Sand, desert or wasteland is how one might see Rajasthan. But this land is a blessing in the field of agricultural and farming products. Rajasthan today is now emerging as an agricultural boon in the Indian scenario. Rajasthan is a land where one can get the most desirable products for export. Agricultural products of Rajasthan range from several crops from season to season. The agricultural sector of the state accounts for 22.5 per cent. More than 80 percent of the population lives in rural areas.
The two premier crops of Rajasthan:
- Rabi
- Kharif
Two third of the total geographical area is under Desert but the economy of Rajasthan is mainly agriculture-based and thus its population is dependent on farming. The largest cultivated Cereal crops as bajra, juar, wheat and barley are the utmost treasures of its economy. The Indira Gandhi or Rajasthan canal supplies irrigation to the parched western districts of Bikaner and Jaisalmer. Ganga canal in the Punjab is known for providing water to Ganganagar district. Irrigation projects have also urbanized on the Chambal and Luni rivers. Kharif (monsoon) crops grow mainly on the western region whereas the eastern belt is better known for rains and soil.
Common features of agriculture in Rajasthan:
- Agriculture in Rajasthan is primarily rain fed. The average Rainfall is 58 cm.
- Shortest monsoon period ranges from 2 to 2.5 months. Its onset is late and withdrawal early as compared to other States
- 90 percent of the total rainfall is received during monsoon season (July-Sept.).
- In addition to spatial deviation in rainfall, there is tremendous difference from year to year.
- About 63 percent of the total crop cultivation is under Kharif season.
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