AGR 101 - Agroclimatic zones of India - PPT 1 - Agri Junction.ppt

Agroclimatic zones

2. •With the 329 million hectares of the geographical area
the country presents a large number of complex agro-
climatic situations.
•70 percent of India's population lives in rural areas
where the main occupation is agriculture having a
average farm size is only 1.57 hectares.
•93 percent of farmers have land holdings smaller than
4 ha and they cultivate nearly 55 percent of the arable
land and 1.6 of the farmers have operational land
holdings > 10 ha
•Several attempts have been made to delineate major
agro-ecological regions in respect to soils, climate,
physiographic and natural vegetation for macro-level
planning on a more scientific basis .
Agro Climatic Zones Agro Climatic Zones

3. •Due to the challenge of feeding our vast population
and the experience of food shortages in the pre-
independence era, 'self reliance' in food grains has
been the cornerstone of our policies in the last 50
years.
•Agriculture is highly location-specific, grouping the
available land area in the country into different agro-
climatic regions based on certain identifiable
characteristics becomes all the more important.
•This may help the country to engage in more rational
planning and optimizing resource use for the present
and in preserving them for the future
Agro Climatic Zones Agro Climatic Zones

4. What is ACZ actually ?
•An “Agro-climatic zone” is a land unit in terms of major
climates, suitable for a certain range of crops and
cultivars. The planning aims at scientific management
of regional resources to meet the food, fiber, fodder
and fuel wood without adversely affecting the status of
natural resources and environment.
•An agro-climatic zone is a land unit uniform in respect of
climate and length of growing period (LGP) which is climatically
suitable for a certain range of crops and cultivars.
(FAO, 1983).

5. •The function of many factors like weather, soil type and its
nutrient status, management practices and other inputs
available .
•This calls for collection, collation, analysis and interpretation of
long-term weather parameters available for each region to
identify the length of the possible cropping period taking into
consideration the availability of water .
•An appropriate mix of crop production and allied activities
including horticulture, forestry, animal husbandry and agro-
processing etc. improved farming systems technologies will
replace traditional crop production approach to minimize
regional variations in rural incomes.
Agro Climatic Zones Agro Climatic Zones

6. •Previously on the basis of homogeneity in agro-
characteristics such as water surplus and water deficit,
India was divided into 11 agro-climatic zones.
•Later on it was divided into 15 agro-climatic zones on the
basis of water surplus and deficit and cropping system.
•Agro-ecological regions is a land unit cut out of the agro
climatic region when superimposed on land form and the
kind of soils and soil conditions that acts as modifiers to
the climate and the length of the growing period.
•The classification is on the basis of growth period ,
rainfall/potential evaporation and soil.
Agro Climatic Zones Agro Climatic Zones

8. 1.Western Himalayas
2.Eastern Himalayas
3.Lower Gangetic Plains
4.Middle Gangetic Plains
5.Upper Gangetic Plains
6.Trans Gangetic Plains
7.Eastern Plateau and
Hills
8.Central Plateau and
Hills
9.Western Plateau and
Hills
10.Southern Plateau and
Hills
11.East Coast Plains &
Hills
12.West Coast Plains &
Hills
13.Gujarat Plains and
Hills
14.Western Dry
15.The Island
Planning
commission VII
plan (1985-1990)

9. Agro climatic zones of India & respective
states

10. 1. Western Himalayan Region
Demarcated into three states (not exhaustively) J&K, HP, UP,
Uttranchal.
Average max. temp. (ºC)= Summer 22.6
Average min. temp. (ºC)= Winter 2.6
Avg. seasonal rainfall (mm)=1650-2000mm
Climate=Cool and humid
irrigation method=Border strip and wild flooding
Soil type=( Any special soil condition or other a biotic
limitation) Brown hill alluvial (recent), mountain,
meadow, skeletal.
Constraints in the region=Soil erosion, slides and
slips.
Important crops=Wheat, Maize, Paddy and Potato.
Cropping systems: subsistence or commercial mostly
having Rice-wheat, maize-wheat, vegetables-wheat
Common pests Pests like Stem borers, aphids, are
mostly prevalent in the area.

