Introduction
Uttar Pradesh stands as a prosperous state in agriculture due to its favorable geography. According to the 2011 census, 59.3% of the state’s workforce is engaged in agriculture and related activities, with 29.0% being farmers and 30.3% agricultural laborers.
In the 2022-23 fiscal year, agriculture contributed 26% to the state’s Gross State Domestic Product, and the agricultural growth rate reached an impressive 18.2%. This significant contribution has rightfully earned agriculture the title of the backbone of Uttar Pradesh’s economy. The state proudly leads the nation in total food grain production.
Production of agricultural crops in UP
In the fourth forecast, the overall food grain production for 2021-22 is projected to be 315.7 million tonnes. Among the states, Uttar Pradesh leads with a significant contribution of 56.11 million tonnes, accounting for 17.77% of India’s total food grain production.
- Foodgrains : area, production, yield & irrigation
- Data for 2020-21 4th advance estimate except irrigation
- Irrigation data for 2018-19 provisional
- Source : Agricultural statistics at a glance – 2021
Area : million hectares
Production : million tonnes
Yield : kg / hectare
| Area
( % to all India ) |
Production
( % to all India ) |
Yield | Area under Irrigation
(%) ( 2018-19 ) |
|
| India | 129.34 ( 100 % ) | 308.65 ( 100 % ) | 2386 | 54.32 % |
| UP | 19.93 ( 15.41 % ) | 58.32 ( 18.89 % ) | 2926 | 81.3 % |
| Top states | 1. UP
2. Rajasthan 3. MP |
1. UP
2. MP 3. Rajasthan |
1. Punjab
2. Haryana 3. Telangana |
1. Punjab
2. Haryana 3. UP |
Therefore, it is clear from this table that :
- Uttar Pradesh ranks first in the country in terms of area under food grains.
- UP ranks first in the country in food grain production.
- Uttar Pradesh ranks third in terms of area under irrigation.
Rice ( Oriza sativa )
Rice is commonly grown in areas with 125 to 200 cm of rainfall and temperatures above 23 °C. It is also cultivated with the help of irrigation in areas with low rainfall and high temperature. Rice grows in all type of soil, however, soil capable of holding water for a longer period such as heavy soil ( clay, clay-loamy and loamy ) are most suited for its cultivation.
Due to sufficient rainfall in the eastern and Terai part of the state, rice is cultivated normally here. Along with this, it is also cultivated in the southern and western parts where there is irrigation facility.
Districts famous for rice cultivation in the state are — Maharajganj, Siddharthnagar, Kushinagar, Deoria, Gorakhpur, Basti, Gonda, Bahraich, Shravasti, Balrampur, Lakhimpur, Pilibhit, Saharanpur, Mau, Ballia, Varanasi, Prayag, Lucknow etc. districts.
Siddharthnagar is famous for fragrant rice Kalanamak. Kalanamak rice granted GI tag by Government of India in 2012.
As per the fourth forecast, the total rice production in 2021-22 is estimated at 130.3 million tonnes. Out of this, Uttar Pradesh alone ranks second with a production of 15.27 million tonnes, which is 11.72 % of the country’s total production.
- Rice : area, production, yield & irrigation
- Data for 2020-21 4th advance estimate except irrigation
- Irrigation data for 2018-19 provisional
- Source : Agricultural statistics at a glance – 2021
Area : million hectares
Production : million tonnes
Yield : kg / hectare
| Area
( % to all India ) |
Production
( % to all India ) |
Yield | Area under Irrigation (%)
( 2018-19 ) |
|
| India | 45.07 ( 100 % ) | 122.87 ( 100 % ) | 2713 | 62.7 % |
| UP | 5.68 ( 12.6 % ) | 15.66 ( 12.81 % ) | 2749 | 86.3 % |
| Top states | 1. UP
2. West Bengal 3. Odisa |
1. West Bengal
2. MP 3. Punjab |
1. Punjab
2. Andhra Pradesh 3. Rajasthan |
1. Punjab
2. Telangana 3. Andhra Pradesh |
Therefore, it is clear from this table that :
- Uttar Pradesh is first in area under rice cultivation.
