Agro-climatic Zones of India

India has diverse geographical features and climatic conditions divided into various agro-climatic zones. Agro-climatic regional planning in India was initiated in 1988 by the Planning Commission. It means under the Seventh five-year plan, regional planning has come into force on the basis of agro-climatic factors for balanced regional growth. The agro-climatic factors are rainfall, temperature, soil, topography, cropping and farming systems, and water resources.

LIST OF AGRO-CLIMATIC ZONES OF INDIA

The planning commission has divided the country into 15 agro-climatic zones. Later ICAR launched the National Agriculture Research Project (NARP) which divided 15 agro-climatic zones into 127.

S.NO	AGRO-CLIMATIC ZONE/REGIONS	STATES REPRESENTED	Climate
1	Western Himalayan region	Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand	Cold arid to humid
2	Eastern Himalayan region	Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, West Bengal	Per humid to humid
3	Lower Gangetic Plain region	West Bengal	Moist subhumid to dry subhumid
4	Middle Gangetic plain region	Uttar Pradesh, Bihar	Moist sub-humid to dry sub-humid
5	Upper Gangetic Plain region	Uttar Pradesh	Dry subhumid to semi-arid
6	Trans Gangetic Plain region	Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan	Extreme arid to dry subhumid
7	Eastern plateau and hills region	Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, West Bengal	Moist subhumid to dry subhumid
8	Central plateau and hills region	Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh	Semi-arid to dry subhumid
9	Western plateau and hills region	Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra	Semi-arid
10	Southern plateau and hills region	Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu	Semi-arid
11	East Coast plains and hills region	East Coast plains and hills region	Semi-arid to dry subhumid
12	West coast plains and Ghat region	West coast plains and Ghat region	Dry subhumid to humid
13	Gujarat plains and hills region	Gujarat, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu	Arid to dry subhumid
14	Western dry region	Rajasthan	Arid to extremely arid
15	Island region	Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep	Tropical climate with high humidity

Uses of agro-climatic zones of India

Play a crucial role in determining the agricultural practices, crop suitability, and productivity in different regions of the country.

Let’s explore the various 15 agro-climatic zones of India and gain a deeper understanding of their individual characteristics.

Details about geographical location, climate conditions, and major crops cultivated in different agro-climatic zones of India.

Western Himalayan Region

• States: Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand
• This region, encompassing the mighty Himalayas, experiences a cold and mountainous climate.
• Large variations in altitude give rise to different agro-climatic subzones within this region.
• In higher altitudes, the cultivation of temperate fruits like apples and cherries thrives, thanks to cooler temperatures.
• Lower altitudes support the growth of cash crops like maize, wheat, and rice.

Eastern Himalayan Region

• States: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, West Bengal
• Known for its abundant rainfall, this region has a pleasant climate throughout the year.
• The fertile soil and high amount of precipitation make it ideal for tea, rubber, and spice plantations.
• The region also boasts rich biodiversity, supporting the growth of various medicinal plants.

Lower Gangetic Plain Region

• State: West Bengal
• Comprising vast alluvial plains, this region benefits from the fertile soil brought by the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers.
• Rice, jute, and pulses are the major crops cultivated here.
• The humid climate and ample water resources create favorable conditions for paddy cultivation.

Middle Gangetic Plain Region

• States: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar
• The Middle Gangetic Plain is characterized by moderately fertile soil and a subtropical climate.
• Wheat, sugarcane, and oilseeds are the main crops grown in this region.
• Adequate irrigation facilities contribute to the productivity of the agricultural sector.

Upper Gangetic Plain Region

• State: Uttar Pradesh
• This region experiences extreme temperatures, with scorching summers and chilly winters.
• Wheat, rice, sugarcane, and fruits like mangoes and guavas thrive in this agro-climatic zone.
• The availability of irrigation water from the Ganges and Yamuna rivers supports agricultural activities.

Trans Gangetic Plain Region

• States: Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan
• The Trans Gangetic Plain region is known for its fertile alluvial soil and dry climate.
• Extensive cultivation of wheat, barley, maize, cotton, and mustard takes place here.
• The introduction of modern agricultural techniques has significantly increased productivity in this region.

Eastern Plateau and Hills Region

• States: Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, West Bengal
• This region, characterized by its hilly terrain and plateaus, witnesses a tropical climate with moderate rainfall.
• Rice, pulses, oilseeds, and cotton are the primary crops cultivated here.
• The region’s hilly topography poses challenges for agricultural practices but also allows for favorable conditions for horticulture and floriculture.

Central Plateau and Hills Region

• States: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh
• The Central Plateau and Hills region experiences a semi-arid to arid climate.
• The major crops grown here include wheat, millets, pulses, and oilseeds, with a focus on adopting drought-resistant varieties.
• The region faces water scarcity, leading to the necessity of efficient irrigation methods.

Western Plateau and Hills Region

• States: Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra
• This region, known for its rugged terrain and diverse climate patterns, has a mix of semi-arid and sub-humid conditions.
• Crops like cotton, millets, oilseeds, and pulses find suitable conditions for cultivation.
• The utilization of advanced agricultural practices, such as drip irrigation, helps combat water scarcity and improve productivity.

Southern Plateau and Hills Region

• States: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
• The Southern Plateau and Hills region experiences a tropical monsoon climate.
• With its fertile red and laterite soils, this zone is perfect for cultivating crops like rice, sugarcane, pulses, and millet.
• Horticulture and cash crops like coffee and spices are also extensively grown in this region.

East Coast Plains and Hills Region

• States: Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Pondicherry
• This region, characterized by its coastal plains and hilly areas, enjoys a tropical climate with seasonal rainfall.
• Rice, pulses, groundnuts, and cashews are the main agricultural products here.
• The region’s coastal location provides opportunities for fishery-based livelihoods.

West Coast Plains and Ghat Region

• States: Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu
• The West Coast Plains and Ghat region experience a tropical monsoon climate, with heavy rainfall.
• This fertile region is renowned for its cultivation of crops like coconut, spices, coffee, rubber, and cashews.
• The hilly areas of the Western Ghats provide perfect conditions for tea and coffee plantations.

Gujarat Plains and Hills Region

• States: Gujarat, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu
• The Gujarat Plains and Hills region has a diverse climatic pattern, ranging from arid to semi-arid conditions.
• The region primarily cultivates crops like cotton, groundnut, pulses, and millet.
• The implementation of watershed management techniques helps conserve the limited water resources in this region.

Western Dry Region

• State: Rajasthan
• Characterized by extreme aridity, this region witnesses scorching temperatures and minimal rainfall.
• Drought-resistant crops like barley, millet, and pulses are grown here.
• Innovative farming practices such as rainwater harvesting and drip irrigation have proven beneficial in this arid environment.

Island Region

• Union Territories: Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep
• The Island region experiences a tropical climate with high humidity and sufficient rainfall.
• Coconut, spices, fruits, and vegetables are the prominent crops cultivated here.
• The unique geographical advantage of the islands creates opportunities for aquaculture and marine-based industries.

Also visit: Importance of agriculture in India, Agriculture export business step by steps-guide.

Conclusion

In conclusion, India’s agro-climatic zones exhibit significant diversity in terms of climatic conditions, soil fertility, and crop preferences. Understanding these zones is important for effective agricultural planning, crop selection, and implementation of appropriate farming techniques. By embracing the uniqueness of each region, India can harness its vast agricultural potential and ensure sustainable food production for its growing population.

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