11. To develop this region emphasis is on:
(FAO Guideline)
•-Intensification of the soil and water conservation planning.
-Land utility planning should be implemented viz. agriculture
for 30% sloppy land, horticulture for 30-50% slope, paddy for
above 50% slope.
-Good storage for transportation, marketing and processing.
-Irrigation management like water harvesting technique.
-Livestock management.
Some research institutes in the region :
•Forest research institute, Deheradun
•Vivekananda Parvitaya Annushandhanshala , Almora , Uttranchal
•Potato breeding and certification station, Shimla
•The First Agriculture University of India GBPUAT, Pantnagar is situated in
this area. It caters to the need of the farmers.

12. 2. Eastern Himalayan Region
This region includes the states like Assam Sikkim, W.Bengal & all North-Eastern states.
•Average max. temp. (ºC)= Summer 22.2
•Average min. temp. (ºC)= Winter 8.8
•Avg. seasonal rainfall (mm)=1840-3528mm
•Climate=Humid and sub- humid
•Average method=Canals are the source and farmers irrigate by either
border strip or wild flooding.
•Soil type= Any special soil condition or other abiotic limitation Alluvial, red
loamy, red sandy, brown hill soil, soil erosion, flash floods, steep slopes,
denudation and degradation
•Important crops=Maize, Paddy, Jute, Rapeseed.
•Cropping systems: subsistence or commercial(Rice-vegetables, rice-
wheat, rice-rice, jute-wheat.
•Constraints=Sloppy terrain and rocky topography and traditional ways of
cultivation like Jhoom cultivation and shifting cultivation leads to the low
productivity of these regions .
•Common Pests like Stem borers, aphids and thrips are serious.

13. FAO guidelines for improvement of this
region
•Soil and water conservation for each
watershed.
•Educate the people about the harmful effect
of land erosion at Panchayat level.
•Facilities of good supply of inputs, marketing
transportation, processing and storage.
•Adoption of Integrated Farming system
because of different dietary pattern of local
people
•Good communication and transport facility.

14. 3. Lower Gangetic Plains Region
It includes the areas of W.Bengal and adjoining regions
•Avg. max.temp. (ºC)= Summer 35.5
•Avg. min. temp. (ºC)= Winter 11.0
•Avg. seasonal rainfall (mm)=1302-1607mm
•Climate=Moist humid and dry humid
•irrigation method=Canals and ground water are the water sources and
irrigate by either border strip and wild flooding
•Soil type= Any special soil condition and yellow Deltaic. orRed .
•other abiotic limitation- Soil erosion and degradation, soil salinity and
alkalinity
•Important crops-Rice, Wheat, Rapeseed, Maize and Potato
•Cropping systems: subsistence or commercial-Rice-mustard, Pulses-
wheat,Rice-vegetables, rice-wheat, rice potato, rice-wheat-summer
rice
•Common pests and treatmentPests like Stem borers, aphids , Gundhi
bug and case worm are prevalent.

15. Some of the pioneer institute in the regions are :
•Pioneer institute in fiber crop is -Jute technical research
institute, kolkata.
•Central inland fisheries research institute, Barrackpore, W.
bengal
•This region is highly productive in the rice cultivation as it
comes under the lowest Gangentic belt

16. 4. Middle Gangetic Plains Region
It includes the regions like UP, Bihar.
•Avg. max. temp. (ºC)= Summer 30.5
•Avg. min. temp. (ºC)= Winter 16.8
•Avg. seasonal rainfall (mm)=1211-1470mm
•Climate=Moist sub- humid to dry sub- humid
• irrigation method-Canals and ground water are the water sources and
irrigate by either border strip or wild flooding.
•Soil type. Any special soil like Alluvial
•condition or other Abiotic limitation= Floods.
•Important crops-Sugarcane, Paddy, Maize, Wheat
•Cropping systems: subsistence or commercial-Rice-wheat, rice-fallow, maize-
wheat, rice-lentil, rice-vegetables, rice-wheat-sugar cane-ratoon-wheat/rice
•Common Pests= shoot borer, root borer, aphids, Temites, Rice weevil are
prevalent.