- West Bengal is first in rice production.
- Punjab ranks first in terms of productivity & the irrigated area of rice sown.
Wheat ( Triticum aestivum )
Environmental requirements : Wheat is primarily a crop of temperate zone. Hence, its cultivation in state ( and India ) done during winter, i.e. Rabi season. That’s why it is sown in October-November and harvested in March-April.
- Rainfall – 50 to 75 cm.
- Temperature : at the time of sowing 10 to 15 °C, at harvest time about 25 °C. Thus it requires a temperature of 10 to 25 °C.
Wheat is cultivated in the state everywhere except the hilly and plateau areas. The Ganga-Ghaghra Doab region has the highest productivity in the state.
As per the fourth forecast, the total wheat production in 2021-22 is estimated at 106.8 million tonnes. Out of this, Uttar Pradesh alone ranks first with a production of 33.95 million tonnes, which is 31.77% of the country’s total production.
- Wheat : area, production, yield & irrigation
- Data for 2020-21 4th advance estimate except irrigation
- Irrigation data for 2018-19 provisional
- Source : Agricultural statistics at a glance – 2021
Area : million hectares
Production : million tonnes
Yield : kg / hectare
| Area
( % to all India ) |
Production
( % to all India ) |
Yield | Area under Irrigation
(%) ( 2018-19 ) |
|
| India | 31.61 ( 100 % ) | 109.5 ( 100 % ) | 3464 | 95.3 % |
| UP | 9.85 ( 31.16 % ) | 35.50 ( 32.42 % ) | 3604 | 99 % |
| Top states | 1. UP
2. MP 3. Punjab |
1. UP
2. MP 3. Punjab |
1. Punjab
2. Haryana 3. Rajasthan |
1. Haryana
2. Rajasthan 3. Punjab 4. UP |
Therefore, it is clear from this table that :
- Uttar Pradesh is first in area under wheat cultivation.
- Uttar Pradesh is first in wheat production.
- UP ranks fourth in the irrigated area of wheat sown.
Maize or Corn ( Zea mays )
Maize requires average temperature between 21°C and 27°C. Temperature below 10°C or above 35°C is harmful for the crop. It performs well in the region where the rainfall is between 50-75 cm Bright sunshine after rainfall is useful for healthy growth of the crop.
Maize is cultivated mainly as a kharif crop, while it is also grown as a rabi crop.
It is a food as well as fodder crop, but is also used as a raw material for industries.
It is cultivated in Meerut, Farrukhabad, Ghaziabad, Gonda, Bulandshahr, Bahraich, Jaunpur, Firozabad, Etah, Mainpuri, etc. districts of the state.
- Maize : area, production, yield & irrigation
- Data for 2020-21 4th advance estimate except irrigation
- Irrigation data for 2018-19 provisional
- Source : Agricultural statistics at a glance – 2021
Area : million hectares
Production : million tonnes
Yield : kg / hectare
| Area
( % to all India ) |
Production
( % to all India ) |
Yield | Area under Irrigation
(%) ( 2018-19 ) |
|
| India | 9.86 ( 100 % ) | 31.51 ( 100 % ) | 3195 | 26.28 % |
| UP | 0.77 ( 7.85 % ) | 1.80 ( 5.72 % ) | 2331 | 47.7 % |
| Top states | 1. Karnataka
2. MP 3. Maharashtra |
1. Karnataka
2. MP 3. Maharashtra 9th. UP |
1. Tamil Nadu
2. Telangana 3. West Bengal |
1. West Bengal
2. Andhra Pradesh 3. Punjab 4. Bihar |
Nutri/Coarse Cereals
Millets are group of small grained cereal food crops which are highly tolerant to drought and other extreme weather conditions and are grown with low chemical inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides.
Most of millet crops are native of India and are popularly known as Nutri-cereals as they provide most of the nutrients required for normal functioning of human body.
Nutri/Coarse Cereals are classified into Major Millets and Minor Millets based on their grain size.
