Main Food Crop of North and North-Western Part of India

The main food crop cultivated in the north and north-western part of India is wheat. Wheat is a cereal grain that is widely grown and consumed in this region due to its adaptability to the climate and soil conditions prevalent in the area. Let's delve into the details of why wheat is the primary food crop in this region.

1. Agricultural Importance:
Wheat holds significant agricultural importance in the northern and north-western part of India. It is one of the major staple crops cultivated across the Indo-Gangetic plains, which includes states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Rajasthan. These regions have fertile alluvial soil, favorable temperature, and adequate rainfall, providing ideal conditions for wheat cultivation.

2. Climatic Conditions:
The climatic conditions of the region also favor wheat cultivation. Wheat requires a cool growing season with a temperature range of 10-25°C during its growth stages. The winters in the north and north-western part of India provide the necessary cool weather required for the successful cultivation of wheat.

3. Soil Requirements:
Wheat is well-suited to a variety of soil types, including loamy, sandy loam, and clayey soils. The alluvial soil found in this region is fertile, rich in organic matter, and has good water retention capacity, making it highly suitable for wheat cultivation.

4. Water Availability:
The availability of water is crucial for crop cultivation, and the northern and north-western part of India benefits from the presence of perennial rivers like the Ganges and its tributaries. These rivers provide a reliable source of irrigation water, ensuring consistent moisture levels necessary for wheat cultivation.

5. Market Demand:
Wheat is a staple food and is widely consumed in various forms like chapati, bread, and other wheat-based products. The high demand for wheat in the region makes it economically viable for farmers to cultivate this crop. Moreover, the surplus production of wheat in these areas contributes significantly to the national food grain stock.

6. Government Support:
The government provides various subsidies, loans, and incentives to farmers to promote wheat cultivation. The Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme ensures that farmers receive a fair price for their produce, encouraging them to continue growing wheat.

In conclusion, wheat is the main food crop cultivated in the northern and north-western part of India due to its adaptability to the climatic and soil conditions, availability of water resources, high market demand, and government support. The cultivation of wheat not only ensures food security in the region but also plays a vital role in the socio-economic development of the farming community.

Wheat is the main food crop of north and north western part of India . Wheat needs 50 - 75 CM of annual rainfall which should be evenly distributed among the growing season. the ganga satluj plains in North west plains and black soil region of the Deccan are the two important wheat growing zone in India . Punjab , Haryana, UP, Bihar,Rajasthan and parts of Madhya pradesh are important wheat producing region.