17. Some major institutes are :
•Indian Grass Land and Forest Research Institute,
Jhansi, UP.
•Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow, UP.
•Indian Vegetables Research Institute, Varanasi , UP

18. 5. Upper Gangetic Plains Region
It includes the regions of Uttar Pradesh and adjoining regions.
•Avg. max. temp. (ºC)= Summer 35.8
•Avg. min. temp. (ºC)= Winter12.8
•Avg. seasonal rainfall (mm)=721-979mm
•Climate=Dry sub- humid to sub dry climate
•irrigation method=Canals and ground water are the water
sources and irrigated by either border strip or wild flooding.
•Soil type=Alluvial
•Important crops=Rice, Wheat , Maize and Sugarcane
•Cropping systems: subsistence or commercial
•Rice-wheat, sugar cane-wheat, maize-wheat, pearl millet-
wheat
•Common pests-Pests like Stem borers, aphids, Termites; Rice
weevil, Gundhi bug and various other diseases are prevalent.

19. 6. Trans-Gangetic Plains Region:
It includes the regions of Panjab, Haryana, Delhi & Rajasthan.
•Avg. max. temp. (ºC) =Summer33.5
•Avg min. temp. (ºC)= Winter14.0
•Avg. seasonal rainfall (mm)=1100-1300mm
•Irrigation method=Canals and ground water are the water sources
and irrigate by either border strip or wild
•Any special soil condition or other abiotic limitation=Alluvial (recent),
calcarious, desert, water logging, salinity and floods.
•Cropping systems: subsistence or commercial-Rice-wheat, maize-
wheat, maize-potato-wheat, cotton-wheat, sugar cane-wheat.
•Common pests like Stem borers, root borer, aphids, golden
nematodes and beetle are prevalent.
IARI [Indian Agricultural Research institute]
–Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering and Technology,
ludhiana,
–Soil Salinity and Research Institute, Karnal

20. 7. Eastern Plateau and Hills Region
It includes the regions like UP, Orissa & W.Bengal
•Avg. max.temp. (ºC) =Summer 32
•Avg. min temp. (ºC)= Winter 19.7
•Avg. seasonal rainfall (mm)=1000-1050mm
•irrigation method-Tube wells and tanks are the
water sources and irrigate by either border strip
and wild flooding.
•Any special soil condition or other a biotic
limitation-Red Shallow soils with undulating
topography.
•Cropping systems: subsistence or commercial-
Rice-fallow, rice-linseed/lentil, rice-horsegram
/greengram. Rice-wheat, rice-mustard.
Indian Lac Research Institute, Ranchi, Jharkhand

21. 8. Central Plateau and Hills Region
MP, Rajasthan, UP comes under this zone
•Avg. max. temp. (ºC) =Summer 34.8
•Avg. min. temp. (ºC)= Winter16.3
•Avg. seasonal rainfall (mm)
• Irrigation method -Tube wells and tanks are the water sources and
irrigate by either border strip or wild flooding.
•Name of important crops=Jowar , bajra , paddy and wheat
•Soil type. Mixed red and black, red and yellow, medium black, alluvial.
• Any special soil condition or other abiotic limitation- Ravinous lands
and soil erosion.
•Cropping systems: subsistence or commercial, Fallow-wheat, fallow-
mustard, fallow-gram -Soybean-wheat, rice-wheat.
•Common pests and treatment : Pests like cut worm , borer (root and
shoot)and sucking pests are prevalent

