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Indian Geography

Agriculture in India

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Overview

The history of agriculture in India dates back to the Neolithic period. India ranks second worldwide in farm output. As per the Indian Economic Survey 2025-26, agriculture and allied activities accounted for 46.1% of the Indian workforce and contributed 15.2% to the country's nominal GDP. India ranks first in the world in net cropped area, followed by the US and China. Most farms are small: about 86% of landholdings are under two hectares, and the average holding is about 1.1 hectares. Food-grain output reached 357.73 million tonnes in 2024-25.

Source: Wikipedia — Agriculture in India (CC BY-SA)

Key concepts

How Agriculture in India connects to the ideas, people and events around it.

  1. Green Revolution

    boosted by

    The Green Revolution in India began in the 1960s, introducing high-yielding wheat and rice varieties. It significantly increased food grain production, helping the country achieve self‑sufficiency by the 1970s.

  2. Monsoon

    depends on

    The Indian monsoon delivers the majority of annual rainfall, influencing sowing and harvesting cycles. An average of 80% of India's cultivated area depends on monsoon rains each year.

  3. Food Corporation of India

    supported by

    The Food Corporation of India (FCI) was established in 1965 to procure, store, and distribute food grains. It manages the nation's buffer stock, holding over 30 million tonnes of wheat and rice.

  4. Indian Council of Agricultural Research

    researched by

    The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) coordinates research across more than 100 agricultural institutes. It develops new crop varieties and farming practices used nationwide.

  5. Madhya Pradesh

    major producer in

    Madhya Pradesh is one of India's leading states in wheat and soybean production. In 2022, it contributed over 12 million tonnes of wheat to the national output.

  6. Rabi cropping season

    season of

    The Rabi season runs from October to March, focusing on crops like wheat, barley, and mustard. It relies on residual soil moisture and irrigation rather than monsoon rains.

  7. Irrigation in India

    enabled by

    Irrigation covers about 48% of India's cultivated area, using canals, tube wells, and lift irrigation. The Indira Gandhi Canal alone irrigates over 10,000 square kilometres in Rajasthan.

  8. M. S. Swaminathan

    led by

    M. S. Swaminathan is a geneticist known as the 'father of the Indian Green Revolution'. His work on high-yielding wheat and rice varieties transformed Indian agriculture in the 1960s.

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Questions about Agriculture in India

What is Agriculture in India?

The history of agriculture in India dates back to the Neolithic period. India ranks second worldwide in farm output. As per the Indian Economic Survey 2025-26, agriculture and allied activities accounted for 46.1% of the Indian workforce and contributed 15.2% to the country's nominal GDP. India ranks first in the world in net cropped area, followed by the US and China.

What are the key concepts related to Agriculture in India?

The main concepts connected to Agriculture in India include Green Revolution, Monsoon, Food Corporation of India, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Madhya Pradesh, Rabi cropping season, Irrigation in India, M. S. Swaminathan. Each is linked on the map above with its own summary.

Which exams cover Agriculture in India?

Agriculture in India is part of Indian Geography, which appears in the syllabus of UPSC CSE, UPSC CAPF, NDA, CDS, AFCAT, SSC CGL and 49 more exams.