Nutri or Coarse Cereals are classified as follow :
- Major Millets –
- Sorghum ( Jowar )
- Pearl Millet ( Bajra )
- Finger Millet ( Ragi or Mandua )
- Minor Millets –
- Little Millet ( Kutki )
- Kodo Millet ( Kodo )
- Barnyard Millet ( Sawa or Jhangora )
- Foxtail Millet ( Kangni or Kakun )
- Proso Millet ( Cheena )
Psuedo Millets : Millets that are not from the grass family but are used in the same way are called pseudo millets. These are – Buck-wheat ( Kuttu ), Amarnath ( Chaulai ).
|
The International Year of Millets – 2023 The United Nations General Assembly, in its 75th session during March 2021, declared 2023 the International Year of Millets (IYM). Millets are Smart Food with high nutritional value, are climate resilient, and align with several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These are also important by virtue of their mammoth potential to generate livelihood, increase farmers’ income and ensure food & nutritional security all over the world. |
- Nutri/Coarse Cereals : area, production, yield & irrigation
- Data for 2020-21 4th advance estimate except irrigation
- Irrigation data for 2018-19 provisional
- Source : Agricultural statistics at a glance – 2021
Area : million hectares
Production : million tonnes
Yield : kg / hectare
| Area
( % to all India ) |
Production
( % to all India ) |
Yield | Area under Irrigation
(%) ( 2018-19 ) |
|
| India | 28.83 ( 100 % ) | 51.15 ( 100 % ) | 2146 | — |
| UP | 2.02 ( 8.49 % ) | 4.59 ( 8.97 % ) | 2266 | — |
| Top states | 1. Rajasthan
2. Maharashtra 3. Karnataka |
1. Rajasthan
2. Karnataka 3. Maharashtra 5th – UP |
1. West Bengal
2. Telangana 3. Andhra Pradesh |
— |
Therefore, it is clear from this table that :
- Uttar Pradesh is 5th in total Nutri/Coarse Cereals production.
Jowar ( Sorghum bicolor )
- Jowar : area, production, yield & irrigation
- Data for 2020-21 4th advance estimate except irrigation
- Irrigation data for 2018-19 provisional
- Source : Agricultural statistics at a glance – 2021
Area : million hectares
Production : million tonnes
Yield : kg / hectare
| Area
( % to all India ) |
Production
( % to all India ) |
Yield | Area under
Irrigation (%) ( 2018-19 ) |
|
| India | 4.24 ( 100 % ) | 4.78 ( 100 % ) | 1128 | 10.1 % |
| UP | 0.17 ( 4.10 % ) | 0.27 ( 5.74 % ) | 1578 | 6.1 |
| Top states | 1. Maharashtra
2. Karnataka 3. Rajasthan |
1. Maharashtra
2. Karnataka 3. Rajasthan |
1. Andhra Pradesh
2. Telangana 3. MP 4. UP |
1. Andhra Pradesh
2. Telangana 3. Tamil Nadu |
Therefore, it is clear from this table that :
- Uttar Pradesh is 4th in term of productivity jowar in the country.
Pearl-Millet ( Pennisetum typhoideum )
Bajra ( Pearl-Millet ) grows well in the region where the temperature varies between 25 to 30 °C. The crop requires about 30 to 50 cm ( i.e. less than 50 cm ) of annual rainfall. Heavy rainfall exceeding 75 cm is however, unsuitable for the Bajra crop. It is the most drought-and heat tolerant crop with highest water-use efficiency. The crop is grown mostly during kharif season from June to October.
Agra, Mathura, Badaun, Aligarh, Moradabad, Etah, Firozabad, Mainpuri, Etawah, Shahjahanpur, Pratapgarh, Ghazipur, Farrukhabad and Kanpur are the main millet producing districts in the state.