22. 9. Western Plateau and Hills Region
Maharastra, MP & Rajasthan
•Avg. max. temp. (ºC)= Summer 36.8
•Avg. min. temp. (ºC) Winter16.6
•Average seasonal rainfall (mm)=600-1000
•irrigation method-Tube wells and tanks are the water sources and irrigate by either
border strip or wild flooding.
•Soil type. =medium to deep black soils.
•Cropping systems: subsistence or commercial-Cotton-pigeonpea, pearlmillet-
sorghum, sorghum-wheat, pearmillet-wheat. Soybean-wheat/gram, rice-wheat.
•Common pests =Bollworm, aphids and thrips and different borers are also
prevalent
•Development strategy-Management of minor irrigation.
–Cotton Technological Research Institute, Mumbai
–National research centre for grapes ,Pune, Maharashtra.

23. 10. Southern Plateau and Hills Region
AP, Karnatak, Tamil Nadu
•Avg. max. temp. (ºC) =Summer 34.7
•Avg. min. temp. (ºC)= Winter21.3
•Avg. seasonal rainfall (mm)=650-1000
•Irrigation method-Tube wells and tanks are the water
sources and irrigate by either border strip or wild
flooding.
•Soil special -Medium to deep black soils, red sandy, and
red loamy.
•Cropping systems: subsistence or commercial Rice-pulses
and rice-fallow. Rice-rice, Sugar cane and rice-ground nut.
–Central Tobacco Research Institute , Rajhamundhary, AP
–-Directorate of Rice Research ,Hyd, AP

24. 11. East Coast Plains and Hills Region
This includes the regions like Orissa, AP, TN,& Puducherry
•Avg. max. temp. (ºC)= Summer 36.8
•Avg. min temp. (ºC) Winter17.2
•Avg. seasonal rainfall (mm)=780-1287mm
•Climate=Semi-arid and dry sub-humid climate
•irrigation method=Tube wells and tanks are the water
sources.
•Soil type= Red soil and mixed black, yellow, red sandy,
laterite, and alluvial soils
•Important crops=Jower, Bajra, Groundnut, Rice and Ragi.
•Rich forest wealth is an asset, and shifting cultivation, soil
salinity and acidity are the major constraints.
–Central Rice Research Institute ,Cuttuck , Orissa

25. 12. West Coast Plains and Ghat Region
TN, Kerala, Goa, Karnataka, Maharastra
•The physiographic features are Western Ghats, plateau,
river valleys, undulating rocky plains, and coastal plains.
The western ghats is humid and the rest of the area is semi-
arid.
•Rainfall = 60 to 200 cm.
•Major soil groups = black, red, lateritic, and alluvial. Rich
forest wealth and Western Ghats suitable for plantation
crops are the main assets.
•Dry farming is prevalent and -a considerable area is
irrigated through wells, tanks and rivers.
•Salinity, alkalinity, erosion, and acidity are the major
problems.
•Average maximum temperature (ºC) Summer40.0
•Average minimum temperature (ºC) Winter11.3
•Average seasonal rainfall (mm) 600-2000

26. •Any special soil condition or other abiotic limitation-Deep
black, coastal alluvial, and medium deep black
•Cropping systems: subsistence or commercial Rice.
Wheat is taken after ground nut/pearl millet/rice
•Sugarcane Breeding Research Institute, Coimbatore, TN
•Central Coffee Research Institute ,Chikmanglur, Kar.
•Indian Institute of Horticulture Research, Banglore

27. 13. Gujarat Plains and Hills Region
•This region is exclusive to Gujarat.
The following are the characteristics:
•Average maximum temperature (ºC) =Summer40.0
•Average minimum temperature (ºC) =Winter11.3
•Average seasonal rainfall (mm) = 1000 – 1100 mm
•Soil type = Deep black to medium deep black
•Cropping systems: subsistence or commercial Groundnut
and different types of millets
National Research Centre for Groundnut, Junagarh

