Question

Explain why some parts of the country have higher intensity of cropping then the rest of the country.

Answer 1

1. Availability of Water: Regions with assured irrigation from canals, tube wells, or tanks (e.g., Punjab, Haryana, Western UP) can support multiple cropping seasons. Areas dependent on rain (e.g., Rajasthan, parts of Deccan Plateau) have lower cropping intensity.
2. Favourable Climate: States with moderate to high rainfall, fertile soils, and warm temperatures year-round can grow more crops annually. For instance, the Indo-Gangetic plain and coastal areas have conditions conducive to intensive agriculture.
3. Better Infrastructure: Good road connectivity, market access, storage facilities, and credit availability encourage farmers to cultivate more frequently.
4. Population Pressure and Land Scarcity: In densely populated areas, farmers try to maximize output from limited land, leading to higher cropping intensity.
5. Government Support and Subsidies: Government schemes like Minimum Support Price (MSP), crop insurance, and agricultural extension services incentivize multiple cropping.