Question

The second most important staple food in India is .............

• A. Rice
• B. Wheat
• C. Maize
• D. Millet

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Wheat

Agriculture of India

• Agriculture is the mainstay of the Indian economy.

• Agriculture & allied sectors contribute nearly 14.4% of GDP of India. While about 58.2% of the population is dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. Total area coverage under food grains in 2010-11 has been reported at 125.73 million hect areas.

• The area coverage under wheat during 2010-11 was estimated at 29.25 million hectares. While rice is estimated at 42.56 million hectare

• India is the largest producer of mango, banana, turmeric, spices, cashew nut and ginger.

• India is the third largest producer of coconut.

• India is the largest producer of pulse.

• Kerala is known as 'spice state of India'.

• Total Indian production and is also called the Soyabean bowl of India.

• India is the second largest consumer and second largest producer of tobacco in the world, second only to China

Rice

• Rice, the staple food crop of India is a kharif crop.

• Alluvial soil is most suitable for rice cultivation.

• Rice requires high temperature (above 24°C) and a good amount of rainfall (more than 150cm).

Wheat

• Wheat, the second major food crop in India is a rabi crop.

Maize

• Maize is the third major food crop in India.

• In India, maize is cultivated in both summer and winter.

• 75 cm of average annual rainfall is required.

Millets (Jowar, Bajra, Ragi)

• Maharashtra is the largest Jowar cultivating state. It is a major food grain in many parts of the country. It is also cultivated as a cattle feed.