- Bajra : area, production, yield & irrigation
- Data for 2020-21 4th advance estimate except irrigation
- Irrigation data for 2018-19 provisional
- Source : Agricultural statistics at a glance – 2021
Area : million hectares
Production : million tonnes
Yield : kg / hectare
| Area
( % to all India ) |
Production
( % to all India ) |
Yield | Area under
Irrigation (%) ( 2018-19 ) |
|
| India | 7.57 ( 100 % ) | 10.86 ( 100 % ) | 1436 | 9.4 % |
| UP | 0.91 ( 11.99 % ) | 2.01 ( 18.54 % ) | 2221 | 15.1 % |
| Top states | 1. Rajasthan
2. UP 3. Haryana |
1. Rajasthan
2. UP 3. Haryana |
1. Haryana
2. MP 3. UP |
1. Haryana
2. Gujarat 3. Karnataka 4. UP |
Therefore, it is clear from this table that :
- Uttar Pradesh is 2nd in area under bajra cultivation.
- Uttar Pradesh is 2nd in bajra production.
- UP ranks 3rd in terms of productivity.
- UP ranks 4th in the irrigated area of bajra sown.
Barley ( Hordeum vulgare)
Barley cultivation is done in dry and alluvial soil areas of the state. Barley requires the same conditions as wheat in terms of temperature, water, planting and harvesting.
Pulses
- Total Pulses : area, production, yield & irrigation
- Data for 2020-21 4th advance estimate except irrigation
- Irrigation data for 2018-19 provisional
- Source : Agricultural statistics at a glance – 2021
Area : million hectares
Production : million tonnes
Yield : kg / hectare
| Area
( % to all India ) |
Production
( % to all India ) |
Yield | Area under
Irrigation (%) ( 2018-19 ) |
|
| India | 28.83 ( 100 % ) | 25.72 ( 100 % ) | 892 | 23.2 % |
| UP | 2.38 ( 8.24 % ) | 2.56 ( 9.97 % ) | 1079 | 27.6 % |
| Top states | 1. Rajasthan
2. MP 3. Maharashtra |
1. MP
2. Rajasthan 3. Maharashtra 4. UP |
1. Gujarat
2. MP & Jharkhand 3. UP |
1. MP
2. UP 3. Rajasthan |
Therefore, it is clear from this table that :
- Uttar Pradesh is fourth in total pulses production.
- UP ranks second in the irrigated area of total pulses sown.
Gram ( Cicer arietinum )
Gram is cultivated in sub-tropical areas. It is mostly a rainfed crop cultivated during Rabi season.
It requires less fertile soil, 30 to 50 cm rainfall, and 15 to 25°C temperature at the time of sowing. Therefore, it is cultivated in those areas of the state where dry and light soil is found.
Gram is cultivated in the state in the districts of Chitrakoot, Mahoba, Banda, Hamirpur, Barabanki, Sonbhadra, Kanpur, Fatehpur, Jalaun, Lalitpur, Jhansi, Agra etc. Most gram is grown in Bundelkhand region.
- Gram : area, production, yield & irrigation
- Data for 2020-21 4th advance estimate except irrigation
- Irrigation data for 2018-19 provisional
- Source : Agricultural statistics at a glance – 2021
Area : million hectares
Production : million tonnes
Yield : kg / hectare
| Area
( % to all India ) |
Production
( % to all India ) |
Yield | Area under
Irrigation (%) ( 2018-19 ) |
|
| India | 9.85 ( 100 % ) | 11.99 ( 100 % ) | 1217 | 49.6 % |
| UP | 0.61 ( 6.20 % ) | 0.84 ( 7.01 % ) | 1376 | 24.6 % |
| Top states | 1. Maharashtra
2. Rajasthan 3. MP |
1. MP
2. Maharashtra 3. Rajasthan 4. Gujarat 5. UP |
1. Gujarat
2. MP 3. UP |
1. MP
2. Rajasthan 3. Chhattisgarh |
Therefore, it is clear from this table that :
- Uttar Pradesh is fifth in Gram production.
- UP ranks third in productivity of Gram.
