Agro-Ecological Regions of India

Introduction

Agro-ecology is the study of agricultural ecosystems and their functioning within larger ecosystems. Its primary aim is to evolve sustainable agricultural ecosystems that harmonize with the natural environment. In India, agro-ecological zones are systematically divided to ensure efficient agricultural planning. These divisions help identify sustainable practices, crops, and land use in various regions.

Understanding agro-ecological regions is crucial for enhancing agricultural productivity, ensuring food security, and addressing issues related to soil, water, and climate. This article provides a detailed exploration of India’s diverse agro-ecological regions.

Agro-Climatic Zone vs. Agro-Ecological Zone

• Agro-climatic zone: Defined based on major climate factors, growing periods, and moisture availability.
• Agro-ecological zone: Further refined from agro-climatic zones, considering influences from landforms, soil types, and vegetation.

Components of Agro-Ecological Zone

• Climate: Temperature, rainfall, humidity.
• Soil: Soil types, fertility, moisture.
• Water: Availability and quality for agriculture.
• Flora and Fauna: Natural vegetation and wildlife.

Importance of Agro-Ecological Regions

• Provides a systematic investigation of homogeneous regions in terms of soil, climate, and moisture.
• Helps optimize crop production, address agricultural challenges, and determine potential areas for various genotypes.
• Enables effective land use planning, crop diversification, and knowledge dissemination in agricultural research.

The National Bureau of Soil Survey & Land Use Planning (NBSS&LUP) developed 20 agro-ecological zones in India, further subdivided into 60 sub-zones based on growing periods, rainfall, soil groups, and district boundaries.

Agro-Ecological Regions of India

1. Western Himalayas, Cold Arid Eco-Region

• Location: Ladakh and Gilgit districts.
• Area: 15.2 million ha (4.7% of total geographical area).
• Climate: Mild summer, severe winter.
• Soil: Acidic, cryic soil temperature regime.
• Major crops: Apple, apricot.
• Livestock: Mule, sheep, goat, yak.
• Constraints:
  • Severe cryic temperature regime.
  • Narrow crop growing period.
  • Shallow, sandy, gravelly soils.
  • Nutrient imbalance.

2. Western Plain, Kachchh, and Part of Kathiawar Peninsula, Hot Arid Eco-region

• Location: Southwestern Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Kachchh peninsula.
• Area: 31.9 million ha (9.78% of total geographical area).
• Climate: Hot summer, cool winter.
• Soil: Aridic soil moisture, hyperthermic temperature regime.
• Crops: Pearl millet, chari, pulses, irrigated cotton, sugarcane, mustard, wheat.
• Constraints:
  • Erratic, scanty rainfall.
  • Soil salinity.
  • Nutrient imbalance.

3. Deccan Plateau, Hot Arid Eco-Region

• Location: Parts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
• Area: 4.9 million ha (1.5% of total geographical area).
• Climate: Hot, dry summer, mild winter.
• Crops: Groundnut, sunflower, sugarcane, cotton (mainly rainfed farming).
• Constraints:
  • High runoff, erosion hazard.
  • Prolonged dry spells.

4. Northern Plain (And Central Highlands) Including Aravallis, Hot Semi-Arid Ecoregion

• Location: Parts of Gujarat, northern plains, central highlands.
• Area: 32.3 million ha (9.8% of total geographical area).
• Climate: Hot, dry summer, cool winter.
• Crops: Rice, millets, maize, pulses, wheat, sugarcane.
• Constraints:
  • Coarser soil texture, low water capacity.
  • Groundwater overexploitation.
  • Soil salinity spread.

5. Central (Malwa) Highlands, Gujarat Plains, and Kathiawar Peninsula Ecoregion

• Location: Western parts of Madhya Pradesh, southeastern Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
• Area: 17.6 million ha (5.4% of total geographical area).
• Climate: Hot and wet summer, dry winter.
• Crops: Sorghum, pearl millet, pigeonpea, groundnut, soybean, maize.
• Constraints:
  • Intermittent dry spells.
  • Salinity and alkalinity hazards.

6. Deccan Plateau, Hot Semi-Arid Eco-Region

• Location: Central and western Maharashtra, northern Karnataka, western Andhra Pradesh.
• Area: 31.0 million ha (9.5% of total geographical area).
• Climate: Hot and humid summer, mild winter.
• Crops: Sorghum, pigeonpea, pearl millet (rainfed agriculture).
• Constraints:
  • Prolonged dry spells.
  • Soil nutrient deficiencies (N, P, and Zn).

7. Deccan Plateau (Telangana) And Eastern Ghats, Hot Semiarid Ecoregion

• Location: Telangana and major parts of Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh.
• Area: 16.5 million ha (5.2% of total geographical area).
• Climate: Hot, moist summer, mild winter.
• Crops: Sorghum, cotton, pigeonpea, rice, groundnut.
• Constraints:
  • High runoff, subsoil salinity, and nutrient deficiency.
  • Frequent droughts.

