Introduction
Agriculture is the backbone of Uttar Pradesh’s economy and the state is often called the “Food Bowl of India.” Nearly 59% of the population in Uttar Pradesh depends on farming and allied activities for their livelihood. The state is the largest producer of food grains in India and plays a vital role in ensuring food security for the nation.
Uttar Pradesh grows a wide variety of crops under different seasons – Rabi, Kharif, and Zaid. From food grains like wheat, rice, and pulses to cash crops such as sugarcane and potato, the state’s traditional farming practices reflect its rich agricultural heritage.
In this article, we will explore the traditional cultivation of Uttar Pradesh, its major crops, climate, irrigation systems, challenges, and contribution to India’s agriculture.
Importance of Agriculture in Uttar Pradesh
- Largest Food Grain Producer: Contributes around 17-18% of India’s total food grain production.
- Diverse Crops: Grows all climate crops – wheat, rice, barley, maize, sugarcane, pulses, oilseeds, and vegetables.
- Milk Production Hub: Uttar Pradesh is the largest milk-producing state, contributing 16.83% of India’s total milk output.
- Employment: About 59% of the state’s workforce is engaged in agriculture.
Major Traditional Crops of Uttar Pradesh
1. Food Grains
- Wheat: Uttar Pradesh is the leading producer of wheat in India. Major wheat-producing districts include Meerut, Bulandshahr, Saharanpur, Agra, Aligarh, Muzaffarnagar, and Moradabad.
- Rice (Paddy): Major rice-producing areas are Pilibhit, Saharanpur, Maharajganj, Deoria, Gonda, Bahraich, Basti, Lucknow, and Varanasi.
- Maize & Millet: Widely grown in western and central UP.
2. Pulses and Lentils
- Uttar Pradesh is one of the largest producers of gram, peas, lentils, and pigeon pea. In 2017-18, the state produced 1,985 thousand tonnes of pulses.
3. Cash Crops
- Sugarcane: Known as the cash crop of Uttar Pradesh. The Meerut region is famous for high-quality sugarcane.
- Potato: Uttar Pradesh ranks first in potato production in India.
- Barley: Widely cultivated as a traditional cereal crop.
4. Fruits and Vegetables
- Mangoes: Lucknow, Saharanpur, and Bulandshahr are major mango-producing regions.
- Guava: Cultivated mainly in Allahabad (Prayagraj) and Shahjahanpur.
- Amla (Gooseberry): Grown in Pratapgarh and Allahabad.
- Litchi: Highest production in Saharanpur and Meerut.
- Orange: Cultivated in Saharanpur district.
Climate and Traditional Cultivation in Uttar Pradesh
The climate of Uttar Pradesh is subtropical, which supports the cultivation of both tropical and temperate crops.
- Temperature Range: 12.5–17.5 °C in January to 27.5–32.5 °C in May-June.
- Rainfall: 600–2,000 mm annually, with 90% rainfall during the southwest monsoon (June–September).
- Floods & Droughts: Eastern UP often faces floods due to Himalayan rivers, while western regions face droughts when monsoons fail.
- Snowfall: In the Himalayan region, snowfall averages 3–5 meters between December and March.
Land Holdings and Irrigation System
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Geographical Area: 29.44 million hectares.
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Cultivable Land: 24.17 million hectares (82.1% of total land).
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Net Area Sown: 16.57 million hectares.
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Gross Cropped Area: 25.41 million hectares.
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Irrigation:
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By Tubewells → 66.94%
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By Canals → 25.18%
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By Others → 7.88%
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Cropping Intensity: 153.54% (many farmers grow two or more crops per year).
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Farmers:
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78% marginal farmers (below 1 hectare).
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13.8% small farmers (1–2 hectares).
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8.22% large farmers (above 2 hectares).
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District-Wise Specialties in Traditional Farming
- Barabanki: Largest producer of opium.
- Ghazipur: Only opium processing factory in the state.
- Meerut: High-quality sugarcane production.
- Allahabad & Pratapgarh: Famous for Amla production.
- Allahabad (Prayagraj): Known for Guava farming.
- Saharanpur & Meerut: Leading in Litchi farming.
- Lucknow, Bulandshahr, Saharanpur: Famous for Mangoes.
Challenges in Traditional Farming
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Floods and Droughts: Seasonal floods damage crops, while monsoon failure causes drought.
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Small Land Holdings: Majority farmers are marginal with low productivity.
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Overdependence on Monsoons: Irrigation facilities exist but are unevenly distributed.
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Soil Degradation: Excess use of chemical fertilizers reduces soil fertility.
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Market Issues: Farmers face poor prices due to middlemen and lack of storage.
Contribution of Uttar Pradesh Agriculture to Economy
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Food Grain Production (2016-17): 49.14 million tonnes.
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Share in India’s Grain Production: About 17.83%.
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Sectoral Contribution to State Economy:
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Primary Sector (Agriculture): 24%
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Secondary Sector (Industry): 27%
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Tertiary Sector (Services): 49%
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Conclusion
The traditional cultivation of Uttar Pradesh forms the backbone of the state’s economy and provides food security to millions. With its fertile soil, varied climate, and diverse crops, Uttar Pradesh continues to be the largest food grain and milk producer in India. However, modern challenges like climate change, small land holdings, and lack of infrastructure need to be addressed for sustainable agricultural growth.
Agriculture in Uttar Pradesh is not just a livelihood – it is a tradition, culture, and strength of India’s economy.
FAQs on Traditional Cultivation of Uttar Pradesh
Q1. What are the main crops of Uttar Pradesh?
Wheat, rice, sugarcane, potato, pulses, and barley are the major crops.
Q2. Which fruit is famous in Uttar Pradesh?
Mangoes from Lucknow, Saharanpur, and Bulandshahr are world-famous.
Q3. Why is Uttar Pradesh important in agriculture?
It is India’s largest food grain and milk producer, contributing significantly to national food security.
Q4. Which districts are known for unique farming in UP?
- Barabanki → Opium
- Pratapgarh → Amla
- Allahabad → Guava
- Saharanpur → Litchi & Oranges
Q5. What challenges do UP farmers face?
Floods, droughts, small landholdings, soil degradation, and poor market access.
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