Pigeon-pea or Arhar / Tur ( Cajanus cajan)
Pigeon-pea is native crop of India. It is also known as red gram. Arhar is cultivated in wide range of climatic conditions in tropical and sub-tropical areas with temperature range of 20 to 35 °C. The plant is sensitive to frost during stage of growth.
Arhar is a kharif crop which requires high temperature for sowing and harvesting and low temperature for pod formation and ripening. Well drained soil is good for pigeon pea cultivation. It is sown in June-July and harvested in March-April. Sandy loam soil is suitable for this.
Prayagraj, Fatehpur Chitrakoot, Hamirpur, Mahoba, Banda, Jhansi, Lucknow, Lalitpur are the major Arhar producing districts of the state.
U.P. ranks third in the country in Arhar production. According to the fourth advance estimate, the state has a share of 8% in the country’s total production (4.3 million tonnes) with 0.35 million tonnes in 2021-22. ( Source : Economic Survey 2022-23 )
- Tur/Arhar : area, production, yield & irrigation
- Data for 2020-21 4th advance estimate except irrigation
- Irrigation data for 2018-19 provisional
- Source : Agricultural statistics at a glance – 2021
Area : million hectares
Production : million tonnes
Yield : kg / hectare
| Area
( % to all India ) |
Production
( % to all India ) |
Yield | Area under
Irrigation (%) ( 2018-19 ) |
|
| India | 4.88 ( 100 % ) | 4.28 ( 100 % ) | 892 | 5.2 % |
| UP | 0.30 ( 6.16 % ) | 0.29 ( 6.83 % ) | 988 | 13.5 % |
| Top states | 1. Karnataka
2. Maharashtra 3. Telangana 4. UP |
1. Maharashtra
2. Karnataka 3. Telangana 4.. UP |
1. Jharkhand
2. MP 3. Gujarat |
1. UP
2. Karnataka 3. Gujarat |
Therefore, it is clear from this table that :
- Uttar Pradesh is foruth in area under Tur/Arhar cultivation.
- UP ranks fourth in productivity of Tur/Arhar.
- UP ranks first in area under irrigation.
Lentil/ Masur ( Lens culinaris )
- Lentil : area, production, yield & irrigation
- Data for 2020-21 4th advance estimate except irrigation
- Irrigation data for 2018-19 provisional
- Source : Agricultural statistics at a glance – 2021
Area : million hectares
Production : million tonnes
Yield : kg / hectare
| Area
( % to all India ) |
Production
( % to all India ) |
Yield | Area under
Irrigation (%) ( 2018-19 ) |
|
| India | 1.45 ( 100 % ) | 1.45 ( 100 % ) | 1001 | — |
| UP | 0.47 ( 32.62 % ) | 0.47 ( 32.20 % ) | 998 | — |
| Top states | 1. MP
2. UP 3. West Bengal |
1. MP
2. UP 3. West Bengal |
1. MP
2. UP 3. Jharkhand |
— |
Therefore, it is clear from this table that :
- Uttar Pradesh is second in Area under cultivation, production & productivity of Lentil.
Nine Oilseeds
- Nine Oilseeds : area, production, yield & irrigation
- Data for 2020-21 4th advance estimate except irrigation
- Irrigation data for 2018-19 provisional
- Source : Agricultural statistics at a glance – 2021
Area : million hectares
Production : million tonnes
Yield : kg / hectare
| Area
( % to all India ) |
Production
( % to all India ) |
Yield | Area under
Irrigation (%) ( 2018-19 ) |
|
| India | 28.79 ( 100 % ) | 36.10 ( 100 % ) | 1254 | 31.4 % |
| UP | 1.20 ( 4.16 % ) | 1.26 ( 3.49 % ) | 1054 | 41.8 % |
| Top states | 1. MP
2. Rajasthan 3. Maharashtra |
1. Rajasthan
2. Maharashtra 3. MP |
1. Tamil Nadu
2. Haryana 3. Gujarat |
1. West Bengal
2. Haryana 3. Rajasthan |
Mustard ( Brassica juncea ) & Rapeseed ( Brassica rapa )
Mustard is cultivated in the state either independently or in mixed form with wheat, peas and barley. Mustard is cultivated in all parts of the state, but specially in central and western UP.