8. Eastern Ghats and Tamil Nadu Coastal Plains Ecoregion

• Location: Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
• Area: 36.0 million ha (11.0% of total geographical area).
• Climate: Hot and moist summer, mild winter.
• Crops: Rice, pulses, millets, cotton, sugarcane.
• Constraints:
  • Frequent cyclones, heavy rainfall.
  • Coastal erosion and soil fertility degradation.

9. Northern Plain, Hot Subhumid (Dry) Eco-Region

• Location: Northern Indo-Gangetic Plain.
• Area: 12.1 million ha (3.7% of total geographical area).
• Climate: Hot summer, cool winter.
• Crops: Rice, maize, barley, pigeonpea, jute.
• Constraints:
  • Waterlogging.
  • Salinity hazards.

10. Central Highlands (Malwa and Bundelkhand), Hot Subhumid (Dry) Ecoregion

• Location: Malwa plateau, Bundelkhand uplands, Narmada valley.
• Area: 22.3 million ha (5.8% of total geographical area).
• Climate: Hot summer, mild winter.
• Crops: Rice, sorghum, pigeonpea, soybean, gram.
• Constraints:
  • Soil erosion, nutrient deficiency.

11. Chhattisgarh/Mahanadi Basin Agro-Eco-Region

• Location: Chhattisgarh region.
• Area: 14.1 million ha (4.3% of total geographical area).
• Climate: Hot summers, cool winters.
• Crops: Rice, millets, pigeonpea, wheat.
• Constraints:
  • Severe water erosion, waterlogging.

12. Eastern Plateau (Chhotanagpur) and Eastern Ghats, Hot Subhumid Ecoregion

• Location: Chhotanagpur Plateau, Bastar Region.
• Area: 26.8 million ha (8.2% of total geographical area).
• Climate: Hot summers, cool winters.
• Crops: Rice, pulses, groundnut, wheat.
• Constraints:
  • Soil erosion, seasonal drought.

13. Eastern Plain, Hot Subhumid (Moist) Ecoregion

• Location: Northeastern Uttar Pradesh, Northern Bihar.
• Area: 11.1 million ha (3.4% of total geographical area).
• Crops: Rice, maize, pigeonpea, wheat, lentil.
• Constraints:
  • Flooding, soil salinity.

14. Western Himalayas, Warm Subhumid to Humid Ecoregion

• Location: Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh.
• Area: 21.2 million ha (6.3% of total geographical area).
• Crops: Wheat, millet, maize, rice, apples.
• Constraints:
  • Soil erosion, landslides.

15. Assam and Bengal Plain, Hot Subhumid to Humid Ecoregion

• Location: Assam, West Bengal.
• Area: 12.1 million ha (3.7% of total geographical area).
• Crops: Rice, jute, tea, pineapple.
• Constraints:
  • Flooding, waterlogging.

16. Eastern Himalayas, Warm Perhumid Ecoregion

• Location: West Bengal (northern), Assam.
• Area: 9.6 million ha (2.9% of total geographical area).
• **Crops

**: Jhum cultivation, millets, potatoes, tea.

• Constraints:
  • Soil erosion, deforestation.

17. North-Eastern Hills (Purvanchal), Warm Perhumid Ecoregion

• Location: Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur.
• Area: 10.6 million ha (3.3% of total geographical area).
• Crops: Rice, millets, maize, tea.
• Constraints:
  • Soil erosion, excessive rainfall.

18. Eastern Coastal Plain, Hot Subhumid to Semiarid Ecoregion

• Location: Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa.
• Area: 8.5 million ha (2.6% of total geographical area).
• Crops: Rice, coconut, pulses.
• Constraints:
  • Soil salinity, cyclones.

19. Western Ghats and Coastal Plain, Hot Humid-Perhumid Eco-Region

• Location: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala.
• Area: 11.1 million ha (3.6% of total geographical area).
• Crops: Rice, tapioca, coconut, spices.
• Constraints:
  • Soil erosion, waterlogging.

20. Islands of Andaman-Nicobar and Lakshadweep, Hot Humid to Perhumid Island Ecoregion

• Location: Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshadweep.
• Area: 0.8 million ha (0.3% of total geographical area).
• Crops: Rice, coconut, arecanut, oil palm.
• Constraints:
  • Soil erosion, inundation.

Conclusion

India’s agro-ecological regions offer a diverse range of ecosystems, each with unique characteristics and challenges. Understanding these regions is essential for optimizing agricultural practices, ensuring sustainable land use, and addressing food security.

1. How does the agro-ecological diversity of India contribute to the nation’s agricultural productivity? (250 words)
2. Discuss the major constraints faced by farmers in different agro-ecological regions and suggest potential solutions. (250 words)
3. Explain the role of soil and climate in determining the crop patterns of various agro-ecological regions in India. (250 words)