it is divided into 7 sub-agro climatic zones : Southern Hills (Dangs, Valsad), Southern Gujarat, Middle Gujarat, North Gujarat, North-West Arid, North Saurashtra and South Saurashtra. Most of Gujarat falls under mega thermic category with mean Soil temperature exceeding 28°C. Air temperature in January normally remains over 10°C. Maximum temperature in May goes over 40°C in North and North-west Gujarat. It is more moderate in the coastal area of Saurashtra and south Gujarat.

Rainfall is the most dominant climatic factor. Average rainfall is 828 mm, received in 35 days mostly from June to September with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 50%. Spatially it ranges from 300 mm in North-West to 2,000 mm in South-East. Twelve out of 26 districts of Gujarat are drought prone. In years of poor rainfall, the yields of important crops like groundnut which are mainly rainfed can reduce by 70% or more.

Cropping Pattern:

The main crops grown in Kharif season are Great Millet, Bajra, Maize, Paddy, Groundnut and in Rabi season these are Cotton, Wheat, Mustard, Cumin and Vegetables. Besides, Sugarcane is also grown in some districts. While the performance of rice, wheat, pulses and cotton in Gujarat is below the national average, the performance is above the national average for coarse Cereals, oils seeds and onion. Although potato is not a major crop, its yields in Gujarat are high. The State finds a place among the top 3 in terms of productivity of bajra, groundnut, sesame, rapeseed and mustard, castor, onion, banana, chikoo, guava, cauliflower and tobacco.

The net cropped area has varied from 9.60 million hectare to 9.67 million hectare during the last 10 years. This is a little over 49% of the total area of Gujarat. Cropping Intensity varies according to rainfall and it has been about 105% in the recent years. There were 35,32,000 agricultural holdings in 1990–91. This number increased to 37,81,000 in 1995–96 and the average size of operational holding reduced from 2.93 ha to 2.62 ha in the same period. About 55% of the holdings fell under marginal and small size group in 1995–96, against 78% at the national level. Average size of holding was 86% larger than the national average.

As in the rest of India, there has been a steady shift from animal power to electro-mechanical sources of power in Gujarat although the rate of change has been slower than that of the leading agricultural States. The availability of power is estimated at 1.20 kW/ha which is less than the average power availability in the country. About 90% of power comes from tractors, engines and motors.The sale of tractors is on the rise and during 2009-10, about 24, 291 tractors were sold in Gujarat by different tractor manufacturers in Gujarat. One of the manufacturer in Gujarat is making good quality rotavators and is selling more than 1000 rotavators per month. There are a good number of manufacturers making good quality farm implements. There is good scope for introducing improved equipment for performing various farm operations for cultivation of rice, wheat, pulses and cotton in Gujarat.

Changing cropping pattern in Gujarat has reported a significant shift from area sown in rabi only to double/Triple Cropping area, suggesting that due to availability of Irrigation, it has been possible to take more than one crop. The highest increase in multi-cropping area has been registered in the Saurashtra region, followed by Northern and Central regions. During the past five years ending 2010–11, there has been a change in cropping pattern favouring commercial crops. The main driver for such transformation has been the technology, supported by Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE like good roads, improved market accessibility, ensured power supply to farmers, higher productivity of commercial crops, better Market Price and thereby favourable farm economies. The study has revealed that Saurashtra region dominates in cultivation of oilseeds, commercial, spices and Vegetable Crops in the state. The southern region is front-runner in the cultivation of fruits and flowers. The northern region dominates in cultivation of cereal crops, whereas the central region has the highest area under cultivation for pulses.,

Gujarat is a state in northwestern India. It is the ninth-largest state by area and the sixth-most populous state in India. The state is known for its fertile land, which is suitable for a variety of crops. The cropping pattern in Gujarat varies depending on the region. In the northern region, the main crops are cereals, such as bajra, jowar, and maize. In the central region, the main crops are pulses, such as tur, gram, urad, moong, and moth. In the southern region, the main crops are oilseeds, such as groundnut, soybean, rapeseed, and mustard. In the coastal region, the main crops are fruits, such as mango, banana, orange, grapes, and apple. In the inland region, the main crops are vegetables, such as potato, tomato, onion, cauliflower, and cabbage. In the hilly region, the main crops are spices, such as turmeric, chili, ginger, garlic, and coriander. Other crops that are grown in Gujarat include sugarcane, tobacco, tea, and coffee.

The cropping pattern in Gujarat is influenced by a number of factors, including Climate, soil type, water availability, and market demand. The climate in Gujarat is semi-arid, with hot summers and cool winters. The soil in Gujarat is mostly alluvial, which is suitable for a variety of crops. The state receives an average annual rainfall of 700 mm. The water availability in Gujarat is limited, and irrigation is required for most crops. The market demand for crops in Gujarat varies depending on the season.

The cropping pattern in Gujarat has changed over time in response to changes in climate, soil type, water availability, and market demand. In the past, the main crops in Gujarat were cereals, such as bajra, jowar, and maize. However, in recent years, there has been a shift towards the cultivation of pulses, oilseeds, fruits, vegetables, and spices. This shift is due to a number of factors, including the increasing demand for these crops in the domestic and international markets.

The cropping pattern in Gujarat is also influenced by government policies. The government of Gujarat has implemented a number of policies to promote the cultivation of certain crops. For example, the government has provided subsidies for the cultivation of pulses, oilseeds, fruits, vegetables, and spices. The government has also implemented a number of policies to improve the irrigation infrastructure in the state.