The rapeseed and mustard crops are sub-tropical crops cultivated during Rabi season. It is sown in September-October and harvested in February-March. The rapeseed & mustard grow well in the area having 25 to 40 cm of rainfall.
- Rapeseed & Mustard : area, production, yield & irrigation
- Data for 2020-21 4th advance estimate except irrigation
- Irrigation data for 2018-19 provisional
- Source : Agricultural statistics at a glance – 2021
Area : million hectares
Production : million tonnes
Yield : kg / hectare
| Area
( % to all India ) |
Production
( % to all India ) |
Yield | Area under
Irrigation (%) ( 2018-19 ) |
|
| India | 6.69 ( 100 % ) | 10.11 ( 100 % ) | 1511 | 83.2 % |
| UP | 0.70 ( 10.48 % ) | 0.99 ( 9.79 % ) | 1412 | 83.3 % |
| Top states | 1. Rajasthan
2. MP 3. UP |
1. Rajasthan
2. MP 3. Haryana 4. UP |
1. Haryana
2. Gujarat 3. MP |
1. Gujarat
2. Rajasthan 3. West Bengal |
Therefore, it is clear from this table that :
- Uttar Pradesh is third in Area under Rapeseed & Mustard cultivation.
- UP ranks fourth in Rapeseed & Mustard production.
Groundnut ( Arachis hypogaea )
Groundnut is basically a kharif crop, which is sown in June-July and is dug in November-December. Sandy soil is suitable for this. Small quantity of groundnut is cultivated in Sitapur, Hardoi, Etah, Badayun, Mainpuri, Moradabad etc. districts of the state.
- Groundnut : area, production, yield & irrigation
- Data for 2020-21 4th advance estimate except irrigation
- Irrigation data for 2018-19 provisional
- Source : Agricultural statistics at a glance – 2021
Area : million hectares
Production : million tonnes
Yield : kg / hectare
| Area
( % to all India ) |
Production
( % to all India ) |
Yield | Area under
Irrigation (%) ( 2018-19 ) |
|
| India | 6.09 ( 100 % ) | 10.21 ( 100 % ) | 1676 | 30.9 % |
| UP | — | — | — | — |
| Top states | 1. Gujarat
2. Andhra Pradesh 3. Rajasthan |
1. Gujarat
2. Rajasthan 3. Tamil Nadu |
1. Tamil Nadu
2. Rajasthan 3. Gujarat |
1. Rajasthan
2. Tamil Nadu 2. Karnataka |
Sugarcane ( Saccharum officinarum )
Sugarcane is a tropical and sub-tropical crop. India is considered the origin of sugarcane. It is a perennial crop. It required well-drained land, heavy loamy fertile soil, abundant supply of moisture, frost-free weather and a large number of labourers. Sugarcane is an irrigated crop. Sugarcane requires 20 to 26°C temperature and 100 to 200 cm rainfall.
It is the most important cash crop of the state. There are two main areas of sugarcane production in the state- (1) Terai region and (2) Doab region of Ganga-Yamuna. Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Ghaziabad, Rampur, Bareilly, Sitapur, Lakhimpur, Pilibhit, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Moradabad, Ballia, Deoria, Mau, Azamgarh, Ayodhya and Gorakhpur are the major sugarcane producing districts of the state.
U.P. ranks first in the country in sugarcane production. According to the fourth advance estimate, the state’s contribution to the country’s total sugarcane production (431.8 million tonnes) in 2021-22 is 41.09% with 177.43 million tonnes.
