UPSC Prelims 2013 Q64: Geography – Indian Agriculture & Land Use
Consider the following crops :
1. Cotton
2. Groundnut
3. Rice
4. Wheat
Which of these are Kharif crops?
- (a) 1 and 4
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1, 2 and 3
- (d) 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Kharif crops
Kharif crops are sown with the monsoon (June-July) and harvested in September-October.
| Crop | Kharif? | Season |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Cotton | Yes | Kharif |
| 2. Groundnut | Yes | Mainly kharif |
| 3. Rice | Yes | The main kharif crop |
| 4. Wheat | No | Rabi |
The three cropping seasons:
| Season | Sown | Harvested | Crops |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kharif | June-July | September-October | Rice, maize, jowar, bajra, cotton, groundnut, soya bean, jute |
| Rabi | October-December | March-April | Wheat, barley, gram, mustard, peas |
| Zaid | March-April | June | Watermelon, cucumber, fodder |
Rabi crops depend on winter rain from western disturbances and on irrigation.
Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 3.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Wheat is a rabi crop.
- (b) Incorrect. Cotton is also a kharif crop.
- (c) CORRECT. Cotton, groundnut and rice are kharif crops.
- (d) Incorrect. Wheat is a rabi crop, and cotton is left out.
Key point
Kharif (monsoon): rice, maize, millets, cotton, groundnut, soya bean. Rabi (winter): wheat, gram, mustard, barley. Zaid (summer): melons, fodder.
Remember
Wheat = rabi; rice, cotton, groundnut = kharif.
Common mistakes
- Placing wheat in kharif; it is the chief rabi crop.
- Forgetting that cotton is a kharif crop.
- Mixing up zaid (short summer season) with rabi.
Exam tip
Kharif = rain-fed monsoon crops. Rabi = winter crops, led by wheat.
Sources
- NCERT Class X — Contemporary India II, Ch 4 (Agriculture)
- NCERT Class XII — India: People and Economy (Land Resources and Agriculture)