Untitled Quiz

Cotton

• Cotton is classified as a cash crop and is essential for India's textile industry.
• India ranks second in cotton production area, following the USA, and is the fourth-largest producer worldwide.
• Cotton cultivation is primarily done in the black soils of the Deccan Plateau, Malwa Plateau, Gujarat, alluvial soils of the Great Plains, and the red and laterite soils of the Peninsular regions.

Climatic Conditions

• Cotton thrives in tropical climates with temperature ranges between 21°C and 30°C; optimal day temperatures exceed 26°C.
• A minimum of 200 frost-free days is necessary for cotton maturation; frost can damage the crop significantly.
• Moderate rainfall (50-75 cm) is ideal, with excessive rainfall (over 85 cm) being detrimental. Dry weather is preferred after the flowering stage.

Methods of Cultivation

• Sowing: Requires land preparation, and seeds can be sown using the broadcasting or drill method before rains (kharif season).
• Seedling Care: Thinning, regular hoeing to clear weeds, and pest control are essential.
• Harvesting: Occurs in October, involving multiple pickings as bolls ripen.
• Processing: Involves ginning, drying, cleaning, and then converting lint into yarn while discarding seeds for fodder.

Varieties of Cotton

• Five main varieties are grown in India based on staple length:
  • Superior Long Staple: Over 27 mm
  • Long Staple: 24.5 to 26 mm
  • Superior Medium Staple: 20 to 24 mm
  • Medium Staple: 20 to 22.5 mm
  • Short Staple: Under 19 mm

Distribution

• Cotton occupies about 5% of India's total cropped area, with major producing states including:
  • Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.

Jute

• Jute is known as the "golden fibre" due to its revenue-generating potential and is derived from two main plant species: Corchorus Capsularis (white jute) and Corchorus Olitorius (tossa jute).

Climatic Conditions

• Optimal growth occurs in hot, humid climates with temperatures between 24°C and 35°C and high relative humidity (around 90%).
• Requires rainfall of at least 150 cm annually, with sandy soils producing coarser fiber while loamy soils yield better quality.

Methods of Cultivation

• Sowing: Conducted through drilling or broadcasting on well-prepared fields.
• Harvesting: Jute is harvested by hand, followed by retting to extract fibers, traditionally done by soaking in water for 20-25 days.

Distribution

• West Bengal is the largest producer, accounting for 74.2% of the area and 80.29% of production. Other key producing states include Assam, Bihar, and Odisha.

Tea

• Tea is a popular beverage, thought to have been discovered by an Indian Buddhist monk around AD 500, with commercial cultivation starting in 1840 from Chinese seeds.

Climatic Conditions

• The tea plant flourishes in well-drained, deep, and fertile soils rich in organic matter, often on hill slopes to prevent waterlogging.
• Tea requires significant annual rainfall (125-500 cm) and is sensitive to soil conditions for optimal growth.

Methods of Cultivation

• Cultivation occurs through seeds or cuttings, with nurseries prepared for saplings before transplanting into tea gardens.
• Tea gardens often include protective tree belts to act as wind barriers, enhancing crop resilience.

Key Producing Areas

• Notable tea regions include Assam, Darjeeling, North Bengal, and the Nilgiris, with each contributing significantly to India’s tea production.### Tea Plantation

• Clonal propagation involves taking cuttings from a healthy mother plant and transplanting them when saplings reach 20cm height, ensuring high quality.

• Tea is a shade-loving plant best suited for hill slopes, which offer protection from excessive rainfall and stagnant water.

Climatic Conditions for Tea

• Ideal temperature range: 24°C to 30°C; growth slows if temperatures drop below 24°C or rise above 30°C.
• High humidity, morning fog, and heavy dew support the rapid development of tea leaves.
• Annual rainfall should be at least 150cm for optimal tea plant growth.

Harvesting and Processing

• Plucking of leaves starts after 2 years; skilled female workers typically perform this tedious task.
• Standard practice includes picking two tender leaves and a bud, known as fine plucking.
• Types of tea produced: Black Tea, Green Tea, Oolong Tea, and Brick Tea, each processed differently.

Types of Tea

• Black Tea: Leaves are withered, rolled, fermented, and dried; characterized by a stronger flavor and typically served with milk and sugar.
• Green Tea: Leaves are steamed and crushed, retaining their green color; consumed predominantly in China and the Far East.
• Oolong Tea: Semi-fermented variety with a greenish-brown hue; primarily exported to the U.S.
• Brick Tea: Made from inferior leaves pressed into bricks, commonly consumed in Russia and Tibet.

Major Tea Producing Regions in India

• Assam: Largest producer, contributing about 53.2% of India’s total tea with key areas like the Brahmaputra and Surma valleys.
• West Bengal: Second largest, with significant production in the Duars and Darjeeling Hills.
• Tamil Nadu: Accounts for 15.9% of total tea production; major areas include Nilgiris and Kanyakumari.
• Kerala: Fourth-largest producer, prominently in districts like Kottayam and Thrissur.
• Other minor producers are in Maharashtra, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Coffee Cultivation

• Introduced in India by Baba Budan in the 17th century; firmly established in Karnataka during the 19th century.
• Primary coffee varieties include Robusta (hardy, disease-resistant) and Arabica (higher quality, requires specific conditions).

Climatic Conditions for Coffee

• Ideal temperature: 15°C to 28°C; cannot withstand frost or prolonged dry spells.
• Requires well-drained loamy soil enriched with organic matter for growth.

Coffee Harvesting and Processing

• Harvesting occurs from the third year, typically done by hand to select ripe berries.
• Two main processing methods:
  • Wet Method: Involves fermentation and washing post-harvest.
  • Dry Method: Involves sun-drying the beans before processing.

Distribution of Coffee in India

• Major production occurs in Karnataka, which dominates the market, followed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
• Coffee is ideally grown in sloped areas, providing natural drainage to avoid water stagnation.

Summary of Key Points on Cash Crops

• Tea and coffee are essential cash crops for India, with significant contributions to both domestic consumption and global exports.
• India ranks as a leading producer, particularly in tea, accounting for 28.3% of global production.