- Sugarcane : area, production, yield & irrigation
- Data for 2020-21 4th advance estimate except irrigation
- Irrigation data for 2018-19 provisional
- Source : Agricultural statistics at a glance – 2021
Area : million hectares
Production : million tonnes
Yield : kg / hectare
| Area
( % to all India ) |
Production
( % to all India ) |
Yield | Area under
Irrigation (%) ( 2018-19 ) |
|
| India | 4.86 ( 100 % ) | 399.25 ( 100 % ) | 82205 | 96.6 % |
| UP | 2.18 ( 44.89 % ) | 177.67 ( 44.50 % ) | 81500 | 96.2 % |
| Top states | 1. UP
2. Maharashtra 3. Karnataka |
1. UP
2. Maharashtra 3. Karnataka |
1. Tamil Nadu
2. Karnataka 3. Maharashtra |
Therefore, it is clear from this table that :
- Uttar Pradesh is first in Area under Sugarcane cultivation.
- UP ranks first in Sugarcane production.
UP vs Maharashtra : It is to be noted here that sugarcane production and sugar production are two different things. It is not necessary that the state which is first in sugarcane production should also be first in sugar production. Due to climatic suitability in southern India, Maharashtra sometimes surpasses Uttar Pradesh in sugar production even though it produces less sugarcane than UP. In 2020-21 where Uttar Pradesh stood first in both sugarcane production and sugar production; On the other hand, in 2021-22, Uttar Pradesh remains at the first place in sugarcane production, but has slipped to the second place in sugar production and Maharashtra has come to the first place.
|
Sugar Production ( in Lakh Tonnes ) |
|||
| Year | Maharashtra | UP | All-India |
| 2020-21 | 106.30 | 110.59 | 311.20 |
| 2021-22 ( projected ) | 138.00 | 104.00 | 355.50 |
Cotton ( Gossypium sop. )
The cultivation of cotton began in the Indian sub-continent, evidence of which comes from the Neolithic sites of Mehrgarh and the Harappan civilization. It is also called white gold.
The following conditions are favourable for cotton production – high temperature, light rainfall or irrigation, frost-free weather, and bright sunlight. 60 to 85 cm annual rainfall is suitable for this. It gives good production in black soil.
In the Ganga-Yamuna Doab, Ruhelkhand and Bundelkhand regions of Uttar Pradesh, cotton is cultivated with the help of irrigation. Here more short fiber cotton and less long fiber cotton is grown.
Cotton is grown in Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Hathras, Ghaziabad, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Agra, Firozabad, Etawah, Kanpur, Rampur, Bareilly, Moradabad, Mathura, Mainpuri and Farrukhabad.
The following varieties of cotton are grown in the state – U.P. Desi, Bengal cotton, Dholera and Punjab American varieties.
Its cultivation is mainly done along with fenugreek, moong, berseem, rapeseed, clover etc.
It is sown in June-July and cotton is picked from the plants till October-November.
Intensive cotton development program is being run in Agra, Mathura, Aligarh and Hathras.
- Cotton : area, production, yield & irrigation
- Data for 2020-21 4th advance estimate except irrigation
- Irrigation data for 2018-19 provisional
- Source : Agricultural statistics at a glance – 2021
Area : million hectares
Production : million tonnes
Yield : kg / hectare
| Area
( % to all India ) |
Production
( % to all India ) |
Yield | Area under
Irrigation (%) ( 2018-19 ) |
|
| India | 13.01 ( 100 % ) | 35.38 ( 100 % ) | 462 | 45.1 % |
| UP | – | – | – | – |
| Top states | 1. Maharashtra
2. Gujarat 3. Telangana |
1. Maharashtra
3. Gujarat 3. Telangana |
1. Rajasthan
2. Gujarat 3. MP |
1. Rajasthan
2. Haryana 3. MP |
Jute ( Corchorus olitorius )
Jute is grown in the terai region of the state and in the Doab of Saryu and Ghaghra rivers. Bahraich, Maharajganj, Deoria, Gonda, Sitapur and Lakhimpur Kheri are the main jute producing districts. Jute crop is sown in the state in the month of June-July and harvested in September-October. In most parts indigenous variety of jute is sown, which is used for making rope.