The cropping pattern in Gujarat is an important factor in the state’s economy. The agricultural sector contributes about 13% to the state’s GDP. The cropping pattern in Gujarat is also important for the state’s Food Security. The state produces a surplus of food grains, which is exported to other parts of India.

The cropping pattern in Gujarat is facing a number of challenges, including Climate Change, water scarcity, and soil degradation. Climate change is leading to changes in the rainfall pattern in the state. This is leading to droughts in some parts of the state and floods in other parts. Water scarcity is another major challenge facing the cropping pattern in Gujarat. The state is facing a shortage of water for irrigation. Soil degradation is another major challenge facing the cropping pattern in Gujarat. The use of chemical Fertilizers and pesticides is leading to soil degradation.

The government of Gujarat is taking a number of steps to address the challenges facing the cropping pattern in the state. The government is implementing a number of policies to improve the irrigation infrastructure in the state. The government is also implementing a number of policies to promote the use of sustainable agricultural practices.

What is the cropping pattern of Gujarat?

The cropping pattern of Gujarat is a complex and ever-changing one. The state’s diverse geography and climate mean that a wide range of crops can be grown, and the patterns of cultivation vary from region to region. However, some general trends can be observed.

In recent years, there has been a shift towards more intensive cropping, with a focus on high-value crops such as vegetables and fruits. This has been driven by a number of factors, including rising incomes, increasing Urbanization, and changing consumer preferences.

At the same time, there has been a decline in the area under traditional crops such as cereals and pulses. This is due to a number of factors, including low prices, competition from imports, and the availability of alternative land uses.

The cropping pattern of Gujarat is likely to continue to evolve in the coming years. The state’s economy is growing rapidly, and this is likely to lead to further changes in the demand for agricultural products. In addition, climate change is likely to have a significant impact on agriculture in Gujarat, and this will need to be taken into account in future planning.

What are the major crops grown in Gujarat?

The major crops grown in Gujarat are:

Cereals: Wheat, rice, bajra, jowar, maize
Pulses: Tur, gram, moong, urad
Oilseeds: Groundnut, cotton, soybean
Vegetables: Onion, tomato, potato, cauliflower, cabbage
Fruits: Mango, banana, citrus fruits, grapes

What are the factors that influence the cropping pattern of Gujarat?

The cropping pattern of Gujarat is influenced by a number of factors, including:

The state’s diverse geography and climate
The availability of water
The prices of agricultural products
The demand for agricultural products
The availability of labor
The government’s policies

What are the challenges faced by the cropping pattern of Gujarat?

The cropping pattern of Gujarat faces a number of challenges, including:

Low productivity: The productivity of agriculture in Gujarat is relatively low compared to other states in India. This is due to a number of factors, including the use of outdated technologies, poor irrigation facilities, and lack of access to credit.
Water scarcity: Gujarat is a water-scarce state, and this is a major challenge for agriculture. The state’s water Resources are under increasing pressure from competing demands, such as industrial development and domestic use.
Climate change: Climate change is likely to have a significant impact on agriculture in Gujarat. The state is already experiencing changes in temperature and rainfall patterns, and these changes are likely to become more pronounced in the future.
Pests and diseases: Gujarat’s agriculture is also vulnerable to pests and diseases. These can cause significant damage to crops, and they can also lead to the spread of diseases to humans.

What are the opportunities for the cropping pattern of Gujarat?

Despite the challenges, there are also a number of opportunities for the cropping pattern of Gujarat. These include:

The Growth of the domestic market: The Indian economy is growing rapidly, and this is leading to an increase in the demand for agricultural products. Gujarat is well-positioned to meet this demand, as it has a large and fertile land area.
The growth of the export market: India is a major exporter of agricultural products, and Gujarat is one of the leading states in this sector. The state has the potential to increase its exports of agricultural products, particularly to high-value markets such as the European Union and the United States.
The development of new technologies: New technologies, such as Drip Irrigation and precision agriculture, can help to improve the productivity of agriculture in Gujarat. These technologies can also help to reduce the use of water and pesticides, which are important environmental concerns.
The development of new markets: The State Government is working to develop new markets for agricultural products, such as the Food Processing Industry and the tourism industry. These new markets can help to increase the demand for agricultural products, and they can also help to create jobs in the agricultural sector.

Which of the following is not a major crop grown in Gujarat?
(A) Cotton
(B) Rice
(C) Wheat
(D) Sugarcane
The most important irrigation source in Gujarat is:
(A) Canals
(B) Wells
(C) Tanks
(D) Tube wells
The main agricultural region of Gujarat is:
(A) Saurashtra
(B) Kutch
(C) Central Gujarat
(D) North Gujarat
The main cash crop of Gujarat is:
(A) Cotton
(B) Rice
(C) Wheat
(D) Sugarcane
The main food crop of Gujarat is:
(A) Cotton
(B) Rice
(C) Wheat
(D) Sugarcane
The main Livestock of Gujarat is:
(A) Cattle
(B) Buffalo
(C) Sheep
(D) Goats
The main forest produce of Gujarat is:
(A) Timber
(B) Bamboo
(C) Honey
(D) Lac
The main mineral of Gujarat is:
(A) Petroleum
(B) Natural gas
(C) Limestone
(D) Bauxite
The main industrial product of Gujarat is:
(A) Petroleum
(B) Natural gas
(C) Limestone
(D) Cement
The main port of Gujarat is:
(A) Kandla
(B) Mundra
(C) Dahej
(D) Pipavav