28. 14. Western Dry Region
Rajasthan comes under this zone
•Average maximum temperature (ºC) Summer42
•Average minimum temperature (ºC) Winter2
•Average seasonal rainfall (mm)600mm
•Soil type, Any special soil condition or other abiotic limitation-Desert,
Gray brown soils
•Cropping systems: subsistence or commercial Pearl millet-fallow,
cluster bean-fallow, Kharif pulses-fallow And rotation with Cotton-
wheat, Pearlmillet-wheat.
-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur
-Central Institute for Arid Horticulture, Bikaner
To develop this region emphasis is on:
•Rain water harvesting and its management
•Dryland farming and management canal and ground water
•Development of agro-forestry and arid- horticulture

29. 15. The Islands Region
It comprises the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the East and Lakshadweep in
the West
•The climate is typified by tropical conditions and the rainfall
ranges from 1600 to 3000 mm.
•The soils of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are medium to
very deep, red loamy and acidic, and that of the Lakshadweep
Islands are highly calcareous and sandy.
•Most of the area is under forest and the land use is dominated
by plantation crops.
•Forest degradation leading to severe erosion and inundation of
coastal areas leading to saline marshes are the major
constraints.
•It has greater potential for growing sustainable oil palm
plantations.
•Average maximum temperature (ºC) Summer22.8
•Average minimum temperature (ºC) Winter14.6
•Average seasonal rainfall (mm)1600-3000mm
•Climate=humid; Important crops = Rice and Cocunut.
Central Agriculture Research Institute, Portblair

30. There are two components of ecological zones
1] Biotic factors viz,Flora and Fauna .
2] Abiotic factors viz. water , minerals , light
[Note :At present India has been divided into 20 agro-ecological
zones .]

31. Agro-ecological zones of India
An ecological region is characterized by distinct
ecological responses to macroclimate as
expressed in vegetation and reflected in soils,
fauna and aquatic systems.
It is the land unit on the earth’s surface carved out
of agro-climatic region when superimposed on
different landform and soil conditions that act as
modifiers of climate and length of growing period
(LGP)
National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use
Planning (NBSS & LUP) has delineated 20 agro-
ecological regions in the country using the FAO
1978 concept of superimposition of LGP and bio-
climate maps on soil physiographic map.

32. 1.Western Himalayas
2.Western Plain & Kachchha Peninsula
3.Deccan Plateau
4.Northern Plain & Central Highlands
inclding parts of Gujarat Plains
5.Central (Malwa) Highlands,Gujarat
Plains & Kathiawar Peninsula
6.Deccan Plateau
7.Deccan (Telangana) Plateau &
Eastern Ghats
8.Eastern Ghats (Tamil Nadu uplands)
& Deccan Plateau (Karnataka)
9.Northern Plain
10.Central Highlands (Malwa &
Bundelkhand)
11.Eastern Plateau (Chhattisgarh
Region)
12.Eastern (Chhota Nagpur) Plateau
and Eastern Ghats
13.Eastern Plains
14.Western Himalayas
15.Bengal Basin and Assam Plain
16.Eastern Himalayas
17.North-Eastern Hills
18.Eastern Coastal Plains
19.Western Ghats and Coastal Plains
20.Islands of Andaman & Nicobar and
Lakshadweep
Physiographic
features of AEZ of
India
Agro ecological Zones

33. Arid eco system Zones 1-3 LGP < 90 days
Semiarid eco system Zones 4-8 LGP 90-150 days
Subhumid eco system Zones 9-14 LGP 150-180 days
Humid-perhumid eco system Zones 15-17 LGP 180-210 days
Coastal eco system Zones 18-19 LGP 210+ days
Island eco system Zone 20 LGP 210+ days
Agro-ecological zones of India

34. Classification by ICAR
The State Agricultural Universities were
advised to divide each state into sub-zones,
under the National Agricultural Research
Project (NARP)
Based on the rainfall pattern, cropping
pattern and administrative units, 127 agro-
climatic zones are classified.

35. State Wise Number of Agro Climatic
Zones