- Jute & Mesta : area, production, yield & irrigation
- Data for 2020-21 4th advance estimate except irrigation
- Irrigation data for 2018-19 provisional
- Source : Agricultural statistics at a glance – 2021
Area : million hectares
Production : million tonnes
Yield : kg / hectare
| Area
( % to all India ) |
Production
( % to all India ) |
Yield | Area under
Irrigation (%) ( 2018-19 ) |
|
| India | 0.66 ( 100 % ) | 9.56 ( 100 % ) | 2595 | – |
| UP | – | – | – | – |
| Top states | 1. West Bengal
2. Assam 3. Bihar |
1. West Bengal
2. Bihar 3. Assam |
1. Bihar
2. West Bengal 3. Assam |
Tobacco ( Nicotiana tobacum )
In Uttar Pradesh, tobacco is grown in the districts of Varanasi, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Bulandshahr, Mainpuri, Saharanpur and Farrukhabad. Tobacco is cultivated in the state especially for eating and drinking hookah.
- Tobacco : area, production, yield & irrigation
- Data for 2019-20 except irrigation
- Irrigation data for 2018-19 provisional
- Source : Agricultural statistics at a glance – 2021
Area : ‘000’ hectares
Production : ‘000’ tonnes
Yield : kg / hectare
| Area
( % to all India ) |
Production
( % to all India ) |
Yield | Area under
Irrigation (%) ( 2018-19 ) |
|
| India | 404.29 ( 100 % ) | 801.42 ( 100 % ) | 1982 | 67.9 % |
| UP | 35.00 ( 8.66 % ) | 98.00 ( 12.23 % ) | 2800 | 99.8 % |
| Top states | 1. Gujarat
2. Karnataka 3. Andhra Pradesh 4. UP |
1. Gujarat
2. Andhra Pradesh 3. UP |
1. UP
2. Gujarat 3. Andhra Pradesh |
1. Gujarat
2. UP 3. Bihar |
Therefore, it is clear from this table that :
- Uttar Pradesh is fourth position in Area under Tobacco cultivation.
- UP ranks third in Sugarcane production.
- UP ranks first in Tobacco productivity.
- UP ranks second in area under Irrigation of Tobacco crop.
Opium ( Papaver somniferum )
Barabanki is the largest producer of opium in the state. Apart from Barabanki, opium is also cultivated in Ghazipur. Ghazipur has the only opium factory in the state.
Yield of Major Crops
- Data for 2020-21 ( 4th Advance Estimates )
- Source : Agricultural statistics at a glance – 2021
Yield : kg / hectare
| Crops | India | UP | Max. Yield/State |
| Rice | 2713 | 2759 | 4366 / Punjab |
| Wheat | 3464 | 3604 | 4862 / Punjab |
| Maize | 3195 | 2331 | 6820 / Tamil Nadu |
| Barley | 2805 | ||
| Nutri/ Coarse Cereals | 2146 | 2266 | 6563 / West Bengal |
| Jowar | 1128 | 1578 | 3070 / Andhra Pradesh |
| Bajra | 1436 | 2221 | 2372 / Haryana |
| Ragi | 1771 | ||
| Total Pulses | 892 | 1079 | 1275 / Gujarat |
| Gram | 1217 | 1376 | 1568 / Gujarat |
| Tur | 892 | 988 | 1138 / Jharkhand |
| Urad | 557 | ||
| Moong | 599 | ||
| Lentil | 1001 | 988 | 1139 / MP |
| Foodgrains | 2386 | 2926 | 4606 / Punjab |
| Nine Oilseeds | 1254 | 1054 | 2073 / Tamil Nadu |
| Groundnut | 1676 | 1209 | 2310 / Tamil Nadu |
| Rapeseed & Mustard | 1511 | 1412 | 2027 / Haryana |
| Linseed | 644 | 688 | |
| Sunflower | 1023 | 1382 | 2714 / Telangana |
| Soyabean | 1007 | 687 | 1503 / Telangana |
| Cotton | 462 | 675 / Rajasthan | |
| Jute & Mesta | 2595 | 3172 / Bihar | |
| Sugarcane | 82205 | 81500 | 102730 / Tamil Nadu |
| Tobacco | 1982 | 2800 | 2800 / UP |