The correct answer is (d) Rice.
Rice is the most important cereal crop in India, accounting for about 43% of the total area under cultivation. It is grown in all states of India, but the major rice-growing states are Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
Wheat is the second most important cereal crop in India, accounting for about 23% of the total area under cultivation. It is grown in all states of India, but the major wheat-growing states are Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.
Sugarcane is the third most important cereal crop in India, accounting for about 10% of the total area under cultivation. It is grown in all states of India, but the major sugarcane-growing states are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
Maize is the fourth most important cereal crop in India, accounting for about 7% of the total area under cultivation. It is grown in all states of India, but the major maize-growing states are Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.
The following are the reasons why rice is the most important cereal crop in India:
- Rice is a staple food for millions of Indians.
- Rice is a relatively low-cost crop to produce.
- Rice is a drought-tolerant crop.
- Rice is a versatile crop that can be grown in a variety of climates.
- Rice is a high-yielding crop.